LETTERBOX CSA 2018 Week 7

This week's CSA includes: 

1 Bulb Fennel
1 Bunch Cilantro
1 Bunch Radishes
1 Bag Spinach
1 Head Butter Lettuce
1 Bunch Carrots
1 Bag Pea Shoots
1 Dozen Eggs

Meat Choices This Week:Whole Chicken, Half Chicken, Chicken Breast, 
Chicken Leg/thighs, Pork Chops, Ground Pork, Bacon,
Country Ribs, Spare Ribs, Hot And Sweet Italian Sausage,
Pork Bratwurst, Spicy Pork Sausage Patties

---

Letterbox CSA Week 7, June 7, 2018

Roast Chicken With Fennel

Garnished with parsley and served with a bit of lemon (especially when caramelized, fennel can be quite sweet), the dish has an elegant look and delicious, surprisingly complex flavor.

---

Roast Chicken With Fennel

This week's recipe comes from Mark Bittman via New York Times Cooking

Ingredients
⅓  cup extra virgin olive oil, or as needed
2  bulbs fennel, trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
 Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1  whole (about 3-pound) chicken, cut up, or about 3 pounds drumsticks and thighs
Chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish
Lemon wedges
 
STEPS

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Drizzle bottom of shallow roasting pan or baking sheet with about half the olive oil and cover it with a layer of the fennel. Overlap pieces if necessary but use whole pan. Drizzle remaining oil over fennel and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cut up chicken if necessary and sprinkle the pieces with salt and pepper.

Top fennel with the chicken parts, skin side up. Ideally, you'll have a layer of fennel pretty much covered by a layer of chicken, but it's fine if some of the fennel roasts uncovered. Spoon some of the oil from bottom of pan over chicken. If there is not enough, drizzle additional olive oil over the chicken. Roast about 15 minutes, then baste chicken with pan drippings and rotate the pan. If necessary, adjust oven temperature so chicken browns but does not burn.

The chicken will be done in about 30 minutes. Serve each piece with some fennel and a little of the pan juices spooned over, garnished with parsley and a lemon wedge.

View the original recipe on nytimes.com

LETTERBOX CSA 2018 Week 6

This week's CSA includes: 

1 Bunch Asparagus
1 Bunch Kale
1 Bunch Radishes
1 Bunch Dandelion Greens
1 Head Butter Lettuce
1 Bunch Carrots
1 Bunch Rhubarb
1 Pack Mint

Meat Choices This Week:Whole Chicken, Half Chicken, Chicken Breast, 
Chicken Leg/thighs, Pork Chops, Ground Pork, Bacon,
Country Ribs, Spare Ribs, Hot And Sweet Italian Sausage,
Pork Bratwurst, Spicy Pork Sausage Patties

---

Letterbox CSA Week 6, May 31, 2018

Thai Pork Lettuce Wraps
With Water Chestnuts and Sesame Dipping Sauce

Start with lean ground pork, season it to perfection with ginger and Sriracha, and then spoon the mixture into crisp lettuce cups. When paired with a savory Asian sesame dipping sauce, the result is a healthy mélange of tastes and textures that's fun to eat.

---

Thai Pork Lettuce Wraps
With Water Chestnuts and Sesame Dipping Sauce

This week's recipe comes from
Chef Justin Paruszkiewicz at homechef.com

Ingredients
1½ oz. Water Chestnuts
2 Green Onions
1 Head of Butter Lettuce
¼ oz. Cilantro
1 lb Ground Pork
2 fl. oz. Hoisin Sauce
3 tsp. Sriracha
2 tsp. Chopped Ginger
4 oz. Slaw Mix 1
½ fl. oz. Asian Sesame Dressing
 
STEPS

Drain and coarsely chop water chestnuts. Trim and thinly slice green onions on an angle, keeping white and green portions separate. Separate leaves of lettuce for cups. Slight browning on the outer leaves is normal and edible, but you may trim outer leaves if desired. Stem cilantro.

Place a medium non-stick pan with 2 tsp. olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground pork to hot pan and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no pink remains, 8-10 minutes. Drain meat in wire-mesh strainer, using bowl to collect excess fat. Return cooked meat to pan.

Return pan with cooked pork to medium-high heat. Combine hoisin sauce, water chestnuts, Sriracha (to taste), white portions of green onions (reserve remaining for sauce), and ginger in hot pan with pork. Stir occasionally until slightly thickened, 3-4 minutes. Remove from burner and add a pinch of salt.

Place a lettuce cup on work surface (or layer two leaves for extra crunch). Fill with a few spoonfuls of pork mixture. Top with slaw mix. Repeat for each lettuce cup.

Combine Asian sesame dressing and green portions of green onions in a mixing bowl. Plate dish as pictured on front of card and garnish with cilantro leaves. Bon appetit!

