Tag Archives: tomatoes

Spaghetti & Meatballs

21 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by in Entree, Lunch, Meal, Meat, Recipe, Sauce

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DSC_0804This is probably one of the best homemade spaghetti and meatball recipes I have had. I used home canned roasted tomatoes for the sauce, and tons of fresh herbs to add some delicious flavor to the meatballs. This recipe also makes fabulous leftovers.

INGREDIENTS

Sauce

  • 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 (500ml) jars home canned roasted tomatoes with garlic, finely diced or crushed*
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt

*If you don’t have any home canned tomatoes on hand, then use a very high quality store bought variety, such as Muir Glen roasted diced tomatoes, and add 2 minced cloves of garlic.

Meatballs

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light Spaghetti & Meatballs.

  • 1 (1-ounce) slice white bread (such as a stale baguette)
  • 2 (4-ounce) links hot/spicy turkey Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons egg substitute
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 pound ground sirloin

Spaghetti

  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 pound hot cooked spaghetti
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano

DIRECTIONS

  1. To prepare sauce, heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add canned tomatoes, wine, crushed red pepper, and salt. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until reduced by  a third (about 45 minutes). Stir occasionally.
  2. Preheat broiler.
  3. To prepare meatballs, place bread in a food processor, and process until fine crumbs measure 1/2 cup. Combine the breadcrumbs, sausage, 1/2 cup onion, and next 8 ingredients (through sirloin) in a bowl. With wet hands, shape sirloin mixture into 34 meatballs. Place meatballs on a broiler pan.
  4. Broil 15 minutes or until done. Add meatballs to sauce; simmer 15 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup parsley and 1/3 cup basil. Serve over spaghetti. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve with fresh baguette, and a simple green salad if desired.
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Ratatouille and Sausage Potpie with Cornmeal Biscuits

19 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by in Entree, Meat

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This recipe is adapted from the New York Times. What an excellent and hearty meal!

INGREDIENTS

Cornmeal Biscuits:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup fine cornmeal
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup sour cream or plain whole milk yogurt
  • Milk

 

Ratatouille:

  • 1 large eggplant (1 1/2 pounds) cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 3 small zucchini ( 3/4 pound), cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 pound Italian turkey or chicken sausage, casings removed
  • 1 large onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 red peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 28 oz can whole tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2-4 tbsp pesto

DIRECTIONS

  1. For the biscuits: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Fold in the sour cream. Gently knead mixture until it comes together in a ball, adding a drop or two of milk if necessary. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  3. For the ratatouille: In a bowl, toss eggplant and zucchini with 5 tablespoons oil; season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread vegetables in a single layer on one or two large baking sheets (do not crowd vegetables). Transfer to oven and roast, tossing occasionally, until golden, about 20 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, in a large, deep, preferably oven-proof sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Crumble sausage into pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer sausage to a paper towel-lined plate.
  5. Return pan to medium heat and add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Stir in the onion, pepper, garlic and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and thyme; simmer gently until tomatoes are cooked and mixture is stew-like, about 5-10 minutes. Stir in the sausage, roasted vegetables and pesto. If you are not using an oven-safe pan, transfer mixture to a 2-quart gratin dish or baking pan.
  6. Drop soup spoon size spoonfuls of biscuit on top of ratatouille mixture. Brush biscuits lightly with milk.
  7. Transfer skillet or pan to oven and cook until biscuits are golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Brown Rice, Tomato & Cucumber Salad

11 Wednesday Aug 2010

Posted by in Recipe, Side, Vegan, Vegetarian

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When my husband and I were living in New York City, I had the opportunity to complete the community rotation of my dietetic internship at an organization called FoodChange, which is now part of Food Bank for New York City. During my rotation I taught low-income women how to cook using farm fresh ingredients from local farmers’ markets. The program, now called CookShop, “gives low-income children, adults and teens the knowledge and tools to adopt and enjoy a healthy diet on a limited budget.” This recipe is adapted from Brown Rice & Tomato Salad.

Serve warm or cold, for dinner or lunch.

(* Indicates PVF produce and ** indicates Star Hollow Farm produce. For more information about what we are doing with our PVF CSA share, click here.))

