June 26- July 2

I am volunteering at VBS this week and couldn't deliver for The Produce Box, which means I didn't get a box this week.  But I decided to try out DJ's Berry Patches CSA Boxes.  I ordered a half share of their produce box and picked it up Tuesday.

The Box consisted of:

• 1 Tomato
• 4 ears of Sweet Corn
• Zucchini
• Squash
• 2 Cucumbers
• 10 Pickling Cucumbers
• 1 Onion
• 1 lb. Red Potatoes
• 1 white Eggplant 
• 2 Bell Peppers 
• 4 Jalapeno Peppers
• 2 Banana Peppers
• Okra
• 1/2 lb. Green Beans

I also purchased a quart of Peaches, a quart of Plums and a Cantaloupe.  I think I will make some Zucchini Bread with the zucchinis from my Box.  If I don't get to serving the fresh green beans then I will blanche and freeze them for later use.  My husband will pickle the pickling cucumbers this week.

 Zucchini Bread

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups grated zucchini
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Sift together flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, baking powder.
3. Beat eggs. Add and mix well sugar, vanilla, and oil. Add zucchini to egg mixture. Add dry ingredients, mixing well. Stir in nuts if desired. Pour into 2 ungreased loaf pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour.

Tuesday, June 26-  I plan to grill some sausage and serve it with some cooked peppers and onions from my Box.  I'll also cook of an ear of corn to serve along with it.  While I was at DJ's Berry Patch I also picked up some fresh fruit which will accompany our dinner tonight as well.

Wednesday, June 27- I intend to make one of my favorites, homemade Eggplant Parmigiana.  I will defrost some homemade sauce which I made with the previous season's stock up tomato box.  Perhaps, a basil oil and vinegar tossed cucumbers and tomatoes from my box along with a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine will round out tonight's meal.

 Basil Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 clove garlic minced
• salt and pepper to taste

Combine ingredients and whisk well.  Serve over greens or other fresh produce.

Thursday, June 28-  Although it's just the girls tonight I still intend to create a homemade meal (this was usually an excuse for take out or breakfast for dinner).   I'll cook up some of the corn from my box and serve it along side grilled chicken breasts.  I will take any leftover vinaigrette from last night and marinate the chicken breasts in it!

Friday, June 29-  Since I have to drop my order daughter off with my husband for a Durham Bulls game, I think the little one and I will use this as an excuse to go out for dinner.

Saturday, June 30-  With all the peppers in my produce box, it is just screaming for steak fajitas!!!

Sunday, July 1-  I came across a recipe in my Southern Living magazine which used Okra (a veggie I am NOT fond of) in an unconventional way.  Tomato and Okra Cornmeal Patties!  I found a similar recipe on allrecipes.com and merged the best of the two into the one found below.  I am thinking some grilled sausages would make an excellent accompaniment to this meal. I'll also create grill packets for some of the squash and zucchini.  I will add a few dabs of butter, minced garlic and salt and pepper. .

Tomato and Okra Cornmeal Patties

• 1 cups plain yellow cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1/2-1 pound fresh okra, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/2 cup water 
• 1 large egg
• 1 pound tomatoes, diced
• Fresh basil leaves, minced
• 3 cups vegetable oil for frying

1. Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the garlic, okra, jalapeno, onion, salt, pepper, water and egg. Combine the flour, baking powder and cornmeal; and stir that into the okra mixture.
3. Carefully drop spoonfuls of the okra batter into the hot oil, and fry on each side until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels. 
4. Combine diced tomato and basil sprinkle with olive oil mix well.  Serve tomato mixture over okra patties. 

Monday, July 2- I'll make up Camper Potatoes with the red potatoes from my Box.  I will make Peachy Pork Chops and perhaps serve some green beans along with it.

Simple Peach Sauce

• 1/2 cup water
• 1-2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup sliced peeled fresh peaches

1. In a saucepan, bring water, sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon to a boil; boil for 1 minute. Add peaches. Bring to a boil; boil another 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Serve warm over pork chops. 

