Food Majors #11
Life is hard, food doesn't have to be [vol1, issue 6.2]
Four Recipes from this Week + Father’s Day Ideas
1. Zucchini showed up in my FarmShare basket. Experience has taught me to stay on top of using squash and zucchini because once it appears, there will be more for weeks. We love to grill it but also this recipe for fritters will be in the rotation.
Notes: Fresh dill elevates the flavor so much, if you have fresh, please use it. To make them gluten free, I used arrowroot starch (instead of the recommended corn starch; my husband doesn’t tolerate corn very well.) The last couple of fritters of the batch seemed watery, so I added a few tablespoons of flour and my kids seemed to like that texture better. I didn’t have feta and it turned out fine.
2. Normally I don’t care for beets. Strangely my body has been craving them. So I grabbed some at Saturday’s farmers’ market. Came home and made kvass, a fermented drink known for its liver detoxifying properties. I googled for recipes and compared a few, landed on this one and this one. Years ago I tried making kvass without success. This time I used a hearty dose of sauerkraut juice as a starter and the kvass fermented beautifully.
I love fermenting in the summer because of warmer temperatures. If you haven’t tried fermenting, it’s a great time to start because you’re almost guaranteed success.
Notes: I added a couple lemons (squeezed) and a chopped knob of ginger and this really added nice flavor. Even my husband and son have joined me taking shots morning and evening.
3. Chicken Collards Pilau - is a recipe I usually make in winter because of finishing it in the oven.
Well this week I found myself with 4 pounds of boneless skinless thighs, when I thought I had thawed bone-on skin-on thighs. Quickly pivoting the menu plan, I decided to make this pilau (without sausage and with swiss chard and in the InstantPot)
So maybe it’s a whole new recipe altogether. Here’s how I made it differently: turn on the saute function on the InstantPot. When it reads HOT, pour in oil of choice then sear chicken pieces, careful not to crowd the pan. You’ll want to do this in batches. Saute onion, celery and garlic. Use broth to scrape the yummy bits from the bottom. Add chicken back in + rinsed rice. Cook high pressure for 4 minutes then natural release 10. When you open the lid, add swiss chard. It doesn’t need much heat to wilt.
4. Pumpkin Muffins with hidden squash - I love this recipe + instructions for making muffins. I made them with the addition of one small shredded yellow squash and my children were never the wiser. After shredding squash, set it in a fine mesh strainer and lightly sprinkle it with salt. This will help pull out a bit of water and keep the texture of the muffins perfect.
Father’s Day
Years ago my husband gave me this hori hori garden knife. He doesn’t putter in the yard like I do but when he needs a garden tool, this is the one he asks for. Sturdy and super helpful.
For over ten years and before we had a Trader Joe’s in Little Rock, my husband would go out of his way to buy TJ’s shave lotion. When I became a consultant, I bought Beautycounter shave lotion for the clean list of ingredients. The instant he put it on his face he exclaimed, “I’m never using anything else again.” As with all Beautycounter products, it is concentrated. He is still using the same tube from August. I have a few samples I can mail out, just reply to this email.
If you buy anything from the Counterman line before June 15, you get a free body bar ($19). We also love the energizing body wash and daily exfoliating cleanser to use in the shower.
There’s a 10% off coupon code available for first time clients which is good for orders the rest of 2020. And what a year it’s been!!
Summer is my favorite time of year. Please keep sending me your favorite seasonal recipes.
Julie