What’s cooking this week?

More ideas for cooking with the freshest fruits and vegetables, harvested today and delivered to you…

Strawberries and Raspberries – we never have difficulty using up our berries – popping them into our mouths as soon as they enter the house.  We rinse the lot, keeping the stems on, and set them in a small colander on the counter top.  Anyone who walks through the kitchen can grab one for a quick, sweet bite, then toss the top into the compost pot (or the guinea pig cage for a rodent treat).

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Roasted Fennel with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives

Adapted from Jamie Oliver who knows how useful a glug (his word) or two of wine is to a roasting pan.  You won’t believe the flavors—deep and intense, yet mellow.  The aroma is enough to drive the household mad.  This is the ticket for anyone who shies away from the strong licorice scent of raw fennel.  You won’t detect a trace here.

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Celery, Fennel and Citrus Salad

This salad is very flexible – you can vary ingredients depending on your preferences.  Add more fennel—if you enjoy its licorice flavor—or less if you don’t.  Vary the citrus depending on your preference for the sweetness of orange or the sour taste of grapefruit.  I like to add a good amount of arugula, but if that’s too spicy a taste for you, simply add a milder lettuce, or use less of the spicy green. Packaged “Sweet and Spicy Pecans” can be found at Trader Joe’s stores.

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Chopped Salad

This salad takes a bit more time in the chopping, but makes for a yummy dish that everyone loves.  Chopping the vegetables into smaller pieces allows for a wonderful mingling of flavors and textures in each and every bite.  Consider adding other ingredients that suit your fancy, and depending on what’s cooling in the fridge.  If you’re a meat eater add some left-over chicken or salami, and even items like tofu or hard boiled egg work great.  It’s fun to chop all the ingredients and place into separate serving bowls, then let everyone assemble their own personalized salad.

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Mung Bean Pancakes with Summer Squash

This dish is comfort food in our family – made by my mother-in-law and recreated in our own way at home.  We enjoy these pancakes for a simple supper meal with tomato, cilantro or coconut chutney and yogurt raita.  You could add a chopped vegetable salad (tomato, radish and cucumber would be traditional) on the side if you like.  To find the split yellow mung beans (moong dal) you’ll need to make a trip to the local Indian grocery – worth the drive if you haven’t already checked it out.  Pick up some bulk spices while you’re there – as cheap as you’ll find anywhere.

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