Summer Share Twenty-Five October 31st 2017
Important information:
- Please return all boxes; if you’d like to leave your share box at distribution please bring bags for your produce. Or, if you would like to return the last share box you may do so on Nov. 16th at the first winter share distribution.
- There are still winter shares available; payments and membership forms are due November 10th. Remember that winter shares are every other week and always on Thursdays.
- Please renew summer memberships for 2018 this fall to reserve your vegetable share for next season!
- Thanksgiving turkeys are still available please contact Meg or Matt @ 585-300-5356 or @ mjacresllc@yahoo.com Gobbelicious; Sizes range from 15-20 pounds this year.
Farm News from Jane
The party (or at least the summer share) is over for the season but the fun continues here at the farm… Now that is has cooled down we can begin the winter share harvest in earnest. In the ground we have lots of carrots, beets, celeriac, rutabaga, kohlrabi, radishes, leeks and potatoes. On top of the ground we have lots of kales, greens, cabbage, and assorted crucifers like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and more fennel which we will harvest as needed. And there are already greens planted in the high tunnel for early spring harvest. These combined with all the beautiful winter squash we will have lots of delicious, nutritious vegetables for winter shares. And there may even still be a few tomatoes if we don’t have a hard freeze before the first winter share!
We are so very grateful for your support and encouragement throughout the season. We hope that you have enjoyed all the “fruits” of our learning, planning and labor. We always chuckle when people ask us what we do all winter. We generally don’t even finish harvesting until almost the end of the year. And then there is all the searching through seed catalogs and seed ordering before the 1st of January. Equipment needs to be winterized and “gone over” for routine maintenance. And after a few slower weeks in January (for “honey do” jobs) we begin seeding in the greenhouse for summer shares. February brings sugaring season, so tapping maples and hanging buckets for maple sap ensues. In between we pack and distribute winter shares bi weekly. So all in all our winter go by much too quickly for us… We do enjoy a forty hour work week. And who doesn’t benefit from a long winter’s nap on occasion? We love our lifestyle and are so grateful for your partnership so that we can continue doing what we love the most! We hope to see you all in the spring with lots of spinach, asparagus, rhubarb and yummy greens. Have a wonderful and safe winter season, Jane, Daniel, & Ben
Produce: Romanesco Carrots Fennel Golden beets green Kohlrabi Garlic Red cabbage Starbor kale Sweet Spanish onions Red potatoes Acorn squash
Fruit share: Fuji apples Empire apples
Produce tips:
-Romanesco is a broccoli cauliflower cross. It looks like a piece of artwork and is extremely sweet and delicious.
– Starbor kale is not “stripped” from its stalk as it’s meant to be harvested like this. To store: remove all leaves and bag and refrigerate until ready to prepare.
-Fennel should be bagged before refrigerating. Besides for the recipes given it may also be used on top of a meat or chicken when roasting. Roasting with olive oil in the oven will caramelize the sugars and it will taste even sweeter!
– Acorn squash: Don’t forget to try grilling it before filling it with browned, loose cooked breakfast sausage!
