Week 1 Deliveries

Week 1

Here are some of the items you may be receiving in your delivery this week:

Arugula, Mesclun, Spinach, Asparagus, Radishes, Stinging nettle and Green Garlic

First find some of your favorite salad dressings. I make my own house favorite. A recipe is at the end.

Why not be adventurous and grill the asparagus instead of steaming it? It brings out a nice nutty flavor. Simply snap off the woody part at the bottom. Grill on med heat. I overlap the asparagus tips onto the stalks as they cook faster. They will turn a brilliant green just watch carefully so they don’t burn. You can do the same in a grill pan. Remember if you are just learning how to cook, have fun! You might get a few char marks but it’s only adding BBQ flavoring.

Stinging nettle is a little bit daunting at first. Do Not Touch It With Your Bare Hands! It will not hurt you but Will cause irritation to bare skin. The cooking process eliminates this.

Simply empty it out of the bag into a pan with some water and do a quick sauté or blanching. They are very delicate greens and have a spinach/cucumber taste. They are extremely full of nutrients, a healthy and yummy addition. You can try a sauté with ginger and mint adding a little honey at the end or plain with salt and pepper. I like them with a little balsamic vinegar.

Green garlic, I use where ever I would use chives. Cook them in an omelette or with the other greens. They have a mild, garlicky sweet flavour.

My Raspberry Vinaigrette

1 part Dijon mustard

2 parts Raspberry Jelly

1 part red wine vinegar

2 parts olive oil

Mix together thoroughly. Play with the amounts to find what suit you. Maybe you would like it a little more tart? Also you can substitute in a different jelly or a jam. The mustard is a binder for the oil and vinegar and the jelly adds flavour. I buy my local raspberry jelly from Thompsons’ Berries at the grocery store or at the market.

We just had a wonderful rain which is great for our plants. The next week looks fabulous for growing. My hope is the big greenhouse will also be built this weekend so I can get our lovely tomatoes into the ground.

Have a fantastic week!