Week of September 4, 2020
Here are a bunch of tasty recipes to try with this week's fruits and veggies.
Meal #1
Grilled Sausage and Mushroom Bowls with Grilled Romaine Recipe
Prep time: 15 minutesCook time: 20 minutesYield: 4 servings
Stovetop instructions: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Sear the sausage and mushrooms for 3 to 5 minutes per side, until cooked through and showing grill marks. Cook the lettuce and green onions for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until tender and showing grill marks.
INGREDIENT
For the grain bowls:
1 cup uncooked millet or other favorite grain (or 4 cups cooked grains)
1/2 cup chimichurri, pesto, or other favorite flavorful sauce
For the grilled sausages and vegetables:
1 pound cremini or baby bella mushrooms
2 heads romaine lettuce
1 bunch green onions
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
4 chicken or pork sausages, any favorite kind
METHOD
1 Cook the grains: Prepare the grains according to package instructions, letting them cook while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
The grains can be cooked several days in advance. Reheat before serving.
2 Preheat your grill: Prepare one side of the grill for direct grilling and one side for indirect heat. The grill is ready when you can hover your hand 3 to 4 inches above the hot side of the grill for only a couple of seconds before feeling discomfort.
3 Prepare the vegetables for grilling: Cut smaller mushrooms into halves and larger mushrooms into thick, 3/4-inch slices. Skewer the mushrooms through the stem, from bottom to top, so they will lay flat on the grill.
Cut the heads of romaine into quarters through the root. The wedges should remain attached at the root; it's ok if a few outer leaves fall off (save those for sandwiches!).
In a small bowl, mix two and a half tablespoons olive oil with a heavy pinch of salt and black pepper. Brush the oil evenly over all of the mushrooms, the green onions, and the romaine, and set aside.
4 Grill the sausages and mushrooms: Brush grates with a bit of extra oil and place the sausages and mushrooms on the cooler side of the grill.
Close the lid and cook for 5 minutes, then flip the sausages and mushrooms. Close the lid and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until sausages are almost entirely cooked through. (If your sausages are pre-cooked, they just need to be warmed through.)
Move the sausages and mushrooms to the hot side of the grill and cook on each side for 1 to 2 minutes until they show grill marks and are caramelized.
Transfer the sausages and mushrooms to a platter to rest while you grill the rest of the vegetables.
5 Grill the green onions and romaine: Place the green onions and romaine halves on the hot side of the grill, and grill for about one minute on each side.
Transfer to a serving platter.
6 To serve: Slice each sausage into three large pieces. Fill each bowl with 1/2 to 1 cup of cooked grains and top with a few pieces of sausage, some green onions, some mushrooms, and a wedge of romaine. Drizzle with chimichurri and top with fresh herbs.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/grilled_sausage_and_mushroom_bowls/#recipe5072
Side #1
Creamed Corn Recipe
Prep time: 10 minutesCook time: 10 minutesYield: Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
6 ears corn, shucked (4 to 5 cups)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots or yellow onions
3/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup half and half
Chopped fresh parsley, chives, or tarragon (for garnish)
Special equipment:
Corn peeler
METHODHIDE PHOTOS
1 Remove the corn kernels: Set an ear of corn on a cutting board, and working from the thick to the narrow end, cut off 2 rows of kernels. Turn and cut off 2 or 3 more rows. Continue in this way until all the kernels are off all the cobs.
Alternatively, use a corn scraper. Set the cobs on a rimmed baking sheet to keep the kernels from flying all over the place when you remove the kernels.
2 Scrape the cob to release the creamy milk: After you have removed the kernels, hold one cob over the pile of corn on the cutting board or baking sheet, and use the back of the knife to rub across it, going back and forth, to release the pulpy corn milk. Repeat with all the ears. The starchy liquid of the corn milk adds creaminess to the kernels.
3 Cook the corn: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the shallots or onions and cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the shallots soften but are not brown. Add the corn, corn milk, salt, pepper, and half and half.
Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, or until the kernels are tender and the corn looks creamy and slightly thickened. If it seems dry, stir in more cream or water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if you like.
4 Serve the corn: Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot, garnished with chopped herbs.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/creamed_corn/#recipe2055
Gazpacho with Avocado and Corn Recipe
Prep time: 15 minutesChill time: 2 hoursYield: 8 to 10 servings
Poblano peppers can be hot(ish) or mild, so taste first before adding them to the soup. You can substitute sweet red, yellow or green peppers if you can’t find or don’t want to use poblanos.
INGREDIENTS
4 ripe summer tomatoes, about 2 pounds, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 medium poblano peppers, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks
1/3 cup sliced scallions
3 cups tomato juice, store-bought or homemade
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 teaspoons Tabasco or hot sauce (or more), to taste
2 cups cooked corn kernels
2 ripe avocadoes, peeled and cut into small dice
1/2 cup packed cilantro leaves
8 radishes, thinly sliced (for garnish)
2 limes, quartered (for garnish)
Special equipment:
11-cup food processor
METHODHIDE PHOTOS
1 Pulse the tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers: Combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and scallions in the bowl of a food processor.
In batches, pulse in a series of short bursts, or until the vegetables are coarsely but evenly chopped, but not finely pureed. Transfer to a large bowl.
2 Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in the tomato juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, Tabasco, and several grindings of black pepper. Stir in the corn and diced avocado.
Taste and adjust the salt, vinegar and Tabasco sauce to your liking. Refrigerate about two hours, or until cold. (See our tip about quickly cooling gazpacho in the headnotes.)
3 Serve the soup: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with cilantro leaves and radishes. Serve with lime wedges. If the soup has thickened in the refrigerator or is not cold enough to your liking, stir in a few ice cubes.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/gazpacho_with_avocado_and_corn/#recipe8088
Dessert #1
Plum Upside Down Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 minutesCook time: 40 minutesYield: Makes 4 individual servings
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 stick butter (10 tablespoons or 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons), softened
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar, firmly packed
4 plums, pitted and sliced
5 tablespoons buttermilk OR 4 tablespoons milk plus 2 teaspoons milk and 1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cup cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Zest of 1/2 an orange
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Special equipment:
Four 10 or 8 ounce ramekins
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter the insides of the ramekins.
2 Melt butter and brown sugar, pour into bottom of ramekins: Melt 3/4 stick (6 Tbsp) of the butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and whisk until smooth. Pour into the bottoms of the buttered ramekins, dividing the sugar butter sauce evenly among them.
3 Arrange a layer of plum slices at the bottom of each ramekin.
4 Whisk together dry ingredients for batter: In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
5 Make cake batter: Use an electric mixer to beat together the remaining 1/2 stick (1/4 cup or 4 Tbsp) butter with the granulated sugar and orange zest.
Add the eggs and vanilla, mix to combine.
Alternately add the dry flour mixture and the buttermilk (or lemon soured milk) mixture to the batter.
6 Bake: Divide the batter among the ramekins. Place the ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet and put in the oven on the middle rack. Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes, until cakes are firm to the touch, and a toothpick or skewer inserted in the center does not come out with raw batter on it. (Might be wet from plum juice.) Turn the baking sheet around half-way through the baking to ensure an even baking for all the cakes.
7 Cool and invert: Remove from oven and let cool on a rack until no longer hot to the touch. Run a paring knife around the edges of the ramekins. Invert onto a plate and gently lift off of the plate.
Serve alone or with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/plum_upside_down_cake/#recipe7280
Meal # 2
Arugula Pesto Recipe
Prep time: 15 minutesCook time: 20 minutesYield: Makes 1 heaping cup
INGREDIENTS
2 cups of packed arugula leaves, stems removed
1/2 cup of shelled walnuts
1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
1/2 garlic clove peeled and minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
METHOD
1 Brown the garlic: Brown 6 garlic cloves with their peels on in a skillet over medium high heat until the garlic is lightly browned in places, about 10 minutes. Remove the garlic from the pan, cool, and remove the skins.