Recipes
GRILLED (OR GRIDDLED) FENNEL AND ONIONS WITH PARMESAN
1/2 large sweet onion (do not cut off root end); 2 fennel bulbs (stalks removed), about 1 pound total; 2 tablespoons olive oil; salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Heat large cast-iron griddle (flat side down, ridged side up) on stove top over medium flame, or prepare outdoor grill for medium heat. Place flat surface of onion half on cutting board and cut into slices that are 1/3-inch thick, leaving some of the root end intact on each slice. Brush both sides of onions lightly with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Grill onions on both sides until tender and lightly charred, 3-5 minutes per side. Meanwhile, slice whole fennel bulbs lengthwise in the same manner as onions. Steam them over boiling water 8-10 minutes; drain well. Brush lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill on both sides until tender and lightly charred, 6-8 minutes per side. Arrange onions and fennel on a colorful platter; scatter Parmesan over the top. This is delicious with grilled fish or lamb, or as a side dish with Italian tomato-based pasta dishes. Makes 6 servings; Recipe from MACSAC
CARROT FENNEL ORANGE SOUP
2 tablespoons butter or butter-flavored cooking spray; 4 cups water, vegetable broth, or chicken broth (or more for a thinner soup); 1 medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced (reserve a few of the fronds); 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste; 4 cups sliced carrots (approximately 1 1/2 pounds) ; 1/3 cup orange juice; 1 garlic clove, sliced thin (you can add a couple of garlic scapes, if available); 1/4 cup sour cream
Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add sliced fennel and cook, stirring often, until soft and beginning to turn golden. Add carrots and garlic; cook and stir for a minute or two. Add water or broth and salt; bring to simmer, cover, and cook until carrots and fennel are tender, about 20 minutes. Puree mixture in a food processor or blender, or with an immersion blender. Stir in orange juice and sour cream until smooth and creamy. Reheat on low heat, but do not boil. Serve each bowl garnished with fennel fronds. Serves 4; Recipe from Edith Thayer, Vermont Valley Farm member
FRESH FENNEL BULB SALAD
One large or 2 small fennel bulbs; 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, partially thawed; 2 tablespoons white wine or red wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; salt and pepper
Remove fronds from the fennel bulb(s). Cut away the root and slice fennel into very thin pieces (it can also be grated). Make dressing by combining vinegar, mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and orange juice concentrate in a bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Pour over fennel and allow to marinate at room temperature 20 minutes or longer. Season to taste with pepper and additional salt. Recipe from Jenny Bonde and Rink DoVee, Shooting Star Farm
PASTA WITH FENNEL
1 bulb fennel, trimmed & quartered; 1/2 lb fettuccini; 1 Tbsp olive oil; Grated Parmesan cheese; Parsley (garnish)
Simmer fennel in 4 quarts salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Lift fennel from water and slice. Keep warm. In the fennel water, cook the fettuccini until al dente. Drain pasta. Add olive oil and fennel. Serve with sprinkle of Parmesan and parsley. Make 3 servings
BEET AND SHAVED FENNEL SALAD
SALAD: 4 large or 6 small beets; 1 bulb fennel; cracked black pepper to taste
DRESSING: 1/2 C olive oil; Grated zest of 1 Clementine; Juice of 3 Clementines; 4 tsp. rice wine vinegar; 1 T minced fresh rosemary, plus 4 tsp. rosemary leaves for garnish; 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
FOR THE SALAD: Rinse the beets; put them in a pan with water to cover, and boil covered until they can be stabbed somewhat easily with a fork. Drain them and cool under cold running water. As the water is running, you can rub off the peels and stems of the beets. This will dye your hands red, but it is quick and easy. Slice the beets very thin and refrigerate them. Trim any discolored outer parts from the fennel. Trim the tops and the base. Using a mandolin, shave the fennel crosswise in almost paper thin slices. If you don’t have a mandolin cut the fennel lengthwise in half, lay the halves down on their flat sides, and slice crosswise as thin as possible. Soak the fennel in ice water while you prepare the dressing.
FOR THE DRESSING: Whisk together all the ingredients.
To finish the dish: On 4 salad plates, arrange the beet slices so they are covering the bottom of the plates. Shake the water off a tuft of fennel and place it on top of the beets. Sprinkle about 4 teaspoon fresh rosemary needles on top of each salad. Pour the dressing over the chilled salads. Crack the pepper over each plate at the table.
