RECIPE: Zucchini and Basil Slow Cooker Fritatta

10 eggs

2 small or 1 medium-to-large zucchini

handful of chopped or torn basil leaves

1/4 cup almond or dairy milk

1/2 tsp of dried oregano

salt and pepper to taste

olive oil

parchment paper

optional add ins:  greens, tomatoes, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella...the list goes on!

1. Chop the zucchini in half, then into quarters.  The slices should be about 1/4" thick.

2. Lightly oil a skillet and sautee the zucchini and dried oregano for ~ 5 minutes, until lightly done.  If adding greens or other vegetables, sautee them as well.  Set aside and let cool.

3. Beat eggs, milk, salt, and pepper til frothy.

4. Line a slow cooker with parchment paper for ease of removal and ease of clean up.  If not using parchment, generously grease the sides of the cooker.

5. Pour egg mixture into the slow cooker.  Add the vegetables and any other mix-ins.

6. Add basil to the top.  Ensure that it's semi-submerged in the egg mixture.

7. Cook on high for 2.5 hours or until it looks set on top.  

8. Remove from cooker using parchment paper.  Let rest on a cooling rack until desired temperature.

Serving notes: Make it a meal by adding a simple green salad.  Also makes great pack-ahead lunches and breakfasts!

Crispy Summer Squash Pancakes

INGREDIENTS

·        2 medium yellow squash, grated on the medium holes of a box grater and squeezed dry

·        2 scallions, thinly sliced

·        1 jalapeño, thinly sliced

·        1 large egg, beaten

·        1/2 cup all-purpose flour

·        2 teaspoons baking powder

·        Kosher salt

·        Pepper

·        6 tablespoons canola oil

·        Lemon wedges and sour cream, for serving

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

1.    In a medium bowl, combine the squash with the scallions, jalapeño, egg, flour and baking powder and season with salt and pepper. Mix gently just to combine.

2.    In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Spoon 3 heaping 1/3-cup mounds of the batter into the skillet and press lightly to flatten them. Cook over moderate heat until golden, about 
3 minutes. Flip the pancakes, add 1 tablespoon of the oil 
and cook until golden and crisp, 
2 minutes longer. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining oil and batter. Serve the pancakes hot with lemon wedges and sour cream.

Serve for breakfast with cream cheese, cucumbers and smoked salmon or under a runny, fried egg!

chocolate beet root cake

3.5 oz dark chocolate

3 medium free range eggs

1.25 C brown sugar

12 TBS butter

1.25 C cooked beetroot

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 TBS cocoa powder

1/3 C almond meal

1/3 C plain flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

Method:

1. To cook the beetroots wash thoroughly and place in a pot full of cold water.  Bring to the boil and cook until soft when poked with a knife. Cool, rub off skins, and then blend to make a puree.

2. Preheat oven to 350 F.  Grease and line your cake tin-8 inch round or square

3. Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler and leave to cool to room temperature.  I use the microwave and heat for thirty seconds, give it a stir and another fifteen seconds and stir again.

4. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk together the eggs and sugar.

5. Slowly add the cooked beet puree, the melted chocolate and vanilla into the egg mixture.  Beat until just combined.

6. Sift the cocoa, flour, baking powder.  Add this the almond meal and salt to the beet batter.  Fold until just combined, do not over mix.

7. Pour into the cake tin and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the cake just springs back if you touch it.  Leave to cool then ice if desired.  We just dust with icing sugar and serve like a brownie, with a dollop of double cream!  YUMMMMMM!

Best Ever Zucchini Bread

Best Ever Zucchini Bread

1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil (you can substitute applesauce for ½ the oil)
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp nutmeg
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups grated zucchini (you can add a little more, I always do!)
1 cup chopped walnuts

 

Grease two 8 x 4 inch pans or 6 mini loaf plans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Assemble your ingredients.

Mix flour, salt, baking powder, soda, nutmeg and cinnamon together in a bowl.

 

Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. {I always sneak in a few spoonfuls of flax!}

Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well.

Grate zucchini.  Stir into the mixture along with the nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. My mini-loaf pans take about 35-40 minutes. Large sized loaves take about 55 minutes. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool. Enjoy!

Linguine with Zucchini, egg and parmesan

Linguine with Zucchini, egg and parmesan

1 medium onion, or 4 spring onions
2/3 lb zucchini 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lb linguine or spaghetti (CSA Pasta)
2 whole eggs, plus two extra yolks
1/4 C grated Parmesan
A few basil leaves
Salt and black pepper

1 Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Thinly slice the onion, then cut the zucchini into 2 inch long, 1/4-1/8 inch thick strips. In a large frying pan, warm the olive oil over a medium-low heat, then cook the onion and zucchini gently with a pinch of salt, turning them regularly with a wooden spoon until they are very soft and tender – which will take about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.

