Winter Share Twelve May 3rd 2018

Important Information:

• This is the last winter share so please take a few minutes to look around your porches, garages, basements and car trunks for any “empties” hanging around. For those of you who do not get a summer share you are welcome to transfer your produce into a container and leave the box.
• There are still summer and tree fruit shares available.
• Summer share information will be sent in the next few weeks; the start date is not set as yet.
• Please send in any final payments as soon as possible.

Farm News from Jane

How exciting this last week has been! The sun which dried and warmed the soil allowed us to begin spring planting. We have seeded multiple plantings of peas and salad greens as well as transplanting lots of head lettuces, swiss chard, cabbages, fennel, leeks and onions into the field. The grass is greening up quickly and the cows are enjoying those first nibbles. The bulbs which have been waiting for just these conditions are in full glory. The snowdrops and crocus have faded but the daffodils and hyacinth are beautiful in their display as well as fragrance. I always feel just a bit badly cutting them and bringing them in but the fragrance that they share is just to good to pass up! The forsythia and other flowering shrubs have opened giving the landscape lovely a splash of color against the as barren trees. The soft maple buds are dropping their red shells blanketing the ground below. Hurrah, spring at last!

Although it is May and summer shares should be just around the corner our start date will likely be a bit later in May this year. The asparagus and rhubarb help signal the start of the summer share and although the rhubarb have begun to emerge the asparagus needs a bit more warmth preparing to make its entrance and there is enough yield to begin harvest. We really look forward to those first few stalks and will happily taste test them for “quality control”!

We hope that you have all enjoyed your winter shares. Its been such a long time since November 16^th when we began our winter share and we were packing all those wonderful winter squash, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, roots and even tomatoes. What a unique winter share season it has been… And it continues to be unique with spring snows still appearing between the warm days. Did you know that snow is referred to as poor man’s fertilizer? Spring snow that falls on ground that is not frozen and leaches nutrients (including nitrogen) and moisture into the soil, thus “Poor Man’s Fertilizer”. Rain and lightning contain even more nitrogen than snow does. But snow has the fertilizer reputation because it feeds nitrogen to the soil slowly over time at a rate it can be absorbed.  We have yet to have our first thunder storm since the official beginning of spring. There is a strong correlation to the first hard killing frost six months and the first thunder and lightning storm of spring. When we plot is out each year it is very accurate. Perhaps this will mean a later killing frost. A late start to fall would be a great help for crops this coming season. Only people who depend on the weather and their food would appreciate thinking about the fall season here in May! Thanks for being included in those numbers!!!

Next season we may offer a monthly winter share in addition to our bi monthly one. Something to meet everyone’s needs! Thank you for your support, encouragement and blessings. We look forward to a bountiful and nutritious summer season and of course a beautiful warm and sunny summer. We have been very blessed and we are thankful that we can share our blessings with you all! With much appreciation, Ben, Daniel & Jane

Produce: Asian greens   Bok choy   Spinach    Swiss chard
Potatoes   Onions   Garlic   Carrots   Beets  

Produce tips:
– Bagging the various greens will keep them fresher longer in the fridge.
– Remember to keep those potatoes, onions and garlic cool and dark to prevent them from sprouting.
– Greens: feel free to substitute the various greens in recipes calling specifically for spinach or Swiss chard!

Recipes
GRILLED CHICKEN AND SPINACH SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (3 oz each), 7 oz bag baby spinach, few thin slices of red onion,  1/2 sweet red bell pepper, sliced into strips, 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes sliced in half, 1 carrot, sliced into ribbons, For the Marinade: 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice,  tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp garlic, crushed, , kosher salt to taste, fresh ground black pepper to taste, For the White Balsamic Vinaigrette:, 1/4 cup basil leaves, 3 tbsp white balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp chopped shallots, 1 tbsp water, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper
Combine the marinade ingredients – lemon juice, oregano, garlic puree, salt and black pepper and pour over chicken, let it marinade in the refrigerator a minimum of two hours, but preferably 4-6 hours or longer.
Read more at http://www.skinnytaste.com/grilled-chicken-spinach-salad-with/#ah5uXySYI0J5wOE4.99 Place all the vinaigrette ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside. Preheat an indoor or outdoor grill to medium-high, make sure your grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking. When the grill is hot, lay the chicken on the grill. Cook the chicken until well browned on both sides and firm, but not hard to the touch. Transfer to a plate when done. Divide spinach, onions, carrots, tomatoes and peppers on 4 plates. Top with the chicken and drizzle with balsamic dressing over each. Skinnytaste.com