Serves 4; Recipe from The Café Pongo Cookbook
POTATO FENNEL SOUP
1 tbsp butter or oil; 4 cups thinly sliced onions; 2 tsp salt; 4 medium potatoes, sliced into thin pieces 1-2 inches long; 1 cup minced fennel bulb; ½ tsp caraway seed; 4 cups water; white pepper to taste; sour cream and fennel fronds for garnish
Melt the butter or heat oil in a kettle or Dutch oven. Add the onions and 1 tsp of salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes, or until the onions are very soft and lightly browned. Add the potatoes, another ½ tsp salt, fennel and caraway seeds. Sauté over medium heat for another 5 minutes, then add the water. Bring to a boil, then partially cover and simmer until the potatoes are tender 10-15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt; add white pepper. Serve hot topped with sour cream and fennel fronds. Serves 6; Recipe from The Moosewood Cookbook
FRIED BEETS AND CARROTS
2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 teaspoons cumin seeds; 2 medium beets, quartered, sliced 1/4-inch thick; 2 medium carrots, sliced 1/4-inch thick; tamari sauce; greens
Heat olive oil in skillet. Add cumin; cook about 1 minute. Add beets and carrots; fry until tender. Remove from heat, sprinkle on a little tamari, and serve. Makes 2-4 servings; Recipe from Linda Derrickson, Sunporch Café
AUTUMN BEET AND VEGETABLE SALAD WITH CHEESE AND NUTS
Dressing: 1/3 cup minced onions; 5 tablespoons cider vinegar; 3-4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley; 11/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1/2 cup olive oil; salt and pepper to taste
Salad: 2 cups cooked, diced yellow or red beets; 1 1/2 cups blanched, diced carrots; 1 1/2 cups cooked, diced waxy-type potatoes; 1 cup diced roasted red peppers; 11/2 cups diced Jonathan apples; 4-6 ounces cheese, crumbled; 2/3 cup nuts, toasted 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees
Make dressing: Combine onions, vinegar, basil or parsley, and mustard. Whisk in olive oil in a thin stream. Season with salt and pepper. To assemble the salad, toss each type of vegetable and the apples, one type at a time, with enough dressing to barely coat them. Arrange in separate piles in a wide, shallow bowl. Serve at room temperature. Just before serving, sprinkle salad with cheese and nuts, add more salt and pepper to taste, and toss gently. The original recipe calls for blue cheese and hickory nuts, but other nuts and cheeses can be used according to your preference.
Makes 8-12 servings; Recipe from MACSAC
WARM GOLDEN BEET SALAD WITH GREENS AND ALMONDS 1 bunch beets, olive oil, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled, 2/3 cup toasted almond slivers.
Heat the oven to 425°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan or cake tin with a big square of foil, large enough to complete enclose the beet roots. Lightly rinse the beet roots to remove any really clumpy dirt and pat them dry. Place them in the foil square and lightly drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Fold up the foil and crease to seal. Bake the beets for 60 minutes or until they can be just pierced with a fork. Set aside to cool. In a small skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic. Cook on low for about 5 minutes or until the garlic is golden and fragrant. Remove from the heat. Remove garlic and add almonds and toast lightly. When the beets are cool, rub them with a paper towel to remove the skin. Then chop into bite sized pieces and toss with the goat cheese, and almonds. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or cold. (This also makes an excellent pressed sandwich filling, especially with some extra goat cheese.)
CAULIFLOWER AND CARROTS
1-2 tbsp olive oil; 4 cups small cauliflorettes 3 medium carrots, in thin 1 ½ strips; ½ tsp salt; 2 large cloves garlic; minced; 1-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar; black pepper; basil, optional
Heat olive oil in a medium skillet. Add cauliflower, carrots and salt, and sauté over medium heat until tender 8-10 minutes. Stir in garlic during the last few minutes of cooking. Transfer to a bowl; add vinegar, pepper and basil if desired. Serve warm, cold or at room temperature. About 6 servings; Recipe from The Moosewood Cookbook
CAULIFLOWER-OLIVE SALAD
1/2 c. olive oil; 1/4 c. lemon juice or white wine vinegar; 1/2 tsp. salt; Dash freshly ground pepper; 2 Bermuda onions, thinly sliced and separated in rings; 1/2 small head cauliflower, sliced (about 3 c.); 1/2 c. sliced stuffed olives; 1/2 c. crumbled blue cheese; 1 medium head lettuce, torn in bite-size pieces
Combine oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add onions, cauliflower and olives to mixture; marinate at least 30 minutes. Sprinkle cheese over lettuce in salad bowl. Add marinated mixture and toss gently.
