Check out these amazing recipes coordinated with the ingredients in this week's Organic Fruit & Vegetable basket.
To sign up for a Weekly or Bi-weekly Organic Basket click here https://www.gdorganics.com/book-online
This Week's Ingredients
Arugula fresh picked LOCAL Broccoli Crowns
Asparagus (In large & Jumbo baskets)
Plum Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Portabella Mushrooms,
Gold Beets,
Celery (In Jumbo baskets)
Bananas Valencia Oranges, Fancy
Bartlett, Autumn Pears, Extra Fancy,
Meal #1
Entrée
Mushroom, Beet and Goat Cheese Sandwiches
This satisfying veggie sandwich is stacked high with marinated mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted beets, goat cheese, and crisp veggies. Because who said vegetarian sandwiches had to be boring?!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 2
Ingredients
Marinated Mushrooms
2 Portobello mushrooms, sliced ½-inch thick
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce)
Caramelized Onions
1 tablespoon butter
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
For Assembly
4 slices bread (gluten free, if needed)
3 tablespoons Creamy White Bean Dip (or hummus)
3 tablespoons soft goat cheese
2 small roasted beets, sliced (or 1 large, see note 1)
2 leaves lettuce
1 tomato, sliced
Softened butter (for brushing)
Instructions
Marinate Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms to a medium bowl. Pour balsamic vinegar and tamari over top. Toss to coat. Set aside.
Caramelize Onions: Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. If the onions start to stick while cooking, add a splash or two of water. Pour in the balsamic vinegar and cook until the liquid is absorbed into the onions, about 2 minutes. Remove onions from pan and set aside.
Cook mushrooms: Return the skillet to medium-high heat. Scatter in the mushrooms and the marinade. Sauté the mushrooms until soft, 3 to 5 minutes(if the mushrooms start to stick, add a bit of oil).
Assemble: For each sandwich, spread the white bean dip and goat cheese on the inside pieces of bread. Layer the beets, lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, and caramelized onions. Brush a bit of butter on the exterior of the sandwich (both sides) and place in the skillet over low heat. Cook on both sides until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.
Notes
Roasting beets: Wrap the trimmed beet in foil. Bake at 400°F (200°C) until fork-tender, about 45 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, peel and use as directed. Cooked beets can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days.
Meal prep idea: Make a double batch of mushrooms, beets, and caramelized onions. That way, you can quickly assemble delicious sandwiches throughout the week.
Side #1
Cucumber Broccoli Salad
Refreshing and light Broccoli salad packed with fresh broccoli, cucumbers, pine nuts, mint, Greek yogurt, and so much more. Perfect summer side dish.
Servings: 4 (Makes about 4 cups)
Ingredients
2 bunches of broccoli
1 medium cucumber
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup Feta cheese
1/4 cup diced green onion
1 tbs fresh dill weed minced
5 mint leaves minced
Dressing:
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp sugar
fresh cracked black pepper
Salt
Instructions
Cut the broccoli florets from the stem and chop them into smaller pieces.
Slice the cucumber into straws.
In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, cucumber, Feta, pine nuts, green onion, dill weed, and mint. Stir until mixed together.
In a small bowl, whist together Greek yogurt, mayo, sugar, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
Mix the sauce into veggies until all veggies are evenly coated.
I recommend letting it sit in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving. Give it a quick mix and serve.
Side #2
Celery-and-Orange Salad
Ingredients
3 large oranges
2 large celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups chopped pitted green Greek olives
1 1/2 cups chickpeas (from a 14-ounce can), rinsed, drained, and chopped
1 medium red onion, diced small
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
Directions
Grate 2 tablespoons zest from oranges into a large bowl. With a knife, cut away peel and discard. Working over bowl, cut out orange segments, then squeeze juice from membranes. Add remaining ingredients to bowl, toss and serve.
Dessert
Banana Skillet Upside-Down Cake
Ingredients
1 package (14 ounces) banana quick bread and muffin mix
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup butter, cubed
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 medium bananas, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Prepare banana bread batter according to package directions; stir in walnuts.
In a 10-in. ovenproof skillet, melt butter over medium heat; stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Add lemon juice; cook and stir until slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Arrange bananas in a single layer over brown sugar mixture, sprinkle with coconut.
Spoon prepared batter over coconut. Bake until dark golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm.
Meal #2
Lidia Bastianich's Asparagus Frittata
I love this easy frittata because it is so simple to make and showcases the wonderful flavor of fresh spring asparagus.