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup short-grain, brown rice
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 medium tomatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs), cut into 1/2 inch pieces*
  • 2 large cucumbers, chopped*
  • 1-2 cups chopped fresh herbs (such as cilantro, dill and basil)*
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • Freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a medium saucepan, bring water to boil. Mix in rice and salt and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 50 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk vinegar and sugar together in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Set aside.
  3. When rice is done, toss with dressing, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, onions and pepper.

Chickpea & Cabbage Curry

08 Sunday Aug 2010

Posted by in Entree, Recipe, Uncategorized, Vegan, Vegetarian

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This is one of my favorite Indian curry recipes. It’s spicy, hearty, and bursting with flavor. The flavor of the dish continues to improve over time and therefore makes a great leftovers dish.

(*Indicates Potomac Vegetable Farm (PVF) produce. For more information about what we are doing with our PVF CSA share, click here.)

Recipe adapted from World of the East Vegetarian Cooking.

INGREDIENTS

Chickpeas

  • 5 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 med sized onions, minced
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 20-oz cans chickpeas, drained
  • 1 head of cabbage, chopped*
  • 1⁄2 cup vegetable (or chicken) broth
  • 1⁄2 tsp salt (preferably kosher salt)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, minced*
  • 2 tsp very finely grated fresh ginger

Spice Bag #1

  • 1 tbsp ground coriander seeds
  • 2 tsp ground cumin seeds
  • 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric

Spice Bag #2

  • 2 tsp ground cumin seeds
  • 1 tbsp ground amchoor
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp garam masala

DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat oil in a wide pot over a medium flame. When hot, add onions and garlic. Stir until rich med brown.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-low and add spice bag #1. Stir for a few seconds. Add tomatoes. Sauté until well amalgamated with spice mix- ture and brown lightly. Add drained chickpeas and 1⁄2 cup water and 1⁄2 cup broth. Stir. Add spice bag #2, salt, and lemon juice. Stir again.
  3. Add chopped cabbage. Stir again.
  4. Cover, turn heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove cover and add minced jalapeno pepper and grated ginger. Stir and cook, uncovered, for another 30 seconds.

Southwest Gazpacho

07 Wednesday Jul 2010

Posted by in Recipe, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Don’t know what to do with all those cucumbers and tomatoes? Just throw them in a blender along with some herbs, onions, and other seasonings for a delicious and refreshing summer soup. (*Indicates Potomac Vegetable Farm (PVF) produce and ** indicates Licking Creek Bend Farm produce. For more information about what we are doing with our PVF CSA share, click here.)

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups organic tomato juice
  • 1/2 cup finely minced onion*
  • 1 medium clove garlic, minced*
  • 1 medium cucumber, peeled and coarsely sliced*
  • 3 scallions, coarsely chopped**
  • 2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped**
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender (reserving 2 tbsp minced scallions and 2 tbsp minced cucumber). Puree until smooth.
  2. Before serving, top with 1/2 tbsp reserved scallions and cucumber.

Broccoli Raab Italian Stir-Fry

13 Sunday Jun 2010

Posted by in Entree, Recipe, Vegetarian

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Here’s an easy Italian, inspired stir-fry to use some of your CSA greens. I used broccoli raab, but you can also use swiss chard, endive, or other such spring green. (* Indicates PVF produce. For more information about what we are doing with our PVF CSA share, click here.)

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion
  • 3 large cloves of garlic
  • 1 bunch broccoli raab (leaves and small stems, chopped; discard larger stems because they can be tough)*
  • 2 tbsp organic chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 14.5oz can Muir Glen fire-roasted diced tomatoes (drained)
  • 1/2 to 1 tbsp balsamic creme vinegar
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and saute onion until golden brown (about 5-10 minutes). Add garlic and saute for another 2 minutes.
  2. Add chopped broccoli raab, broth and tomatoes. Saute for 5-10 minutes until the broccoli raab is tender. Remove from heat and stir in balsamic creme vinegar.
  3. Serve over golden raisin and pine nut couscous and top with crumbled feta.

