Summer Share One May 23rd/25th2023

Important information:

• This is Week One, the first distribution for biweekly members on the odd distribution schedule at Leicester, Depew, Lancaster, East Amherst and Park and suburban home delivery sites. It is also the first of 24 weekly shares.
  The next biweekly odd distribution, (Week Three) will be Tuesday June 6^th.
  Here are the dates for your odd numbered biweekly distributions:

  May 23
  June 6
  June 20
  July 5
  July 18
  Aug. 1
  Aug. 15
  Aug. 29
  Sept. 12
  Sept. 26
  Oct. 10
  Oct. 24

• If you were a winter share member, you are welcome to return any boxes.
  For new members the boxes are returned every distribution for a full one. If you would like to flatten it, please see the video link so that you do not tear them needlessly trying to figure it out.

Farm News from Jane
Where do I begin? Spring is here with summer quickly on its heels. We did have a frost last week and so lost a few days of asparagus harvest. Most of the other seedlings that are in the field are recovering well. We have lots of fresh greens and also some carrots and potatoes from our cold storage in this first share. We are in the process of seeding this year’s potatoes and there are two seedings of carrots already sown. It always amazes me how well the roots store for such a long time to enjoy. There lots of beds of greens and a few beds of corn, beets, lots of onions and garlic (planted last December), Swiss chard, fennel, Napa cabbage, Bok choy and lots more families of veggies growing in the greenhouse getting ready to be transplanted into the field. Although we can direct sow seeds out into the field, we find that by raising seedlings we are able to plant mature seedlings which gives a much better quality and yield for harvest and also allows us to have more uniform, consistent harvests.
The shares will grow in volume and variety as the season progresses. Everything we harvest is dependent on the weather and although we irrigate there is nothing like Mother Nature’s Best; rain! Some early season shares may be lighter than others, we are fortunate to have potatoes and carrots to start shares this season. The scallions will be coming soon along with beets, fennel, bok choy and Chinese or Napa cabbage as it is now called. Peas and summer squash and Swiss chard start in June and then along come beans and bulb onions. Each month the veggies transition and there’s always new ones to anticipate. Did I hear sweet corn? And yes, lots of weeks of sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash and sweet corn too.

We are grateful for your support for our farm and choosing to support local agriculture. It’s a real taste test experience. We hope that your family will enjoy trying new vegetables and learn what can be grown locally. The difference is not only the flavor but the nutrition that you’ll benefit from. Fresh equals flavor especially grown on healthy soil which we carefully nourish at every opportunity; cover crops, composting, crop rotation and a little extra feeding with organic chicken compost sourced from a local organic chicken farm when needed. Please contact us with any questions or concerns or stop by and see how your vegetables grow!
Hope to see or meet you sometime this season, Blessings, Jane & Ben

Produce:   Asparagus   Spinach   Salad greens   Dino Kale
Green Garlic   Carrots   Red potatoes

Produce tips:
– The Dino kale grown in the high tunnel and is very tender and can be eaten raw. Check out the recipe for “massaged kale”.
– Green garlic is just like green onions or scallion use in salads or sautés. It’s great paired with asparagus!
Substitute it for green onions in recipes or in place of garlic cloves.
– Asparagus comes in all different diameters and we sort it that way. The bottoms should not need much trimming; we try to give you just the most tender part of the spears. Use a knife to “test” the bottom end for tenderness. If it is a bit tough than just move the knife up the spear an inch or so at a time. It’s very sweet and can be enjoyed raw also. Try not to overcook it or it will turn gray and mushy. A quick blanching, streaming or sautéing is all it needs. Grilling is really yummy with a coating of olive oil.
The potatoes have been in cold storage and the brown bag may have gotten soft from condensation. Please be careful when removing them from the share box.

Recipes
PANROASTED ASPARAGUS
1 T. olive oil or 1/2 T. oil and 1/2 T. butter 1-pound asparagus spears salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil and/or butter over medium-high heat until melted. Roll asparagus in oil until they are well coated. Cover and cook for 5 minutes until asparagus is bright green and still crisp. Uncover and increase heat to high; season with salt and pepper if desired. Cook until spears are tender and well browned along one side, using tongs to move spears from center to outside of pan to ensure all are browned and evenly done. The same may be accomplished in the oven at 450 or on the grill in foil or a foil pan. This is when you recycle your Chinese take-out pans! You may also cook them directly on the grill provided they are well-coated in olive oil first. Watch carefully.