SPRING VEGETABLE LASAGNE
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for the pan, 2½ cups low-sodium vegetable or no-chicken broth, 1½ cups mascarpone cheese, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, ½ teaspoon chopped fresh oregano, 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt, 8 cups tightly packed fresh spinach leaves (about 10 ounces), 9 ounces no-boil lasagna noodles, 3 cups thinly sliced carrots, turnips and/or radishes, 8 ounces crumbled farmer’s cheese
Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter., Whisk broth and mascarpone in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth, about 5 minutes. Add thyme, oregano and salt; remove from heat.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Arrange 4 noodles in the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping. Top with ¼ cup of the spinach and ¾ cup vegetables. Pour on 1 cup of the mascarpone mixture and top with ⅓ cup farmer’s cheese. Repeat to make 4 layers. Cover with a piece of foil coated with cooking spray. Bake the lasagna for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake until the edges start to crisp, about 15 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Prep: 40 min; ready in 1 h 25 min; Recipe from eatwell.com

SPINACH SALAD WITH HONEY-BACON DRESSING RECIPE
8 cups torn fresh spinach, 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms, 1/4 cup sliced green onions, 1 medium tomato, chopped, 5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled, 1 hard-boiled large egg, chopped, 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Honey-bacon dressing: 2 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled, 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon yellow or spicy brown mustard, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Combine the first seven ingredients in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients; pour over salad. Serve immediately. Yield: 8-10 servings. Recipe from TasteofHome.com

JAPANESE-STYLE SPINACH (Gomae) * Try Asian greens
2 1/2 T tahini, 11/2 T rice vinegar, 1 1/2T soy sauce, 1 T water, 2 t mirin, 1# spinach, trimmed if necessary, 1 t sesame oil. Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Put a large pot of boil on to boil. Meanwhile, whisk tahini, vinegar, soy sauce, water and mirin in a large bowl. Cook spinach in the boiling water until just turns bright green, 15-30 seconds for baby spinach, 45seconds -1 minute for mature spinach. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water. Press or squeeze to remove excess water. Add the spinach to the dressing and toss to coat. Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Serves 4; recipe from Eating Well magazine

CHARD SOUP WITH CREAM CHEESE “CROUTONS”
3 packed cups finely chopped chard leaves; 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and at room temperature; 4 cups chicken broth; salt (if necessary) and pepper
Combine chard and chicken broth in a pot. Bring to simmer and cook until chard is wilted and tender, about 6 minutes. You may leave it as is or puree it with an immersion blender or in a food processor or blender. Reheat if necessary. Season to taste with salt (if you’ve used canned stock, you may not need to add salt) and pepper. Divide the cubed cream cheese into 3 or 4 soup plates. Pour the hot soup over the cream cheese and serve immediately. Makes 3-4 servings. Recipe from MACSAC

PAN-COOKED SUMMER GREENS
1 to 2 bunches Swiss chard, washed, dried and cut into thin strips; 1 tbsp olive oil; 3 bunching onions, diced; 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced; 2 tbsp soy sauce; Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Steam chard until bright, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain. Immediately immerse the greens in a bowl of ice water for 30 seconds and drain again. Set the cooled greens aside. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 7 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Add the greens and toss gently to combine well. Continue to cook for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the amount of greens. Add soy sauce, and salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss ingredients and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and serve at once. You can also add zucchini and yellow squash to this recipe. Cut then into bite sized pieces and cook with onions. 2-4 SERVINGS

TANGERINE & ROASTED BEET SALAD WITH FETA AND PISTACHIOS *May substitute swiss chard
2 medium beets, trimmed, 4 C chopped beet greens or Swiss chard, 8 Pixie tangerines or clementines, 1 T sherry vinegar, ¼ t kosher salt, divided, ground pepper to taste, 6 t extra virgin olive oil divided, ¼ C crumbled feta cheese, ¼ C coarsely chopped toasted unsalted pistachios
Preheat oven to 375^0. Scrub beets well, wrap in foil while still wet and place in a small baking pan. Bake until the tip of a knife slips into a beet easily, 1 to 11/4 hours. Let cool, still wrapped, for 15 minutes. Unwrap and let cool for 10 minutes more. Use a paper towel to rub the skins off. Trim off the ends. Slice the beets into wedges or slices. Rinse and drain the beet greens (of chard), leaving a little water still clinging to them; set aside. Grate ½ t zest from 1 tangerine (or clementine), Slice the ends off all the fruit, then slice off the peel and white pith, following the curve of the fruit. Cut the fruit into segments or slices and set aside. Combine the zest with vinegar, mustard, ¼ t salt and a generous grind of pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk in 4 t oil. Add the sliced beets and toss to coat; let stand for 15 minutes. Heat the remaining 2 t oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the greens and remaining ¼ t salt; cook, gently stirring, until just wilted, 2-3 minutes. Divide the greens among 4 salad plates. Top with the beets, fruit, feta and pistachios. Drizzle with any remaining dressing. Serves 4; Recipe from Eating Well magazine

