Caramelized Cabbage and Onions

There are many uses for caramelized vegetables.  This recipe is more of a simple preparation method for having a tasty base for sandwiches, soups, and side dishes.  Caramelizing cabbage, onions, and other vegetables, is a simple method of slowly cooking them with a pinch of salt and a little oil until the natural sugars are released and cooked to a golden-brown caramel.  The cabbage and onions are delicious as a side dish, but there's no need to stop there.  Try it on a pizza, a grilled cheese sandwich, or add broth, garlic and leaf celery to make a simple cabbage soup.

Ingredients:

1 Head of green or red cabbage

2-4 Yellow onions

1/4 Cup of olive or canola oil

1/4 - 1/2 Tsp kosher salt

Method:

Slice the cabbage and onions thinly and place them in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with the oil.  Cook on medium-low heat until they begin to sweat, stirring occasionally.  Add the salt and continue to cook for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally so that the cabbage and onions don't stick to the pan. Taste periodically.  They will be done when they have turned a nice golden-brown color and have a soft texture and sweet flavor.

Lemon Basil Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

1  3/4 Cup whole wheat flour*

1 3/4 Cup all-purpose flour

1 Tbs baking powder

1/4 Tsp baking Soda

1/2 Tsp kosher or sea salt

1/2 Cup sugar

3 Cups grated zucchini or zephyr squash

3 Local farm-fresh eggs

1/2 Cup cold-pressed unsweetened coconut milk (can substitute apple sauce, melted butter, sour cream or yogurt)

1/2 Cup local raw honey

Zest of one lemon (using a micro plane or fine grater)

2-3 Tbs finely chopped fresh basil leaves (do not substitute dried basil)

(Alternative: Try using zest of one orange and 2-3 Tbs chopped fresh rosemary instead of the lemon and basil)

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease two loaf pans, either with oil spray, butter or shortening.

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, coconut milk and honey, then pour onto the dry ingredients.  Add the grated zucchini, lemon zest, and chopped basil.  Mix until all ingredients are combined evenly.  Pour into the prepared pans and bake for 50 - 60 minutes, or until the tops have split and the loaves spring back to the touch.  You can also insert a bamboo skewer into the center.  It will come out clean when it is fully cooked.

*If you like the bread to be more dense and spongy, reduce the whole wheat flour by 1/4 cup, or add an egg and a little more grated zucchini to add moisture to the batter.

Remove the zucchini bread from the loaf pans after 5 minutes, then let rest for at least 1 hour on a cooling rack before slicing.

Cauliflower and White Beet Masala

Ingredients:

1 Bunch of white beets, plus greens

1 Medium or 2 small heads of cauliflower

2 Yellow onions

1-2 Tbs good curry spice blend (like Alchemy Spice Neo Masala, or a korma blend for a mild curry)...or blend your own!

Olive or canola oil

Sea salt

6-8 cloves of fresh garlic, peeled and minced

1 Can (15 oz) cold pressed unsweetened coconut milk, or 1 cup plain yogurt

Juice from one lemon

One small bunch of leaf celery stalks and leaves, chopped

1 Small bunch of cilantro leaves and stems, chopped

Method:

You can make your own masala spice blend with whole spices.  Toasting whole spices in a dry skillet for a few minutes will make the flavors bloom.  Put the whole spices in a clean spice grinder (or coffee grinder: before milling spices, clean the grinder by running dry rice grains through, then brush clean with a dry cloth or basting brush).  If using a mixture of pre-ground and whole spices, only toast and grind the whole ones, then combine them with the pre-ground spice powders. Which spices you choose is a matter of taste preference, but I like fennel seed, black peppercorns, coriander seed, cumin seed, fenugreek, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and turmeric.  Use enough dried chili (whole or flakes) to your desired heat preference.  After you have ground the spices into a powder, you can save any unused portions in a glass spice jar or airtight container.   If you would prefer to use a pre-blended masala, there are some really tasty ones at your local Indian grocery, or you can try the sweet and spicy Alchemy Spice Neo Masala.  Most generic curry spice blends at your local grocery will not have enough flavor or freshness for this recipe.

