Oven Roasted Peppers

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Lady Locavore

 

Sweet Orange Peppers

Sweet Orange Peppers

OVEN ROASTED PEPPERS

  • Sweet or hot peppers
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salt to taste

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Slice peppers in quarters lengthwise and remove seeds.  Rub both sides with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and lay skin-side-up onto the pan.

Roast the peppers in the oven until the skin is browning– about 20 minutes.  Once cool, slide the skins off (optional).

Oven roasted peppers are delicious and they freeze quite well if you have lots on hand. Pack the peeled, roasted peppers in freezer bags and squeeze out the air. To use, remove from the freezer and thaw.

Oven roasted peppers are great on sandwiches, quesadillas, in omelettes, or layered into casseroles. Peppers will keep well frozen for about 4 months.

Courtesy of Capay Valley Farm Shop

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Homemade Kimchi, Kimchee or Kimchi

Posted on May 4, 2021 by Lady Locavore

Kimchi is very easy to make and just takes patience to get through the first day or two. Which ever way you spell it kimchee, kimchi or kimuchi, this simple condiment is worth the wait and is a beneficial mixture to add to your weekly meal plans!  Use as a side dish, in a sandwich, with cold meat, a topping for hot or cold rice. Make fritters or pancakes. Have it with eggs for breakfast, or in a hot ramen soup. Add it to a tomato sauce for a spicy pasta sauce. It can be eaten in pretty much any style you wish.

Eat as is or try it in a combination of ways. It’s great, with noodles, miso or chicken soup, in stews, on salad, over pasta and even on pizza!

When you’ve eaten all the kimchi out of the jar, there’s probably going to be some liquid left in there—please don’t throw it away! That stuff is liquid gold, flavor-wise. Stir it into mayo or sour cream for a dip with a nice little kick of spice and funk. Or use it as the base of a salad dressing. Or simply use the liquid as part of the cooking liquid for your next batch of steamed rice—you really can’t go wrong with it.

Seafood gives kimchi an umami flavor. Different regions and families may use fish sauce, salted shrimp paste, oysters, and other seafood. Use about 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, salted shrimp paste, or a combination of the two. For vegetarian kimchi, I like using 3/4 teaspoon kelp powder mixed with 3 tablespoons water, or simply 3 tablespoons of water.

Fermenting creates good bacteria which helps with gut health. It can help with IBS, boost your immunity, aid in weight loss and even promote better skin. Kimchi is a mixture of vegetables and spices that go through a fermentation process. Fermenting foods have long been known for their health benefits.

HOMEMADE KIMCHI, KIMCHEE, OR KIMUCHI

You can enjoy kimchi fresh right after you mix it and store it straight in the fridge. You may like to experiment by putting half the recipe in the fridge and the other half in the pantry to ferment & sour to see which flavor your favorite is.

  • 1 medium Napa Cabbage, about 2 lbs. (Savoy, Green Cabbage or any variety will work)
  • ¼ cup Kosher Salt, Sea Salt or other coarse salt
  • 6 cups Water, preferably filtered
  • ¾ sweet Apple chopped (vegan option) OR 1 teaspoon Sugar and 2 tablespoons Fish sauce or Shrimp paste (traditional) OR 3 tablespoons water (not sweet option)
  • ½ small white Onion, chopped 
  • 1 cup Daikon Radish or combination Red Radish, Carrots, cut into matchsticks
  • 1 ½ inch or 1 teaspoon fresh Ginger, chopped
  • 2 – 5 cloves Garlic grated
  • 1 – 5 tablespoons Korean Red Chili powder (gochugaru) or 1 tablespoon each Cayenne & Hungarian Paprika
  • 3 – 4 Green Onions sliced 1 inch

Quarter cabbage and chop into about 2-inch pieces. Place cabbage in an extra-large bowl or pot. 

Place the cabbage in a large bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Using your hands, massage the salt into the cabbage until it starts to soften a bit. Add enough water to cover the cabbage. Put a plate on top of the cabbage and weigh it down with something heavy. Give cabbage a good mix every now and then. Let soak for 2 – 4 hours, up to 12. 

Rinse the cabbage under cold water 3 times. Set aside to drain in a colander for 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the spice paste.

Whatever style you are making, combine apple, onion, ginger and garlic in food processor/blender and process until smooth. OR Add the garlic, ginger, sugar, and fish sauce, shrimp paste, OR water and stir into a smooth paste. Stir in the chili pepper, using 1 tablespoon for mild and up to 5 tablespoons for spicy set aside until the cabbage is ready

Once cabbage is ready, gently squeeze any remaining water, reserving ½ cup. Place cabbage back in large bowl, combine with the scallions, apple/onion mixture and chili paste. Mix well using your hands to coat all pieces. Either use your hands (with gloves on to protect from the chili pepper) or simply use wooden spoons to toss everything.

Pack the kimchi into a 1-quart jar. Press down on the kimchi until the brine (the liquid that comes out) rises to cover the vegetables, leaving at least 1 inch of space at the top. Seal the jar. If you don’t have a glass jar, plastic containers with lids will work just as well. If you have too much room, more than an inch, place plastic wrap over top, but sinking in close to the surface of the kimchi to remove air, and cover with lid.

Kimchi relies on fermentation, or the digestion of sugars into acid, gases, or alcohol. This process is what gives kimchi its hallmark effervescence, tanginess, and tasty funk, captured through the natural dynamics between bacteria and their environment.

Let it ferment for 1 to 5 days. Place a bowl or plate under the jar to help catch any overflow. Let kimchi sit at room temp (or in a cool place like a pantry or closet if weather is extremely warm) for 24 – 36 hours. After 24 hours, open kimchi and pack the mixture down with a spoon (the cabbage will have likely shrunk and you’ll have more liquids Kimchi shouldn’t taste bad, it should have a tangy, slightly sour and crisp flavour) you may notice it bubbles as it ferments, this is normal and a good sign you’re doing it right as the kimchi is fermenting. As your kimchi ferments the flavors will develop, taste every 24 hours and place kimchi in the refrigerator once you’re happy with the taste and to slow fermentation, usually after 36 – 48 hours. It should be tangy, spicy and slightly sweet. After moving to the fridge, it’s best used within a month, maybe two.

Makes about 3 – 4 cups

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Protected: HOPE Triple Cord CSA – Locavore Learner

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Lady Locavore

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How Much Do I Need To Grow to Feed My Family for the Summer? For the Year? Being Self Sufficient in a back yard garden – AKA – WHY I Choose my CSA!

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Lady Locavore

Ever thought of Growing your own veggies? Sounds easy…. Buy some seeds, throw them in the ground and voila!

