With the promise of vegetarian tacos firmly within my grasp, I knew that the dish was going to need some protein to give it some nourishing “staying power.” What better than black beans? They are my favourite in the legume family — I love their crunch, flavour, and their size. Instead of the doing a…
Avocado-Chimichurri Sauce
When a giant globe of curly-leafed parsley showed up in my CSA share last week, I visibly frowned. I really don’t like the stuff and much prefer the milder and softer flat-leaf aka “Italian” parsley I grow myself. However, I was up for my own CSA Challenge and so I considered what to make with it….
Coleslaw
Few salads scream fresh and summer as well as the perennial summer favourite, coleslaw. While the ingredients in coleslaw — which are hardy and store well — make this a great year-round salad, there is something truly exceptional about making this supremely creamy version when the ingredients are young, fresh and in season. So when…
What am I?
Ok … it’s time for some active audience participation. Let’s play a game called “What am I?” However, this time, the game has a twist … because I don’t know the answer. In this past week’s CSA share (#4 for those who are counting), this veggie showed up. What is it? I know what it…
Fettuccine Carbonara with Sweet Peas
The sweet peas that arrived in my CSA share this past week have been screaming “do something different with us.” And really, who’s to argue with talking veggies? For some reason pasta came into my head and when I added the bacon and then the lemon zest in my brain, I had arrived at the…
Chilled Cream of Celery Soup
When my CSA share arrived this week with fresh organic celery in it, I was inspired immediately to make a creamed soup with it. The two bunches were young and small weighing in total less than a pound and they were adorned with a full mop of leaves. With so much flavour wrapped up in…
Salsa with Grilled Summer Squash and Pineapple
The pattypans in my CSA this week presented another opportunity to really test myself and try something different. I wanted a fresh salsa that would pair well with the blackened tilapia I was making — which meant I wanted something fresh, but not overwhelmingly ‘fruity’ or sweet. I looked at that pattypan (and I think…
Fried-Egg Sandwich with Curried Cream-Spread
I suspect the the “fried egg sandwich” is a cultural expression of a pretty middle-class upbringing in parts of Canada and the USA. Beyond that, I would guess the origins are some country in Europe. If anyone knows the answer, let me know, but my guess is Scandinavia, England, or France. However, like so many…
My CSA Challenge – Share #2
If the number of recipes that emerged from week number one is any indication, the CSA Challenge – 2013 Edition is off to a great start. I’m feeling inspired and challenged and my tummy is happy. Pretty good metrics all round. Here’s fingers crossed and napkins tucked in hoping that week #2 is just as…
Tomato Salad (5 Ways)
So tomato season is almost here. My own vines are filling with fruit and I suspect that even with all the rain, some of us in the Ottawa Valley are only a week or so away from fruit. Having said that, the butter lettuce in my CSA share this week was screaming “I want tomatoes,”…