  
Camper Red Potatoes

• sliced red potatoes, dabs of butter, sliced onion or onion powder- Make foil packets and grill until browned and crispy about 30-40 minutes on low heat

June 15- June 21

This week's Box contains:

• 1 pint Blueberries
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Fresh Garlic Bulb
• 6 ears Sweet Corn
• Savoy Cabbage
• Baby Eggplants (3)
• Greenhouse cucumbers (3)

I also received a second pint of blueberries as a substitution for my cherries which I gave to another customer who was missing theirs while I was delivering last week.  In addition, I added onto my order a bag of sweet onions (6) and 3 half pints of blackberries.

Most of the berries will be used in smoothies, which my girls can't get enough of!  If we have any blueberries left to use, I'll either make my Blueberry Kuchen or throw them into our pancakes one morning.  My husband was thinking of using some of the blackberries for homemade ice cream.

Wednesday, June 15-  It's just us girls tonight and since piano lessons are earlier this evening, I am contemplating take out.  However, should I decide to cook in tonight, I am thinking waffles or pancakes (maybe even with some of our fresh blueberries!).

Thursday, June 16-  I'm going to try my hand at Unstuffed Cabbage as printed in a previous newsletter from a fellow Box recipient and blogger.

Unstuffed Cabbage

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

12 oz of any- ground turkey, chicken, or beef
5 cups coarsely shredded cabbage
2- 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes

2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, or 1 tsp dried
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1. Coat large non-stick skillet with non-stick spray. Over medium-high heat, brown meat, breaking up with wooden spoon. Half way through browning, add onion and garlic continue browning meat.  Drain fat.  Add Cabbage; cover and cook 3 minutes, or until wilted.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors. Good with rice.

• From Get Fresh! Eat Local NC  getfresheatlocalnc.blogspot.com

Friday, June 17-  I will use my baby eggplants to make Eggplant Parmesan.  Since I am sure these eggplants will not yield an abundance of fried eggplants and I have company for dinner tonight, I will also make up some spaghetti and Italian sausage for dinner.  We'll have a garden salad using some of own garden grown tomatoes and sliced bread.

Saturday, June 18-  My In-Laws are in town.  We will be going out to dinner tonight.  Maybe we'll hit Red Robin.

Sunday, June 19-  In honor of Father's Day, we will be having marinated steaks from the Meat House of Cary (one of my husbands favorites) served along with our corn on the cob from our Box.  I will also make up some oven roasted garlic potatoes.

Monday, June 20- Hamburgers and homemade Macaroni Salad will comprise this evening's meal.  I received a few Boxes ago a sample which can be used in ground beef among other uses.  I plan on incorporating the seasoning into the ground beef and form hamburger patties to grill.  I will also make up some homemade macaroni salad using my cherry tomatoes in the salad.

Tuesday, June 21-  Tonight is golf lessons which means eating in shifts for dinner.  I will throw something quick and simple together for the girls along with fruit. At the moment I am a little stumped for dinner for my husband and I .  Maybe I'll find inspiration from this week's newsletter!

October 6-12

With the Produce Box on a 2 week hiatus I was left to come up with my own inspiration for menus. Of course I fell into the traps of take out would be so much easier a couple of nights. I did make Butternut Squash Quick Bread by replacing the pumpkin in my pumpkin bread recipe. I must say it turned excellent and will repeat that recipe again. Although I did indulge in a few nights reprieve of cooking, I am proud to say that I came up with some decent menus over these last 2 weeks. But I am definitely excited about this week's return of the Produce Box!

This weeks Box marks the start of the Fall season boxes. My box includes: 3 small Eggplants, a pint of Cherry Tomatoes, Beans, 2 large Garlic Bulbs, 5 Zucchinis and a variety of 10 Apples.