I came across this article today called “How Much Should You Plant to Provide a Year’s Worth of Food” Well,  I grew up on a Vegetable Farm.  We had 2 Acres worth of garden.  My family raised meat chickens, planted, grew and harvested vegetables and fruits for our small farm. My parent’s primary wish was to attempt to be as self-sufficient as possible in the 60’s and 70’s. They were a bit before their time. My father practiced companion growing, and we didn’t use pesticides or artificial fertilizers. I never knew the word “Organic” and thought everyone planted this way. Everything was sewn by hand, with a handmade tool, two wooden pegs and a spool of twine, and tilled using a walking rotor-tiller and a variety of favourite rakes, cultivators and other hand tools. Garden gloves optional. We also sold veggies to people in town and a local group of folks who lived in cottages along the lake to pay for our land taxes every year.  My mother was at that time a “stay at home” mom and eventually a “working mom” once us kids got to be teenagers and could manage the gardens on our own.

Ask me about weeding…. I would draw up a map of the garden each spring, carefully marking out each and every row and what was planted there, and then would keep track by marking our progress during our weeding regime as to all the rows we did on that day, every day. We would often come back into the house with a ring of dirt around our mouths from eating while weeding, a perk to weeding the carrot patch. After dinner, and when he got home from a long day at the factory, Dad would walk out to the gardens, and inspect our work, and make us go back to the rows and take out the ones we missed… By the time we finished the gardens and gave out a hearty cheer, we had to start all over again.  Perpetual weeding and harvesting. BUT we DID have enough food for a whole year.  

Reading this article made me remember just how much work it is and HOW happy I am that the Stoll Family Farm is there for our HOPE Triple Cord CSA. I HOPE you Join us today! If you have already signed up, Thank YOU and please Get your Friends involved.

“Now, how much should you plant? That depends on how much your family typically consumes in a year and the approximate yield of each plant. You’ll need to factor in growing conditions such as pests and season length, canning and preserving options, and a healthy margin for error. In all likelihood, it will take several growing seasons before you have a fine-tuned sense of what, and how much, you should plant each year.“

When gardening as a hobby, it’s fun to grow whatever you like, but if you’re sustainably gardening, you’ll want to consider what you can grow in a season to last you, so you can eat today and in the future. And do you really like eating in season? Is your backyard large enough for perpetual growing in the spring and mid-late summer? Would you be happy with storage root crops and dried beans and canned fruits and pickles all winter?

Swiss Chard

Here are 6 crops for getting the most bang for your buck in the backyard garden:

1. Beans

– Green beans are loaded with calories and protein. They’re delicious as a side or integrated into a stew or casserole, and certain varieties can be dried, which means that you can enjoy their nutritional benefits year-round. Plant pole beans, which have higher yields than bush beans and double as a dried or shell bean. On average, sew 10-20 bean plants per person per year.

2. Summer Squash

– If you have ever grown summer squash, or lived in the country, you know that summer squash, such as crookneck or zucchini, are incredibly prolific. Zucchini Bread anyone? Plant both yellow and green summer squash. 1 plant per person is recommended

3. Winter Squash

– Winter squash is a good choice because, as long as you store it somewhere cool and dry such as a root cellar, it will keep all winter long. 2-3 plants per person should be sufficient, unless you enjoy varieties of winter squash, such as pepper squash, butternut squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash…….And squash takes up a lot of room in the garden.

4. Garlic

– Garlic is a good crop to grow because it doesn’t take up too much space. You can grow garlic in the fall to harvest it in the summer. Once you’ve harvested your garlic, you can then use that space for late summer or fall planting. Plant 15 bulbs per person, or more if you love garlic.

5. Tomatoes

– Tomatoes are incredibly versatile. Not only are they delicious fresh, they can be used and preserved in a variety of ways including marinara, salsa, tomato soup, stewed tomatoes, and ketchup. On average, 5 tomato plants are recommended per person. Consider planting several different varieties; grape/cherry tomatoes are delicious fresh, but Romano and Beefsteak and Table tomatoes are better for eating, canning and sauces.

6. Onions/Leeks

-Leeks and Onions are versatile and add layers of flavour to dishes, and are very healthy for the immune system. Leeks can winter over in a garden, so will not freeze and spoil in the ground. Onions need a dry dark airy place to store so they don’t rot. 30 to 80 plants per person

HOPE Triple Cord CSA Summer Garden

How Much to Plant Per Person: Additional Crops (taken from the article: How Much Should You Plant to Provide a Year’s Worth of Food)

  • Artichokes: 1-4 plants per person, perennial
  • Asparagus: 5 plants per person, perennial
  • Beans, Bush: 10-15 plants per person
  • Beans, Lima: 10-15 plants per person
  • Beets: 10-20 plants per person, spring and fall
  • Broccoli: 8 plants per person
  • Brussels Sprouts: 5 plants per person
  • Cabbage: 5 plants per person, spring and fall
  • Carrots: 10-40 plants per person, succession planting
  • Cauliflower: 3-5 plants per person, spring and fall
  • Celeriac: 1-5 plants per person
  • Celery: 3-8 plants per person
  • Chard: 2 plants per person, regrows after harvesting outer leaves
  • Corn: 15-40 plants per person
  • Cucumbers: 5 plants per person
  • Eggplant: 1 plant per person, plus 2-3 extra per family
  • Kale: 1 5’ row per person
  • Lettuce: 10-12 plants per person, succession planting
  • Melons: 2-6 plants per person
  • Onions: 30-80 plants per person
  • Peas: 25-60 plants per person, succession planting, spring and fall
  • Peppers: 5-8 plants per person
  • Potatoes: 20-30 plants per person
  • Pumpkins: 1 plant per person
  • Radishes: 2’ row per person, succession plant
  • Rhubarb: 2-3 crowns per person
  • Spinach: 10-20 plants per person
  • Sweet Potatoes: 5 plants per person
  • Turnips: 2’ row, spring and fall crop

Read more about this concept taken from this article below https://www.livinggreenandfrugally.com/how-much-should-you-plant-to-provide-a-years-worth-of-food/

How Much Should You Plant To Provide A Year’s Worth of Food
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Savoury Pumpkin Feta and Seed Muffins

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Lady Locavore

Savoury Pumpkin Feta and Seed Muffins

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Savoury muffins are a great way to curb your urge to snack while incorporating a serving of healthy veggies into your diet. But why hit the corner cafe for your muffin fix when you can make a large batch at home, saving money and packaging waste?