2 Toast the nuts: Toast the nuts in a pan over medium heat until lightly brown, or heat in a microwave on high heat for a minute or two until you get that roasted flavor. In our microwave it takes 2 minutes.
3a Process in food processor: (the fast way) Combine the arugula, salt, walnuts, roasted and raw garlic into a food processor. Pulse while drizzling the olive oil into the processor. Remove the mixture from the processor and put it into a bowl. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
OR
3b Use Mortar and pestle: Combine the nuts, salt and garlic in a mortar. With the pestle, grind until smooth. Add the cheese and olive oil, grind again until smooth. Finely chop the arugula and add it to the mortar. Grind up with the other ingredients until smooth.
4 Adjust to taste: Because the pesto is so dependent on the individual ingredients, and the strength of the ingredients depends on the season or variety, test it and add more of the ingredients to taste.
Serve with pasta, over freshly roasted potatoes, or as a sauce for pizza.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/arugula_pesto/
Side #2
Mozzarella and Basil Stuffed Tomatoes Recipe
Prep time: 20 minutesCook time: 15 minutesYield: Makes 8 stuffed tomato cups, 4 servings
If preparing gluten-free, use gluten-free bread or bread crumbs.
INGREDIENTS
4 medium tomatoes with firm, fleshy walls, 2 1/2 inches wide
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup packed fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
1 slice of bread (enough to make 1/4 cup breadcrumbs)
1 tablespoon melted salted butter
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Olive oil for drizzling
METHOD
1 Preheat oven to 400°F.
2 Make the soft breadcrumbs: To make the 1/4 cup soft breadcrumbs, remove the crust from 1 slice of bread (preferably stale) and either pulse in a small food processor or shred with a fork until the bread resembles fine, sand-like crumbs.
3 Prepare the tomatoes: Slice the tomatoes in half horizontally around the equator and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Be careful not to puncture the walls of the tomato, but if you do, the filling will plug the hole. Place empty tomato halves in a casserole dish and season with salt and pepper.
Using your hands or a spoon, separate the seeds from the scooped out tomato flesh and transfer the flesh to a cutting board. Discard the seeds and the tomato water. Chop the flesh and set aside for the stuffing.
4 Make the stuffing: In a medium bowl, add the mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of the parmesan cheese, basil, breadcrumbs, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper and stir to thoroughly combine.
5 Bake: Using two spoons, fill the tomato halves with the stuffing. Sprinkle filled tomatoes with the remaining parmesan cheese and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes, or until tomatoes are tender, then broil on high for 1 minute until the filling begins to bubble and brown.
6 Serve: Garnish with a few torn basil leaves and serve hot.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/mozzarella_and_basil_stuffed_tomatoes/#recipe163082
Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 25 minutesCook time: 5 minutesYield: 4 servings as a dinner salad, 6 to 8 as a side salad
Stretch this recipe to serve more people by doubling the amount of noodles.
This also makes a great dinner salad topped with cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
INGREDIENTS
For the salad:
1 small head (about 2 cups) romaine lettuce
1/4 head (about 2 cups) red cabbage
1 large red bell pepper
1 large carrot (about 1/2 cup), shredded
1 mango
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup green onions, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
8 ounces (227 grams) pad Thai rice noodles
For the peanut dressing (makes 3/4 cup):
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons lime juice
3 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon fish sauce
1/2 teaspoon sriracha, or chili paste
1/2 teaspoon minced ginger
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
METHOD
1 Cook the rice noodles: Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add rice noodles, stirring occasionally, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
2 Drain and cool the noodles: Transfer to a colander, drain, and rinse with cool water until noodles are cold. Allow to drain well until ready to add to the salad. If noodles stick together, rinse them in cool water to separate.
3 Slice the ingredients: While the water is coming to a boil, and while the noodles cook and cool, prepare the vegetables.
Put a large serving bowl nearby and add each element to the bowl as you slice or chop it.
Cut the romaine lettuce into 1/4-inch thin strips the short way.