Makes 6 servings; Recipe from America’s Best Vegetable Recipes
BROILED CAULIFLOWER IN GARLIC BUTTER
1 large head cauliflower; 1/4 pound butter, softened; 2-3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped; 6-8 sprigs f1at leaf parsley, finely chopped; Freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 cup bread crumbs; 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Remove all leaves from cauliflower. Break into large florets. Blanch in boiling water until slightly soft. Drain. Mix butter with garlic, parsley, and pepper. Place blanched cauliflower florets in baking dish. Spread butter mixture over florets. Sprinkle bread crumbs and cheese over entire surface. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes until top becomes crisp.
Serves 4; Recipe from The Fruit and Vegetable Stand
GREEN CAULIFLOWER WITH PARSLEY AND GREEN OLIVES
1 large head cauliflower, broccoli, or Romanesco; 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, stems removed, leaves finely chopped; 2 tablespoons finely chopped tarragon; 1/2 cup chopped Spanish green olives; 2 tablespoons drained capers, rinsed; 1/3 cup olive oil; sea salt and freshly ground pepper; Manchego cheese
Cut the cauliflower into small florets; peel and dice the stems. Put the parsley, tarragon, and olives in a bowl with the capers, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and plenty of pepper. Steam the cauliflower over salted boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes. Dump it into the bowl and toss well. Taste for salt and season with pepper. Serve with a little Manchego cheese grated or shaved over the top. Serves 4-6; Recipe from Local Flavors
HERBED CARROT SOUP
2 lbs. carrots, 1 medium potato, 4 c. water, 1T butter or oil, 1 c chopped onion, 11/2 t salt, 2 medium cloves garlic; minced, ½ t marjoram or oregano, 1 t basil, 1-2 T lemon juice (or to taste), optional: small amounts of finely minced fresh mint, chives and or parsley for the top.
Peel and chop the carrots and potato, and place them in a medium-large saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer until the vegetables are tender (10-15 minutes). Meanwhile, heat oil in a small skillet. Add onions and salt, and sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add garlic and dried herbs and sauté about 5 minutes more, or until the onions are soft. Stir in lemon juice. Purée everything together in a blender or food processor and transfer to a kettle or Dutch oven. Simmer gently 8-10 minutes. Serve hot, topped with a light sprinkling of fresh herbs if desired.
Recipe from The New Moosewood Cookbook
CARROT YOGURT SALAD
1 lb carrots; peeled and coarsely chopped, 2 medium- sized tart apples; grated, 1-2 T lemon juice, 1-2 T honey, (optional), pinch of celery seed, salt and pepper to taste, 1 c. firm yogurt.
Optional additions: 1T poppy seeds or toasted sesame seeds, ¼ c. minced almonds or cashews; lightly toasted, ½ c. very finely minced celery, a handful of raisins or currants, ¼ c. shredded unsweetened coconut, lightly toasted, ½ c. finely chopped pineapple (or crushed canned in juice).
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Chill. (This preparation goes fast if you use a food processor with a grater attachment.) Yield 4-5 main dishes for lunch; more if serving as a side dish.
Recipe from The New Moosewood Cookbook
ARABIAN SQUASH CHEESE CASSEROLE
2 medium-large Acorn or carnival squash; 1 cup onion; 2-3 cloves crushed garlic; 1 cup red or green pepper, chopped; 3 Tbsp butter; 1 tsp salt; 2 beaten eggs; 1 cup buttermilk or yogurt; l/4 cup sunflower seeds; 1 cup crumbled feta
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook squash for 35 minutes or until soft. Scoop out and mash squash. Sauté onion and garlic in butter and salt, when the onion is translucent add the chopped peppers. Sauté until just done. Beat eggs with buttermilk. Crumble in the feta cheese. Combine everything and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread in butter casserole or baking pan. Top with sunflower seeds. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes covered and then 10 minutes uncovered.
