Tag Archives: Carrots

Farmers Market Recipes: Spring Season

21 Apr

B Gibson - Version 2An uplift in mood is clearly evident come spring at the farmers market. And the beauty of cooking and eating along a somewhat seasonal track is the joy that comes from seeing favorites return after a long absence.

Below are a few items you’ll find in abundance now along with recipe links. And if you do live in Marin, check out the Spring Schedule of Local Farmers Markets below.

Click images for recipes        

ARTICHOKES

ArtichokesThis recipe is straightforward and full of flavor. Artichokes are trimmed, seared and then sit covered to cook for 45 minutes. And although a dip isn’t necessary, here’s a good one to accompany a more simple steamed artichoke.

 ASPARAGUS

Asparagus Pic Monkey

Go with the fatter spears to avoid them becoming stringy when roasted. This recipe is a great meld of flavors.

BEETS

BeetsA simple, versatile and tasty recipe. Feta works well too.

CARROTS

Carrots

I usually make this recipe without the orange juice and use fresh or dried rosemary, thyme or a combination.

STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries

Although the freezing-for-winter strategy extends strawberries’ lifespan, there’s nothing like the freshly picked. Click the image above for recipes.

 

 MARIN COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Spring Schedule      

SUNDAY

SAN RAFAEL, 8:00-1:00, Marin County Civic Center Parking Lot

TUESDAY

MILL VALLEY, 3:00-7:00pm, Tam Valley Community Center, 203 Marin Ave   (Starts in May)

WEDNESDAY

CORTE MADERA, 12:00-5:00 pm, Corte Madera Town Center, Highway 101 & Tamalpais

FAIRFAX, 4:00-8:00pm, Bolinas Park, 124 Bolinas Avenue     (Start in May)

THURSDAY

SAN RAFAEL

8:00am-1:00pm, Civic Center, Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium’s Parking Lot

6:00-9:00pm, Downtown San Rafael, 4th Street between Lincoln and B Streets

FRIDAY

MILL VALLEY, 9:30am-2:30pm, CVS Pharmacy Parking Lot, 759 E Blithedale

BOLINAS, 2:00-6:00pm, Star Route Farm, 95 Olema-Bolinas Road

SATURDAY

LARKSPUR, 9:00am-2:00pm, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing Circle

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Cooking Inspiration for the Month

8 Jan

During this reset season, the competition between the abstinence commitments made in December and the lingering desire for comforting food, especially when faced with frigid temperatures across the country, can be fierce. Maybe it’s best to ride somewhere in the middle so here are a few ideas.

Please share in the comments section below what you’ve tried and how it turned out.

Happy New Year!

BREAKFAST

The Perfect Make-Ahead Waffles from Marion Cunningham

We all have our idea of what makes the perfect waffle. In our family, these are it. Lighter than pancakes, they are slightly crispy on the outside but fluffy within. As a bonus, they’re quick to prep the night before and finish up in the morning. Try them served with butter and berries, either fresh or heated from the freezer.

Marion Cunningham Waffles

NOTE:

  • If you’re wanting to up the nutrition factor, you can substitute whole wheat pastry flour for white.
  • A teaspoon of vanilla adds a nice flavor boost but is not necessary.
  • Don’t be surprised by the thin batter.
  • Any extras will freeze well for a toaster oven snack.

APPETIZER

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs from Cheeky Kitchen

Just in time for the Golden Globes this weekend or for the Superbowl on February 1st, these are a simple, sure hit. Ground turkey also works well.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

MAIN DISHES

Weeknight Porchetta from Bon Appétit 

To simplify this recipe, skip nestling the heads of garlic around the tenderloin.

Weeknight Porchetta

Spaghetti and Drop Meatballs with Tomato Sauce from Mark Bittman

Mark Bittman does it again with meatballs and sauce made easy in one pot.

24TIME4-articleLarge_opt-3

VEGETABLES

Roasted Carrots with Honey, Sage and Garlic from Cannelle Et Vanille

Something healthy and light to go with that pork. Good with or without the yogurt.

Carrots

SNACK or SIDE

Corn Muffins from Food 52

Great to serve alongside the Porchetta above or Butternut Squash Soup below and perfect with chili, these are a fun alternative to corn bread. I prefer the buttery flavor to the bacon fat called for in the recipe.
Corn Muffins

LUNCH

Butternut Squash Soup from Half Baked Harvest

If you haven’t discovered the blog Half Baked Harvest, it’s worth checking out. Tieghan took over cooking for her big family of nine in her mid-teens and hasn’t missed a beat since. Her creative, delicious recipes, excellent photography and youthful flare have brought her well-deserved success.