 

SWISS CHARD, POTATO, AND BACON FRITTATA
8 large eggs, 1½ ounces Manchego cheese, grated (about ⅓ cup), 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf, parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped chives, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, 4 ounces dried chorizo, thinly sliced, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ small onion, cut into ½” pieces, 6 fingerling potatoes, thinly sliced, 1 bunch small Swiss chard, ribs and stems removed, leaves coarsely chopped
Heat broiler. Whisk eggs in a large bowl, then whisk in cheese and herbs; season with salt and pepper. Cook chorizo in a 10” broiler proof skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium heat, stirring often, until browned and crisp, about 3 minutes. Transfer to plate. Heat oil in same skillet; add onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring often, until beginning to soften, about 1 minute. Add potatoes and cook, tossing occasionally, until just softened, about 5 minutes. Add chard and cook, stirring often, until chard is wilted; season with salt and pepper. Mix in chorizo. Pour in egg mixture, tilting skillet to evenly distribute. Cook, undisturbed, 2 minutes, then transfer to oven and broil until egg is cooked through and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Run a heatproof spatula around edges of frittata to loosen, then slide onto a plate; serve in wedges. Serves 4; Recipe from Bon Appetit.com 

CABBAGE-BEET SLAW WITH GINGER VINAIGRETTE
1 small head red cabbage, 1 medium-sized beet, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 4 tablespoons oil (vegetable or canola), 1 1/2 tablespoon honey, 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated, Salt & pepper to taste
Chop the cabbage into 4 wedges. Trip away any of the tougher core.  Cut the remaining cabbage into thin strips. Place in a bowl. Peel the beet using a vegetable peeler.  Using a hand-held grater or box grater, shred the beet into the bowl with the cabbage, being careful to not stain clothes with beet juice. Make the vinaigrette.  Combine vinegar, honey, and ginger in a small bowl. Add oil and whisk to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss vinaigrette with cabbage-beet mixture.  Allow the slaw to stand 20-30 minutes before serving, tossing regularly.  Add salt and pepper if needed and serve. Recipe from TheBittenWord.com

ROASTED BEETS WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE RECIPE
2 # red beets, medium sized, scrubbed clean, Olive oil, Salt, 1/2 c balsamic vinegar, 2 t sugar, 1 t grated orange zest, freshly ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 400°F and line pan with aluminum foil.  Rub beets with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, place in pan, cover with foil: Place the beets in the pan. Rub olive oil over the beets, and sprinkle with salt. Cover the beets with another sheet of aluminum foil. Roast for 1 to 2 hours: Roast for 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the beets and how old they are. After 1 hour, test every fifteen minutes by poking a beet with the tines of a fork. Once the fork tines go in easily, the beets are tender and cooked. Remove from the oven.
Prepare balsamic glaze: While the beets are cooling, prepare the balsamic glaze. In a small, shallow sauté pan, add the balsamic vinegar and sugar. Heat on high until the vinegar has reduced to a syrup consistency. Remove from heat. Peel and cut cooked beets: After the beets have cooled for several minutes, but are still warm to the touch, peel off the outer skins and discard. Cut the beets into quarters or more, bite-sized pieces. Pour glaze over beets: Place beets in a serving bowl. Pour balsamic glaze over the beets. Stir in grated orange zest and add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with a little orange zest to serve.

AVOCADO BEET SALAD WITH CITRUS VINAIGRETTE
4 medium-sized beets (any color), green tops removed, beets scrubbed clean, 1 just ripe avocado, 4 ounces mixed green lettuces, 2 Tbsp pistachios, chopped
Citrus Vinaigrette:1 Tbsp minced shallot, 2 Tbsp rice vinegar (unseasoned), 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice,
1 Tbsp fresh orange juice, 2 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp orange zest, A Pinch of salt, 1/3 c olive oil
Cook the beets: Place beets in a medium saucepan and cover with an inch of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to maintain a low simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the beets, until easily pierced with the tines of a fork. Make the vinaigrette: Whisk together the citrus vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl. Toss the beets in vinaigrette: When the beets are done, drain them, and peel off the outer skin. Cut the beets in half, and the halves into wedges. (Tip: use a plastic cutting board when cutting red beets. Red beets will stain wooden cutting boards.) Place the beet wedges in a bowl and toss with a tablespoon of the vinaigrette. Cut and peel the avocado, cut the avocado into wedges. Arrange the salad: Toss the salad greens with a half of the citrus vinaigrette. Arrange the dressed greens on serving plates. Arrange the beet wedges and avocado wedges on top of the salad greens. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over the salads. Recipe from simplyrecipes.com