STUFFED SQUASH
1 squash, cut in half and cooked; 1 cup cooked rice; ½ tbsp butter; ¾ cup minced onion; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 medium apple, diced; 1 ½ orange, sectioned; ¼ tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp allspice or cloves; ½ tsp salt; 1 tbsp honey; ½ chopped almonds
Melt butter in a medium skillet. Add onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add garlic, apples, oranges and spices, and sauté over medium heat about 5 minutes more. The orange sections may fall apart, but that’s okay. Add the sauté to the rice and mix well. Season to taste with salt and honey. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill the prebaked squash halves and top with chopped nuts. Bake uncovered until heated through- about 20 to 30 minutes
ACORN SQUASH WITH HAM AND APPLES
1 acorn squash; 1/4 tsp salt; 2/3 cup diced cooked ham; 1/3 cup diced, peeled tart apples; 1 tbsp brown sugar; ¼ tsp dry mustard; pinch of pepper; 2 tsp butter
Wash and cut squash in halves lengthwise. Remove seeds. Place, cut side down, in 15~ X 10~ X 1″ jelly roll pan. Pour in 2 in. boiling water; bake in hot oven (400°) 30 minutes. Remove from oven and turn squash halves cut side up. Sprinkle with salt. Combine ham, apples, brown sugar, mustard and pepper. Spoon into squash cavities. Top each with 1 tsp. butter. Return to oven and bake until apples are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Makes 2 servings
KOHLRABI PARMESAN
3 medium kohlrabi, trimmed of stalks and leaves; 2 T unsalted butter; 1/4 cup parmesan cheese; salt and pepper, to taste; 1 T minced parsley
Peel kohlrabi 1/8 in deep. Shred with grater or food processor. Cook kohlrabi in butter over medium heat, stirring often, until tender, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle with the cheese, salt and pepper. Toss and cook just until the cheese melts, about 1 minute. Garnish with the parsley and serve immediately. 4 servings
CREAMY KOHLRABI SOUP
2T butter, 1 onion; chopped, 1# kohlrabi; peeled and cut into 1/2 inch dice, 2.5 C. vegetable broth, 2.5 C. milk, 1 bay leaf, 1 pinch of salt, grated black pepper to taste
Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium-low heat. Cook and stir onion in melted butter until soft, about 10 minutes. Add kohlrabi; cook and stir another 2 minutes. Pour vegetable broth and milk over the onion mixture. Add bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, place a cover on the pot, and reduce heat to low; cook at a simmer until kohlrabi is tender, about 25 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf; allow the soup to cool slightly. Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway. Pulse the blender a few times before leaving on to puree. Work in batches until all soup is blended. Return pureed soup to stockpot; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle orzo pasta into the soup; cover the stockpot and simmer until the orzo is tender, about 10 minutes. Allrecipe.com
KOHLRABI AND POTATO SOUP
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling, 1 medium onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, chopped, 2 1/2 pounds kohlrabi (1 large to 2 small bulbs), peeled and diced, 1 large potato (about 12 ounces), peeled and diced, 4 cups homemade or store-bought, no-salt-added vegetable broth
For garnish: 1 small Asian pear, peeled, cored and finely chopped, 1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted and chopped (see note), 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
Pour the 3 tablespoons of oil into a medium soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, stirring to coat; cover and cook until tender and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the kohlrabi, potato and broth. Increase the heat to medium-high to bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low so the soup is barely bubbling around the edges. Cover and cook until the kohlrabi and potato are very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Use an immersion (stick) blender to puree the soup until smooth. (Or transfer it to a blender or food processor and puree it in batches, then return it to the pot to keep warm.) Divide the soup among individual bowls. Top each portion with pear, pecans, parsley and a drizzle of the oil. Serve hot. Note: Toast the pecans in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat for several minutes, until the nuts are fragrant and lightly browned. Cool completely before chopping.