ASPARAGUS SPINACH SALAD
1-1/2 pounds asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 T plus 1/2 cup olive oil; 1/4 tsp salt; 1-1/2 pounds penne or other medium tube pasta; 1/4 cup chopped green onions (leeks or scapes); 6 T white wine vinegar; 2 T soy sauce; 6 oz spinach; 1 cup coarsely chopped cashews; 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Place asparagus in a 13-in x9-in baking dish. Drizzle with 2 T olive oil; sprinkle with salt. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring every 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. For dressing, combine the onions, vinegar and soy sauce in a blender; cover and process. While processing, gradually add the remaining oil in a steady stream. In a large salad bowl, combine pasta, spinach and asparagus. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cashews and cheese. Serve immediately. 14-16 serving.

CHICKEN ASPARAGUS BAKE
5 Tbsp. each butter and flour; 11/2 cups chicken broth; 6-oz. can mushroom, drained; Dash pepper; 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and sliced; l lb. cooked fresh asparagus spears; 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs; 2 Tbsp. each toasted slivered almonds, and melted butter
Preheat oven to 375°F. Melt butter; blend in flour. Add chicken broth; cook and stir until mixture is thickened. Add mushrooms and pepper. Place chicken in bottom of 6 x 10 x 1/2-inch baking dish. Drizzle with half the mushroom sauce. Arrange asparagus spears over sauce, then pour on remaining sauce. Combine crumbs, almonds, and melted butter. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake 20 minutes.

ASPARAGUS QUICHE
9-inch pastry shell; 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated; ½ cup green garlic or onions, chopped; 1 cup asparagus, cooked and chopped; 4 eggs; 1 ½ cups milk; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp pepper; ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Place cheese, garlic or onions and asparagus in bottom of pie shell. Beat together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over ingredients in pie shell. Sprinkle parsley over top. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350° and bake for 45 minutes more, or until quiche is golden brown and knife comes out clean when inserted in the middle of the quiche.

ASPARAGUS AND MIXED GREENS SALAD
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1-pound asparagus, cut on the diagonal into I-inch pieces; Salt and ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; I small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons); 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves; 6 ounces mixed greens (about 12 cups); 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped medium
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until beginning to smoke. Add the asparagus, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; cook until browned and tender crisp, about 4 minutes, stirring once every minute. Transfer to a large plate and cool 5 minutes.  Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 4 tablespoons oil, the vinegar, shallot, tarragon, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a medium bowl until combined. In a large bowl, toss the greens with 2 tablespoons of the dressing and divide among salad plates. Toss the asparagus with the remaining dressing and place a portion of it over the greens; sprinkle the chopped eggs evenly over the salads and serve. Serves 4-6

SHAVED ASPARAGUS SALAD
12 large asparagus spears (about 1 lb.), trimmed and peeled, 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan plus a piece for shaving, 1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Working with 1 asparagus spear at a time, use a vegetable peeler to shave spears into long, thin shavings. Transfer to a medium bowl (the tips will snap off as spears get thinner; add to bowl). Combine grated Parmesan and lemon juice in a small bowl and slowly whisk in oil until well blended. Season vinaigrette generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle vinaigrette over shaved asparagus and toss to coat. Divide asparagus salad among plates. Use peeler to shave more Parmesan over salad. *Try adding pine nuts. Recipe from Bonappetit.com

FABULOUS GARLIC MASHED POTATOES
2 1/2 # potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 in. chunks, 3 garlic cloves peeled, 1 t. salt. plus, additional to taste, 2/3 C chicken broth, ¼ C sour cream, ¼ t freshly ground pepper, 1/8 t grated nutmeg
Place potatoes and garlic in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and add 1 t salt. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook until the potatoes are tender about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes, return then to a pot, and place over low heat for about 1 minute until thoroughly dry. Transfer to a large bowl, or leave them in the saucepan to mash. Add the broth to the potatoes, and mash with a potato masher or handheld electric mixer to make a smooth puree. Add the sour cream and continue to mash until the potatoes are light and fluffy. Season with pepper, nutmeg and salt to taste. Makes four side dish servings; recipe form AMA’s Family Health Cookbook