2 Add salt to a large pan of boiling water, stir, then add the linguine, fanning it out, and using a wooden spoon to push it down. Cook until al dente (check the cooking time of the packet and start tasting at least 2 minutes before).

3 While the pasta is cooking, in a largish bowl whisk together the eggs, extra yolks, cheese, a pinch of salt and lots of pepper. During the last minutes of pasta cooking time, put the courgette pan back on the heat to thoroughly warm the fat and vegetables.

4 Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water. Add the pasta to the frying pan, stirring so it tangles with the vegetables. Turn off the heat, and, working quickly, add the egg mixture and a splash of pasta cooking water, then stir and swirl the pan vigorously until each strand is coated with creamy sauce and the consistency is slithery. Add a little more pasta cooking water if it seems too stiff and stir again. Rip the basil into the pan, stir again and serve. 

Super-Moist Carrot-Almond Coffee Cake

Super-Moist Carrot-Almond Coffee Cake

Serves 16

Ingredients:  

• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

• 3 cups grated carrots or parsnips (or a combination), divided

• 1/2 cup expeller-pressed canola oil, divided, plus more for the pan

• 1 3/4 cups almond flour, divided

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 cup light brown sugar, divided

• 1/2 cup light sour cream

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 3 eggs

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Oil an 8x8-inch pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.  In a medium bowl, make the crumb topping by combining 1 cup carrots, 1/4 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon oil; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 1 1/2 cups almond flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a second large bowl, whisk together sour cream, vanilla, eggs, remaining 3/4 cup sugar and remaining oil. Add flour mixture to the large bowl and whisk again until incorporated; fold in remaining 2 cups carrots. Transfer to the prepared pan and scatter crumb topping over the top. Bake until cake springs back in the middle when pressed, and is deep golden brown, 50 to 60 minutes.

Set aside to let cool until warm, then transfer to a plate, discarding parchment paper. Cut into squares or wedges and serve.

Quinoa Fried Rice

Quinoa Fried Rice

Serves: 4 or 6-8 side portions

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa (or 2½ to 3 cups leftover cooked quinoa)

1 ½ cups water or low-sodium chicken stock

¼ small onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

3 scallions, chopped and divided

3 garlic cloves, minced

½ teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 eggs, lightly scrambled (still raw)

½ cup frozen peas, thawed

Sauce:

1 ½ tablespoons teriyaki sauce

2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce

¾ teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

1.Rinse quinoa a few times in cold water.

2.Bring quinoa and water or chicken stock to a boil in a medium saucepan, and then reduce to a simmer. Season with salt.

3.Simmer for 15-20 minutes until quinoa is fluffy and cooked through. Remove from heat and let set for five minutes or so. Fluff with a fork.

4.Cool and store in the fridge, preferably overnight.

5.Mix teriyaki, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a small bowl. Set aside.

6.Heat ½ tablespoon olive oil in a large sauté pan over a high heat. Add onion and carrot, cook about two minutes. Add 2 scallions, garlic and ginger to the pan. Cook another two minutes. Add in the rest of the olive oil and the quinoa. Stir-fry about two minutes. Add sauce and stir-fry until incorporated, about two minutes. Make a well in the center of the quinoa pour eggs in, scramble. Throw in peas, then toss everything together until the peas are warmed through, add remaining scallion and serve.

Kale x 3

Artichoke, Kale & Ricotta Pie

serves 4 to 6

Olive oil
4 eggs, beaten
8 ounces ricotta cheese
4 ounces Parmesan, grated
1 cup canned artichokes, chopped
1 bunch (3 to 4 large stalks) nero cavola kale, rib removed and leaves roughly chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9-inch cake pan lightly with olive oil.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan. Roughly chop the artichokes and thinly slice the kale leaves and add to the cheese and egg mixture. Season lightly with salt and generously with black pepper Stir until combined.

Pour contents of bowl into the greased cake pan and drizzle with olive oil. Cook until custard is set, about 40 to 50 minutes. Cool on a wire wrack for 5 to 10 minutes and serve.

 

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Kale Salad with Apricots, Avocado, and Parmesan

Serves one

6-8 ounces of kale (Tuscan or dino kale are particularly fantastic)
6-8 dried apricots
1/3 or so cup cooked beans (I love Good Mother Stallard beans, but also try cannellini or pinto beans)
1/4 or so cup almonds
8-10 flakes of Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 avocado
salt and pepper

Fold a piece of kale in half lengthwise and use your fingers to tear out the tough inner stem. Repeat with the other leaves of kale (you can save the stems to use in stir-fries, sauces, or soups). Tear all the leaves into bite-sized pieces and put them in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

Cut the apricots into little bits and add them to the bowl with the kale, along with the beans, the almonds, and the cheese. Whisk together the oil and vinegar (or shake it in a small canning jar). Pour the vinaigrette and a healthy pinch of salt over the salad and use your fingers to toss and rub everything together. Transfer the salad to a bowl or a lunch container (if eating later).