My girls have been asking for zucchini bread and with the arrival of my Box I will quickly be at work baking up a few loaves.

Wednesday, October 6- My husband requested our delicious slow cooker Chili and it's a perfect meal for tonight.

Thursday, October 7- Quick and easy tonight-Cheese Quesidillas and Marinated Steak Fajitas

Friday, October 8- Garlic Italian Grilled Chicken with the Beans from my Box, there was a recipe in the newsletter which I am considering making up with the beans, and homemade macaroni salad.

Saturday, October 9- With soccer games and hopefully a stop at the farm to pick pumpkins, it's the perfect day for a Crock Pot Dinner.

Beef Stew
Ingredients
3 pounds cubed beef stew meat
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup baby carrots
4 large potatoes, cubed
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups beef broth
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup red wine
1/4 cup liquid (wine, beef broth or water)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions
1. Place meat in a large plastic bag. Combine 1/4 cup flour with 1/2 teaspoon salt; pour into the bag with the meat, and shake to coat.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add stew meat, and cook until evenly browned on the outside. Transfer to a slow cooker along with the carrots, potatoes, onions, minced garlic and pepper.
3. Mix together 2 cups of beef broth and dry soup mix; pour into the slow cooker. Pour wine into slow cooker.
4. Cover, and cook on High for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to Low, and cook for 6 hours, or until meat is fork tender. In a small bowl or cup, mix together 2 tablespoons flour with 1/4 cup of liquid (beef broth, wine or water). Stir into stew, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until thickened.

Sunday, October 10- I will be making my Eggplant Parmesan with the eggplant from my Box plus a few I picked up at a local farm stand and using my homemade Tomato Sauce (which I cooked up earlier in the Summer and froze). A fresh garden salad, with my home grown cucumbers and the cherry tomatoes from my Produce Box will accompany the meal.

Monday, October 11-I made something in the past similar to the below recipe and I think I will try this recipe from Woman's Day tonight using some of the garlic from by Box.
White Bean and Sausage Cassoulet Recipe
Ingredients
2 tsp oil
3 links (10 oz) Italian sausage
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
3 cans (15.5 oz each) Great Northern beans, rinsed
2 cans (14.5 oz each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1⁄2 cup water
1 tsp dried thyme leaves

Seasoned Crumb Topping
2 tsp oil
1 tsp minced garlic
2 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs from a baguette
2 Tbsp each grated Parmesan and chopped parsley

Recipe Preparation

1. Heat oven to 375ºF. You’ll need a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil.
2. Heat oil in a 5-qt pot over medium heat. Brown sausages on all sides until cooked through, about 6 minutes. Remove to plate.
3. In fat remaining in saucepan, sauté carrots, celery, onion and garlic until golden, about 5 minutes.
4. Cut sausages into 1⁄4-in.-thick slices. Add sausages, beans, tomatoes and their juices, water and thyme to saucepan. Simmer, covered, 30 minutes or until heated through and flavors are blended.
5. Topping: Toss oil and garlic with bread crumbs; spread on prepared baking sheet. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, tossing once, until toasted. Cool slightly; stir in Parmesan and parsley. Serve Topping with cassoulet.

Tuesday, October 12- If there are many leftovers, then we will have a smorgasbord of left overs tonight. Otherwise, I will need to come up with something, let the inspiration flow!

August 4-August 10 Menu

My box arrived today!

This weeks box includes: 2 Eggplants, 2 large Field Tomatoes, 1/2 lb. of Garlic Bulbs, a personal Watermelon, Red Cabbage, Spaghetti Squash and 4 ears of Corn.

I also took a big leap and ordered 20 lbs. of Roma Tomatoes in anticipation of making homemade Tomato Sauce to freeze. Although a big undertaking, I am looking forward to having homemade sauce the next time I make an Italian meal rather than grabbing a store bought jar. I have adapted the Tomato Sauce to my family's preferences: shredded carrot, omit celery, replace spices with 2 tsp each Oregano, Basil & Rosemary, and after 2 hours of simmering I add 2 tsp pepper & 1 tsp of salt.