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups cubed pumpkin or butternut squash, 1/2-inch cubes
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 large handful of baby spinach, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or cilantro
  • 3 tablespoons sunflower seeds
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 cup cubed feta
  • 2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup rice milk or other milk
  • 2 1/2 cups spelt flour or wheat flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use the butter to grease a 12-hole muffin pan or 2 loaf pans and set aside. Alternatively you can make this recipe into a loaf.

Sprinkle the olive oil and some salt and pepper over the squash. Toss well and turn onto a baking sheet or roasting pan. Arrange in a single layer and bake for 15 – 25 minutes or until cooked through entirely. Set aside to cool.

Transfer two-thirds of the squash to a large mixing bowl along with the spinach, parsley, sunflower seeds, Parmesan, two-thirds of the feta, and all of the mustard. Gently fold together. In a separate bowl beat the eggs and milk together and add to the squash mix. Sift the flour and baking powder onto the squash mix, top with the salt and a generous dose of freshly ground black pepper and fold together just until the batter comes together, be careful not to over mix.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan, filling each hole 3/4 full, top each muffin with a bit of the remaining squash and feta. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tops and sides of the muffins are golden, and the muffins have set up completely. Let cool for a couple minutes then turn out onto a cooling rack. Serve warm with a salad or soup.

Makes 12 muffins or two loaves for slicing. Loaves may take 60 minutes. Check with a toothpick for doneness.

Adapted from a recipe in Martha Goes Green by Rosie Percival and Ruth Friedlander. 

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Berry Jam

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Lady Locavore

Berries were on sale today, so I bought some extra to try out a recipe and make some small batch jam. I usually like to buy berries on sale to freeze to use when I make berry tarts for my potluck loving co-workers. There really is no such thing as extra berries actually.  The berries we get in our CSA boxes barely last the trip home, according to some share members.  They are the best travelling snack! 

This jam can be made with any combination of berries.  This recipe makes 2 cups of jam.  It is tart and sweet at the same time.  I like it with cold chicken in a sandwich or on the side with roasted meat.  Give it a go with peanut butter on toast. It is perfect on a cracker with cheese for a snack or charcuterie hor d’oeuvres. I put mine in tiny yogurt jars to give as gifts to friends.

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MAPLE BERRY JAM

5 cups of berries (I used 2 6oz boxes Blackberries and 13oz Strawberries

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 good squirt of lime or lemon juice.

In a saucepan, put all ingredients. Chop the strawberries in quarters.  Use a wooden spoon to mash the berries as they cook.  Bring all to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and simmer stirring often.  Cook for 40 minutes.  

Jam is done if it sticks to the wooden spoon and slowly runs off.  Alternatively, place a small dish in the freezer for 15 minutes.  Place a tiny amount of jam in the centre of the dish and wait a minute.  Take your finger and draw a line through the jam.  If the jam does not run back towards the centre it is ready or “set”.  

Place jam in jars and let cool at room temperature.  Store in fridge or freeze what you think you may not consume within 2 weeks.

If your jam turns out to be runny, consider this to be not a failure but an amazing topping for ice cream or stir into yogurt for a yummy dessert…

Want to make a syrup for mixed drinks?  Simmer this mixture for 20 minutes, strain through a fine mesh metal strainer and place in the fridge for cocktails and iced teas or freeze if using it later than 2 weeks.  Leftover fruit can be used again with yogurt or creme fresh and crackers.

Enjoy L.L

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Barbecue Season with Barbecued Grilled Lettuce and Barbecued Chili Lime Corn, Grilled Corn on the Cob and Veggie Stuffed Grilled Peppers

Posted on June 6, 2020 by Lady Locavore

BARBECUED GRILLED ROMAINE LETTUCE

At this time of the season, we are usually overrun with lettuces in our box. Some of us find it hard to eat enough salads and keep up with the awesome variety we receive each week. Here are some ideas to impress your dinner guests or to just enjoy along with your summer barbecue foods. Grilled Romaine is very tasty and visually appealing.

BARBECUED GRILLED ROMAINE LETTUCE

Hot and crisp, a little char with browned ruffled edges. Tender on the inside, yet still some crunch. A drizzle of good olive oil, a splash of bright lemon or lime juice, and a dusting of fresh shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. Occasionally, I like to sprinkle crispy smoked bacon pieces and crumbled blue cheese for some extra zing. Play with garlic infused oil, or Chili infused oil for grilling and drizzling just before serving. All of these things are what make it an Italian Grilled Romaine Salad, sealed with the signature, “bellisimo” fingertip kiss.

This technique is pretty much foolproof, but here are a few things to keep in mind, just to make sure:

  1. Slice Romaine lengthwise. This keeps the leaves connected to the core, thus your leaves staying together, nice and firm.
  2. Make sure your grates are clean, and brush them with a little oil.
  3. Turn that grill up to medium high, no need to be shy. This will give the lettuce those beautiful sear marks and infuse a smokiness. GRILL for 3 to 5 minutes each side.
  4. Don’t forget the fresh lemon or lime juice at the end. This is key to making the natural flavours of the lettuce sing, and brightens the entire dish.
  5. Topped with a squirt of aioli sauce or your own mixture of mayonnaise, garlic and dry mustard for added level of flavour.
  6. Top with sliced egg pieces or chickpeas or any protein to make this a meal.

I can not wait to hear how much you enjoy playing with lettuce on the BBQ this season.

you may also enjoy this article for more yummy ideas: https://www.acouplecooks.com/grilled-romaine/

BARBECUED CHILLI LIME CORN

Adapted from Cupcakes and Kale Chips (www.cupcakesandkalechips.com) Total Time ~20 minutes

Serves 4

This is a simple dish from the barbecue that is creamy and crunchy…and smoky and spicy!

  • 4 ears sweet corn, shucked
  • 1 Tbs butter or olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • ½ tsp sea salt Fresh pepper
  • 1 tsp chili powder, more to taste
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ cup crumbled feta
  • chopped green onions

Place corn over a medium-high grill for 8-12 minutes, or until slightly charred all around. You can also use leftover cooked corn, the corn charred on the grill gives it some nice smoky flavor.

Cut the kernels from the corn and place in a bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients, except the feta, and toss to combine well. Add the feta and toss gently.

Place in a metal baking dish or individual ramekins.

Place on indirect heat surface of the grill. Heat the corn through to slightly melt the cheese over the grill or in the oven (this can be done either way, or at any temperature, based on what else you are cooking). Top with chopped green onions and serve.

