Farm Fresh

beets, cabbage, celeriac, collard greens, kale, mushrooms, parsnips, winter squash

What’s for Dinner?

The seasons have officially changed, at least according to my CSA calendar. After nearly seven months of the most stupendous summer and fall veggies from the farmlands of Sauvie Island Organics, today marks the beginning of my winter and spring deliveries from Hood River Organic. And yes, I said “deliveries,” as in home deliveries! Oh, how I love hearing that doorbell ring on Fridays, just knowing it’s not a person I’ll be greeting, but rather a box. My HRO box, filled to the brim with produce dropped by the veggie van, straight from the Hood River area. In addition to the veggies, the share also always includes a bit of gorgeous gorge-grown fruit, scrumptious freshly baked bread, and the occasional delightful surprise such as pear butter or honey. You can also request farm fresh eggs and dairy, and specialty grains and other local products. The weekly delivery is completely customizable to your own whims and tastes. I keep it simple, taking the “get what you get” approach, and relish in the surprise. What will this week’s harvest bring? What will be on our plates for dinner this week?

This week an assortment of dishes to make the holidays less harried, to bring some pizzazz to the potlucks, and to celebrate the comfort food that’ll be right at home on our tables for the foreseeable future.

Friday – anyone-can-do-it potato bar

baked potato bar

Saturday – fougasse

fougasse (Tabor Bread)
beef barley soup (Martha Stewart)

Sunday  – next-best-thing-to-santa fest

christmas crudités
mini ham, brie, & apple butter sandwiches (epicurious)

cornflake wreaths (Food.com)
candy cane cookies (Betty Crocker)
fantasy fudge (Kraft)

ruby jewel holiday special

Monday – highbrow revelry

christmas kale salad (bay area bites)

Tuesday – super simple spaghetti

spaghetti with thyme-chili celeriac puree (Serious Eats)

Wednesday –  march preview

red beans and rice (+ collards) (Rosso & Lukins, The New Basics)

Thursday – twofer

local food school potluck lunch:
northwest winter slaw (Simply Classic, Seattle Junior League)

music & merrymaking potluck dinner:
beet, pomegranate, & orange salad (bon appetit)

More Menu Musings…