Carrot Tahini Salad with Spiced Chickpeas

Carrots bunched

Nash’s carrots are BACK!

Serves 6

For the chickpeas:
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, rinsed & drained (or 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Pinch of salt and pepper

For the dressing:
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons minced parsley
Water to thin if necessary

For the salad:
3 cups shredded carrots (from 3 to 4 medium-sized carrots)
1/2 small red onion, diced
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup fresh parsley, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Toss the chickpeas with the oil, spices, salt, and pepper. Place on a prepared baking sheet and roast in the oven until lightly browned and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. Shake the pan several times throughout baking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. In a large salad bowl, toss the shredded carrots, onion, raisins, and parsley with the dressing. Mix well. Season with a little salt and pepper. Right before serving, top with the chickpeas and enjoy.

We thank thekitchn.com for this recipe. 

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Pears with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto

pears

Our pears are crisp and super-sweet!

This recipe combines sweet and savory, is super easy to prepare, and is a definite crowd-pleaser.

2 pears (such as Bosc or Bartlett), each cut into 8 wedges
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup arugula
3 ounces blue cheese, cut or crumbled into small pieces
6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut in half lengthwise

In a large bowl, toss the pears and lemon juice. Layer a slice of pear, an arugula leaf, and a few pieces of cheese on a piece of prosciutto and roll up. Secure with a toothpick, arrange on a platter, and enjoy this great combination of flavors!

We thank realsimple.com for this recipe.

Did you know?

  • The skin of the pear contains about half of the entire dietary fiber content, and about 3-4 times more of the phytonutrient content than the flesh, which provides anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant protective benefits.
  • Pears contain a specific group of phytochemicals, flavanols and anthocyanins (in red skinned pears) that have been shown to help improve insulin sensitivity, and decrease the risk of Type II diabetes.
  • Pears are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and the mineral copper, critical for building strong tissues, maintaining blood volume, and producing energy in your cells.

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Lemony Braised Lacinato Kale

lacinato kale1 large bunch (about 10 ounces) lacinato kale, leaves rinsed and thick center ribs cut out
Scant 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin fruity olive oil
2–4 cloves garlic, or to taste
1/8 cup dry white wine (could use vermouth)
1/4–1/2 cup chicken stock
1 teaspoon coarse salt or sea salt
1–2 teaspoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice, to taste

Cut kale into 1-inch pieces and steam until slightly wilted. Remove from heat and drain well.

In a large fry pan over low heat, heat olive oil. Add garlic and sauté, stirring often, until soft. Add kale and wine; cover and cook until almost all liquid has evaporated. Add 1/4 cup chicken stock and cook until stock is almost evaporated and kale is very tender, approximately 30 minutes. Check for tenderness. If needed, add the remainder of the chicken stock and cook until done.

Season to taste with salt and lemon juice; toss with tongs and serve. Serves 2.

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Dilled Green Beans

Green beansYields 4 pints.

2 pounds small, tender green beans
4 large heads dill
2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 cloves garlic
4 small red chili peppers
2 cups vinegar
1/2 cup salt

Heat together water, vinegar, salt and cayenne pepper to make a brine. Wash beans. Snap off ends to fit in the jar. Pack beans into hot, sterilized jars. To each pint add one clove garlic, one head dill and one red pepper. Bring brine to a boil and pour over beans.

Follow USDA instructions for canning pickled green beans. Wait six weeks before eating.

We thank Janet French for this recipe.

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About Green Beans

Green beansLike most vegetables, green beans are low in calories (43 per cup) but pack lots of fiber and nutrients. A cup’s worth provides about 25 percent of your daily supply of vitamin K and 20 percent of vitamin C, as well as manganese, vitamin A, potassium, and folate.

Some Ways to Use Green Beans

  • Toss freshly boiled or steamed green beans with soy sauce, sesame oil, extra-virgin olive oil, pesto, lemon juice, Italian dressing, or vinaigrette.
  • Munch raw beans with various dips. Kids like these as a finger food!
  • Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs over steamed or boiled green beans; dill or mint are pleasant surprises with green beans.
  • Stir-fry or sauté green beans with a mixture of peanut or sesame oil, soy sauce, green onions, garlic, ginger, chili paste, sugar, salt, and pepper for Szechuan-style beans.
  • Drop a handful into stir-fries at the last minute to add flavor and crunch. (This works best with young, tender beans.)
  • Serve salade niçoise, that hearty, traditional cold salad with tuna, hardboiled eggs, olives, and green beans. There’s nothing better for supper on a warm summer evening.
  • Prepare your green beans southern-style — cook them slowly in lots of water with a ham hock or piece of pork fatback, and finish off with a dose of vinegar and a dash of hot pepper sauce. But remember: the longer they are cooked, the less nutrients they have.
  • Add interest to cooked green beans by tossing them with a light vinaigrette and slivered almonds or chopped hazelnuts.
  • Create a colorful vegetable julienne with green and yellow string beans, carrot strips, golden beets, and red or orange bell pepper strips steamed or boiled briefly.
  • Pickle green beans for a crunchy, juicy change from regular cuke pickles.
  • Green beans go well with just about every sort of nut and nut oil. Try ’em with walnuts, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, and macadamias. They’re also great with dried fruits like cranberries and cherries.

