Favorite CSA Recipes 2012

This summer has been a great summer for food.  It's amazing how well you can do with the CSA (community supported agriculture) after some practice.  This was our second season with Farmer Daves, and my husband and I decided to step it up to a full share, which typically serves 3-4 people.  I think overall we have wasted less and have learned to adapt to what is in season.  It definitely takes some work, but with a little planning and utilizing canning / freezing methods to preserve, you can make your vegi's go a long way.

My favorite vegi cookbook has got to be Simply In Season.  This cookbook is sorted by season, which is great if you belong to a CSA.  Also, the index is very helpful if you want to see for example all the zucchini recipes.  All the recipes are simple, not to complex and easy to make up after work for dinner.  Also there are many options for substitutions depending on what you have on hand.  My favorite recipes from the book include the Chilled Gazepacho Soup, Summer Squash Skillet, Roasted Summer Vegetables, Sweet and Sour Swiss Chard, and Summer Pesto Pizza. Every time I open the cookbook, I find another recipe that I can't wait to try.

Other favorite recipes include:

Luanns Kale Salad - a wonderful fall salad with yummy apples, kale, and nuts.


Paula Dean's Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread. Absolutely amazing!  And it freezes well too:)


Tuscan Kale & White Bean Soup ---wonderful!  Can you tell I had a lot of Kale to use! :)


Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats --- Great way to use up all those zucchini's!


Black Bean Salad with Corn, Peppers, Avocado & Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette -- This recipe kept well. We also put on top of lettuce.


Garlic Scape Pesto - Amazing! We made a big batch, froze in ice cube trays and have already almost used it all.  We made pesto pizza, used it with summer squash skillet, pasta.  so yummy!!!

1/4 cup pine nuts
3/4 cup coarsely chopped garlic scapes
juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
1/2 t salt
Black pepper to tast
extra virgin olive oil to consistency that you like
handful of basil

Combine in bowl of food processor. Pulse until well combined. Use or place in ice cube trays to freeze. Once solid transfer to freezer ziplock bag.

** I have also used arugula in place of basil.

Salsa Verde - Chicken Enchiladas

This green salsa turned out great! We used it for chicken enchiladas, but you could also eat it with chips or even fish tacos! I divided this in half as we didn't have 4 pounds of tomatillos. Refrigerate covered up to 5 days.  You can also can the salsa by using boiling water method.

4 pounds of tomatillos, husks removed

1 T olive oil or grapeseed oil

1 cup distilled white vinegar 

1 pound yellow onions, chopped

1/2 chili peppers, stems and seeds removed

2 garlic cloves, peeled

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

1 t salt

1. Preheat broiler. Wash and dry the tomatillos.  Lightly brush half of the tomatillos with oil and arrange on baking sheet with step-side down. Broil until blackened in spots. Remove and cool to room temperature. 

2. Puree the remaining raw tomatillos with the vinegar in blender or food processor. Remove to large saucepan. Puree the onions, chili peppers, and garlic with the cooked tomatillos and any juice left in the pan. Add to saucepan.  Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until thickened.  Approx 10-15 minutes.  STir in the cilantro and salt and remove from heat. 

Enjoy! 

Kale and Ricotta Ravioli

This recipe is oh so easy (on a side note this will take some time to assemble the ravioli!), and oh so yummy!  It would also be a good way to use up your Kale from a local CSA, or farmer's market you may shop.  And using wonton wrappers (usually located in the produce section), cuts down on the prep time.  And best of all, this recipe makes 48 ravioli, so you will def. have enough to freeze for another night = a quick and easy meal.

The recipe is from Everyday Food, March 2012.

You will need:
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 Bunch of Kale (3/4 lb)
1 3/4 cup ricotta
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
1 garlic clove, minced
48 square wonton wrappers
4 cups marinara sauce, warmed

1. In large pot of boiling salted water, cook kale until tender, approx 4 min.  With slotted spoon, transfer to colander.  When cool enough to handle, squeeze out excess water and finely chop.  In medium bowl mash together kale, ricotta, Parmesan, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper

2. Assemble ravioli; Arrange 6 wrappers on work surface, keeping remaining wrappers covered with damp towel. Spoon a scant tablespoon kale mixture in center of each wrapper. With a fingertip, moisten edges of wrapper with water, then fold over filling to form a triangle and press to seal.  (Flatten area around filling to eliminate air pockets.) Place ravioli on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with a kitchen towel.  Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.