View the original recipe on homechef.com

LETTERBOX CSA 2018 Week 5

This week's CSA includes: 

1 Bunch Beets
1 Bag Salad
1 Bunch Radishes
1 Bunch Chamomile
2 Heads Lettuce
1 Bunch Carrots
1 Bunch Scallions
1 Pack Edible Flowers

Meat Choices This Week:Whole Chicken, Half Chicken, Chicken Breast, 
Chicken Leg/thighs, Pork Chops, Ground Pork, Bacon,
Country Ribs, Spare Ribs, Hot And Sweet Italian Sausage,
Pork Bratwurst, Spicy Pork Sausage Patties

---

Letterbox CSA Week 5, May 24, 2018

Seared Beets with Walnuts over Wilted Kale, Chevre, and Micro Greens

This Week’s Recipe Comes to us from local Chef James Carsey. Chef James has been cooking both at home and professionally for over 10 years. A Graduate of New York City’s Institute of Culinary Education pastry arts program, James has worked at FIKA Chocolate Factory in Tribeca as a chocolatier where he learned the art of chocolate making. Besides creating delicious sweets, James has worked in the savory side of the food business in cafés and restaurants on both coasts. James now calls Hudson Valley home and currently works as a chef in a Warren Street café.

When not eating good food or cooking,  James spends his time planting veggies, raising chickens and ducks, and caring for his dogs, Figs and Abbey in Germantown NY.

Check out James' website, Kid Kitchen!

---

Seared Beets with Walnuts over Wilted Kale, Chevre, and Micro Greens

from Chef James Carsey

The joy of this dish is how interchangeable the ingredients can be. Substitute Kale with Spinach, Walnuts with pecans, pine nuts or seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower. Substitute the chevre with Feta, gouda, or fresh yogurt.

Ingredients
4-5 medium sized beets
3 ½ tablespoons of olive oil
1 bunch Kale leaves (stems removed and chop leaves) 
1 garlic clove (diced) 
Sea Salt (to taste) 
Aged Red Wine Vinegar
Handful of Walnuts (or substitute nuts) 
Sliced Chevre (or substitute cheese) 
Dried Oregano
1 cup microgreens or sprouts
 
STEPS
Slice the top stem off the beets. Make sure you leave the thin tail on the bottom end as this keeps all the juices intact. 
Steam the beats
 Add the beets into pot of simmering water. Cover pot and let steam for about ½ hour. Cool in refrigerator and remove skins by peeling with a knife or hands. Remove bottom root and
 Cut cooked beets into wedges
add one tablespoon of olive oil to skillet and cook beets for 10 to 15 minutes. Turning beets occasionally until a nice seared skin is achieved. 
 
 
Rinse kale and dry only slightly as the excess water left on the leaf will help steam the greens. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a second skillet over high heat. Add kale garlic and a pinch of salt. Turn often and ensure the kale and garlic does not burn in the hot oil. When Kale leaf is wilted and shiny, lower the heat and add the aged red wine vinegar. 
 
Arrange kale on plate and then add seared beets, walnuts, and the chevre. Drizzle remaining one and a half tablespoons of olive oil over dish and add oregano, pinch of salt, and microgreens
 
Feeling like a little added protein?  Finish the dish with some crispy diced bacon. 

LETTERBOX CSA 2018 Week 4

This week's CSA includes: 

1 Bunch Carrots
1 Bag Spinach
1 Bunch Asparagus
1 Bag Salad
1 Bunch Cilantro
1 Bunch Scallions
1 Bag Pea Shoots
1 Bunch Garlic Chives

Meat Choices This Week:
Whole Chicken, Half Chicken, Chicken Breast, 
Chicken Leg/thighs, Pork Chops, Ground Pork, Bacon,
Country Ribs, Spare Ribs, Hot And Sweet Italian Sausage

---

Letterbox CSA Week 4, May 17, 2018

Skillet Asparagus

Cooking asparagus in the skillet concentrates its flavor rather than diluting it, as steaming or boiling can.

---

Skillet Asparagus

from Edna Lewis via Saveur Magazine

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. asparagus
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Rinse asparagus in cold water and trim off tough ends of stalks. Put butter in a heavy skillet with a tight-fitting lid and heat until butter is foaming. Lay asparagus in the pan and shake from side to side to coat asparagus gently with melted butter; cover tightly and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. Check asparagus and turn as needed to make sure the stalks cook evenly and don't burn.

Continue cooking 5 minutes longer, or until asparagus is tender but still crisp and bright green. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve hot.