KOHLRABI AND POTATO SALAD WITH HORSERADISH
1 or 2 Kohlrabi peeled, 2 medium Potatoes, 2 to 4 tablespoons sour cream , 2 teaspoons chopped dill, Salt and freshly milled pepper , Prepared horseradish in vinegar
Slice the kohlrabi into julienne strips or wedges. Steam until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Coarsely cube potatoes and boil until tender. Then put potatoes and kohlrabi in a bowl and toss with sour cream, horseradish, and dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste; Recipe form Red Fire Farm, Granby MA
APPLE AND WINE-BRAISED RED CABBAGE
2 tablespoons canola oil; 1/2 large head red cabbage, shredded or sliced as thinly as possible; 1 onion, halved and cut as thinly as possible; salt and pepper; 1/2 cup red wine; 1/2 cup red wine vinegar; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 3 apples, cored and cut into eighths; 1/2 cup raisins
Heat oil in large braiser or wok over medium-high flame. Add cabbage and onions; season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir well. Cover, reduce heat, and allow mixture to wilt slightly, about S minutes. Stir in wine, vinegar, and brown sugar. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, about 4-Sminutes. Stir in apples and raisins; cook another 20-30 minutes. I’ve also used water instead of the wine and omitted the apples and raisins and it’s still yummy! Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Makes 6 servings
ROSY COLESLAW WITH APPLE AND ONION
4 cups shredded red cabbage; 1 tablespoon sorghum syrup or maple syrup; 1/2 cup shredded or chopped carrot; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 4 tablespoons finely chopped onion; 1 large tart apple, peeled and finely chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; salt and pepper
Toss all ingredients except salt and pepper. Chill 30 minutes, season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.
Makes 6 Servings; Recipe from MACSAC
RED CABBAGE AND APPLE CASSEROLE
1 1/2 pounds red cabbage; 3 onions, chopped; 2 fennel bulbs, roughly chopped; 2 tbsp caraway seeds; 3 large, tart eating apples or 1 large cooking apple; 11/4 cups plain yogurt; 1 tbsp creamed horseradish; salt and freshly ground black pepper; crusty rye bread, to serve
Preheat the oven to 300°F. Shred the cabbage finely, discarding any tough stalks. Mix with the onions, fennel and caraway seeds in a large bowl. Peel, core and chop the apples, then stir them into the cabbage mixture. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish. Mix the yogurt with the creamed horseradish. Stir the yogurt and horseradish mixture into the casserole, season with salt and pepper and cover tightly. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, stirring once or twice during cooking. Serve hot, with rye bread. Serves 6
KALE SALAD WITH APPLES & CHEDDAR
4 cups very finely chopped or slivered curly kale or Russian kale (about 6 ounces on the stem, or half of a 3/4-pound bunch, stemmed and washed in two rinses of water), 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped toasted almonds, 1 apple, sweet, like a Fuji, or a sweet-tart, like a Gala, cored and cut in 1/4-inch dice, 1 ounce sharp Cheddar cheese, cut in 1/4-inch dice, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, Salt to taste, 1 very small garlic clove, puréed, 5 tablespoons extra Combine the kale, almonds, apple and Cheddar in a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, salt, garlic and olive oil. Add to the salad, and toss well. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the top, and serve. Tip: This salad benefits from tossing with the dressing about 15 minutes before you serve it. The kale will soften in the dressing. Recipe from Martha Rose Shulman
SIMPLE KALE & POTATO SOUP
1 medium (8 ounce) yellow or russet potato, scrubbed clean and chopped, 1 garlic clove, minced, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 cups vegetable stock, chicken stock, or water, 1/2 bunch kale (6 to 8 big leaves), 1 tsp. lemon juice or cider vinegar, 1 to 2 large eggs, depending on your appetite, Salt and pepper, Grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil, or yogurt, to serve
Combine the chopped potato, garlic, salt, and stock (or water) in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. While the potatoes start to cook, chop the kale. Remove any thick, tough stems and chop them into small pieces. Add the chopped stems to the pot with the potatoes and simmer for 2 minutes.