GRILLED PARMESAN, GARLIC AND BASIL CORN ON THE COB

Adapted from Culinary Ginger (www.culinaryginger.com) Total Time 30-35 minutes

  • 1 bulb garlic, very top cut off to expose cloves
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 4 ears of corn, husks pulled back or removed
  • 3 Tbs plus 4 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, grated 2 tsp fresh basil, finely chopped

Drizzle the garlic bulb with oil and wrap in aluminum foil. Brush 3 tablespoons of butter all over corn cobs.

Add the garlic to the grill 15 minutes before the corn. Add the cobs to the grill and grill until each side gets a nice char, turning often and checking so they don’t burn. About 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove both the corn and the garlic.

Cover the corn with foil to keep warm while you make the butter. Open the foil to allow the garlic to cool so you can handle it.

To a bowl add the 4 tablespoons softened butter, the cooled garlic cloves, salt and pepper. Mash and mix well.

To a shallow bowl add the Parmesan cheese and basil, mix well. Spread the butter all over the corn cobs, then sprinkle on the Parmesan and basil.

VEGGIE STUFFED GRILLED PEPPERS

Adapted from E Recipe Cards (www.erecipecards.blogspot.com) Serves 6

Stuff those bell peppers with other veggies from your box and throw them on the grill! What a great idea!

  • 6 bell peppers, sliced in half lengthwise, seeds and ribs removed
  • 4 Tbs butter
  • 1 large red onion, diced
  • 1 yellow zucchini, diced
  • 1 green zucchini, diced
  • 2 cups fresh corn kernels, cut from cob
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1 large pinch sea salt
  • 1 large pinch pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
  • ¼ cup basil, cut into ribbons
  • ½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbs additional butter, melted

Prepare the peppers by slicing and removing seeds and ribs. Rub with olive oil.

To prepare the stuffing, in a large saute skillet, add the red onion and zucchini. Saute over medium high heat until onions begin to turn translucent.

Add the corn, tomatoes, salt, pepper and garlic and saute for an additional 2 minutes. Add the basil, bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Remove from heat and stir to mix.

Scoop about 1 cup of the stuffing into each of the pepper halves. Sprinkle additional bread crumbs over the top of each and drizzle with a bit of butter

Grill over indirect heat (Coals pushed to one side, peppers above the part without coals, or on a gas grill, the burner(s) under the peppers turned off and the burners further away turned to high.

Close the grill and grill for about 30 minutes until the peppers have softened. and slightly charring on the edges.

Serve HOT and ENJOY!

Enjoy! L.L.

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Pickles, Pickles, Pickles and More Pickles

Posted on July 7, 2019 by Lady Locavore

Ever made Homemade Pickles? Know how simple it really can be? Summer and Pickles go hand in hand, but who has the time to make a huge bunch of pickles? These recipes are for quick Small Batch Pickles. You can pickle almost any vegetable. Use these recipes and try pickled onions, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, carrots (with ginger and lemon peel), green beans and asparagus. A Summer Bloody Caesar is best enjoyed with a fresh made pickle! Pickles can be saved for at least 2 months in your refrigerator but seriously I do not think they will be in there for too long. No need to sterilize jars and lids, although I would at least boil the jars for 10 minutes on the stove top in a large pot of water or put them through the dish washer. I always use glass bowls with tight fitting plastic lids when making pickles for the fridge, but good old jam jars or any sealer jars will work just fine. These pickles are great for burgers, pulled pork, sandwiches and even on the side with a cold beer at a picnic or in your every day lunch box. The Bread and Butter Pickles you can eat right out of the jar they are so good! To quickly cut even slices of cucumbers (straight or crinkle cut), you could use a mandolin. You can also use a crinkle cut knife found at most kitchen shops for a fun looking pickle.

THE SECRET’S OUT DILL PICKLES

Our friend Jeannette has shared her Mom’s “secret recipe”. Thanks Jeannette! This recipe does not need to be refrigerated but consumed within a few months.

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup pickling vinegar
  • 1 tbsp pickling salt
  • Garlic cloves
  • Sprigs of fresh Dill or 1 tsp Dill seed

Wash and put cucumbers on ice overnight in the fridge. Next day, make a brine. Boil vinegar, water and salt. Put a garlic clove and a spring of dill in a hot sterilized jar. Cut cucumbers into 4 lengthwise if you like spears or into chunks or slices for sandwiches and place in jar. Put more dill on top. Pour brine until it covers the cucumbers in the jar. Seal immediately and put jar upside-down on a tray to cool. Repeat until all cucumbers are in jars. Ready in 3 to 4 weeks. Any left over brine can be kept and used for another batch.

SUPER SIMPLE PICKLES

This recipe is for one jar of pickles. You can alter the recipe for more jars. This one has a zing of flavour!

  • 3 pickling cucumbers 4-4 1/2″ long, but no longer or sliced 1/4″pieces
  • fresh dill a few sprigs per jar
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed with the side of a knife
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp whole mustard seeds
  • 1/4 tsp whole black peppercorns

Wash cucumbers and cut into spears or slices. Pack into a wide-mouth pint-sized canning jar, or any clean glass jar. Since these are refrigerator pickles a canning jar is not necessary. Tuck several sprigs of dill in between the cucumbers.
In a saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, garlic cloves, salt, sugar, mustard seeds, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil and stir until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Pour liquid over cucumbers in the jar. Make sure to include all the mustard seeds, peppercorns, and garlic. If you are using a slightly larger jar and the liquid doesn’t fully cover the pickles, fill the rest of the jar up with water.
Close the jar and refrigerate for a minimum of 24 hours but preferably 48 hours. Enjoy!

These are not shelf-stable, so they will need to be kept in the refrigerator. They should keep in the refrigerator for about two months, if you don’t eat them all before that!

DAD’S FAVOURITE REFRIGERATOR PICKLES

My dad always enjoys the fresh cucumbers every summer in a bath of fresh water, vinegar, salt and pepper. Here is a slant on that simple recipe….prep time 5 minutes. Want it spicy? Add a hot pepper!

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup vinegar (rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, even white wine vinegar will work)
  • 1-2 Tablespoons sugar – only if you are looking for a sweet pickle
  • 1-2 Tsp salt
  • fresh ground pepper
  • 2 cups Sliced Cucumbers
  • Sliced Green Onion

Place all in a glass bowl and let soak for at least an afternoon, but overnight is even better. At time goes on the veggies will be less crisp, but still enjoyable. As the pickles get eaten, you can keep adding fresh veggies to this mixture, just allow some time for the flavours to develop! Enjoy

REFRIGERATOR BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES

Sweet, spicy, fresh and tangy and ready to enjoy the next day!