Just before eating, slice the avocado into cubes and spoon them over the salad. This salad will keep for about 24 hours, preferably refrigerated.

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Kale Slaw with Peanut Dressing

serves 6 to 8

2 large bunches curly or lacinato kale, about 2 pounds
2 red bell peppers, cleaned and cut into fine strips
1 large carrot, peeled
3/4 cup roasted, salted peanuts, divided
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon packed light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

Fold each leaf of kale in half lengthwise and slice out the center rib. Discard ribs. Roll a stack of the leaves up and slice in half lengthwise, then crosswise into very fine ribbons. You will have 10 to 12 cups of finely chopped kale in the end. Wash and rinse thoroughly in a salad spinner.

Toss the kale with the sliced bell peppers. Slice the carrot very thin, either by creating curls with a peeler, or by running the halved carrot lengthwise down a mandoline. Toss with the kale, red pepper, and 1/2 cup of the peanuts.

In a chopper or small food processor, briefly puree the remaining 1/4 cup peanuts, oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper flakes. Pulse it just a few times; the peanuts should be partially pureed, but with some nibs and nubs still left in the dressing. (The texture difference between the whole peanuts, ground peanuts, and pureed peanuts in the sauce is one of the things that makes this slaw so wonderful.)

Toss the dressing with the slaw and let it sit for at least a few minutes before serving.

Potato Pie

Ingredients

Potatoes – About 3 lbs, any variety or assorted varieties

4 Large Eggs

Parmesan Cheese – About 1 cup

Mozzarella Cheese

Sweet or Hot Soppressata or other cured meat such as Prosciutto, Capicola, Pancetta or Bacon

Parsley

Milk

Butter

Salt and Pepper

Breadcrumbs

Olive Oil

Method

1.      Boil diced potatoes in large pot of salted water. You may skin the before or skin them with a knife after they are boiled. While potatoes are warm, put through potato ricer or mash with a fork.

2.      Scramble eggs in separate bowl and add to potato mixture once potatoes are relatively cool.

3.       Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garlic powder and Paprika if desired.

4.      Diced Mozzarella cheese into small cubes. Slice or diced dried sausage into small pieces. Chop parsley. Add all three to potato mixture.

5.      Warm about 1 cup of milk and a ¼ cup butter together. Slowly add potato mixture, stirring gently. Reserve a bit to pour on top before going into the over.

6.      Grease deep over pan with olive oil and spread breadcrumbs over bottom of pan. Add potato mixture to span and spread evenly.

7.      Pour remaining milk and butter. Top with more butter, parmesan cheese or breadcrumbs if desired.

8.      Bake covered at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes before. Place under broiler until top is brown. 

Alternate:

Add sliced Fennel to Garlic and Onions when sautéing.

Use different types of leafy green vegetables instead of Spinach – Kale, Swiss Chard, etc.

Use Veal instead of Chicken

Creamy Potato Salad

Creamy Potato Salad

• 1 medium red onion, diced
• ⅓ cup vinegar (red or white wine, sherry or apple cider)
• 1 to 2 garlic cloves, to taste, minced or puréed
•  Salt to taste
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup plain low-fat yogurt (USE CSA Yogurt!)
• 1 tablespoon Mayonnaise (optional)
•  Freshly ground pepper
• 2 pounds red potatoes, scrubbed and quartered if small, cut in large dice if large
• 4 stalks celery, diced or sliced
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
•  Optional: 2 or 3 hard-cookedeggs, diced
In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, garlic, salt, mustard, olive oil, yogurt and mayonnaise (if using). Place the onion in a bowl, and pour on boiling water to cover. Drain immediately, rinse with cold water and transfer to the bowl with the dressing.
Steam the potatoes above one inch of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes until tender. Remove from the heat, and toss gently with the onion. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the remaining ingredients and toss together. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

CAESAR SALAD DRESSING-toss with fresh CSA lettuces!

CAESAR SALAD DRESSING


6 anchovy Fillets packed in oil, drained

1 small garlic clove

Kosher salt

2 large egg yolks

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more

3⁄4 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons olive oil

1⁄2 cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan

Freshly ground black pepper

Chop together anchovy, garlic, and pinch of salt. Use the side of a knife blade to

mash into a paste, then scrape into a medium bowl. Whisk in egg yolks, 2 Tbsp. lemon

juice, and mustard. Adding drop by drop to start, gradually whisk in olive oil, then

vegetable oil; whisk until dressing is thick and glossy. Whisk in Parmesan. Season with salt,

pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Toss with crisp lettuce leaves, croutons and more cheese!