Stack the leaves of kale on top of each other. Slice them crosswise into thin ribbons, and add them to the pot with the potatoes and kale stems. If necessary, add more stock or water to the pot to just about cover the kale.
Cover the pot and let the soup cook for 8 to 10 minutes. The soup is ready when the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, and when a ribbon of kale has become tender, but has not yet become stringy or pulpy. Stir in the lemon juice or vinegar. Taste and season with more salt and fresh cracked pepper. Also add more stock or water if a more brothy soup is desired. To finish, crack the eggs into measuring cups, and then gently slide them into the soup. Ladle some of the soup broth on top of the eggs to submerge them. Put the lid back on the pot and cook for 4 minutes. When done, the whites of the eggs should be opaque, but the yolk should still be soft. If the eggs break into the soup before they are poached, just use a fork to swirl them into the soup, like egg drop soup.
KALE & APPLES
1 bunch of kale, stripped from its stalk, chopped into bite-sized pieces and rinsed, (10-12 oz., 6-8 cups), 1 T butter, 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced (1/2 c), 2 crisp apples, such as empire, or Crispin,, peeled and cored and cut into ½ dice, 2 t brown sugar, ¼ C dried cranberries, roughly chopped, salt, 2 t olive oil, ½ C walnuts, toasted and chopped (optional)
Place about 4 cups of water in a 10-12 inch skillet or soup pot that that a tight-fitting lid. Bring to a boil and add the kale. Cover and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally until tender, 4-6 minutes, depending on the kale. Transfer to a colander to drain. Shake a few times to release the steam and stop the cooking. Dry the skillet and melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and apples and sauté until the apples are nicely colored and nearly soft, 5-7 minutes. Add the brown sugar and cranberries and sauté for a few minutes more3. Add the cooked kale (squeeze out any excess moisture), a pinch or two of salt and the olive oil and mix well. Top with the walnuts, if using and serve hot. *Try with pears or a combo of apples and pears
BROCCOLI, CARROT & RED CABBAGE KALE SALAD
4 C chopped kale (stripped from the stalk), 1 T olive oil, 2 pinches slat, 2 C tiny broccoli florets, 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks or shredded, 2 C red cabbage, sliced paper thin, 4 radishes, cut in half and then thinly sliced, (optional), ½ C dried arame seaweed (optional), 2 T toasted sesame seeds
Lemon Tahini Dressing: 2 T fresh lemon juice, 2 T tahini, 2 t pure maple syrup, ½ t fresh finely minced garlic (1 small clove), 4 T olive oil, 2 t soy sauce, and or salt to taste, 1 T water, salt
Place the kale in a wide salad bowl. Sprinkle with the olive oil and salt. Massage with your hands for 2-3 minutes, until the kale is reduced and glistening. It should taste good. (if it seems moist, use a paper towel to blot up some of the moisture.) Mix in the broccoli, carrot, cabbage and radishes, if using. Put in the arame if using, in a small bowl and cover with 1 C hot water to hydrate. After at least 5 minutes, drain, dry with a paper towel and make one or two cuts to cut the long strands just a bit. Add to the salad. Make the dressing. Whisk together the lemon juice, tahini, maple syrup, garlic, olive oil, soy sauce, water and salt to taste in a small bowl. Add additional water if it’s too thick. Try a bit of the salad in a small bowl with the dressing to see if you need to make any adjustments. Just before serving, dress the salad (you may not need all the dressing) and toss with tongs. Top with the sesame seeds.