  • 8 medium sized cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium sized onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 Tablespoons coarse salt
  • 1 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups cider vinegar
  • 3 tsp mustard seeds (peppercorns optional)

In a large bowl, combine cucumbers and onion with the salt. Chill for 1 hour. After one hour, rinse cucumbers and onions under a cold water tap several times and drain. Pack cucumbers and onions snuggly in glass jars. Put all remaining ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a rolling boil making sure all sugars are dissolved. Remove hot liquid from heat and pour into the jars just to cover the cucumbers and onions. Let jars stand 30 minutes until cool then seal and put in refrigerator. Let stand at least over night. Enjoy! YUMMMMMMM

PICKLED CUBANELLE PEPPERS

Adapted from Mom Foodie (www.blommi.com)

Not sure what to do with those new CUBANELLE peppers that showed up this week? Try pickling them! This way you can experiment and use them in different dishes! The recipe calls for 4 peppers, but you could cut it in half.

4 large cubanelle peppers

2 cups distilled white vinegar 2 ½ cups water

¼ cup kosher salt

½ tsp minced garlic

Warm water until it almost comes to a boil.

While the water is heating, slice the peppers into 1/4 inch rings. Place the peppers and garlic in a container which has a lid.

Add the salt and vinegar to the hot water, stir to dissolve the salt. Pour over the peppers. Allow to cool, then cover.

Try after 2 hours, allow to set up to 4 hours at most. Remove from brine.

The pickled Cubanelles can go directly into a recipe, or can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

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Peas, Sugar Snap Peas

Posted on June 30, 2019 by Lady Locavore

These peas are certainly a seasonal treat.  Savour them fresh while they last!  Like sweet corn, they are at their best enjoyed immediately after harvest. Sugar Snap Peas are one of three different types of peas.  Shell peas, need to be removed from their pod before eating. Snow Peas are an edible young flat pod with immature peas inside.  Sugar Snap Peas have sweet edible pods and peas.

Snap-peas-ss-600x399

Remove the stem and pull down along the spine of the pod to remove the “stringy” part on the side.

Eat young fresh snap peas raw.  Put out a heaping bowl of them for snack or meal time or cut into salads or steaming hot rice for a crunchy rice dish. OR, they can be boiled in a tiny amount of water for 2 to 4 minutes then drizzled with sesame oil and sesame seeds and a squirt of lemon juice . Sautéd in a pan with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.  Stir fried with onion, mushrooms, or toasted nuts and fresh herbs. Make a fresh pea soup or a Fresh Pea Pod, Broccoli and Rice Salad. So tasty.

FRESH PEA SOUP

  • 1 onion chopped, saute in 1 tablespoon olive oil until tender (10 minutes)
  • 1 potato chopped
  • 3 1/2 cups water or broth (there are some nice broths such as mushroom or pho)
  • 1 tsp salt if not using broth

Add to saucepan and cook over medium heat until soft, 15 minutes

  • Pint of Sugar Snap Peas or as many peas you have…I have used regular podded peas frozen during mid winter.

Add and cook until bright green. Puree in blender, with immersion blender or food processor. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt. Serve warm.  Optional garnish with a dollop of sour cream or plain full-fat yogurt or a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley.

FRESH PEA POD, BROCCOLI AND RICE SALAD

Great for taking on picnic lunches or tossing in a lunch box for work. I like to make this and eat hot as a side dish with chicken or ribs.

  • 1 package or 6 oz long-grain and wild rice (or what rice you choose)
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli, (I like to use stems as well)
  • 1 sweet pepper, red, orange or yellow (optional)
  • 1/3 cup sliced red or green onion
  • 1/4 cup Italian salad dressing (or your own vinegrette with olive oil, vinegar, basil and garlic)
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp lemon pepper (if you have it) or regular pepper
  • 1 – 1 1/2 cups edible pea pods, sugar snap peas or snow peas
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds

Prepare rice according to package directions. Cool slightly. Steam broccoli until crunchy-tender. Toss with remaining ingredients and refrigerate until cold.

 

Happy Eating, L.L

 

 

 

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Maple Roasted Rhubarb

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Lady Locavore

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I was just given some fresh rhubarb from the farm and tried playing with ideas on how to make a stewed rhubarb without burning it.  I usually leave it too long on the stove.

This Photo of a Recipe I played around with and created I posted on Facebook and seems to be spreading faster than ever, so I thought I had better put it up on the blog. This is the Easiest recipe you will ever find, other than the recipe for boiling water….

MAPLE ROASTED RHUBARB

  • 6 stalks of Rhubarb, cleaned and chopped into pieces as short or long as you wish
  • 1/4 cup Maple Syrup, or more if you have a particularly sweet tooth
  • Squeeze of fresh Lime juice

Place all in a covered dish and bake at 350 degrees in the oven and walk away for 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size of your rhubarb.  Done

I love to serve this hot from the oven.  I put it over ice cream.  You could add whipped cream if you so desire and some nuts to make it pretty.

I would serve it cold for breakfast with yogurt on top and a bit of granola.  Or, cold as a sauce over some pound cake for dessert.  I really enjoy a dish of rhubarb beside my breakfast toast or at lunch with a hearty artisan style grilled cheese sandwich.  This rhubarb roasted becomes a great partner hot from the oven poured over pork roast or chops and roasted chicken as you would a gravy.

Rhubarb, you are such a versatile Vegetable!  Thank you

 

L.L (Lady Locavore)

 

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Basil Mint Sauce

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Lady Locavore

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Basil Mint Sauce is great to have on hand and so versatile.  A taste of freshness.  I have used this combination as a marinade for roast Pork, Lamb or Chicken.  I have used it fresh as a dipping sauce for barbecued Lamb Chops and oven-baked Chicken Wings. I have put it into a Pasta Salad along with fresh radish, cucumbers and spring onions. Tossed with potato wedges for oven-baked fries. Poured over chopped Tomatoes with fresh bocconcini or mozzarella cheese. Recently I have used it as a relish over gourmet burgers with a touch of horseradish.

  • 1 bunch fresh mint
  • 1 bunch fresh basil or lemon basil (my favourite variety of basil)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 lemon squeezed (juice)
  • 1 small clove garlic

Blend well in food processor.  Let sauce sit for an hour at least before using.  Store in a glass jar in the fridge.