We thank Bounty from the Box: The CSA Farm Cookbook, by Mi Ae Lipe, for these ideas.

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Easy French Leek Pie

leeks

Aw yeah, leeks ‘n’ cheese!

Prep: 10 min, Cook 40 min, Ready in 1 hour

1 9-inch pie crust
2 teaspoons butter
3 leeks, chopped
1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup light cream
1 1/4 cups shredded Gruyere cheese

For the pie crust, consider using the pie crust recipe at the bottom of this recipe.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190° C).

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in leeks; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until soft. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream and cheese, and warm through. Pour mixture into pie shell and bake for 30 minutes, or until custard is set and golden on top. Allow to sit 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.

We thank allrecipes.com for this recipe.

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Fresh Radish and Greens Salad

radishes with greensDressing
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
3 tablespoons walnut or olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Dash of salt

Greens
4 cups mixed greens (you can substitute spinach)
1 cup thinly sliced red radishes (about 2 bunches)
1 large apple, quartered, cut into julienne strips
1/2 cup cucumber cut into julienne strips
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup feta cheese

Place dressing ingredients in a large bowl, whisk together, and set aside. Combine greens, sliced radishes, apple strips, shredded carrots, and cucumber strips in a large salad bowl. Toss salad with 3/4 of dressing (add all dressing if necessary) and place on four plates. Garnish each plate with walnuts and feta cheese.

Recipe adapted from WebMD.com.

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Cilantro Dill Pesto

cilantro

Cilantro!

This pesto is packed with flavor and can be spread on crackers or veggies, or mixed with a pasta dish.

1 jalapeño pepper (or substitute pickled jalapeño pepper slices)
3 tablespoons roasted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup canned white beans, drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup water
Pinch ground cumin
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Preheat grill. Grill jalapeño pepper until charred. (You can use pickled or simply jarred jalapeño slices in place of the grilled jalapeño.) Cool, peel off skin and remove all of the ribs and seeds from the inside of the pepper. Note: Seeds and ribs can also be left in to increase heat of pesto.

Toast sunflower seeds on a tray in a toaster oven for 5 minutes or until golden. Place all ingredients except olive oil in a blender container and puree. Slowly drizzle in olive oil after pesto has been pureed.

Recipe adapted from canyonranch.com.

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Walnut Beet Patties

Sliced beets1 1/2 cups quinoa
2 cups vegetable broth
2 medium onions, finely diced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice)
4 teaspoons dried oregano*
4 teaspoons dried basil*
4 teaspoons dried thyme*
2 teaspoons paprika
3/4 pound carrots (about 3 medium), grated
1 1/4 pounds (about 3-4 medium) beets, grated
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/2 teaspoon pepper or to taste
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
3/4 pounds walnuts, chopped in food processor
Extra virgin coconut oil for frying

Rinse quinoa and place it in a small pot with the broth. Cover and bring to a boil; let simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it sit for another 20 minutes. Allow to cool.

Sauté onions in olive oil for about 5 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar and herbs and sauté another 5 minutes. Grate the beets and carrots.

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. Form into 15 to 20 patties. Over medium heat, fry the patties in a little coconut oil until lightly brown, about 7 minutes on each side. Transfer to a baking tray and continue cooking in the oven for another 15 – 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve warm or let them cool. Got extra patties? They freeze well!

*If fresh herbs are available, you only need 1 1/2 teaspoons of the fresh herb.

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Simple Romaine & Cucumber Salad

romaine lettuce

Summer’s here, and it’s time for crisp, cool salads!

2 cups bread cubes (1/2-inch cubes)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-size pieces
1 small seedless cucumber, thinly sliced

Preheat the oven to 350°. On a baking sheet, toss the bread cubes with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and toast for about 10 minutes, stirring once, until golden. Let the croutons cool.

In a large bowl, whisk the mustard with the balsamic vinegar. Gradually whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add the romaine, cucumber and croutons, toss well and serve.

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