November 19 - 25, 2011

In the box:

Gala apples
Arugula - W
Brussels sprouts - Sa
Beets - Su
Cabbage- M2
Fennel - Su2
Green beans - R/F
Leeks - Su2
Lettuce - T
Onions (Pinnacle Organic Farm) - R/F
Radicchio - M

Groceries:
Turkey (pickup at counter)
Yams
Potatoes
Pumpkin for Pies
Sausage for Stuffing
Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
Ricotta Cheese
Eggs
Carrots
smoked mozzarella
garlic
mozzarella

Menu:
Saturday: Chinese Food (day off from cooking!)
Sunday: Lentil Soup with Beets and Coconut Milk
Monday: Radicchio Risotto
Tuesday:  Salad with Chicken
Wednesday: Arugula and Ricotta Calzones
Thursday: THANKSGIVING OFFERING - Dinner at the Reichguts
Friday: THANKSGIVING FOOD - PARTY
Saturday: Leftovers with Steamed Brussels Sprouts
Sunday: Fennel & Leek Soup with Bread
Monday: Cabbage "Sushi" with Leftover mashed potatoes
Tuesday: Random leftovers from the freezer
Wednesday: Random leftovers from the freezer
Thursday: Random leftovers from the freezer

The week after Thanksgiving is leftovers week since we don't get our next share until Dec 1.

Recipes:

LENTIL SOUP with BEETS and COCONUT MILK
Makes 2 to 2 1/2 quarts
This gorgeous fuchsia soup has a delicate flavor. Packed with nutrition, the spices aid digestion.

1 1/2 C French green lentils
5 C broth
one 4-inch piece of kombu seaweed (optional)
1 small sweet potato or yam or potato, grated
1 medium beet, grated
1 can coconut milk
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 C minced onions or leeks
1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced or grated
1 tbsp. ground coriander
1 tbsp. ground fennel seeds
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. sea salt
3-4 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

1. Rinse the lentils and place them in a saucepan with the kombu and water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Add the yam, beets, and coconut milk and continue simmering, stirring occasionally, until the beets and yams are tender, about 5 minutes.
3. While the lentils are cooking, saute the onion and ginger until the onion is translucent and tender. Add the spices and sea salt and cook over low heat, stirring, for 3 more minutes.
4. Add the onion mixture to the lentils and continue to simmer for 5-10 minutes. Taste and add sea salt if needed.
5. Garnish the soup with cilantro and serve.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Smoky-Radicchio-Risotto-Michu-351292

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Arugula-and-Ricotta-Calzones-233791

FENNEL and LEEK SOUPServes 4-6

2 fennel bulbs
6 C stock (recipe follows)
2 medium leeks, white parts plus 1 inch of the green, chopped
1 small potato, thinly sliced
2 tbsp. olive oil or butter
1 onion, chopped
sea salt and pepper to taste
1/3 C cream, optional

1. Remove the tough layers of the fennel and use them in the stock, along with the 1 C chopped leek greens and the leek roots. Chop half of the fennel green and reserve.
2. Quarter the fennel bulbs, remove the core if tough, and thinly slice crosswise. Warm the oil in the soup pot and add the onion, fennel, leek, potato and 1 tsp. salt, plus 1 C of the strained stock.
3. Cover and stew over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the remaining stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the fennel is tender, about 15-20 minutes.
5. Stir in the cream and the reserved fennel greens. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust if needed.

SAVORY "MAKI-SUSHI"-STYLE CABBAGE ROLL
Serves 4-6

For the roll:
1 small cabbage
4 large potatoes
3 pats* butter (about 1 tbsp.)
8 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1 egg
1/2 lb. spinach or other greens of choice
1 large carrot
nutmeg
sea salt
For the sauce:
half a lemon
4 tbsp. olive oil

*[a pat is about a teaspoon of butter sez Rebecca; I'm not capable of using butter in such small amounts, so I'd use a tablespoon per 'pat' myself, but Rebecca and I both agree: either way is fine ;-) - Debbie]

1. Remove the tougher outer leaves from the cabbage, if necessary, then wash and blanch the remaining leaves in boiling water. Drain well and arrange them in layers, forming a rectangle.
2. Boil the potatoes, press them through a potato ricer (or mash them), then put in a saucepan with 1 1/2 pats of butter. Season with salt and reduce the puree over low heat. Add some parmesan, a pinch of fresh grated nutmeg and an egg and stir until well blended.
3. Blanch the spinach or other greens for a few minutes, until tender. Dry out over a gentle heat with the remaining butter.
4. Boil the carrot whole in a little water (or steam) until al-dente but pierce-able with a sharp knife tip, then set aside.
5. Spread the potato puree evenly over the rectangle of cabbage leaves leaving a margin exposed; spread the greens on top of the potatoes, then finish off with the whole carrot. Wrap the cabbage leaves around the filling in the shape of a log roll like you would when making maki-style sushi, then wrap in a sheet of plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours to become firm.
6. Remove the roll from the refrigerator, remove the plastic, and slice crosswise into 1-inch (or so) thick slices; dress with lemon juice and salt.
7. Sometimes I roast garlic and mash it into the potatoes for extra flavor.