Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Lamb Shanks Braised with Swiss Chard

Lamb Shanks Braised with Swiss Chard


Adapted from The Sultan's Kitchen; A Turkish Cookbook. I made this for my family on Sunday, the lamb was meltingly delicious and the chard soaked up all of tomato and lamb flavors. Serve this with some cooked pearled barley that has been seasoned with salt and pepper and tossed with fresh cilantro, parsley or chives. Serves 4.

4 lamb shanks, total weight about 4 pounds
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
2 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup sunflower or olive oil
3 TB unsalted butter
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 bunch scallions, trimmed and chopped, including some green parts
4 tsp tomato paste
3 medium frozen tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 tsp dried crumbled thyme
1 quart water, chicken stock or lamb stock
3 parsnips, diced
1 pound swiss chard, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

Mix the flour with the salt and pepper. Dust the shanks with the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. In a large, deep, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over high heat, and sear the lamb shanks for about 5 minutes, until they're lightly browned on all sides. Pour off any excess oil. Melt the butter in the same pan and cook the garlic and scallions for 1 minutes, stirring them with a wooden spoon, until they're softened but not brown. Add the tomato paste, tomatoes and thyme.

Pour the water, or stock, over the lamb shanks and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and continue to simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the lamb is tender. Skim the surface to remove any scum and excess fat from time to time. Thirty minutes before the end of cooking, add the parsnips. 15 minutes later, add the chopped chard.

After 15 minutes, remove the chard and parsnips with a slotted spoon and arrnge them in the center of a warmed platter. Place the lamb shanks over the vegetables. Bring the cooking liquid to a rapid boil, and reduce until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir cilantro or parsley into gravy and sprinkle over platter. Serve immediately with cooked barley on the side.

Published in Dinner
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Dilled Potatoes Vinaigrette

Dilled Potatoes Vinaigrette


Adapted from Epicurious.com. Serves 4.

1 pound russet potatoes, peeled
1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider or white-wine vinegar
2 1/2 teaspoons dry vermouth or dry white wine
3 tablespoons sunflower or olive oil
1/4 cup minced fresh dill
2 scallions, chopped
lettuce for serving

Place whole potatoes in a steamer set over boiling water. Steam them, covered, for 15-20 minutes, or until they are just tender. When cool enough to handle, slice crosswise into 1/3 thick rounds. In a bowl whisk together the mustard, the vinegar, the vermouth, and salt to taste, add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk the dressing until it is emulsified. Add the potatoes while they are still warm to the dressing and toss them gently with the dressing, dill, scallions and pepper to taste until they are coated well.

Let the potato mixture stand, tossing it occasionally, for 30 minutes and serve it at room temperature a top mesclun or lettuce leaves torn into pieces. The potato mixture may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Let the potato mixture return to room temperature before serving.

Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Grilled Chicken on Sauteed Greens

Grilled Chicken on Sauteed Greens


Heather enjoys grilling as much as possible so that she can avoid too many pans to wash in the kitchen! She also loves sweet and savory combinations, especially with the bitter greens. Enjoy! Serves 4.

CHICKEN
4 boneless chicken breasts
2 tbsp sunflower oil
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp white wine
1 tbsp cumin
1 clove garlic, minced
salt & pepper to taste

GREENS
2 tbsp oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bag braising greens, or other bunch of greens roughly chopped
1 additional bunch of greens (beet is good) or 1/2 head of Napa, cut into shreds
vinegar or juice of 1 lemon

1/2 cup cherry halves
minced scallions

Brush chicken with 1 tbsp oil. Whisk together the honey, wine, cumin, garlic, salt and pepper. Grill the chicken, basting with the honey spice mixture, until cooked through. Lightly sauté the greens with the oil and garlic; season with lemon juice or vinegar. Arrange plates with the cooked greens and a piece of chicken garnish with cherries and scallions.

Published in Dinner
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Cabbage and Beet Slaw

Cabbage and Beet Slaw


This makes a beautiful presentation, something that can't be said for every slaw out there. Adapted from Epicurious.com. Serves 4.

4-6 small beets, trimmed
4 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage
2 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
3 shredded salad turnips, optional
2 TB + 1 tsp cider vinegar
3 tsp Dijon mustard
3 tsp grated orange peel
1 tsp honey
6 TB sunflower oil
Chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 375°F. Wrap beets in foil. Bake until tender when pierced with knife, about 1 hour. Cool. Peel if necessary. Cut into 2 x 1/4 x 1/4-inch strips. Place in medium bowl.

Toss together cabbage, scallions and turnips (if using), in large bowl. Combine cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, grated orange peel and honey in small bowl. Gradually beat in oil. Pour enough dressing over beets to coat. Pour remaining dressing over cabbage and mix. Season both salads with salt and pepper.

Arrange cabbage around edge of platter. Mound beets in center. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Published in Salads
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Mediterranean Slaw

Mediterranean Slaw


1 recipe Grilled Radicchio (above)
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 TB sunflower oil, or to taste

Cool down grilled radicchio and mince the leaves. Toss with the scallions, parsley and oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Published in Salads
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Thai CSA Noodles

Thai CSA Noodles


This is Nancy's favorite go to recipe for a spring and summer CSA share. Although, this recipe calls for Napa cabbage, you could easily use spinach, broccoli, kale and/or chard instead. The adults in our family like to add an extra hot chili, the kids prefer just the mild kick one chili provides. Serves 6.

