Farm (Somewhat) Fresh

arugula, asparagus, cilantro, dandelion greens, leeks, mushrooms, green onions, radishes, spicy greens, spinach

What’s for Dinner?

As I mentioned, a funny and unprecedented thing happened in my world of veggies last week. I was quite surprised when veggie box number two made its appearance on my front porch. Of course, I’ve since learned it was user error (me) and somehow inadvertently scheduled this. Being that there’s no farm send-backs, I had quite the challenge on my hands. I went straight to work to figure out how to best salvage this magnificent spring bounty, all the while, cooking and enjoying box number one! Pesto was my magic answer. I made a batch a day, of every-which-kind, tossing it into the freezer as I went. Forget the basil pesto variety…we’ve got arugula, dandelion greens, cilantro, spicy greens, and spinach pesto! The great news? Dinner this week is a snap, and so, so tasty with all of those precious pestos!

Also, this is the time to start thinking in earnest about a spring CSA sign-up. Check out my  “what’s a CSA” page for all the nuts and bolts related to CSAs.  The Oregonian has also done a nice job of detailing out some options. The Portland Farmers Market is open in full force as well, bringing so many of these farms to us each week in the Park Blocks and elsewhere around the city. You just can’t escape it…farm fresh is where it’s at! Thank you Hood River Organic, for the months that my table toppled with bounty from our beautiful Columbia Gorge! Stay tuned, next week kicks off my summer CSA’s (Sauvie Island Organics) season (I think they may still have shares available…) I can’t wait!

Friday – pesto pizza, tv trays, & movie

arugula pesto pizza (Cookie + Kate)

Saturday – south of the border pesto

grilled chicken tacos (Bon Appetite)
cilantro pesto (Simply Recipes)
radish salsa (Mark Bittman)

Sunday  – whole bowl, cilantro pesto style

cilantro noodle bowl (101 Cookbooks)

Monday – spinach pesto + shake shack

orzo salad with spinach pesto (The Kitchn)
crudites – radishes & grilled scallions (Food Network)
shake shack burgers (Deb Perleman, The Smitten Kitchen)

rhubarb crumb bars (Martha Stewart)

Tuesday –  kicked up pesto pasta

spicy greens pesto pasta with mushrooms (Bon Appetite)

Wednesday – creme d’asperges + pesto

creamy asparagus & leek soup (Skinny Taste)
roast chicken
baguette

Thursday – pesto sammie night

sliced chicken, mozzarella, & spicy greens pesto  (Bon Appetite)

More Menu Musings…