GRILLED GREEN GARLIC
1 bunch green garlic, oil, ground cumin, salt, pepper
Wash the green garlic. Cut off the roots and the tough ends of the leaves. Dry on a paper towel.
Lay the whole garlic pieces on a baking sheet. Toss with a bit of oil. Sprinkle with cumin, salt and pepper. Lightly oil your grill pan or the outside grill. Place on the hot grill and cook until tender and starts to brown. Turn the garlic halfway through cooking. A few pieces of the roasted green garlic can be served on each plate or it can be roughly chopped and served as a side dish. Roasted green garlic can be added to any recipe. Tastes great with any chicken or meat dish. Recipe from kachiskitchen.com

KALE AND POTATO TARRAGON SALAD
2 pounds small potatoes, scrubbed, 7 T. olive oil, 1 medium onion, diced, 1 bunch kale, large stems removed, leaves chopped into 1 in. pieces, 1 clove garlic, minced, 2 T. lemon juice, 1/4-1/2 t. tarragon, divided, salt and pepper to taste
Steam or boil potatoes until fork tender. Drain, cut into large bite sized pieces, place in large bowl, and cover to keep warm. Meanwhile, heat 1 T. olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add onions; sauté until translucent. Add kale and garlic; cook until kale is tender, about 5 minutes more (you can cover pan to help wilt kale). Combine vinegar, lemon juice, ¼ t. dried tarragon, remaining 6 T. olive oil, and salt and pepper. Add kale mixture to potatoes and pour dressing over everything. (It’s important to toss the dressing while the mixture is hot, to soak in the flavors.) Add more salt and pepper, or tarragon if necessary. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 6 servings.  Recipe from Jenny Bonde and Rick DaVee, Shooting Star Farm

SAUSAGE, POTATO AND KALE SOUP
1 pound bulk Italian sausage 4 C half-and-half, 3 C cubed potatoes, 2 C chicken broth, 2 C whole milk, 1 onion chopped, ½ tsp. oregano, ½ tsp. red pepper flakes, ½ tsp. black pepper, 2 cups torn kale leaves (bite size pieces).
Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Crumble sausage into pot; cook and stir until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Stir half-and-half, potatoes, chicken broth, milk, onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes into sausage, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Season with black pepper; stir kale into soup. Simmer until kale is tender, 10 to 15 more minutes. Recipe form Allrecipes.com

KALE & CHEESE QUESADILLAS
½ bunch kale, stripped from stalk, chopped into bite sized pieces and rinsed (about 4 cups), 2 c shredded cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack or a combination), 1/4 C chopped green chiles (optional), 1t ground cumin, 1/T chili powder, 1 (8-10 count) package flour tortillas, 4 t canola or olive oil
Bring 3 to 4 C of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add kale and cook on high heat, covered for 4 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander; shake several times to help cool. When cool, squeeze out any excess water, and then break any clumps apart. In a large bowl, combine the cheese, green chiles, cumin, and chili powder with the kale. Heat an 11-12-inch skillet on medium heat and pour about 1 t of oil to coat pan. Place a tortilla in the skillet. Put a generous 1/2C of the cheese mixture in the idle of the tortilla. Place another tortilla on top. When the tortilla is lightly browned, flip over. The quesadilla is done when the cheese is melted, 3-4 minutes. Repeat for the other quesadillas. Cut into wedges and serve – a pizza cutter works great to cut quesadillas. Recipe from Kale, Glorious Kale by Catherine Walthers

SPINACH STRAWBERRY SALAD
1/2 c sugar; 1 T poppy seeds; 2 Tbsp sesame seeds; 1 1/2 tsp minced onions; 1/4 tsp paprika; 1/4 c cider vinegar; 1/4 c wine vinegar; 1/2 c canola oil; 2 Tbsp butter; 3/4 c slivered almonds; 1 lb. spinach, washed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces; 1-pint strawberries, sliced. Put sugar, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onions, paprika, vinegars and oil in shaker jar. Shake to emulsify. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Add almonds; cook and stir until lightly toasted, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Combine spinach, strawberries and almonds in serving bowl. Pour half of dressing over and toss. Add more dressing as desired. Serve at once. Makes 8 servings