Click here for original recipe from Saveur

LETTERBOX CSA 2018 Week 3

This week's CSA includes: 

1 Bag Pea Shoots
1 Bunch Baby Beets
1 Quart Shitake Mushrooms (Rock City Mushrooms)
1 Bag Baby Kale
1 Bunch Sorrel
1 Bunch Scallions
1 Pint Sunflower Shoots
1 Bunch Asparagus

Meat Choices This Week:
Whole Chicken, Half Chicken, Chicken Breast, 
Chicken Leg/thighs, Pork Chops, Ground Pork, Bacon,
Country Ribs, Spare Ribs, Hot And Sweet Italian Sausage

---

Letterbox CSA Week 3, May 10, 2018

Baby Kale Breakfast Salad with Bacon & Egg

Start your day off right with this healthy breakfast recipe. A bowl of good-for-you greens, such as baby kale, will knock out half of your daily veggie quota with the first meal of the day.

---

Baby Kale Breakfast Salad with Bacon & Egg

from EatingWell Test Kitchen

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups lightly packed baby kale
1 piece cooked bacon, chopped
1 fried or poached large egg
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
Pinch of salt
Pinch of ground pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mash garlic and salt together with the side of a chef's knife or a fork to form a paste. Whisk the garlic paste, oil, vinegar and pepper together in a medium bowl. 
Add kale; toss to coat. 
Serve the kale salad topped with bacon and egg.

Click here for original recipe from EatingWell Magazine

LETTERBOX CSA 2018 Week 2

This week's CSA includes: 1 Quart Purple Sweet Potatoes,

1 Bag Spinach, 1 Bunch Cilantro,

1 Bunch Hakurei Turnips, 1 Bunch Chives,

1 Bag Pea Shoots, 1 Bag Baby Kale,

1 Quart Chaseholm Farm Yogurt, 1 Dozen Eggs

Meat Choices This Week: Whole Chicken (frozen)

---

Letterbox CSA Week 2, May 3, 2018

Sautéed Hakurei Turnips With Turnip Greens

Hakurei turnips are tender, sweet, and juicy as can be. By taking advantage of both their leaves and their bulbs, this insanely easy and delicious side dish requires very few other ingredients, allowing the turnip flavor to shine through.

---

Sautéed Hakurei Turnips With Turnip Greens

from Daniel Gritzer at Serious Eats

INGREDIENTS:

Kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds (675g) Hakurei turnips, with green tops
3 tablespoons (45ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, cut greens from turnip bulbs, leaving a small portion of stem (less than 1/2 inch) attached to each bulb. Wash leafy greens and turnips well of any sand. Peel turnips. (You can also leave the turnip skin on, as it's edible, in which case, just wash and scrub them extra well.) Slice each turnip pole to pole into 4 to 6 wedges of 1/2 inch thick each.

Add leafy greens to boiling water and cook just until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Using tongs or a spider, transfer greens to cold water to chill, then drain, squeeze out excess water, and chop into small pieces.

Heat oil in a cast iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel skillet over high heat, just until the first wisps of smoke appear. Add turnip wedges, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring and tossing occasionally, until well browned in spots, about 3 minutes; lower heat if turnips threaten to burn.

Add chopped greens and toss to combine, cooking just until greens are warmed through, about 1 minute longer. Drizzle with fresh oil, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Click here for original recipe on Serious Eats

LETTERBOX CSA 2018 Week 1

This week's CSA includes: 1 Bunch Kale, 1 Quart Sunflower Shoots, 1 Bunch Hakurei Turnips, 1 Bunch Green Garlic, 1 Quart Fingerling Potatoes, 1 Bunch Dill, 1 Bag Spinach, 1 Bar Goats Milk

1 Dozen Eggs

Meat Choices This Week: Fresh Rabbit, or Whole Chicken (frozen)

---

LETTERBOX CSA WEEK 1, APRIL 26, 2018
GREEN GARLIC TOAST

This makes a great snack, or a good accompaniment to a hearty salad.  Instead of putting the garlic butter on toast, you could also toss it with rice or pasta.

---

GREEN GARLIC TOAST

from Melissa Clark at the New York Times

INGREDIENTS:

Slices of crusty bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/cup grated parmesan
2 1/2 tablespoons chopped young green garlic, white and green parts
1 tablespoon minced chives (optional)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, more to taste
large pinch red chile flakes
1 regular garlic clove, halved

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat the broiler.  

Place the slices of bread on a baking sheet and broil them, flipping them halfway through the cooking, so that they are golden brown on both sides.  Keep them warm.  

In a bowl, stir together the butter, cheese, green garlic, chives, pepper, salt and chile.  Rub the toast with the cut side of the regular garlic clove, then spread with the green garlic butter.  

Broil the toast again for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, until the tops are lightly brown and the butter melts.  Serve hot or warm.  

Click here for original recipe on NY Times website