1 lb. pork sausage, plain or breakfast
1 lb. spaghetti or linguini
2 tsp sunflower oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic scapes chopped fine, or 3 garlic cloves minced
1 hot pepper, seeds removed, finely chopped, or 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 head Napa cabbage, sliced in thin ribbons
3 TB fish sauce
2 TB soy sauce
1 TB green curry paste
2 TB dry sherry
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
juice of 1/2 a lime
1 cup basil, julienned
1 cup cilantro, optional
1 cup scallions, thinly sliced

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil while you fry the crumbled sausage in a large, heavy-bottomed pan or wok over medium-high heat. When sausage is fully cooked drain meat and reserve. Add pasta to the boiling water. Heat oil in the heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and chili. Saute, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes. Add Napa cabbage. Cook, tossing frequently, for about 5 minutes, or until cabbage just begins to wilt. Add fish sauce, soy, sherry, curry paste, ginger, pepper and reserved sausage. Toss to combine and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in lime juice, basil, scallions and cilantro (if using). Drain pasta, reserving up to 1 cup of the cooking water. Toss the sausage and veggies with drained pasta, adding a bit of the reserved water, if necessary.

Published in Dinner
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Tabouli

Tabouli


I had to include this to go along with the parsley. Make sure you give it time to marinate in the fridge! Serves 6.

1 cup bulgur
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice -- and/or lime juice
1 teaspoon garlic -- crushed
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1/2 teaspoon dried mint flakes
1/4 cup olive oil -- (good quality)
fresh black pepper
2 medium tomatoes -- diced
1 cup fresh parsley -- chopped and packed

Optional: 1 cup chopped cucumber and/ or 1/2 cup coarsely grated carrot

Combine bulghar, boiling water, and salt in a bowl. Cover and let stand 15-20 minutes, or until bulghar is chewable. Add lemon juice, garlic, oil, and mint, and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate 2-3 hours (this is important, the bulgher needs to marinate). Just before serving add the vegetables and mix gently. Correct seasonings. Garnish with olives.

Published in Salads
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Stir Fried Turnips with Greens

Stir Fried Turnips with Greens


From Jack Bishop's A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen. Serves 4.

3/4 cup orange juice
2 TB soy sauce
3 medium scallions
4 med garlic cloves
1 TB minced ginger
1/2 tsp hot red pepper flakes
1 TB plus 1 tsp peanut oil
1.5 lbs Spring Dug Turnips, cut into 3/4 wedges or chunks
5 cups packed, stemmed greens (turnip greens, mustard greens, spinach etc)

Combine orange juice and soy in measuring cup. Place scallions, garlic ginger, red pepper flakes in small bowl. Heat 1 TB oil in large skillet over med high heat until shimmering. Add turnips and stir fry until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Push turnips to edges of pan, spread garlic mixture in center of pan. Drizzle remaining 1 tsp oil over mixture and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir to combine with turnips. Add orange juice mixture to pan, cover and cook, until turnips are creamy and tender and liquid has reduced to a few tablespoons (2-3 minutes). Add greens, cover and cook until just wilted, about 1 minute. (If the contents of the pan are too soupy, simmer with the cover off to reduce the liquid to a sauce consistency.). Serve immediately.

Published in Hearty Sides
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Cilantro and Potato soup

Cilantro and Potato soup


This is a delicious, satisfying soup. Like most soup recipes, there is lots of room for improvisation here with some options given below.

2 TB olive oil or butter
2 medium onions, finely chopped (or 2 leeks)
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 quart chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
2 medium potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped
salt and pepper
1 pinch red pepper flakes
2/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
lime juice

Saute onion and garlic slowly until tender. Add the broth, potatoes. Cook til the potatoes are tender about half an hour. Add most of the cilantro leaving a few tablespoons for garnish. Use an immersion blender or food processor to puree. Serve hot or cold, and garnish with the remaining fresh cilantro. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving.

Optional: add 1 diced, seeded jalapeno pepper along with the broth and potatoes. Add up to 1/4 cup of cream to soup just before serving. Add a couple chopped scallions to the soup after pureeing.

Published in Soups and Stews
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Sweet Beet Dressed Slaw

Sweet Beet Dressed Slaw


Adapted from a Rachel Ray recipe 4 servings

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons
2 small to medium-sized red beets, peeled and grated
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 heaping tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 heaping tablespoons Honey
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 bunch salad turnips, julienned
1 head Napa cabbage, shredded or
3 bias cut scallions
2 rounded spoonfuls dill pickle relish

Preheat a medium size skillet over medium-high heat with about 3 TB of extra-virgin olive oil. Once you see the oil ripple in the pan add the grated beets, season with some salt and pepper and saute for 2-3 minutes. Then add the cabbage to the same pan and saute another 2-3 minutes until the beets are tender. Transfer the beets & cabbage to a bowl and let them cool down a bit. Add the mustard, vinegar and honey to the beets. Whisk in the remaining extra-virgin olive oil in a slow and steady stream. Add the fresh dill, salad turnips, sliced scallions and relish and toss to combine, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve now or the next day.

Published in Salads
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