FRESH GREENS PASTA PIE
3 ounces vermicelli; 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened; 1/6 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 1/2 eggs; 1 teaspoon cooking oil; 1/2 small onion, chopped; 1 cup chopped fresh spinach or other greens; 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/6 cup milk; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper; pinch ground nutmeg
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a large pie plate. Cook vermicelli according to package directions; drain. Stir butter and Parmesan cheese into hot vermicelli. Beat 2 of the eggs and stir well into pasta. Spoon mixture into pie plate, and use a spoon to shape vermicelli into a pie shell. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 10 minutes. Set aside. Heat oil in small skillet, add onion and sauté until tender. Beat the remaining 3 eggs and combine with spinach, mozzarella, milk, seasonings, and sautéed onions. Spoon spinach mixture into pasta shell. Cover pie with aluminum foil. Bake 35 minutes; uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Makes 3 servings. Recipe from Crystal Lake Gardens

GREEN RICE
3 c. cooked rice (l c. uncooked); 1 c. chopped spinach; 2 eggs, well beaten; 1 c. milk; 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce; 1 1/4 tsp. salt; 2 tsp. grated onion; 1/4 c. butter or margarine 1/2 c. grated sharp cheese
Toss rice and spinach together with fork. Add eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt and onion. Toss gently to mix, using care not to mash rice. Pour into greased 2-qt. baking dish; dot with butter and sprinkle cheese on top.  Bake in slow oven (325°) 30 to 40 minutes. Makes 8 servings.
Note: Add a few chopped blanched almonds, if you like. You can substitute 1/2 c. chopped parsley for half of the spinach.

ASIAN SPINACH SALAD (small version)
1/2 lb. fresh spinach, washed and trimmed; 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce; 2-3 tsp. sesame oil; 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds, toasted; 1 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 tsp sugar; 1/2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar; Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Steam spinach until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and squeeze out as much water as possible. Chop coarsely. In bowl, combine soy sauce, oil, seeds, garlic, sugar, vinegar and pepper; mix well. Add spinach to sauce, and toss to coat. Serve hot or cold. Makes 4 servings Recipe from Farm-Fresh Recipes.

SUNNY-SIDE-UP EGGS ON MUSTARD-CREAMED SPINACH WITH CRISPY CRUMBS
1/4 cup coarse fresh breadcrumbs made from crustless country-style bread; 5 teaspoons Dijon mustard, divided; 2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds; 1 9-ounce package fresh spinach leaves; 3 tablespoons half and half; 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme; 2 large eggs; Fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish
Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss crumbs with 2 teaspoons mustard, 2 teaspoons oil, and mustard seeds in medium bowl to coat. Scatter on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, add enough water to deep large nonstick skillet to cover bottom. Add spinach; toss over high heat to wilt, about 2 minutes. Scrape into sieve set over bowl; press out liquid. Wipe out skillet; reserve. Transfer spinach to medium saucepan. Add 3 teaspoons mustard, half and half, and chopped thyme. Stir over medium heat until thick, about 3 minutes. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in reserved skillet over medium-high heat. Crack eggs into skillet, spacing apart. Fry until whites are cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide spinach between 2 plates, spreading out as base for eggs. Top with eggs, crumbs, and thyme sprigs. 2 Servings

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.