MOROCCAN GRATED CARROT AND BEET SALAD RECIPE
2 cups of grated carrots (from about 3 carrots), 1 C of grated fresh beets (from about 1 medium sized, peeled beet), 1/2 C golden raisins, 1/2 tsp paprika (sweet, not hot), /4 tsp ground cumin,

1/4 tsp cinnamon, Small pinch of salt, Small pinch of cayenne, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp honey, 2 Tbsp sliced fresh mint leaves

Place the grated carrots in a medium sized serving bowl. Place the grated beets into a sieve and briefly rinse with cold water. This will rinse away a little of the excess beet juice that may otherwise color the whole salad beet red.  Pat dry with a paper towel. Then add to the bowl with the carrots.  Add the raisins.  Stir to gently combine. In a small bowl, whisk together the paprika, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne. Then add the lemon juice and honey and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over the carrots and beets, then gently fold until the carrots and beets are lightly coated.  Let sit for an hour before serving, either chilled or at room temperature, for the dressing to seep into the carrots and beets. Right before serving, stir in a couple tablespoons of sliced fresh mint leaves. Garnish with fresh mint.
Recipe from simplyrecipes.com

GREENS AND ROOTS SALAD WITH CITRUS-WALNUT DRESSING
Vinaigrette: ½ cup toasted walnuts, plus more for garnish, ¼ C sherry vinegar, 2 T red-wine vinegar, 2 T white wine, Zest & juice of 1 orange, 2 T minced leek, 2 T grated Parmesan cheese, 1T honey, 1T whole-grain, mustard, 1 T chopped fresh parsley, 2 t kosher salt, 1 t fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper, ⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salad: 4 cups chopped beet, turnip and/or radish greens or arugula, 2 cups chopped chard, 2 cups chopped escarole, 2 cups chopped kale, 1 cup chopped radicchio, (or combination of whatever greens on hand),3 small beets, 3 small turnips, 3 radishes, 2 small carrots
To prepare vinaigrette: Combine walnuts, sherry vinegar, or red-wine vinegar, (or wine), orange zest and juice, leek, Parmesan, honey, mustard, parsley, salt, rosemary, thyme and pepper in a blender. Puree until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add oil until combined.
To prepare salad: Toss greens, chard, escarole, kale and radicchio in a large bowl. Very thinly slice beets, turnips, radishes and carrots; add to the greens. Toss the salad with 1 cup vinaigrette (reserve the remaining vinaigrette for another use). Serve topped with more walnuts, if desired. To make ahead: Refrigerate vinaigrette (Step 1) for up to 3 days. Recipe from Eatinggwell.com

AVOCADO BEET SALAD WITH CITRUS VINAIGRETTE
4 medium-sized beets (any color), green tops removed, beets scrubbed clean, 1 just ripe avocado, 4 ounces mixed green lettuces, 2 Tbsp pistachios, chopped
Citrus Vinaigrette:1 Tbsp minced shallot, 2 Tbsp rice vinegar (unseasoned), 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice,
1 Tbsp fresh orange juice, 2 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp orange zest, A Pinch of salt, 1/3 c olive oil
Cook the beets: Place beets in a medium saucepan and cover with an inch of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to maintain a low simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the beets, until easily pierced with the tines of a fork. Make the vinaigrette: Whisk together the citrus vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl. Toss the beets in vinaigrette: When the beets are done, drain them, and peel off the outer skin. Cut the beets in half, and the halves into wedges. (Tip: use a plastic cutting board when cutting red beets. Red beets will stain wooden cutting boards.) Place the beet wedges in a bowl and toss with a tablespoon of the vinaigrette. Cut and peel the avocado, cut the avocado into wedges. Arrange the salad: Toss the salad greens with a half of the citrus vinaigrette. Arrange the dressed greens on serving plates. Arrange the beet wedges and avocado wedges on top of the salad greens. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over the salads. Recipe from simplyrecipes.com

ROASTED CARROTS WITH CUMIN & CINNAMON
1 bunch carrots, halved lengthwise then crosswise into 3-inch pieces, Orange juice, EVOO, Pinch salt, Pinch ground cumin, Pinch ground cinnamon, Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Toss carrots with orange juice, EVOO, salt, ground cumin and ground cinnamon. Roast, tossing halfway through cooking, until carrots are soft and browned in spots, 30 to 35 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley.