Cut the cabbage into 1/4-inch thin strips.
Thinly slice the bell pepper.
Shred the carrot. You want about 1/2 cup of shredded carrot.
Peel the mango and cut it into slices an 1/8-inch thick.
Chop the cilantro. Thinly slice the green onions.
Roughly chop the roasted peanuts.
4 Make the peanut dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, lime juice, water, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, fish sauce, sriracha, ginger, and garlic until smooth.
5 Combine the salad: Add the rice noodles to the bowl with the vegetables, herbs, and peanuts. Pour half of the dressing over the salad.
6 Serve: Garnish salad with additional cilantro leaves, green onions, and chopped peanuts. Serve the remaining dressing on the side.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/thai_noodle_salad_with_peanut_sauce/#recipe115247
Dessert #2
Strawberry Nectarine Fruit Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 minutesYield: Serves 4
The proportions are flexible, depending on the sweetness of your fruit and what you have on hand. We used about a 2:1 ratio of nectarine chunks to strawberries.
The amounts given are for four servings. You can easily scale up this recipe to feed a crowd!
INGREDIENTS
2 to 3 large white nectarines (3/4 pound to a pound), cut into edible sized chunks, pit and stem removed
About 8 to 10 fresh strawberries, stems removed, quartered
1 Tbsp honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice
4 leaves fresh mint, thinly slice
METHOD
Gently toss the chopped nectarines and strawberries together in a medium bowl with the honey and lemon juice. Let sit for 15-20 minutes, so that the fruit has a chance to macerate.
Right before serving, gently toss with thinly sliced fresh mint.
Taste for tartness. If too tart for your taste, sprinkle a little sugar over it. If cloyingly sweet, sprinkle with a little more lemon juice. The level of sweetness or tartness will depend on the specific fruit you are using, so you will need to make adjustments depending on your fruit.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/strawberry_nectarine_fruit_salad/#recipe15166
Meal #3
Classic Tuna Salad with Alfalfa Sprouts Recipe
Prep time: 5 minutesYield: 2 servings
This recipe serves two, but it’s easy enough to double or even triple to serve larger families.
INGREDIENTS
1 (5-ounce) can tuna packed in water
1 rib celery, diced, Alfalfa Sprouts
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon finely chopped red onion
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Pinch of salt
Pinch of black pepper
METHOD
1 Drain the tuna: Open the can and hold it over the sink. Tilt the can and press on the lid to allow the water in the can to drain.
2 Mix the tuna salad: In a bowl, break the tuna up with a fork. Add the celery, mayonnaise, onion, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Chill or use immediately.
3 To serve: Spoon tuna salad onto slices of bread to make a sandwich, scoop onto crackers for a snack, or serve it atop a bed of salad greens and alfalfa sprouts.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/classic_tuna_salad/#recipe156209
Potato Salad with Bacon and Apples Recipe
Prep time: 15 minutesCook time: 25 minutesYield: Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
5 thick strips bacon
1 large red or yellow onion, chopped
Salt
2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut in 1/2-inch dice
3 pounds small yellow Yukon Gold potatoes, quartered
4 green onions, thinly sliced, including the greens
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
METHOD
1 Boil the potatoes: Combine the potatoes and enough cold water to cover by a couple of inches in a large saucepan. Add a generous pinch of salt.
Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and cover the pan. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain well.
2 Cook the bacon: While the potatoes are cooking, cook the bacon in a heavy-based skillet over medium heat. Once cooked, remove the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.
Reserve the bacon fat in the pan.
Once the bacon is cool, chop it.
3 Cook the chopped onion: Cook the onion in the fat in the pan on medium heat, until softened and just starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
4 Combine ingredients in a bowl: Use a slotted spoon to remove the onion from the pan to a large bowl. Add the chopped apple to the bowl.
Add the potatoes and chopped bacon to the onions and apple. Add the green onions, olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and thyme. Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve either warm or at room temperature.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/potato_salad_with_apples_and_bacon/#recipe7305
Gluten-Free Chocolate Banana Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 20 minutesCook time: 20 minutesYield: 12 cupcakes
If your gluten-free flour blend does not contain xanthan gum in the ingredients, add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to the recipe.