3.  Return salted water to boil, reduce to a bare simmer.  Drop half the ravioli into water, one at a time, stirring gently to prevent sticking.  Cook until al dente, about 3 minutes.  With slotted spoon, transfer ravioli to a paper towel lined baking sheet, arrange in a single later and let drain briefly. Repeat with remaining ravioli.  Top with sauce and enjoy!


**You may chill uncooked ravioli wrapped up to 1 day, or freeze in a single later, then store in a ziplock bag up to 1 month.

Let's Go Patriots!!!

To cheer on our beloved team the New England Patriots, we decided to make some cookies with some team spirit. We cut out cookies in the shape of footballs and team shirts:)  And with the best recipe from Grandma Ruth, these are sure to be a hit for the big game.  And yes, we are amateurs at decorating....

Grandma Ruth's Cut out Cookies

2 c sugar
1 c shortening (I used butter)

Cream together. Then mix:
1 c sour cream
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
5 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground nutmeg

Refrigerate till chilled. Roll out, and cut.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Let cool. And have fun frosting.  :)

Review of Freedom Filer

For this months goal, I wanted to improve our paper system.  Our current system was not working, as there were always piles of paper around the house, I could never seem to find what I needed.  To start the year off right, I had been researching file systems online and came across Freedom Filer on Unclutterer's website.  The price of the system was a little steep at $42, for labels....but after reading multiple good reviews, I decided to take the plunge.

I was able to set up my files in less than 2 hours, and was amazed at how easy it was to learn the system.  Within another 2 hours, I had sorted thru all our documents.  It was great to see 4 garbage bags of paper we no longer had to keep, and everything we needed, fit nicely into 2 file bins.  I also set up an active set of files in our kitchen to aid the reception station as mail comes in the door.  I am so amazed at how clean my house looks now, that there is no longer piles of paper cluttering the space.  The best part of the system, it is a self purging system.  So never again will we have to sit for 4 hours sorting thru all of our documents.  If you are looking into an organization for your paper documents, I would highly recommend this one.

John Deere Green

We are on a smoothie kick and I thought I would share. It turned out really good and super healthy:) We named it John Deere Green.....aka the green tractor. :) 1/2 lemon, peeled 1/2 cup parsley 2 handfuls of spinach 1 piece (1/2 inch) ginger, peeled 1 cucumber, peeled 2 apples 1 stalk celery 3 leaves kale 1/2 cup water 1 cup ice Blend until mixed. Serves 2 ...... enjoy:)

Tangible Ambitions 2012

After reviewing my goals for 2011, I realized I was trying to do too much.  This year, I hope to scale it down a notch, keep it realistic, and allow myself to enjoy things a little more.  Instead of having 20 goals like last year, I'm keeping it to 12. And focus on one goal each month.  Some of them will overlap, but hopefully this will make me a little more successful in completing the goals for the year.

1.  Organize a file system, backup/scan important documents (January)
2.  Declutter Basement: donate/sell unused items, purge and keep it that way (March)
3.  Organize Photo System and update Scrapbooks (March)
4.  Learn and Explore US history. Complete the Freedom trail, Visit DC (April)
5.  Reconnect with nature: Plant a garden, landscape around the house, start composting (May)
6.  CSA Goal: To preserve more and waste less (June, July, August)
7.  Take a photography class (September)
8.  Finish Christmas shopping (October)
9.  Be Thankful.  Donate to a local charity. (November)
10.  Enjoy the Holiday Season. (December)
11.  Complete 3 Quilts this year (High School Tshirt, ISU Quilt, and Joanna's Quilt) (ongoing)
12.  Read 2 books a month (22/24 read.)