Week #1 Recap

Week #1 of our CSA went by really quickly (and deliciously)! We were able to make 3 meals (with plenty of leftovers) with the produce that we received. Here's what we made...and some notes for future meals:

Quinoa with Kale, Black Beans, Corn, and Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and dried
• 2 cups water
• 1 cube vegetable bouillon, for additional flavor
• 1/2 bunch kale, washed and dried
• 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 2 cups grilled chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• salt and pepper
• olive oil

Directions:

1. Place quinoa in sauce pan with water and bouillon. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to simmer. Cook quinoa as directed, approximately 15-20 minutes.

2. Pour 1 tbl of olive oil into medium skillet. Heat to medium. Add kale, cooking for 10 minutes, until wilted. Add black beans, corn, and chicken to warm.

3. When the quinoa is done, add into skillet, with cumin. Stir until combined. Enjoy!

Serves: 4

I added half a steamed sweet potato to my bowl of quinoa - optional but delicious.

Leek and Swiss Chard Tart

(from: http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/01/leek-and-swiss-chard-tart/)

I won't post the recipe here, since you can easily find it on the link above from Smitten Kitchen. I did not have any thyme, so I substituted it for parsley, which gave the dish a fresh flavor. I also do not have a tart or pie pan. Instead, I used a springform pan.

We ate our tart with a salad - the lettuce from our CSA. This was my favorite meal of the week...until we ate:

Spaghetti with Kale, Swiss Chard, & Goat Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1/4 box spaghetti
• 1/2 bunch kale, washed
• 1/2 bunch swiss chard, washed and de-ribbed
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
• olive oil

Directions:

1. Prepare spaghetti as directed by box.

2. Pour 1 tbl of olive oil into medium skillet. Heat to medium. Add onion and garlic, cook 5-10 minutes, until translucent.

3. Add kale and swiss chard. Cook until wilted, approximately 10 minutes.

4. When spaghetti is done, add into skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Add goat cheese and stir , to melt the goat cheese onto the pasta.

5. If desired, add additional goat cheese (as pictured), enjoy!

Lettuce

The lettuce was used in salads and on sandwiches all week long. If we get lettuce again, I would try to find other uses for it, such as grilling the lettuce.

Strawberries

The strawberries were SO delicious that we ate them in a day. If we get them again, I would like to make either strawberry ice cream or jam.

Tomorrow we will get 4 new crops from our CSA...wonder what we will get!