Radish & Spring Green Sandwiches

17 Monday May 2010

Posted by in Lunch, Recipe, Vegetarian

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I love this simple sandwich recipe. It’s a great way to use fresh spring produce such as radishes and salad greens. If you are lucky enough to have access to hothouse grown vegetables – cucumbers and tomatoes – as I was this week, then throw them on too for a deliciously thick and crunchy vegetable sandwich.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1-2 tbsp chive cream cheese
  • 5 slices of cucumber
  • 4 slices of radish
  • 1 slice of tomato, cut in half
  • 1/2 cup spring greens (such as arugula, baby beet greens, mesclun, or other lettuce)
  • 2 slices fresh bread

DIRECTIONS

  1. Spread cream cheese evenly on both slices of bread.
  2. Top one side with sliced cucumber, radishes, tomatoes and greens. Cover with other slice of bread.
  3. Eat immediately or wrap in aluminum foil and refrigerate until lunch time.

Moroccan Roasted Vegetables

15 Friday Jan 2010

Posted by in Dinner, Entree, Farmers' Market, Recipe, Side, Vegan, Vegetarian

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This is colorful and extremely tasty dish. It’s a great way to use a variety of summer or winter vegetables. This time I supplemented vegetables from the farmers’ market with an eggplant and red bell pepper from Whole Foods, but you can add carrots, celeriac, turnips and other root vegetables. Serve over couscous with Tzatsiki and Lamb Meatballs (note: use the lamb skewer recipe, but form the lamb mixture into small balls and cook on the stove top in a saute pan over medium-high heat). If you want a vegetarian meal, serve over couscous topped with toasted almonds or pinenuts, raisins and grated feta cheese. (*Indicates produce purchased at Dupont Circle Farmers’ Market.)

Recipe adapted from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 large, organic red onion*, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
  • 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/4 inch thick cubes
  • 2 medium, organic sweet potatoes*, cut into 1/4 inch thick cubes
  • 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch thick pieces
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can organic fire roasted tomatoes (such as Muir Glen)
  • 1 (15.5 oz) can organic chickpeas, rinsed & drained
  • 4-5 garlic cloves, minced*
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 2 tsp kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. In a small bowl, using a fork, whisk minced garlic through salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine all vegetables, including rinsed and drained chickpeas, and drained canned tomatoes. Add spice mixture and mix well until vegetables are evently coated.
  4. Spread vegetables on to an unoiled 11X17 inch baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and stir well; then bake for another 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

Orzo with Feta, Tomatoes, and Dill

21 Monday Dec 2009

Posted by in Dinner, Recipe, Side, Vegetarian

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This recipe from Gourmet was my favorite side of the night.  It was simple, fresh, and satisfying.  I will definitely be bringing this to summer picnics next year.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup chopped dill
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 1 1/2 cups crumbled feta (6 ounces)

Preparation

Toss together oil, tomatoes, dill, zest, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a large serving bowl. Let stand at least ten minutes

Meanwhile, cook orzo in a pasta pott of boiling salted water (1 1/2 tablespoons salt for 4 quarts water) until al dente

Drain orzo and toss with tomato mixture. Add feta and toss again.

Roasted Tomato Bean Soup

22 Sunday Nov 2009

Posted by in Farmers' Market, Recipe, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian

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This is a super easy and quick recipe that tastes delicious. During tomato season, try using CSA or farmers’ market tomatoes in place of the canned tomatoes. (*Indicates farmers’ market vegetable.)

Recipe adapted from the Moosewood Restaurant Celebrates cookbook.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 1/2 cups chopped red onions (about 2 large onions)*
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 2 cups organic, free-range chicken broth
  • 2 (15.5 oz) cans white beans (such as great northern or cannellini)
  • 3 (14.5 oz) cans Muir Glen organic fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Warm oil in a large stockpot. Add the onions and saute on medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until they begin to brown. Stir in oregano and basil and add chicken broth. Bring just to a boil; then cover and simmer for 5 minutes, until the onions are very soft.
  2. In batches in a blender, puree the onion mixture with 2 cups of beans and 3 cups of tomatoes. Pour the pureed mixture back into the stockpot. Stir in the remaining beans and tomatoes and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring often. Add the balsamic vinegar and pepper to taste.
  3. Serve hot, topped with parmesan cheese.