Note that the FDA does list coconut as a tree nut, though many people with tree nut allergies are fine with coconut. If you're not sure if the person or people eating your cookies has a tree nut allergy that includes coconut, check with them before making this recipe, or substitute another fat in place of the coconut oil (we recommend butter if there are no dairy allergies, or vegan EarthBalance if there are).
INGREDIENTS
1 3/4 cups (240g) gluten-free flour blend (see Recipe Note)
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (30g) unsweetened dairy-free cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large ripe banana
1/2 cup coconut oil (or other your oil of choice), liquid at room temperature
1 cup freshly brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature (use decaf if you’d like)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 batch Vegan Chocolate Frosting
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare the pan: Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2 Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.
3 Mix wet ingredients: In a separate medium mixing bowl, mash the banana with a fork or potato masher, and add the coconut oil, cooled coffee, vanilla and apple cider vinegar. Whisk until combined. (There may be small chunks of banana in the mixture, which is perfectly fine.)
4 Mix the cupcake batter: Add the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir thoroughly to combine using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Portion out the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each almost to the top.
5 Bake cupcakes for 18 to 20 minutes, or until cupcakes spring back ever so slightly when pressed in the center. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
6 Frost cupcakes: Once cool, frost cupcakes with Chocolate Fudge Frosting.
7 Serve, or store: Cupcakes can be served immediately. Cupcakes can also be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days if unfrosted, or for 2 days once frosted.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/gluten_free_chocolate_banana_cupcakes/#recipe63334
Instant Pot Oats with Apples and Cinnamon Recipe
Prep time: 5 minutesCook time: 35 minutesYield: 6 servings
Many pressure cooker manuals instruct you not to cook the oats, since they can foam up and clog the pressure release mechanisms, but Instant Pot says you can cook the oats as long as the pot is no more than halfway full.
If you're using a stovetop pressure cooker, you may have more issues with scorching, as well as clogging the pressure release, since they cook at higher pressure. Cook time for a stovetop cooker would be for ten minutes shorter and allow the pressure to release naturally and completely before opening, to avoid any risk of a bubbly mess.
INGREDIENTS
For the oats:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter or coconut oil
1 1/2 cups steel cut oats
4 1/2 cups water
1 large Granny smith apple or other firm apple, peeled and diced (about 1 1/2 cups diced)
1/4 cup brown sugar or maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
For serving:
Butter
Brown sugar or maple syrup
3/4 cup toasted, chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
Special equipment:
Electric pressure cooker, such as the Instant Pot
METHOD
1 Toast the oats: Select the Sauté setting on your electric pressure cooker and melt the butter. Add the oats and cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes, until the oats are aromatic and lightly toasted.
2 Pressure cook the oats: Stir the water, apple, brown sugar or maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt into the oats, making sure all of the oats are submerged in the liquid.
Secure the lid on the pressure cooker, making sure that the pressure release is set to its sealing position. Cancel the Sauté program, then select your pressure cooker’s Manual setting and set the cooking time for 12 minutes at high pressure. (The pot will take about 10 minutes to come up to pressure before the cooking program begins.)
3 Release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes: When the cooking program ends, let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes, then move the Pressure Release to Venting to release any remaining steam. Open the pot and stir the oatmeal to incorporate any extra liquid.
4 Serve the oats: Ladle the oatmeal into bowls and top with butter, brown sugar or maple syrup, and chopped nuts. If the oatmeal thickens up after sitting, thin it out with a splash of milk.
This recipe makes quite a bit and you may have leftovers. The easiest way to reheat an individual serving of oatmeal is in the microwave. Heat in a microwave-safe bowl for 2 to 3 minutes, until piping hot. The oatmeal will have thickened—stir in a splash of milk to thin it out again.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pressure_cooker_apple_cinnamon_oatmeal/