To prepare the vegetables: Coarsely chop the cauliflower, beets, and one yellow onion. Place chopped vegetables in an ovenproof dish and drizzle some oil over them, then stir to coat the vegetables in the oil.  Season with 1-2 Tablespoons of the masala spices and sea salt to taste.  Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for about 1 hour.

While the vegetables are baking, chop and saute the beet greens with a little oil to serve with the rice and vegetable masala.  Season the greens with salt and pepper to taste.

When the vegetables are nearly done, place the chopped celery leaves and stalks, one diced onion, the minced garlic, and a little oil in a large saucepan.  Saute on medium heat until tender.  Add the roasted vegetables, coconut milk, and lemon juice to the pan, and stir to combine.  Let simmer for a few minutes, then pulse with an immersion blender until the mixture becomes a thick, but textured sauce.  Season with more spices and salt to taste.  Remove from heat and stir in some of the fresh cilantro and celery leaf.

Serve with brown basmati rice, sauteed beet greens, and spiced grilled chicken, tofu, or fish.  Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, celery leaf, and Cucumber Raita.

Kimchi and the Micro-Universe of Probiotics

One of the many reasons why we choose to farm organically is because we want to protect the natural ecosystems of life.  Much of what we see in terms of "pests" that nibble holes in the broad leafy greens, are only a tiny portion of living organisms that depend on vegetables for life and health.  When pesticides are used, It's not just the beetles and caterpillars that are eradicated; even the organisms that are healthy and necessary for digestion are disrupted. Bacteria are part of the life cycle, and for humans and other animals they are necessary in the process of digestion and absorption of necessary nutrients. Lactobacilli is the main naturally-occurring pro-biotic that lives on fresh fruits and vegetables.  When the vegetables are allowed to ferment in an anaerobic environment, the lactobacilli multiply.  This is good news for everyone, but especially for anyone who might have difficulty digesting certain foods.  Other fermented foods such as sour dough bread, yogurt, and cheese are already common in western diets for their taste as well as their nutritional properties. Although pro-biotics are available in pill form at pharmacies, making your own is not only cheaper, it's delicious as well!  This season's CSA shares are full of fantastic fermenters. Cabbages, radishes, spring onions, and kohlrabi are excellent as sour kraut or kimchi.  Give it a try.  And if you are looking for more information about fermenting, contact our local Slow Food Chapter, or read one of the many books about fermenting available online or at your local library.

Basic Kimchi

(Adapted from Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz)

Ingredients:

(To make 1 quart of Kimchi)

Sea salt (not iodized)

1 lb Napa cabbage, pak choi, or arrowhead cabbage (or a mixture of the three)

1 Daikon radish or a few easter egg radishes

1-2 Fennel bulbs

3-4 Spring onions

4-6 Cloves of garlic

3 Tbs fresh ginger root

3-4 Hot chilies (fresh or dried)

Method:

To make the brine, fill a quart jar with filtered water or spring water, then add 4 Tbs sea salt.  Cover and shake until dissolved.

Coarsely chop the cabbage or pac choi, spring onions, and fennel.  Grate or julienne the radishes.  Place in a mixing bowl and cover with the quart of brine.  Cover with a plate or other weight to keep the vegetables submerged in the brine.  Let the vegetables soak for about 2 hours.

Place the garlic, chilies and ginger in a food processor or blender and puree into a paste.  You may need to add a little water or brine to make the paste.