Enjoy!  L.L

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Swiss Chard Pesto and Dip

Posted on June 24, 2017 by Lady Locavore

Red Swiss Chard

Red Swiss Chard

As great as traditional basil is, it’s not the only kind of pesto.  Parsley arugula, sun-dried tomatoes and even carrot tops can be used to make pesto, and are abundant most any time of the year.  The swiss chard stems are too fibrous for the pesto, so keep them for a nice sauté with olive oil, salt and pepper and enjoy another tasty side dish, or use the whole plant to enjoy the Swiss Chard Dip warm or cold. These two recipes are so versatile and both can be made into dips and spreads.  The pesto is a must try!

SWISS CHARD PESTO

Use this fresh tasty pesto with any kind of pasta, on top of grilled chicken, grilled vegetables, pizza, tomato and mozzarella salad or on crusty bread.  It is excellent mixed into chopped hard boiled eggs for egg salad.  Spread on sandwiches, grilled cheese or corn on the cob.  It is amazing in vegetable soups and risottos. Added to cream cheese or yogurt makes a lovely dip.

  • 1 bunch Swiss Chard leaves torn into pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon plus the juice
  • Salt
  • 1/3 cup roasted sunflower seeds
  • Handful of fresh cilantro or basil
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

In a food processor, combine chard, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice and 2 large pinches of salt.  Pulse a few times.  Add the sunflower seeds and cilantro and pulse again.  With machine running, add the oil in a slow stream an process until incorporated. Transfer pesto to a medium sized bowl and stir in cheese.

If you are not using the pesto right away, cover the top with a thin layer of olive oil.  The pesto will keep covered in the fridge for a week or frozen for up to a month (just omit the cheese and add it in just before serving)

SWISS CHARD DIP

This dip is both colourful and great tasting. You can make this and serve warm. I have topped it with fresh grated parmesan and baked it for 20 minutes.  It is a crowd pleaser.

  • 2 bunches green-stemmed Swiss chard (about 1½ lb.)
  • ⅓ cup olive oil,
  • 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • ½ cup full fat Greek yogurt, sour cream or cream cheese
  • ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp horseradish (optional)
  • dash of salt

Remove ribs and stems from Swiss chard leaves and finely chop. Tear leaves into small pieces. Set both aside separately.

Heat ⅓ cup oil in a large pot over medium-low. Cook reserved ribs and stems, stirring often and adding a splash of water if they start to brown, until tender, 5–7 minutes. Add garlic and continue to cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add reserved chard leaves by the handful, letting them wilt before adding more; cook, tossing, until all the leaves are wilted and tender, 10–12 minutes total. Let cool. Squeeze excess liquid from mixture, keeping at least 2 Tbsp. of the liquid.

Place Swiss chard mixture and 1 Tbsp. cooking liquid in a food processor and add yogurt, lemon juice. Season with salt and process, adding more cooking liquid if needed, until dip is creamy and only speckles of chard remain. This could take up to 5 minutes.

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Cucumber and Watermelon Salad

Posted on June 24, 2017 by Lady Locavore

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Watermelon on the Barbecue? Yes! 

Grilled watermelon has a refreshing unique smoky and sweet taste. A perfect melding of summer’s flavours, the result is simply splendid. Grilled watermelon is easy to prepare and may be used in a variety of different dishes, from sweet to savoury.

If you are grilling,  why not consider putting the watermelon on the grill on the side while cooking your main dish.  It gets a smoky edge and  tastes almost meaty.  Cut the watermelon into larger pieces so they don’t drop through the rack, brush the rack with olive oil and grill over medium heat until lightly charred about 2 minutes per side.  Cut watermelon into smaller pieces before mixing with the cucumbers.

Enjoy it as is, straight from the grill.  You can put it into a traditional fruit salad, or drizzle it with a mixture of liquid honey and lemon juice for a sweet dessert.  

I like to combine grilled watermelon with different cheeses, some nuts, a vinaigrette or balsamic vinegar combined with salad ingredients like cucumbers, greens, sweet onion, olives, mint, you name it, for an elegant twist on the summer salad.

CUCUMBER AND WATERMELON SALAD

  • 1 large shallot cut into thin rings
  • 3 Tbsp white wine vinegar or rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup light tasting olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 4 cups of bite-sized watermelon pieces, seeded (grilling is optional)
  • 2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2” pieces
  • 4 oz parmesan cheese

In a large bowl combine shallots, vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes to soften flavours.  Whisk in the oil, then season with salt and pepper.  Add the watermelon and cucumbers and gently toss to combine.  Check the seasonings and then divide the salad among plates or bowls.  With a vegetable peeler, shave a few long slivers of cheese over each portion and serve.

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Tasty Kale Salad

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Lady Locavore

11246024_836436116436771_5452422847574361426_nLately I just can’t seem to get enough green, curly kale into my system.  Actually Curly or Dark Russian long leafed, Red kale, doesn’t seem to matter.  I am power–chowing this nutrient dense super food like it is the latest fad. There’s plenty of chewing but I Gotta Have My Greens!

If kept in a cold spot in the fridge, wrapped in a wet paper towel inside a Ziploc bag Kale will not only keep longer, it will become slightly sweeter to taste.  The key with kale is to remove the curly leaves from the huge rubbery stem.  Stems are good treats to give to your dog as a chew stick.  Chop the kale and have plenty of other greens, nuts, seeds and fruit on hand for a real satisfying meal.

Particularly interesting lately, is my desire to have my kale raw and in salads. I have also learned that those pesky unpopular Brussels Sprouts are rather tasty raw.  Like tiny cute cabbages, also when kept cold will sweeten up.  Sliced very thin with a food processor or mandolin they add some added crunch to a tasty Kale Salad. 

I enjoy chopped fresh kale as a replacement for romaine lettuce in a classic Caesar Salad with bacon bits and croutons.  Add some protein like grilled chicken on top can make it interesting.

Kale chopped and tossed into pasta water during the last five minutes of cooking time is an easy way to get wilted greens on the table topped with your favourite pasta sauce or drizzled with oil and garlic and parmesan cheese, fresh ground pepper, a squirt of fresh lemon juice, a few pine nuts or walnuts to finish off the flavours.  So fresh, flavourful and such a gourmet-style dish, enough to impress your dinner date or family in an instant.

TASTY KALE SALAD

The addition of raw sweet beets, golden or purple will jazz up the look of your salad and give it a sweet edge.  Sliced red or orange peppers are a real hit too.  Fresh roasted almonds are a nice touch as well for added protein.   I have used cold rotisserie chicken or hot-off-the-grill chicken on top of the salad just before serving to make it a complete one dish meal.