ASIAN PEANUT NOODLE SLAW WITH SHREDDED CHICKEN
Cook 4 oz. spaghetti according to package directions about ten minutes. Drain and rinse to cool. In a large bowl, whisk 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup water, 3 T each seasoned rice vinegar and lime juice, 1 T packed brown sugar, 1T low sodium soy sauce and 1 tsp. (or to taste) siracha until smooth.
Add spaghetti, 21/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, 6 cups shredded cabbage, 2 cups shredded carrots, 3 thinly sliced scallions and 1/3 cup roughly chopped cilantro or parsley. Toss well. Scatter ¼ cup chopped roasted peanuts over the top. Recipe form FAMILYCIRCLE.COM

ROASTED CARROTS
12 carrots, 3 T good olive oil, 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 2 T minced fresh dill or parsley
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. If the carrots are thick, cut them in half lengthwise; if not, leave whole. Slice the carrots diagonally in 1 1/2-inch-thick slices. (The carrots will shrink while cooking so make the slices big.) Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a sheet pan in 1 layer and roast in the oven for 20 minutes, until browned and tender. Toss the carrots with minced dill or parsley, season to taste, and serve. Recipe from Ina Garten Foodnetwork.com

ROASTED CARROT GREEN GODDESS SALAD
1 lb. carrots, peeled, 1 to 2T olive oil, ¼ tsp salt, ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, 6 C butter lettuce greens, or whatever greens you have
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Peel the carrots and place them on the baking sheet. I like to keep them whole, but it depends on how large they are. If they are really big or thick carrots, slice them in half either lengthwise or width wise. You can also use baby carrots here too!
Drizzle the carrots with the olive oil and toss week. Cover with the salt, pepper and garlic powder. Roast the carrots for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. While the carrots are roasting, place the greens in a large bowl or plate. Toss them well with salt and pepper. Make the green goddess dressing and drizzle the greens with it, lightly tossing. Top with the roasted carrots. Add more green goddess if you’d like and serve.
Green goddess dressing: 1/2 avocado, 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt I like full fat or 2%, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 garlic cloves, 1/3 cup baby arugula or spinach greens, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, 1 tablespoon snipped chives, 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, pinch of salt and pepper, pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until combined.

 

CARROT CAKE
1 ½ cup oil; 2 cups sugar; 4 eggs; 2 cups flour, sifted; 3 cups grated carrots; 2 tsp baking soda; 1 cup chopped nuts; 2 tsp cinnamon; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp allspice
Beat eggs and add sugar; beat well. Add oil, nuts and carrots; blend well. Add baking soda, salt, cinnamon and allspice to flour; add to above mixture. Beat well. Pour into greased 13 x 9-inch pan and bake for 1 hour at 350⁰ or into a Bundt pan for about an hour.
Frosting: ¾ stick of butter; 8 oz pkg of cream cheese; 1 tsp vanilla; 1 lb. confectionary sugar
Beat all ingredients together at room temperature. Beat until fluffy and frost.

LEAF LETTUCE AND MANDARIN SALAD
1 bunch leaf lettuce, washed and torn into bite-size pieces; 2 cups thinly sliced celery; 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley; 4 green onions, thinly sliced, including some greens; 2 11-ounce cans mandarin oranges, drained; Dressing: 2 tablespoons sugar; 2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; freshly ground pepper to taste; 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce
Garnish: 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
Combine lettuce, celery, parsley. Green onions and mandarin oranges in salad bowl. Combine dressing ingredients, mixing well. Toss salad with dressing just before serving. Sprinkle almonds over top.
Serves 8 to 10

EASY THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING
Makes about 1 cup (eight 2-tablespoon servings)
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt; 2 tablespoons minced onion; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon bottled sweet pickle relish; 1/4 cup bottled chili sauce; 1/4 teaspoon salt
Whisk al1 ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

BASIC VINAIGRETTE
Makes about 3/4 cup (six 2-tablespoon servings)
Because this vinaigrette is relatively low in oil, it should be used on a leafy green salad just before serving to prevent wilting and sogginess.
4 tablespoons fresh red or white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar; 4 tablespoons defatted low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth; 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh onions; 1/2 teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper; 1 garlic clove, finely chopped (optional)
In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, broth, oil, mustard, onions, salt, and pepper. If desired, whisk in the garlic. Use the vinaigrette immediately or refrigerate up to 2 days. Just before serving, whisk or shake the vinaigrette in a covered jar to blend it.

