"WASTE NOT, WANT NOT"
"BUY LOCAL, BUY SEASONAL, BUY FRESH"
I PULLED INTO THE FARM PARKING LOT TO BUY MY WEEKLY PRODUCE, I SAW THE BEAUTIFUL FRAGRANT HERBS, VARIETY OF BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREES, FARMER JOHN BROUGHT TO THE FARM FROM LAKELAND, YOU CAN'T GET ANY FRESHER THAN THAT AND THE POINSETTIAS'. TALK TO FARMER JOHN ABOUT DELIVERY IN THE SOUTH SHORE AREA. WAIT, I JUST SPOTTED SANTA IN THE BEET AISLE, QUICK LET'S GO OVER AND HAVE SANTA HELP US PICK OUT OUR FRESH BEETS; I LEARNED THEY WERE NOT QUITE READY TO PICK, SAVE THESE RECIPES AND CHECK WITH FARMER JOHN OR FARMER FRANK FOR AND UPDATE.
ROASTED BEET SALAD
I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS WAYS TO COOK FRESH BEETS, BOILING, ETC. I HAVE NOW FOUND THE MOST SIMPLE AND FOOL PROOF WAY.
4 medium red beets, tops removed and scrubbed
Extra virgin olive oil
2 naval oranges
¼ cup toasted nuts of choice and coarsely chopped
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
1 small wedge Parmesan or Romano cheese, for shaving
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Place a large piece of aluminum foil on a baking sheet and put the beets on the foil. Drizzle olive oil over the beets and wrap them tightly in the foil, making a packet. Roast until a knife inserted into the largest beet meets no resistance, approximately 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool and remove the beets by rubbing with a paper towel or clean dish-cloth. (TIP: IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO WEAR DISPOSABLE GLOVES, TO PREVENT STAINING YOUR HANDS).
Cut the peel away from the oranges with a sharp knife (TIP: Place the orange in your hand and slowly with a small sharp knife, remove the skin in a spiral manner all around the orange), exposing the flesh. Hold the peeled orange in your hand and carefully slice the segments away from the membrane, dropping them into a bowl. Do not disregard the membranes "WASTE NOT, WANT NOT" IT WILL BE USED FOR JUICE. Thinly slice the beets and arrange on chilled serving plates. Scatter the orange segments and nuts of choice, over the sliced beets, drizzle with olive oil and squeeze a little juice from the membranes over each plate. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with shaved thin slices of cheese (TIP: Use a vegetable peeler) and serve.
BEETS, NEW POTATOES AND MIXED GREENS
1 pound small beets, tops removed
½ cup Zesty Italian dressing or your own homemade
1 pound small new potatoes
½ jalapeno pepper, seeded
¼ cup cilantro leaves
6 cups mixed greens
6 green onions, sliced
1 avocado, cut into wedges (optional)
USE THE ABOVE COOKING METHOD FOR BEETS or wash beets, cook in water 30 minutes or until tender. Remove from water and cool. Gently rub skins of beets with paper towel or clean cloth to remove skins. (DON'T FORGET TO USE YOUR DISPOSABLE GLOVES). Slice into wedges. (TIP: WHENEVER HANDLING HOT PEPPERS, DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE OR EYES, WASH YOUR HANDS WELL BEFORE CONTINUING ON).
Place potatoes (SKINS ON) on in large saucepan, add enough water to cover potatoes, cover and bring to a boil. Lower temperature and (TIP: ALWAYS PLACE YOUR POTATOES IN COLD WATER AND THEN BRING TO A BOIL, THIS HELPS POTATOES COOK EVENLY). Simmer on medium to high heat 12 to 15 minutes. Or until potatoes are tender (TIP: Test with a fork for tenderness) Drain potatoes, cool; slice into wedges.
Blend dressing, pepper and cilantro in blender or food processor until smooth.
Toss greens with beets, potatoes and onions in a large bowl. Add dressing mixture; mix lightly. Top with avocado. Serve immediately on chilled salad plates.
ONCE YOU TRY FRESH BEETS YOU WILL BE HOOKED! NO MORE CAN BEETS UNLESS FRESH BEETS ARE OUT OF SEASON. FOR A SNACK I ADD THEM TO COTTAGE CHEESE AND EAT WITH CRACKERS OF CHOICE OR WHATEVER KIND I HAVE ON HAND. I THINK SANTA IS GETTING TIRED IN THE BEET BATCH, SO LET'S MOVE ON.
I RAN INTO FARMER JOHN AND HE ASKED IF I HAD SEEN THE SPINACH AND LETTUCE GROWING? WOW WAS I IMPRESSED!
SPINACH SALAD DRESSING
1 cup salad oil
½ cup sugar
salt and pepper to taste
½ cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup ketchup
Mix all ingredients in a jar and shake thoroughly.
Wash spinach and dry. Add chopped scallions, chopped hard boiled eggs and sliced mushrooms. Toss with dressing and top with bacon bits. Place on chilled salad plates. Any leftover dressing, refrigerate and when ready to use again, shake thoroughly.
SWEET AND SOUR DRESSING
GREAT ON SPINACH OR MIXED GREENS
½ cup oil (Mazola or any kind of oil you have on hand (except olive oil)
½ cup sugar
2 tsp. chopped onion
¼ cup cider vinegar
1 tsp Worchestire sauce
2 tsp. sesame seeds
Mix together in a bowl or blender. (If using a bowl, whisk all together)
Serve over fresh spinach leaves which you have added sliced red onions, sliced or halved strawberries or mandarin oranges, drained. (If using strawberries, I omit the sliced red onions).
I ALSO BOUGHT SOME MORE STRAWBERRIES, OH MY GOSH THEY ARE SWEET AND DELICIOUS, I WAS EATING THEM OUT OF THE CONTAINER ON THE WAY HOME. IF YOU HAVE AN ELECTRIC ICE CREAM MAKER, CHOP YOUR STRAWBERRIES IN QUARTERS, I SLIGHTLY MASHED MINE TO CREATE A SMALL A MOUNT OF JUICE. YUMMM. I ALSO MADE EGGNOG ICE CREAM, AGAIN YUMMM.
DON'T FORGET TO PICK UP YOUR GREEN TOMATOES, USE YOUR OWN RECIPE OR I HAVE MY FAVORITE. THEY ARE GREAT FOR BRUNCH, SIDE DISH AND I ALSO EAT THEM FOR BREAKFAST.
SOMETHING ELSE I HAVE TO MENTION, DON'T FORGET TO PICK UP YOUR CHRISTMAS TREES, FARMER JOHN HAD TO MAKE ANOTHER TRIP TO THE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM TO PICK UP MORE TREES, THEY ARE FLYING OFF THE LOT IN SANTAS SLAY OR MAYBE FARMER JOHNS PICK UP TRUCK.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING RECIPES, CONTACT ANDREA AT afreefrody@verizon.net, or if are in search of and old family recipe contact ANDREA.
RECIPES COURTESY OF ANDREA FREEBODY, APOLLO BEACH, FL
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, PROSPEROUS, GOOD HEALTH, NEW YEAR. WILL TALK TO YOU BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE WITH RECIPES.
"WASTE NOT, WANT NOT' BE SURE TO SAVE YOUR TURKEY CARCAS FOR SOUP AND HAM BONE FOR BEANS AND ALSO ADD TO YOUR BLACK EYE PEAS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. I COOK MY BEANS IN A CROCK POT, WALK AWAY AND LET THEM COOK
