Melon and Tomato Salad with Mint

1/2 of a small melon, balled or cut into 1 inch pieces

2 small tomatoes cut into thin wedges

½ a cucumber, peeled and diced

1 rib of celery, diced

1 cup plain yogurt

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

2 teaspoons honey

2 teaspoons lemon juice

½ cup fresh mint or basil, chopped

Salt and ground black pepper

Combine the melon, tomatoes, cucumber and celery in a large salad bowl.  Whisk the yogurt, mint/basil, sherry vinegar, honey and lemon juice in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with more mint/basil leaves.

This recipe was adapted from Farmer John’s Cookbook

February 22 2010 | Recipes | No Comments »

Panzanella (Tomato, Bread, Cucumber Salad)

Coarse-textured bread, 2 or 3 days old and grilled or toasted

3 large tomatoes, diced

1 small cucumber, sliced into thin rounds

1 small onion, thinly sliced

10-15 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

½ to 1 cup black olives

Feta cheese *

1/3 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic or red-wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, minced

Cut the toasted bread into small cubes and place in a large salad bowl.  Add the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, basil and olives. Toss and top with feta cheese (add as much as you like), and season with salt and fresh ground pepper. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar and garlic.  Add the dressing to the salad and toss to mix.  Taste and adjust the seasoning.  Chill the salad for about 1 hour before serving.

This yummy recipe was inspired by an email from shareholder Michele Tatro.

* Omit feta for vegan version…

February 06 2010 | Recipes | No Comments »

Cucumbers with Cream and Mint or Basil

2 cucumbers

Salt

¼ cup heavy cream or sour cream or Greek yogurt

3 tablespoons olive oil

Juice of ½ a lemon

Fresh-ground pepper

The leaves off of 3 mint sprigs or Basil

Peel and slice the cucumbers.  If the seeds of the cucumber are large and tough, cut the cucumber lengthwise and scoop out the seeds before slicing.  Place the cucumber slices in a bowl and sprinkle with salt.  In another bowl, combine the heavy cream, olive oil, lemon juice and black pepper.  Stir well.  Pour off any water that may accumulate in the bottom of the bowl of cucumber slices.  Pour the dressing over the cucumbers. Coarsely chop the mint or basil leaves and toss with the cucumbers and dressing.  Taste and add more salt as needed.  Serve cool.

adapted from The Art of Simple Food.

February 06 2010 | Recipes | No Comments »

Squash and Bulgur Salad

1 ¼ cups water

1 cup bulgur or cracked wheat

1 medium zucchini, finely diced

1 medium Zephyr squash, finely diced

1 cucumber, finely diced

1 small onion or 2 scallions, minced

¼ cup chopped basil

2 tablespoons olive oil

Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lime or lemon, about 2 tablespoons

Grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Bring the water to boil in a small pot and add the bulgur.  Leave the pot uncovered and cook the bulgur for 1 minute.  Remove the pot from the heat, cover and set aside until the bulgur has absorbed the rest of the water, about 15 minutes.

When  the cooked bulgur is ready, fluff it with a fork until the grains are well separated. Transfer the bulgur to a large bowl and add the squash, cucumber, and onion. Toss until it is well combined.                 

Whisk together the basil, olive oil and lime or lemon juice in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the bulgur mixture and toss until thoroughly combined.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese just be for serving.  Serve at room temperature.

February 05 2010 | Recipes | No Comments »

How to use Lemon Basil besides just making Pesto

Slice tomatoes and top with a tablespoon or so of minced garlic mashed into a paste, several tablespoon chopped lemon basil, a tablespoon or so of olive oil, dash of balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.  Serve on thinly sliced, lightly toasted baguette slices or as a salad.

Layer lemon basil leaves in a sandwich with slices of tomato and cheese or sliced lemon cucumber.

Use chopped lemon basil leaves in vinaigrette, tomato sauces, sprinkled on egg, rice or cheese dishes, stir-fries, soups, dips, spreads and sauces.  Experiment with its flavor and you will find your favorite way to use it.

Some ideas From Asparagus to Zucchini, Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition

February 04 2010 | Recipes | No Comments »