Sunday, February 24, 2013

Kale Fried Rice


I wish I was a better photographer, but trust me, this is worth trying!  I feel like an advertiser for the food blog: www.iowagirleats.com but this, also, came from there.  We had it last week & I am planning on making it again this week.  The recipe calls for "mirin", a sort of sweet rice wine.  Being that I have an aversion to cluttering my refrigerator & pantry with one time used items, I chose to substitute.  I used 2 T of white wine & 1-1/2 tsp sugar.

3/4 cup rice of choice
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
4 cups of kale (next time I will use a lot more!)
4 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1 T oil
1/2 small onion, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
Sesame seeds, for garnish, opt.

For sauce:
2 T mirin (or 2 T white wine + 1-1/2 tsp sugar)
2 T soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp maple syrup

Stir sauce ingredients together & save for later.  Cook rice in chicken broth according to instructions on package or use rice cooker (a 'staple' appliance in my kitchen).  When rice has 15 minutes left, boil water & salt in a large skillet or wok on medium-high heat. Add kale & cook no more than 4 minute, until tender. Drain.  When kale is cool enough, squeeze out water. I "unglobbed" the kale & tore it into bits.  Return empty skillet/wok to heat.  Heat oil & then add onions.  Saute about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Onions should be brown & be tender.  Add garlic & saute one minute more.  Add kale, saute 2 minutes.  Add rice & toss to combine.  And lastly, add sauce & take a deep wiff!!  Optional: season with sesame sees.  YUM!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Harlem Shake -- Greenhouse Edition

We've had our nephews helping us in the greenhouse & we got talked into doing this!  Enjoy!
If you haven't heard of the Harlem Shake, just YouTube it.

(Sorry the video is small.  Maximize to full screen.) 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Potato Soup with Kale


This basic potato soup recipe comes from my first cookbook I owned -- Betty Crocker!

Serves : 5 (or 3 servings for us!)

3 medium potatoes (about 1 pound)
1 can (14-1/2 oz) chicken broth (~1-3/4 c)
2 medium green onions with tops (I put in more)
1-1/2 cups milk
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp dried thyme leaves
PLUS optional:
Ham & Kale

Peel potatoes & cut into medium pieces.  Heat broth & potatoes to boiling in saucepan over high heat, stirring occasionally so the potatoes don't stick.  Once mixture is boiling, reduce heat just enough so mixture bubbles gently.  Cover & cook about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  While potatoes are cooking, peel and thinly slice green onions.  When the potatoes are done, remove from heat, but do not drain.  Break poatoes into smaller pieces with potato masher or large fork.  The mixture should still be lumpy.  Stir in milk, salt, pepper, thyme, onions, ham & kale (desired amounts).  Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot & steaming.  Do not let soup boil.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Kale ~ Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

You know you are a farmer when you have kale at all three meals in one day!  That was me today. 


Breakfast was a delicious Green Monster Smoothie packed with kale. (http://greatlettuce.blogspot.com/2012/10/green-monster-smoothies.html)

Lunch was Potato Soup with Kale.
I used my basic potato soup recipe & added kale & ham. 
Delish for sure!

Supper was Grilled Chicken with Kale Fried Rice.
We scarfed this one down.  The one drawback : I should have doubled the recipe!

I will post recipes this week -- I promise!

(Photo from www.mindbodygreen.com)

Friday, February 1, 2013

*** Starring: Beets ***

Red & Golden Beets

The past couple weeks, we have been enjoying Nakoa & Ava's red & golden beets (Cabbage Creek Farms) -- delicious!  I found a recipe of Martha Stewart's that was nice.  The beets are roasted & served with a mint-yogurt sauce.  We thought the beets were great with or even without the sauce.



Roasted Beets with Mint-Yogurt Sauce

1 bunch of beets
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Salt & Pepper
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 Tbsp fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped
1/8 tsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Cut off beet greens (put in a salad with romaine-- we did!)  & scrub beets.  Toss in olive oil & season with salt & pepper.  Put in 9 x 13 pan.  Cover with foil tightly & roast 45-60 minutes.  Make sure you test them with a knife around 40 minutes & until done.  Let cool until you can slip off the skins with a paper towel.  Meanwhile, whisk up the sauce of yogurt, mint, cumin & lemon juice.  Season with salt & pepper.  Spoon over beets & enjoy!