Farm Fresh

beets, carrots, kale, leeks, micro greens, mushrooms, parsnips, potatoes, squash

What’s for Dinner?

Friday pizza night’s on hold, in order to appropriately honor the Year of the Horse, on which we are about to embark! My veggies will find the perfect home in authentic chinese dishes from noted and honored chef Ceclia Chiang. After that, sorry, more quinoa. Why am I apologizing, I wonder. It’s the quintessential whole grain – lightening-fast cook time, tantalizing texture, and a complete protein, all in one. The rest of the weekend is full of it! Yes, because I’m still trying to lighten my load of the many bags that were unearthed during Pantry Clean-Out 2014. But, also because I was recently served this quinoa soup that I found so delectable, I just had to make it myself. And also because it’s the Super Bowl, and on Super Bowl day, whether I care about the game or not (not), I make chili. No way was I going to buy a bag of bulgar for my normal go-to veggie chili. Quinoa chili it is!

Remaining menu items include a smattering of dedications to local foodies I met recently at a Diane Morgan (local cookbook hero!) class. Chefs, restaurant-owners, cookbook authors (and wannabe authors), wine experts, culinary event planners, bloggers, home cooks, etc. So many interesting people, so many inspiring ideas!

Friday – ring in the (chinese) new year!

rice crackers & chinese dumplings
mushrooms in oyster sauce (Cecilia Chiang, SF Gate)
shanghai stir fried pork & kale (Cecilia Chiang, Food and Wine)

Saturday – bright & zesty quinoa soup 

butternut squash soup with quinoa & kale (Not Just Baked)
crusty bread

Sunday  – super bowl veggie fest

crudités, chips plus:
spicy red lentil dip (Oregonian Food Day)
edamame hummus (Oregonian Food Day)
avocado and goat cheese dip (Oregonian Food Day)

black bean & quinoa chili (Vegetarian Times)
jalapeno cheddar cornbread (Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa at Home)

oatmeal chocolate chip carrot cookies (On Anna’s Plate)

Monday – breakfast-for-dinner, chez marie style

chez marie southwest scramble (Chez Marie)
oven roasted home fries (Martha Stewart)

Tuesday – taco tuesday + beets(!)

beet salsa with avocado & blood orange (Diane Morgan, Roots)
black bean & chicken quesadillas (NYT)

Wednesday – a perfect mid-week pairing

savory squash bread pudding (Real Simple)
pinot noir

Thursday – sammie night, ala cutters

open faced crab & cheese on toasted sourdough
parsnip fries (Bon Appetit)

More Menu Musings…