CSA :: Week... I don't know what- Lost count!

The real title for this post should be:: "how I remedied an explosive mood, with some basil, eggplant and homemade bread."

How it all began :: aka, the domino effect

Mei refused nap time today... nap time is what keeps mama sane in this house.
So since Mei didn't go down as planned; mama didn't get her mid-day break.
So Mei was grouchy for missing her nap; so mama got even more grouchy for dealing with a clingy, whinny Mei. So Mei pretty much freaked out for the rest of her waking hours, and so on and so forth...

Luckily today is a Wednesday-- which translates in my dictionary to CSA DAY!

My hero, brought the CSA box around 8:00 pm. As soon as we were done with bedtime routine, I found my face buried in the box. The first thing that came out was a giant eggplant- intruiging- I thought. A bunch of basil followed- I stuck my nose right in them and took a deep whiff (and release). I immediately glanced at our kitchen-island and saw that we still had half a loaf of bread from this morning ( woohoo!). That was it for me-- the last meal I had was 8 hours ago. Naturally, I didn't feel like a big production.
So without clearing or cleaning anything in the kitchen, I pealed and cut two garlic cloves, chopped a cup of basil, threw both in the mixer-- then threw in more things: walnuts, olive oil and Parmesan. I sliced a tomato, the bread and the eggplant. The bread went in the toaster-- The eggplant danced in a pan with some coconut oil-- The tomatoes waited patiently.

In the end everything went on top of the other. If you fancy yourself some quick, simple and a mood changing dinner- start with the above then do as follows::

Spread your pesto paste on the toasted bread( I got the pesto recipe from here and changed the quantities to make a small batch, then improvised the rest.) Top it with your jolly, dancing eggplant slice(s). Sprinkle with salt and pepper. And finally top with your very patient tomato(s).

Recommendations:

* Save for a dark mood
**Use the freshest ingredients you can get your hands on-- Other wise this concoction won't be worth the thunderstorm forming above your head!

I see rainbows ( cheese Louise!)

Annnnd Peace!

CSA :: Week two

Since I currently have nothing to write about and I mean nothing...
I thought why not have a thing where I tell all of you what I have been getting in my CSA box every other week. You're curious beings. Aren't you?

Even if you don't care less, here it is anyway ::

Collards ( two bunches)

Some strange kind of lettuce (a little bit on the bitter side)

Green onions ( yes this time they were really onions)

Some strange kind of spirally greens that taste like garlic.
( I really should look in the news letter.) Wait...

A couple of seconds later...
The garlicky thing is called Garlic Scapes. Did that help at all? Yes, I didn't think so!

Green Cabbage

Bunched turnips

Two big zucchini

Snow peas

Parsley ( one bunch), and that's it.

So far we've used up the onions, collards, zucchini, lettuce, and the cabbage.

This is all I have for you today. I know, it's sad when this is the exciting thing that I'm blogging about. What can I say, I love my CSA!

Peace

CSA Goodies

Our first CSA box finally arrived yesterday. Oh how I waited SO impatiently.

The best thing is I actually knew all the stuff that was in there( I usually encounter a couple of strange produce challenges every season, and I'm sure they're still yet to come) Except for the green garlic which I first thought was green onions, but then I read the newsletter, along with the recipe suggestions, and found out it's actually garlic. Hey I can deal with garlic. I'm a big garlic fan as a matter of fact.

Here's a list of what we currently have ( Minus the Asparagus, we finished that right up) in our fridge or on top of our counter:

Rhubarb
Strawberries
Spinach
Lettuce ( two kinds)
Spinach
Asparagus
Green Garlic
Fresh Mint
White Button Mushrooms
And Fresh Organic eggs

The best thing is everything is fresh, local, organic and I know exactly which farms my produce and eggs came from. Plus I even get a picture of one of our dear local farmers tilling the lettuce fields in the news letter. These lettuce he's tilling I am eating right now. How cool is that! I love My CSA.

We had this for dinner last night along with home made bread from this book. I sure do love Asparagus. What's your favorite produce this season?

I am currently thinking about making this and this. Ah the choices!

Peace.