DILLY SLAW

4 cups shredded veggies (carrots, Hakurei turnips, radish, kohlrabi), 5 scallions chopped
Dressing: 3⁄4 cup yogurt or 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise, 2 Tbs. lime juice, 2 Tbs. cider vinegar, 1 Tbs. honey, 1⁄4 cup dill, 1 tsp. salt, 3 garlic scapes or cloves of garlic, minced
Blend dressing and toss with veggies. If time, let chill and stir occasionally so the dressing can soak into the veggies. Recipe from Red Fire Farm, Granby MA

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 T 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

WARM BAVARIAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD WITH SAUSAGE
2 pounds Yukon Gold or large fingerling potatoes, scrubbed; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon prepared hot mustard; 3/4 cup chopped onion; salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup apple cider or chicken stock; 3/4-pound pork sausage links; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh parsley
Cook potatoes in salted water until barely tender. Drain, cool slightly, peel, and slice 1/3-inch thick. Meanwhile, make sauce: Combine remaining ingredients (except parsley) in saucepan, bring to simmer, and cook 5-7 minutes. Gently toss with potatoes. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange sausages on baking sheet; bake 8-10 minutes. Cut each link into 4 pieces. Add sausages and parsley to potatoes; mix gently. Season with salt and pepper. Makes 6 servings. Recipe from MACSAC

SPICY POTATO, SAUSAGE AND GREENS SOUP
1-pound 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

BOK CHOY SALAD
1/2 c red wine vinegar; 1/2 c olive oil; 1/2 c sugar; 1 T soy sauce; 1/4 c butter; 1/4 c slivered almonds; 1/4 c sesame seeds; 2 (3 ounce) packages ramen noodles; 1 medium head book choy; 3 green onions
In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, sugar and soy sauce until sugar dissolves. Set aside. Melt butter in small skillet. Crush the ramen noodles while still in their packaging. Discard seasoning packet and add noodles to the butter along with almonds and sesame seeds. Sauté until golden brown. Remove from heat and drain on paper towel. Chop the book choy and green onions. Place in large bowl. Add noodle mixture and dressing; toss and serve at once. Makes 8 servings

CHOW MEIN
1/4 C vegetable oil; 3 C thinly sliced book choy stalks; 1/2 t salt; 1/4 t ground black pepper; 2 t sugar; 2 C chicken stock; 11/2 T cornstarch; 1/4 C cold water; 1/4 C soy sauce; 2 C bean sprouts; 2 C slivered cooked chicken, turkey, or pork; chow Mein noodles; cooked rice
Heat oil in a wok or deep skillet. Add celery, salt, pepper, and sugar; stir-fry 1 minute. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, blend cornstarch, water, and soy sauce in a small bowl. Add to skillet and stir until mixture thickens. Stir in bean sprouts and meat. Cook until heate4 through, 2-3 minutes. Serve over hot rice with chow Mein noodles. Makes 4 servings.
Recipe from James and Kathleen Mulvey

SESAME SOY BRAISED BOK CHOY
1/2 head Bok choy; 1 tbsp peanut oil; 1/2 tbsp grated ginger; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1/4 cup chicken stock; 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp rice vinegar; 1 tsp sugar; salt and pepper; 2 tbsp sesame seeds
Trim the root end off the Bok choy head. Slice the leafy portions of the plant from the stalks. Cut both the leaves and the stalks into large matchstick-size pieces (“julienne”), keeping the two piles separate. Heat very large, heavy skillet or wok until it looks hazy over the surface, 2-4 minutes. Add peanut oil and swirl it to coat the pan. Add Bok choy stems; stir-fry about 5 minutes. Add ginger and garlic and stir-fry briefly. Add Bok choy greens, chicken stock, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until Bok choy is tender and glazed with sauce, 5-8 minutes. Remove cover, sprinkle with sesame seeds, increase heat to medium-high, and cook until excess liquid evaporates, 2-3 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste. Makes 2 servings. Recipe from MACSAC

Bok Choy Soup
Chicken stock; bok choy, chopped; l tsp sugar; rice noodles, cooked
Measure as much chicken stock as you would like to have soup. Heat stock, add bok choy and sugar. Cook until bok choy is tender and heated through. Remove from heat, add noodles and serve.