Ingredients
1 pound pencil-thin asparagus
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 large eggs
Preparation
1. Remove and discard the tough lower ends of the asparagus. Cut the spears into 2-inch lengths.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, sauté the asparagus spears in olive oil, sprinkling them lightly with salt. Cover the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is tender but still firm, about 5 minutes.
3. Beat the eggs lightly in a bowl with salt and pepper. Add the eggs to the asparagus, scrambling the mixture lightly with a fork. Cook 2 minutes, or less depending on the texture desired, until eggs are set, and serve immediately.
Side #1
Roasted Beet Salad
Roasted Beet Salad is made with two types of seasonal beets and served over a bed or arugula: it's a fresh, light and nutritious summer salad
SERVINGS 4 servings
PREP TIME10 mins
COOK TIME25 mins
TOTAL TIME35 mins
INGREDIENTS
▢3-4 medium-large beets scrubbed and ends trimmed
▢5 tablespoons olive oil divided
▢Kosher salt to taste
▢freshly cracked black pepper to taste
▢½ medium shallot minced
▢1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
▢2 teaspoons maple syrup
▢1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
▢4-6 cups fresh arugula
▢½ cup walnuts toasted
▢½ cup crumbled feta cheese
▢Fresh basil for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F. Drizzle beets with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Wrap in foil and place on a sheet tray. Bake until beets are fork tender, 40-55 minutes, depending on the size of your beets. Let cool completely.
Make the dressing. In a small bowl, mix shallot, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon. Stream in remaining 4 tablespoons of oil, whisking constantly until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Once beets are cool enough to handle, wear gloves and use a paper towel to rub the skins off. Discard the skins and slices the beets into ½ inch thick slices.
Assemble the salad. In a large bowl, toss arugula, cooked beets, walnuts, feta, and dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper, top with fresh basil, and serve immediately.
Side #2
Refreshing TOMATO CUCUMBER JUICE
Refreshing and healthy sugarless vegetable juice for the scorching summer heat. This refreshing Tomato cucumber juice is soothing to the soul and helps you stay hydrated in the scorching heat. Simple homemade juice with simple ingredients.
PREP TIME 5 mins
TOTAL TIME 5 mins
SERVINGS 2 glasses
INGREDIENTS
3 big tomatoes
½ cucumber (½ cup roughly chopped)
8-10 fresh mint leaves
rock salt, to taste
½ tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, roasted & grounded
INSTRUCTIONS
Throw in all the ingredients in a high-speed blender. Process on high for 45 seconds, or until the mixture is completely blended. The texture should be thick and creamy.
Enjoy your refreshing juice!
Dessert
Beet-Carrot-Orange Cupcakes
Prep time
45 mins
Cook time
20 mins
Total time
1 hour 5 mins
A harvest cupcake with pecans, beets, carrots and spices, topped by a zesty orange glaze.
From: Lady Jennie
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 18
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
¾ cup toasted pecans
3 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup oil
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1¼ cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup shredded raw carrots
1 cup shredded raw beets
Frosting:
¼ cup butter (about 50 grams)
4 oz cream cheese (110 grams)
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract
2 tablespoons orange zest
Instructions
Toast the pecans in an oven pre-heated to 225°C (425°F) for 10 minutes.
Turn the oven down to 175°C (350°F).
Peel and grate about 3 beets and 3 carrots to make 1 cup each, packed down (raw).
Beat 3 eggs with the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice.
Add the oil, then beat with the baking powder and soda, the salt and the vanilla extract.
Add the sugar and beat in.
Add the flour and stir gently with a wooden spoon.
Stir in the carrots and beets until it's thoroughly mixed.
Add the hot water and mix before stirring in the chopped pecans.
Prepare 18 muffin tins with liners (preferably) or simply grease the pans.
Put two ice cream scoops worth of batter to fill the liners.
Bake for about 20 minutes until a knife is inserted and comes out clean (no raw batter).
Prepare the frosting by mixing the butter and cream cheese.
Add the confectioner's sugar, the orange flower aroma and the orange zest.
Mix thoroughly and put a generous dollop on top of each cooked cupcake.
Eat the cupcake.
Meal # 3
Entrée (Main Course)
Citrus-Marinated Portobello Fajita
Don’t tell tacos, but this vegan fajita recipe will have you picking favorites. This veggie-forward fajita recipe is easy and healthy, featuring citrus-marinated portobello mushrooms, tri-colored peppers and a sweet, spicy fajita seasoning! Bring this Mexican darling to your dinner table in a vegan-friendly way!