BASIC VINAIGRETTE VARIATIONS
• Add 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs, such as tarragon, chives, thyme, marjoram, cilantro, or dill.
• Substitute lemon or lime juice for the vinegar, or use half each of citrus juice and vinegar.
• For a fruit-salad vinaigrette, use a fruit vinegar or lemon juice, substitute orange juice for the chicken or vegetable broth, and add 1 teaspoon of honey.
• For a nutty-tasting vinaigrette, use 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of walnut or hazelnut oil in place of the olive oil.
• Increase the mustard to 1 tablespoon for a more assertive vinaigrette.

CASHEW SALAD
Makes about 3 servings
3 c mixture of three kinds of lettuce, such as red leaf, romaine and Boston, washed and torn into bite-size pieces; 1/2 c cashews
For dressing: 1/4 small red onion, grated; 1/8 c vinegar; 1/4 c sugar; pinch of ground black pepper; 1/2 tsp celery seed; 1 tsp prepared mustard; 3/8 c olive oil;
Toss lettuce with cashews.  Place onion, vinegar, sugar, pepper, celery seed, mustard and oil in jar with tight lid. Shake vigorously to emulsify, or blend in blender. When ready to serve, toss salad with half the dressing, then add more, to taste, or serve dressing on side.

HERB-ROASTED RED POTATOES
1-pound red potatoes, cut in 11/2- inch pieces; 1-4 cloves garlic, chopped; 3-4 tablespoons of your favorite fresh herb: Chopped parsley, rosemary, thyme, fennel, dill, etc.; 3-4 tablespoons olive oil; salt and pepper to taste
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat potatoes with other ingredients and spread out on a shallow baking dish. Roast until tender, 40-45 minutes. Makes 2-4 servings. Recipe from Patricia Schindler

SPICY OVEN FRIES
3 # potatoes, 2-3 Tbsp olive oil; spice mix; 4 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
Spice Mix: 1 tsp. salt, 1/2tsp oregano, 1/2tsp garlic powder, 1/4tsp chili powder, 1/4tsp pepper Hint; when mixing spices, I multiply by 8 so that I have the spice mix on hand for quicker do ahead preparation. If doing smaller quantity of potatoes try using a scant tsp of spice mix with 1 T of cheese to each pound of potatoes. Chop or slice potatoes as desired. Toss with olive oil to coat. Mix spices and parmesan cheese. Bake at 450 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes.

SPICY POTATO, SAUSAGE AND GREENS SOUP 1 # bulk hot Italian sausage; 1/2 cup chopped onion, or more to taste; 4 cups chicken broth; 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes (slice them with skins on); 4 cups water; 2 packed cups torn or chopped fresh greens; 1/3 cup whipping cream; salt and pepper
Heat soup pot over medium flame. Add sausage and onions and cook until meat is no longer pink. Add broth, potatoes, and 4 cups water. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes. Stir in greens; cook 1-2 minutes. Stir in whipping cream and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve right away, or, for more developed flavor, let cool, then chill and reheat later or the next day. This recipe was inspired by a soup at Olive Garden restaurant. Add some buttered biscuits and it’s a perfect winter meal. Makes 8-12 servings. Recipe from JoAnn Hoffman, Vermont Valley Farm member

FRENCH FRIES Potatoes; oil; salt
Heat oil to 350 degrees in a deep fryer or pot on the stove. Cut potatoes into desired shape (we usually use wedges). Place in oil and fry until golden and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Salt and enjoy!

ROASTED POTATOES WITH SOUTHWESTERN SPICES
Cut potatoes into bite sized pieces coat with olive oil. Roast in 425⁰ oven for 20-30 minutes or until done. While the potatoes roast, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. When the butter starts to sizzle, add 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 medium garlic clove, minced, and cook 1 fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer roasted potatoes to a serving bowl. Pour spiced butter over the potatoes, toss, and serve immediately.

CABOT CHEDDAR MASHED POTATOES
2 pounds potatoes; 1/2 cup butter, plus more as needed; 3/4 cup whole milk, heated; 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated; Nutmeg; Salt and freshly ground white pepper
Peel and dice the potatoes. Cover with cold, salted water in a large stockpot. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until potatoes are just fork tender. Drain thoroughly, and place in a large bowl with the butter, milk, and cheese, and add nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Mash with an old-fashioned masher or handheld mixer, mixing thoroughly until desired consistency is reached. Additional butter and milk may be added to taste. Makes 4 servings