When the cabbage mixture is decidedly salty to taste, drain off the brine into a bowl or jug (you may need some later).  Place the cabbage into a bowl and massage the garlic-ginger paste into the cabbage.  Always make sure to use clean utensils and hands.  (Sterilizing with anti-bacterial or chemical sanitizers are not necessary, but you want to make sure there are more good bacteria present than bad ones that will encourage mold growth. Soap and water for hands and utensils is perfect).  Stuff the cabbage mixture into a clean quart jar, packing in as tightly as possible and forcing the brine to rise.  Bruising the vegetables until they release brine encourages fermentation and removes air pockets.  The lactobacilli bacteria will populate in an anaerobic environment (no air), whereas molds will grow in the presence of oxygen.  However, you need to make sure to Leave about 1 inch of space in the top of the jar because the fermentation process will release gasses and cause the kimchi to swell in the jar.

There are several methods for keeping the kimchi submerged in the brine and discouraging mold growth.  For the sake of simplicity, however, I'm going to suggest keeping the lid on the jar (not too tight!).  Without a weight to hold the vegetables under the brine, you will need to open the jar and press the vegetables down into the brine once a day for a week.  Katz says, "If you think you can remember to check the kimchi every day, you can jus use your (clean!) fingers to push the vegetables back under the brine. I myself like the tactile involvement of this method, and I especially enjoy tasting the kimchi by licking my fingers after I do this.  Either way, cover the jar to keep out dust and flies."  It takes about a week for the kimchi to ferment to a point of ripeness, but you can taste each day and decide how you like it best.  I won't hurt to let it go longer if you prefer.  Leave it in your kitchen or on a shelf (not in direct sunlight) at room temperature, then refrigerate for long storage once it tastes perfect.  It will continue to ferment very slowly in the refrigerator, but can be tasty for months of stored properly.

Kimchi is a very versitile salad or condiment, but my favorite way to enjoy this tasty pro-biotic-filled food is with scrambled eggs and sauteed greens. It's a fantastically nutritious way to start the day.

Brunch with Beets and Pac Choi

If you don't have the luxury of a slow Saturday morning to craft a perfect brunch, you can make the beets, greens and salad ahead of time, keeping them refrigerated until ready to use.  Greens can be re-heated quickly in a skillet just before serving.  Eggs and toast are great for breakfast, but this also makes a fantastic meal any time of the day.

Ingredients:

1 Bunch of beets, plus beet greens

1 Head of pac choi

3 garlic cloves, minced

Olive or canola oil

2-3 Spring onions, chopped

1-2 Tbs sugar

White balsamic vinegar

Alchemy Spice Scenic City Sizzle (or your favorite grilling pepper blend)

Fresh local eggs

Sour dough bread, sliced and toasted

Sea salt to taste

Toasted Garlic Drizzling Oil

Method:

Wash and trim the beets.  You can cut them into wedges or chop them to your desired size/shape.  Place in a saucepan and cover with water.  Add a pinch of salt, 1 Tbs sugar, and 1 Tbs of white balsamic vinegar. Stir and let simmer on medium-high heat until the beets are fork tender (about 20 minutes or so depending on size).

Cut the leafy-green part of the pac choi away from the firm white part and set aside.  Chop the firm part of the pac choi and place in a bowl with the chopped spring onions, about 1-2 Tbs white balsamic vinegar, a pinch of salt, 1-2 Tbs olive oil, and a dash of Scenic City Sizzle. Stir to combine, then set aside until ready to serve.  When the beets are tender, drain the cooking liquid and add the beets to the pac choi salad.

Wash the beet greens and the leafy green parts of the pac choi, spin dry in a salad spinner or pat dry. Heat a little olive or canola oil in a heavy skillet, then add the chopped greens, a little salt, and the minced garlic.  Saute until wilted and tender, then remove from the heat.

For each serving, toast a slice of the sour dough bread, and fry an egg sunny-side-up. (To make a perfect egg: In a non-stick skillet with a little oil, cook on low heat with a lid or plate covering the skillet.)  Remove from heat when the white is firm and assemble the servings  immediately.

To plate: Drizzle a little Toasted Garlic Drizzling Oil on each slice of toast, Place a serving of the sauteed greens, followed by the fried egg, and top with the beet and pac choi salad.  Season to taste.  Serve immediately.