CSA Week Two

I am on to week two of my CSA, and I was very proud that I finished most of my produce from last week, except for the scapes, which I plan to make a pesto with.  Click here for the Scape Pesto recipe.

This week I received:

-Lettuce
-Arugula
-Kale
-Salad turnips
-Beets
-Cilantro
-Scallions
-Lavender
-Blueberries
-Strawberries
-Eggs

I have a loose idea of what I want to make:

-Black bean tacos tonight using the lettuce.
-Black bean salsa using the scallions and cilantro.
-Roasted beets and arugula salad with goat cheese.
-Kale chips (click here for the recipe) or this Kale and Potato Gratin.
-Blueberry Kuchen (click here for the recipe), or blueberry pancakes, or muffins, or this blueberry crumb cake!
-Strawberries are just to be eaten, or placed on top of homemade vanilla ice cream!  But you could make these Strawberry Greek Yogurt Pops.

CSA Week One

I cannot believe it is already CSA time!  These last few months have totally snuck past me.  Anyways, yesterday was the first day of my CSA, and I was surprised by all the variety.  This is my third year as a member of my CSA and it just seems to be getting easier and more fun.  I know my first year was exciting, but overwhelming trying to figure out exactly what to make.  I think this year will be much easier.

Here is what I got:

-Rainbow Swiss chard
-Salad turnips
-Radishes
-Brocoli rabe
-Lettuce
-Braising greens
-Scapes
-Zucchini
-Rhubarb
-Strawberries
-Blueberries
-Eggs
-Lavender (I added weekly flowers to my share)

Last night I made a simple salad with lettuce, radishes, salad turnips, and Parmesan.  I also stewed some of my fruit.  I will be sharing the recipe tomorrow.  Tonight, I am making my favorite Brocoli Rabe Pasta (click here to view the recipe).

I plan to try to make a Swiss chard baked omelette this weekend, and Braising Green Tacos (click here for the recipe) maybe this Friday.  And maybe this Zucchini Spice Bread, click here for the recipe.

And if you are looking for something to do with your rhubarb and strawberries, try these Strawberry-Rhubarb Shortcakes.  Or try this Quick Strawberry Jam.

Papabubble

For my birthday last year, my coworker gave me some candy from Papabubble.  It was delicious and nostalgic and I knew I had to visit their shop in Little Italy someday.  I have gone a couple times now and it is a delight to see them actually making the candy in front of you.  Papabubble creates a variety of candies, but my favorite definitely is the lavender.  It is sweet, but has this refreshing and relaxing effect - just like when smelling the actual plant.  I like to pop one (or five) in my mouth just to mellow out.  If you are in New York, you should stop by Papabubble (click here for a map).  Or click here to visit their website.  There are some beautiful photos featuring their candies as well as their shops.

Lavender candy.

Plant an Herb Garden!

A three day weekend - like this past Memorial Day holiday, is the perfect time to do a special project. For the past month, I have been talking about planting a herb garden since I missed the one I had last year so much. Finally I made my way down to the Green Market in Union Square and bought: Mexican tarragon, chives, sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme, as well as an heirloom tomato plant and a cayenne pepper plant. I only had enough soil to plant the sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme, and the tomato plant, but I will finish planting the rest next weekend when I buy the basil and couple other herbs I have been eying.