For me, meal ideas abound when I pick up my CSA "goodie box" from Be Wise Ranch (http://www.bewiseranch.com/). This week's box was filled with 3 different varieties of lettuce, bags of oranges and apples, green onions, strawberries, cilantro, parsley, potatoes, cabbage, baby bok choy, and colorful bell peppers! My involvement with a CSA ensures that I eat my fruits & vegetables. As a bonus, I feel good that I am supporting local agriculture! So, here some meal ideas that come to my mind:- Veggie Pasta: cook onions and garlic in a bit of olive oil, add sliced bell peppers and zucchini. Sauté for 5-8 minutes, add white wine (the kind you would drink) and simmer for 4-5 more minutes. (Optional: You could add shrimp at this point.) Serve over angel hair pasta and top with fresh Parmesan and chopped parsley.
- Grilled salmon & bok choy: slice bok choy in half. Drizzle with sesame or canola oil and season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper-just enough to add heat. Grill cut side
down for 3-5 minutes, flip and grill until sear marks appear. Squeeze a lime over it to finish the flavor! - Strawberry Salad, of course--see previous post for recipe, but I may add orange wedges in it for a little color and a complimentary flavor.
- Fish Tacos: In California, fish tacos are very popular, and absolutely delicious! You serve these scrumptious tacos in soft corn tortillas and piled high with a cabbage slaw! Check out Tyler Florence's recipe, http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/crispy-fish-tacos-recipe/index.html You can even bake these or just opt for a grilled white fish.
- Baked French fries: Cut potatoes into steak fries. Toss with a vegetable oil (not olive oil, because olive oil has a lower smoking point), and salt & pepper. You can add any variety of herbs or seasonings (rosemary, garlic powder, thyme, sage, etc.) Bake at 450*F for 15-20 minutes, flip at 10 minutes. Be sure your oven is preheated for at least 10 minutes to get the crispy texture!
- Chopped apple salad: You have to check out Bobby Flay's recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/chopped-apple-salad-with-toasted-walnuts-blue-cheese-and-pomegranate-vinaigrette-recipe/index.html This would taste fabulous on it's own or with grilled chicken.
