Monday, February 28, 2011

Soul Food - Arugula

Arugula in my garden that has gone to seed.

Arugula is one of those herby/salady/gourmet greens that I absolutely love and will find just about any use for in a soup, stew, for breakfast with eggs, salad or just plain.  I think it has a buttery taste with a kick and on of my favorite ways to serve/eat it in a salad with pears, walnuts and goat cheese with drizzled evo and balsamic.

I found a few more fabulous ways to use arugula at a very fun food blog - La Table de Nana where I found both of these recipes.



Lindsays Arugula and Red Pepper Penne Dish.

This "soul food" is her " arugula mashed potatoes and garnished with a parsley coin." Does this NOT make you want to go whip up some? She found this recipe here.

Lylah's Mexican Quiche Recipe

It's great for an evening meal, a ladies luncheon, a spring tea and definitely a pot luck. Try it and let me know how you like it! I know you will.

Lylah's Mexican Quiche Recipe
1 pie crust (cheat and use Trader Joe's frozen pie crust or another kind)
1 1/2 cup shredded Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (4 oz) can green chili, chopped.
1 cup of half and half
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp ground cumin
5 eggs - beaten

Partially bake pie crust for about 10 - 12 minutes. Sprinkle all Jack cheese and 1/2 Cheddar over the bottom of the crust. Add the chopped chili.

Mix together the half and half the eggs, salt and cumin. Mix until blended. Pour into the crust.

Sprinkle the rest of the Cheddar cheese on the top. Bake at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes or until the center is done with the 'knife test.' Serve with Maria's Best Salsa and a nice green salad!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Maria's Mexican Salsa - The Best Ever!

Maria makes the best Mexican Salsa in the whole world and if you don't believe me - try this recipe!

Ingredients:
1 jalapeño (fresh)
1 whole tomato – diced (can use 8 oz can of diced tomatoes instead)
¼ small small onion
¼ cup fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic
1 lemon - squeezed(may substitute lemon/lime juice)
½ tsp salt
1 dash cumin (not necessary, only if you’d like)

Instructions:
(if you like more of any of the above, feel free to add them)
1.        Cook jalapeño in water (until turns light green)
2.        Chop jalapeño, tomatoes, cilantro, onion, garlic, and tomatoes in food processor (to desired consistency- may add water)
3.        Combine all ingredients in bowl
4.        Squeeze lemon or lime
5.        Add salt and cumin (to taste)

Monday, February 21, 2011

Lemon Tarts

There's just something good about a thirty year old recipe . . . sorta timeless. Thirty years ago, a dear older woman in my life made this almost on a weekly basis. It's easier than pie and incredibly yummy.


Lemon Cake Pudding
Sift—1/4c flour, 1 c sugar and 1/4 t salt Stir in—1 1/2 t grated lemon rind, 1/4c lemon juice, 2 egg yolks that have been beaten, and 1 c milk (whole) Then—fold in 2 egg whites that have been stiffly beaten. Now...pour this into 6 custard cups. Set these cups into a pan of water (a 9x13 baking dish is great). Make sure the water comes up 1” on the side of the cup. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Kale Chips

We grow several varieties of kale at our farm and so often people don't know quite what to do with kale.  Kale can be eaten raw (a salad like this Tuscan kale salad) or it can be fried and even better (this one kids love) you can make kale chips.

Lucinda Scala Quinn, in Mad Hungry, has this great recipe:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 bunches of kale, average size, ends trimmed, sliced into 1-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

Toss the kale in the olive oil plus salt and pepper. Spread out over 2 baking sheets. Roast in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes until tender and crisp.  Enjoy!

Tuscan Kale Salad



Kale is an amazing food. And a year or so ago, I had a delightful lunch at True Food here in Phoenix. The Tuscan Kale salad caught my attention. I'm so glad it did - I'm now 'in love' with Kale.

Here's my re-creation of their wonderful, yummy salad.

4 minced cloves of garlic, fresh squeezed lemon juice, finely chopped kale, EVOO and then salt and pepper to taste. Easy!