Wednesday- Today is breakfast for dinner. It's just me and the girls plus I making my vat of Tomato Sauce. I have found that the sauce could actually be doubled on the tomato and the rest of the ratios do not have to be adjusted since it is a very flavorful and hearty sauce. I cooked up about 40 tomatoes, about 3/4 of my box. I might make more sauce early next week or better yet maybe some more fresh salsa!

Thursday- I will be entertaining family this weekend. My brother and sister-in-law love Eggplant Parmesan. Therefore, I will be making my Eggplant Parmesan with the 2 eggplants and homemade Tomato Sauce (which I cooked up with last weeks Roma tomatoes and froze). A fresh garden salad, with my home grown cucumbers and tomato from my Produce Box, and a loaf of bread (maybe from Great Harvest Bread Company) will round out dinner nicely. Of course a good bottle or 2 of a Cabernet would put the meal over the top!

Friday- My mother and I will treat ourselves to take out while the rest of my visiting guests enjoy the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ festival.

Saturday- I am cooking for quite a crowd tonight. More family is arriving and we will dine on Grilled Apricot-Glazed Pork Chops, German Red Cabbage and Garlic Grilled Rosemary Potatoes (I purchased the potatoes at DJ's Berry Patch and of course used the fresh garlic from my Produce Box).
Garlic Grilled Rosemary Potatoes- my own original recipe
10 Red Potatoes
3-4 cloves minced Garlic
1/2-1 onion thinly sliced
Rosemary
Olive Oil

Boil potatoes until tender
Rinse under cold water
Quarter potatoes and place in lightly sprayed heavy duty foil packet
Add sliced onions
Sprinkle with Rosemary and the minced garlic
Drizzle with olive oil
Seal packet and place on preheated grill
Grill for about 10 minutes on each side

I got this awesome German Red Cabbage recipe from a neighbor.
Yield: 12 servings

1 medium sized head red cabbage, cored and sliced thin
1 medium yellow onion, sliced thin
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled cored and grated
1 cup unsweetened apple pure juice (not concentrate)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup red wine vinegar
kosher or sea salt & pepper
¼ tsp. ground cloves
¼ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. allspice
olive oil
Cut red cabbage into quarters and cut out the core and slice thin
Peel onion, cut in half and slice thin
Grate apple
In a dutch oven, add about 1 generous turn of the pan of oil and heat.
Cook onions 2–3 minutes and add the red cabbage; braise the cabbage until just tender 3–5 minutes.
Season with kosher salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
Add ground cloves, allspice and nutmeg.
Add caraway seed, if desired.
Add the brown sugar, apples, apple juice and vinegar.
Cover and simmer until the cabbage is cooked and tender—do not boil or overcook.
Cooking time is about 30 minutes. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Sunday- Depending on when my company leaves will be the determining factor as to dinner Sunday night. It will be an earlier dinner, so I am thinking of something on the simpler side. Grilled steaks with the left over cabbage and fresh corn on the cob might be the best option.

Monday- I plan on making Spaghetti Squash Lasagna. After cooking the squash, I'll probably do it again in the microwave, scoop out the squash. In a separate bowl mix together ricotta cheese, Italian seasonings and sauce (of course from my vat I made Wednesday). In a baking dish coat the bottom with some tomato sauce, then layer with squash, cheese mixture, either pan fried loose sausage or chop meat and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers ending with squash. Finally spread sauce over top and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake until warmed through and cheese is melted (about 30-45 minutes). I'll serve this with a loaf of bread.

Tuesday- By this point I am assuming there will be a decent amount of leftovers. Then again with a house full of guests over the weekend it could all be gone now. If we have leftovers then I have dinner. If not I'll have to throw something together.