TOTAL TIME 45 mins
SERVINGS 4 people
INGREDIENTS
2-3 large portobello mushrooms washed, destemmed with the gills removed
2 tbsp grapeseed or other high temp oil divided
1 orange pepper washed, deseeded and sliced
1 red pepper washed, deseeded and sliced
1 green pepper washed, deseeded and sliced
1/2 yellow onion sliced
4 tbsp fajita seasoning divided, I used Spice Jungle’s Fajita Seasoning
1 bunch fresh cilantro washed, destemmed and torn
2 avocados sliced
25-30 grape tomatoes diced
lime wedges
jalapeno slices
10-12 tortillas
Citrus Marinade
1 cup sparkling water …see Recipe Notes
1 cup orange juice
2-3 fresh lime slices
2-3 jalapeno slices
8-10 fresh cilantro leaves
INSTRUCTIONS
To make the marinade, combine the sparkling water and orange juice.
Remove the gills of the Portobello mushrooms and then slice into thick ½” – ¼” slices. Spread the mushroom slices out in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the mushrooms. Add the lime and jalapeno slices. Allow to marinade for 10-15 minutes while prepping the peppers and onions.
Heat 1 tbsp. of the grapeseed oil in a cast iron skillet. Check the temperature with a drop of water. When it sizzles, the pan is hot enough. Add the onions and peppers to the hot pan and stand back. The moisture from the vegetables will spatter. Allow to cook without stirring for 2-3 minutes. This will result in a char on the vegetables. Sprinkle 2 tsp. fajita seasoning over the vegetables and stir to coat. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes more then remove from pan. Wipe out the pan.
Add the portobello mushrooms and 1 cup of the reserved marinade to the cast iron skillet. Simmer until the marinade has cooked off. Add the grapeseed oil and 2 tsp of the fajita seasoning and allow the mushrooms to brown. About 1 minute. Set aside.
Make your fajitas by topping your tortillas with the peppers, onions and portobello mushrooms. Top, as you wish, with fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, jalapeno and sliced avocado. Serve with Citrusy Cilantro-Lime Rice on the side.
NOTES
I always remove the gills when cooking with portobello mushrooms. It’s easy enough to do – I just use a spoon to scoop them out when I am washing my mushrooms. They come out easily with a little bit of moisture. I just find that portobello mushrooms retain too much moisture and the flavor is too “earthy” when the gills remain intact.
I like Spice Jungle’s Fajita Seasoning. It’s got great flavor and it saves a ton of pantry space. Of course, if you are making your fajitas today you can also find ready-made seasoning packages at the grocery store. If you’d like to make your own fajita seasoning, this recipe from Culinary Hill looks amazing!
Sparkling water can be substituted with water if necessary.
Side #1
Citrusy Cilantro-Lime Rice
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
2 cups dry rice I used Lotus Foods' Organic Brown Jasmine Rice
2 limes zest and juice
1/4 cup fresh cilantro minced
To make the rice, bring the water and orange juice to a boil. Add the rice and cook in accordance with the package instructions.
When cooked, allow the rice to cool. The stir in the lime zest, lime juice and minced cilantro
Side #2
Healthy Banana - Arugula Smoothie
This smoothie not only very easy, but also very healthy. Perfect drink that can fit every moment of the day. The flax seeds have many health benefits mainly due to three ingredients: omega-3 fatty acids, lignans and fibers. Bananas are a good source of carbs and make this drink very smooth and sweet. Arugula - also known as salad rocket or rucola - is very known for its antioxidants. Furthermore, arugula appears to be very good for your libido... so better make two of these delicious smoothies at once ;)
Ingredients for 2 servings
2 large Bananas, raw
25 leaf Arugula, raw
2 container Yogurt, plain, low fat,
1 tbsp Honey
1 fruit Limes, raw
3 tbsp, whole Seeds, flaxseed
Instructions
Grate the lime
Peel the bananas
Put all ingredients in the blender and mix to a nice smoothie
Keep some arugula, lime rind to decorate the smoothie
Enjoy :)
Dessert
Pressure-Cooker Tequila Poached Pears
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 can (11.3 ounces) pear nectar
1 cup tequila
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 whole Anjou pears, peeled
Sweetened whipped cream, optional
Fresh mint leaves
Directions
Select saute setting on a 6-qt. pressure cooker and adjust for low heat. Add the first 8 ingredients; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Press cancel. Add pears. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 3 minutes. Quick-release pressure. Remove pears and keep warm.
Reserve 3 cups cooking juices; discard remaining juices and cinnamon stick. Return reserved juices to pressure cooker. Select saute setting and adjust for medium heat. Simmer, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to 1 cup, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Halve pears lengthwise and core. Serve with sauce, whipped cream if desired, and mint leaves.