Below is a recipe inspired by her Moroccan Butternut Squash Soup. Next time, I’ll try her version, but for today, I lacked a few ingredients. Regardless, it was full of flavor.

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Soup with Curry and Leeks

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 cups Butternut Squash, peeled and cubed (about 2 small to medium)
  • 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
  • 1 Leek, white portion only, or 1 small Onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon Curry Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried Thyme, chopped
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • 1 Garlic clove, skin removed and crushed
  • 1 (14 ounce) can Coconut Milk
  • 2 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth
  • 4 ounces Goat Cheese, softened

Optional Toppings: Plain Greek Yogurt or Goat Cheese and/or roughly chopped Cilantro and Pistachios

PREPARATION

  1. To make peeling easier, cut off the bottom of the squash and put on a plate in the microwave for 3 minutes. Peel, remove seeds and cut into approximately 1-inch cubes.
  2. Add the coconut oil to a large soup pot set over medium heat.
  3. Once hot, add the leek or onion and cook for 3-5 minutes or until soft.
  4. Add the cubed butternut squash, curry powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Add the garlic clove and stir for 10 seconds or so to meld the flavor but avoid scorching.
  7. Pour in the coconut milk and broth.
  8. Bring to boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the butternut squash is fork tender.
  9. Once the squash is tender, add the goat cheese (optional).
  10. Remove the pot from the stove and allow to cool slightly, then puree the soup in a blender or food processor. Return the soup back to the stove and heat through.
  11. To serve, ladle the soup into bowl, topping with Greek yogurt or crumbled goat cheese and garnishing with chopped cilantro and/or pistachios.

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Farmers Market Recipes: Spring Season

29 Mar

An uplift in mood is clearly evident come spring at the farmers market. And the beauty of cooking and eating along a somewhat seasonal track is the joy that comes from seeing favorites return after a long absence.

Below are a few items you’ll find in abundance now along with links to some favorite recipes. Since the weather is more winter than spring at the moment, it’s a good time for roasting and braising which is not ideal in the warmer months.

If you do live in Marin, check out the Spring Schedule of Local Farmers Markets below.

Click images for recipes        

ARTICHOKES

ArtichokesThis recipe is straightforward and full of flavor. Artichokes are trimmed, seared and then sit covered to cook for 45 minutes. And although a dip isn’t necessary, here’s a great one to accompany a more simple steamed artichoke.

 ASPARAGUS

Asparagus Pic Monkey

Go with the fatter spears to avoid them becoming stringy when roasted. This recipe is a great meld of flavors.

BEETS

BeetsA simple, versatile and tasty recipe. Feta works well too.

CARROTS

Carrots

I usually make this recipe without the orange juice and use fresh or dried rosemary, thyme or a combination.

STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries

Although the freezing-for-winter strategy extends strawberries’ lifespan, there’s nothing like the freshly picked. Click the image above for recipes.

 

 MARIN COUNTY FARMERS MARKET Spring Schedule      

SUNDAY

SAN RAFAEL, 8:00-1:00, Marin County Civic Center Parking Lot

TUESDAY

MILL VALLEY, 3:00-7:00pm, Tam Valley Community Center, 203 Marin Ave   (Starts in May)

WEDNESDAY

CORTE MADERA, 12:00-5:00 pm, Corte Madera Town Center, Highway 101 & Tamalpais

FAIRFAX, 4:00-8:00pm, Bolinas Park, 124 Bolinas Avenue     (Start in May)

THURSDAY

SAN RAFAEL

8:00am-1:00pm, Civic Center, Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium’s Parking Lot

6:00-9:00pm, Downtown San Rafael, 4th Street between Lincoln and B Streets

FRIDAY

MILL VALLEY, 9:30am-2:30pm, CVS Pharmacy Parking Lot, 759 E Blithedale

BOLINAS, 2:00-6:00pm, Star Route Farm, 95 Olema-Bolinas Road

SATURDAY

LARKSPUR, 9:00am-2:00pm, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing Circle

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Shepherd’s Pie in a Skillet

8 Oct

Shepherds Pie is crave worthy food. Homey, flavorful and satisfying. This recipe has been adapted from Cooks Illustrated and I admit, for someone who disses this publications’ sometimes overly step-intensive preparations, there are a few like the Best Roast Chicken and Blueberry Muffins that prove that Cooks Illustrated is not always such serious business. This one has no unusual ingredients and although there are two separate elements, it comes together fairly quickly. And the leftovers are just as delicious as round one. Continue reading →

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