Grasshoppers Pickup Number 21

This week's basket contained:

• 2 hydroponic tomatoes
• 1 small head Bibb lettuce
• 3 sweet potatoes
• 1 bunch sage
• 1 bunch kale
• 1 jar pumpkin butter

The tomatoes and lettuce will go into a salad mix I'll make this weekend. The sweet potatoes--I'm not sure. Probably baked or cooked as oven fries, but I think I'll use the largest one to make a sweet potato pie.

The fresh sage could be problematic. Most recipes I've seen that call for fresh sage use only 1 or 2 tablespoons. I did find a recipe for a spread that included cream cheese and lots of fresh sage. It also called for frozen lemonade (yuck!), so I'll have to modify it a bit. With the remaining sage, I might try a recipe for sage mashed potatoes that also calls for onion and plain yogurt.

I'll cook the kale with pork and a diced turnip. I have to make cornbread to go with!

I'm not a big fan of things like pumpkin butter. Having said that, I'll take it to work along with a package of English muffins (we have a toaster). I get pretty hungry in the late afternoon so this will make a very welcome snack.

Grasshoppers Pickup Number 20

This week's basket contained:

• 5 hydroponic tomatoes
• 1 small head red-leaf lettuce
• 1 large bunch basil
• 1 small bag baby carrots
• 1 jar mild salsa
• 3 rib eye steaks

The produce content of this week's basket was a little skinny compared to previous baskets. That's okay. This is the first year that Grasshopper's is doing winter produce. And getting 5 nice tomatoes pretty much makes up for any volume shortcomings.

The tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots will go into a salad. I'll be adding Romaine lettuce, radishes, a cucumber, and fresh mushrooms.

I'll use the basil in a spinach-and-basil pesto.

Having a jar of locally-made salsa puts me in the mind of making some Mexican food. Next weekend perhaps.

The rib eye steaks go into the freezer. I seriously have to make an effort to make meals that use more meat. In that spirit I plan on using a CSA chicken to make a curry this Saturday. I'm also planning on using some CSA bratwurst for a few simple dinners.

FOOD: It's what's for dinner.

Wheat Berry-Brown Rice Pilaf

This is an experimental dish that I plan on making tonight as an accompaniment to roast brisket. The wheat berries are from my CSA, Grasshopper Distributions.

Ingredients

• 5 c. water or chicken broth
• 1 c.wheat berries
• 1 c. brown rice
• 3 t. butter
• 1/2 green pepper, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1/8 t. salt
• Pepper to taste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 t. thyme
• 2 t. dried parsley
• 8 oz. can mushroom stems and pieces

Procedure

1. Bring water to a boil in a medium sauce pan.
   
2. Add wheat berries, reduce heat to a slow simmer, cover and cook for 1 hour.
   
3. Add brown rice and cook for 30 minutes.
   
4. During this time, melt butter in a skillet. Saute vegetables until translucent.
   
5. Add vegetables, herbs, spices, and mushrooms to rice and wheat berries. Cover and cook an additional 30 minutes or until grains are tender.