Now why am I running so behind? The first week we received the CSA was also the first week in our new house AND my first week at my new job. A lot of firsts! My time has basically been completely consumed by unpacking and projects to get the house how I want it. We have painted almost every room along with tending to some of the overgrown yard and taking out built-in items we didn't want. (Like a fluorescent box light in the kitchen and a 1970's desk built for a 5 year old). I have also become quite obsessed with our yard and making sure it is as pretty as possible. Only problem is the crazy amount of rain we have gotten in the last week or so. A few of my plants are not going to survive, including my Black Krim heirloom tomato. So sad because it had 5 tomatoes already coming! Ugh! Hopefully the farmers market will still have a few plants so I can try again.
Well, on to the real point of this blog...the food! So happy to be getting fresh veggies again! I feel like I have been lacking inspiration lately with my cooking and the CSA has become my muse. One big problem though...our kitchen wasn't put together until yesterday. So I really haven't made anything too inspiring. I do have plans for most of the food I have left and am hoping I can get started at it this weekend, along with the Holiday week next week.
RED LETTUCE AND ROMAINE
Obviously, I have been making salads out of these two lettuces. I made one of my favorites the other day which is similar to a Cobb. Avocado, Gorgonzola cheese, red onion, radishes, grilled chicken and lettuce, of course. And while writing this I just realized I forgot to put bacon in it...oops! I top it all of with a Balsamic Vinegarette of balsamic, olive oil and Dijon mustard.
ARUGULA
I absolutely love arugula. I think it is now my favorite lettuce. So tender but zippy! It really adds a great flavor to any salad. I think I started realizing how much I liked it this Fall from salads from restaurants, etc. My husband, B loves arugula even more than me! He buys a bag and just eats it raw, like its potato chips! I think he would prefer arugula over chips. Even though a little strange, at least it's healthy. Well after getting the week 2 share, I was feeling a little inspired but I didn't have much to work with. I made garlic toasts covered with melted fresh mozzarella, surrounded by roasted grape tomatoes and topped with arugula. And, of course, salt, pepper, olive oil and balsamic. This was on of those things that I just threw together and knew that I liked all of the ingredients separately so then it should all work together. Turned out wonderfully and it was one of the first meals I made in my new kitchen.
I still have all of the other items from this CSA left to use but I am planning on making a chive pesto and rhubarb bread this weekend. Sadly, the grape leaves had to get tossed because they got slimy. My fault for just throwing them in the fridge.
STRAWBERRIES
Well this one was easy to devour! Ate them all raw with my fingers...one by one. They were so delicious! Last year the strawberries we got were very small (the size of blueberries) and you had to eat them the moment you got them otherwise they would turn to mush. This year the strawberries were perfect! Sweet and fresh. They taste so different from a giant Driscoll berry from the store. Num!! Sadly with all of the rain it sounds like we may not be able to get many more.
BOK CHOY, TAT SOI and GREEN GARLIC
Sadly, I don't have a picture of this one but I sautéed them all up with some soy sauce, olive oil, sesame oil and mirin for a quick side. I really love bok choy! Just a really easy veggie to either throw into a stir fry or make as a side. As for the garlic, the farm has notified us that something happened to their crop and we won't be receiving as much this year. Last year we got something garlic related almost every week. (Green garlic, scapes, raw garlic and then cured bulbs). It will be an adjustment buying this stuff at the store or market. Oh well, that's just an example of some of the ups and downs of getting a CSA.
RADISHES
Still have a few left which I will probably eat raw but I did put some in the salad I mentioned before. I love the color of these ones. A beautiful bright pink!
The pea sprouts also ended up in the trash with the grape leaves. They were really wilted from the hot day when I picked up the share and they didn't get any better so they had to go. (FYI - I am hoping to make a compost bin in the next week so these type of items will end up there instead.)
The mint is still in fridge. Maybe some Mojitos are in order!
I see many many salads in my future along with guacamole, maybe chimichurri , and a wonderful meal of baby turnips. I realized the other day that B has never enjoyed them with me since I always eat them so quickly. Well since he is actually home this week, he will finally get to enjoy them. I think I may have to get some more at the market though because I could eat one bunch in a sitting.
Well hopefully I will have more recipes to share next week as we get into the swing of things. Granted, we are talking about painting our cupboards next weekend but I will figure it out! Hope everyone is staying dry. I will leave you with a few pictures of the farmers market and the CSA.