  • 4 cups kale, ribs removed and finely chopped (about 1 bunch)
  • 2 cups Brussels sprouts thinly sliced
  • 4 med grated cooked or raw red or golden beets or thin sliced sweet peppers
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds and pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries or 1 chopped fresh apple or pear
  • 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled – optional

Vinaigrette:

  • 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • 1 Tablespoon real maple syrup
  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Enjoy. L.L

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The Best Homemade Wholesome Bean Burgers

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Lady Locavore

IMG_0063Yum.  I cannot brag enough about how good this extraordinary yet simple burger recipe is. I created this burger on my quest for the best veggie bean burger recipe by  putting together the best ingredients of a few recipes and using our CSA dried beans.  The texture is amazing and holds nicely.  This is the best that I have found so far.  Topped with melting mozzarella and nestled in between a warm toasted bun with fresh slices of tomato, lettuce and maybe even a bit of mustard, and this is a fabulous meal. I am enjoying avocado in my burgers lately.  Have a bit of cider on the side or a cold beer, sit back and enjoy! WHOLESOME BEAN BURGERS Best eaten fresh made and hot off the grill or frying pan while charred and crispy.  Can be satisfying without the bun along with a side of brown basmati rice and fresh salsa.

  • 1 cup dried beans any variety
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 onion or scallion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or ground almonds
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon each, cumin and chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped parsley or cilantro
  • 6 good-quality hamburger buns
  • avocado slices, tomato slices, lettuce leafs

Put beans, onion and water on stove and bring to a boil.  Turn off heat and allow to sit for 1 hour or leave to sit overnight.  Bring back to a boil and simmer for 45 minutes to one hour until beans are tender and slightly firm. Let cool to room temperature. Drain beans and put in food processor along with the breadcrumbs, egg, pepper, spices of your choice and garlic. Pulse until mixture starts to form together.  If it doesn’t start to form a ball, add more bread crumbs or ground almonds so it holds together and is not wet. Divide into equal portions and shape into 4-inch patties.

Warm the buns in a 300 degree F oven for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of olive or canola oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook, turning only once, until a crisp brown crust forms on both sides, about 6 minutes total. If you’ve chosen a burger that gets topped with cheese, add it now. Cover the skillet, turn the heat to low, and let the burgers continue to cook until the cheese melts. Top the burgers as desired.

Variation: Grill Method

Heat  burners of a gas grill on high. Lightly brush the tops of the patties with oil. Place the patties on the hot rack, oiled side down, cover, and grill until spotty brown, about 3 minutes. Lightly brush the tops with oil and flip the burgers. Replace the cover and continue to grill until the burgers are spotty brown on the second side, about 3 minutes longer. If you’ve chosen a burger that gets topped with cheese, add it now. Place the buns on the grill rack, turn off the heat, and let burgers and buns continue to cook until the cheese melts and the buns are warm. Top the burgers as desired.

Burger Options (use these extra flavorings to embellish the basic burger):

The Classic: Make the burgers without any extra flavouring and cook according to Stove top or Grill Method, topping the burgers with 6 thin slices of sharp Cheddar cheese when instructed. Stir together 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon coarse-grain mustard; spread over warm buns and dress the burgers with green leaf lettuce, lightly salted tomato slices, and thinly sliced red onion. Serve with ketchup.

The Southwestern: Mix in 1/2 cup prepared salsa, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before forming the burgers. Cook burgers according to Stove top or Grill Method. Mix 2 mashed avocados with 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread over warm buns and dress the burgers with lightly salted sliced tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion.

The Neapolitan: Mix in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar before forming the burgers. Cook the burgers according to the Stove top or Grill Method, topping the burgers with 6 slices mozzarella cheese when instructed. Stir together a generous 1/4 cup mayonnaise and 1/4 cup pesto. Spread over warm buns and dress the burgers with lightly salted sliced tomatoes.

The Curry: Mix in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup Major Grey’s chutney (mincing any large mango pieces), and 1 tablespoon curry powder before forming the burgers. Cook the burgers according to the Stove top or Grill Method. Spread chutney over warm buns. Dress the burgers with cilantro and pickled carrots (4 peeled and coarsely grated medium carrots tossed with 4 teaspoons rice vinegar and a big pinch of salt).

The Cajun: Mix in 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and 2 teaspoons Cajun spice before forming the burgers. Cook the burgers according to the Stove top or Grill Method. Dress the burgers with slaw (4 cups shredded cabbage mixed with 1/2 cup finely diced bell pepper, 2 thinly sliced scallions, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 4 teaspoons cider vinegar, and 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning).

The Tahini: Mix in 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons tahini, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1 teaspoon ground cumin before forming the burgers. Cook the burgers according to the Stove top or Grill Method. Dress the burgers with tzatziki (1 cucumber-grated and squeezed dry-mixed with 1 cup 2% Greek yogurt, 2 minced garlic cloves, 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste).

The Five-Spice: Mix in 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sugar, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons five-spice powder before forming the burgers. Cook the burgers according to the Stove top or Grill Method. Spread the buns with Thai sweet chili sauce. Dress the burgers with cilantro sprigs and pickled cucumber (1 thinly sliced hothouse cucumber, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons sugar, and salt to taste).

Notes and Tips: – Not every type of bean works for these. When you are using a mix of mashed and whole, the smaller ones, like black beans, white beans, pinto beans, and black-eyed peas, hold together better than bigger legumes like cannellini beans and chickpeas.

– You can add fresh herbs, spices, and flavorings as seen in many of the variations, but the classic is flavored simply-just garlic powder and black pepper-and since most canned beans have already been seasoned, there’s no need to add salt.

– For an even quicker bean burger, substitute 1 can (16 ounces) vegetarian refried beans for one of the cans of beans and reduce the eggs from 2 to 1.

– Fork mashing 1 can of the beans helps the patties keep their shape; leaving the second can whole lends appealing texture to the burgers.

Also, see other recipes from Lady Locavore:

Veggie Bean Burgers from Scratch

Squash Veggie Burgers

Healthy Burger Toppings

Take a look at this awesome article put out by the The Culinarium blog, Dried Heirloom Beans

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Harvest Butternut Squash with Almond-Pecan Parmesan

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Lady Locavore

IMG_0002Squash, such a versatile vegetable, enjoyed by vegans and omnivores alike.  I enjoy the fact that I can have it both as a main-course meal and as a dessert, but of course not in the same meal.  Did you know you can use butternut squash as you would use pumpkin for biscuits, loaves, soups, cakes and pies? Try it in your next chocolate cake recipe.  You can stuff the squash with your best meatloaf recipe and bake for 40 minutes.  You can even cube the squash and throw it in your best curry recipe for an added bit of yumm.  Steamed and added to chicken broth in a food blender with a bit of butter makes a nice bisque.

HARVEST BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH ALMOND-PECAN PARMESAN

Caramelized roasted butternut squash and thin strips of kale are topped with toasted almonds, pecans and parmesan.  The hardest part of this recipe is chopping up the squash.

If you don’t have kale, use collards, or spinach, blue cabbage.  It’s your choice.

  • 1 butternut squash
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 1/2 tsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup almonds
  • 1/4 cup pecans
  • 1/12 tsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup kale chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly oil 3 quart casserole dish.

Peel the squash, remove seeds and chop into 1” chunks and place in casserole dish.  Cover dish with a lid or foil and bake 35 to 40 minutes or until fork tender.  Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine almonds, pecans, oil and salt and pulse until chunky. 

When squash is fork tender, remove from oven and reduce heat to 350 degrees.  Carefully fold in the chopped kale and sprinkle with nut mixture.  Bake for 10 minutes uncovered until nuts are lightly toasted and kale is wilted.

Recipe adapted as found in Oh She Glows Cookbook Vegan Recipes to Glow from the Inside Out.

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Corny Corn Bread

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Lady Locavore

DSCF1994Looking for a nice breakfast idea or something easy to pack into your lunch bucket?

I believe this recipe would be great for kids lunches, for back to school or work where you have to take a lunch box or eat on the go.  You can eat it with your fingers and have it with a piece of string cheese and an apple perhaps.  It is also great made without the corn, which is then called “Johnny Cake” and used for breakfast with butter and maple syrup poured over top.  Always a favourite in my house.

CORNY CORNBREAD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

  • 2 cups cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda

Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

  • 3 eggs

Crack eggs into a small bowl. Beat well.  Add eggs to large mixing bowl.

  • 2 cups milk, yogurt, rice milk, almond milk or combination
  • 2 cups corn (off the cob) optional

Add to mixing bowl and stir together.  Pour into greased casserole dish, square baking pan or mini bread pans. Bake in preheated oven 40 minutes.  (Toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.) Cut into wedges and serve.

 

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Zucchini Cake with Lemon Glaze

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Lady Locavore

zucchini

Having trouble disguising zucchini cake? Really, who needs to hide zucchini?  Mom’s do, (some moms like me) and here’s the trick.  Peel it before you shred this summer squash by hand or in the food processor.  The bits of green will be gone, and those folks who “think” they do not like zucchini cake will not even notice it is there. Tried and true!  Been there!  Done that! It took my kid years to discover that that cake I had been serving to him for a treat was indeed that dreaded vegetable…zucchini. If you see him, do not tell him. I believe he maybe still does not know; even to this day. Which always begged him to wonder why mom was serving cake again.  Hmmm… not her usual style to go all out like that… (tee-hee)….

ZUCCHINI CAKE WITH LEMON GLAZE

  • 1/4 c extra light virgin olive oil or sunflower oil
  • 2 large free-range eggs
  • 3/4 c organic granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 4 T fresh Lemon Juice, divided
  • 1/4 c low-fat vanilla greek yogurt
  • 1 1/2 c flour
  • 1/2 t baking soda
  • 1 t baking powder
  • 1/4 t salt
  • 1 c shredded zucchini, green or yellow
  • 1 c chopped almonds or walnuts
  • 1 c powdered sugar

Oven 350 degrees F.  Coat an 8″pan lightly with butter.

zucWhisk oil and eggs in a large bowl.  Beat in sugar, zest, 2 T lemon juice and yogurt.  Add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; mix until combined.  Stir in zucchini and nuts.  Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.  Cool in pan 10 minutes.  Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.  Stir sugar and remaining 2 T lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.  Pour over cake and spread to edges.  Allow a little to trickle over the edge of the cake.  Makes 8-10 servings.

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Golden Beets

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Lady Locavore

golden beetGolden Beets…they are the best…they do not bleed and can be cooked by steaming or a sauté, amazing in soups too. One way to make it a quick side dish is to peel it and cut it up like you would home-fries in little pieces, then put in a sauce pan with a lid and about 1/2 cup water and a drizzle of olive oil. Heat up to a boil, and then sauté on medium heat in the liquid for about 9 minutes. Then take off the lid and continue to cook until tender. Throw on a bit of butter and eat…yumm… a tiny bit of salt and pepper if you wish…

Golden beets have an amazing sweetness. They tend to be a bit sweeter and taste a little less earthy and more mellow in intensity than Red beets. Thanks to its beautiful yellow colour, lightly steamed Golden beets can brighten up any food dish and look beautiful in all kinds of salads. This humble root vegetable is a welcomed contributor to our plates.

GOLDEN BEET AND CARROT SALAD

Beets and carrots are such companionable vegetables. They go together “grate” in this simple salad. Such flavourful veggies need only light embellishment — just a little added sweetness, plus the tartness of lemon, which brings out their flavours.

  • 2 medium golden beets, peeled and grated and par-boiled…see below
  • 4 large or 6 medium carrots, peeled and grated
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • Juice of 1/2 to 1 lemon (2 to 4 tablespoons), to taste
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Leaves from a few sprigs minced fresh herb of your choice, such as
    parsley, cilantro, or dill, or a combination

Combine all the ingredients in a serving bowl.  Allow time to let the salad stand (at room temperature or refrigerated), so that the flavours can blend.

Note: If you like beets partially cooked (they’re also easier to peel and cut that way), you can simmer them whole in water to cover for about 5 to 8 minutes. Or, place them in a heat-proof container with a very small amount of water; cover and microwave for 2 minutes per beet.  With either method, don’t cook for too long — you want to be able to pierce through maybe 1/4 inch, with resistance. Peel and cut the beets into chunks once they’re cool enough to handle, before grating them.
Read more at http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/grated-beet-and-carrot-salad/#eXaLQspz7GPmSOHG.99

 PICKLED GOLDEN BEETS

I have used this recipe for purple beets, golden beets and choggia (red and white) beets. I always enjoy cinnamon sticks with mine, although the liquorice taste from the star anise may be a pleasant change in flavour. 

  • 6 medium golden beets, steamed until tender
  • 2 1/2 cups rice vinegar or white vinegar
  • 1  cup granulated sugar (I have used less)
  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 4 star anise or cinnamon sticks

Pack beets in clean sterilized jars, either cut in slices or chunks. If beets are tiny, leave them whole. Boil vinegar with sugar, water and star anise or cinnamon until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.  Let cool for 10 minutes.  Pour into jars add star anise at the top and cover with lids.  Let cool completely and refrigerate up to  2 weeks.

Also, try this amazing tasty and awesomely good for you “Tops to Bottoms” Beet Soup

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