What is in the Co-Op bins this week 6/30/2011

For Pre-Order:
1. Tribe Hummus $3.00 or 2/$5.00
2.Organic Strawberries $3.00
3. Applegate Farms Great Organic Hot Dogs $4.00
4. Organic Fair Trade Coffee $7.00
5. Fresh baked Goodies from Kym
    Blackberry bars $1.25
    Fresh Muffins  $3.00 for 2
6. Fresh batch of Murray's whole Chickens (I will know how much these will be when they arrive)
7. Organic Blueberries  $3.00

Now for what will be in your co-op bins this week...
Choice: Corn, Bi-Color, OR Crimini Mushrooms, both Organic --in bins--
Onions, Green (Scallions), Organic
Carrots, Bunny Luv,  Organic
Choice: Romaine Lettuce,OR Celery, both Organic --in cooler--
Lemons,  Organic
Banana,  , Organic
Nectarines,  Organic
Peaches, Organic  --if you refrigerate them they will stay good longer--

$25 Only...
Butternut Squash Organic
Green Grapes Organic

Some interesting facts about Scallions from here:

a.k.a.
green onions
what is it?
A member of the onion family, scallions have a white base that's an immature bulb and tall, stalk-like green leaves; both parts are used in cooking. Scallions' dark-green ends have a delicate sharpness reminiscent of chives and a light, crisp texture, but they wilt and discolor when cooked too long, so are often added to a dish just before serving. The white parts have an oniony punch, and because their texture is more substantial, they withstand longer cooking times.
kitchen math:
5 scallions = about 1/3 cup sliced (white and light green)

Recipes...

Scallions and Carrots
1 bunch scallions, roots trimmed and white part cut into a 4" length
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
1 T olive oil
1 T butter
1/4 t sugar
2 T soy sauce
Saute the scallions in the olive oil for 3 minutes. Add the carrots and continue to cook until vegetables begin to soften and turn golden. Add butter, soy sauce and sugar and cook 30 seconds more.

TUNA DIP WITH LEMON AND CAPERS

two 6-ounce cans solid white tuna packed in oil, drained well
a 10 1/4-ounce package soft tofu, drained
3 scallions, minced
1 carrot, shredded fine
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons drained capers, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Accompaniment: crackers or assorted crudites

In a bowl stir tuna with a fork until finely flaked. In another bowl whisk tofu until smooth. Stir tofu
and remaining ingredients into tuna until combined and season with salt and pepper. Serve dip with
crackers or crudites.

Makes about 3 cups. Gourmet July 1995 The Last Touch 

Just because it's summer doesn't mean you can't enjoy a great Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons chopped onion
• 4 tablespoons margarine
• 6 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
• 3 cups water
• 4 cubes chicken bouillon
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, saute onions in margarine until tender. Add squash, water, bouillon, marjoram, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Bring to boil; cook 20 minutes, or until squash is tender.
2. Puree squash and cream cheese in a blender or food processor in batches until smooth. Return to saucepan, and heat through. Do not allow to boil. 

 

Braised Celery with Crunchy Bread Crumb Topping Recipe

Heidi note: do your best to get all the strings out of the celery - or else you will end up with tender celery streaked with strong, stringy fibers.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 head celery (about 1 3/4 pounds)
1 large shallot or 1 small yellow onion, finely minced (about 1/4 cup)
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup dry white wine or dry white vermouth
1 cup chicken stock, homemade (page 448) or store-bought (hs note: I used a veg. stock)
1/3 cup freshly grated Gruyere, or half Gruyere and half Parmigiano-Reggiano
3 to 4 tablespoons fresh bread crumbs made from day-old rustic white bread

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Using about half the butter, generously butter a large gratin dish or baking dish (9- to 10-by-13- to 14-inch).
2. Washing and trimming the celery: Tear the celery stalks from the head. You should have about 10 or 12 sturdy outer stalks. Stop tearing off the stalks when you reach the shorter, pale, tender stalks, or the heart. Set it aside. Rinse the celery stalks, giving special attention to the inside of the base of each stalk, where dirt tends to lodge. You may need a vegetable scrubber to remove stubborn dirt. Trim off the top part of the stalk where it branches into leaves, and set the tops aside with the heart. Using a small paring knife or vegetable peeler, scrape the outside of each celery stalk to remove the fibrous strings that run its length. Cut the stalks into 3- to 4-inch lengths. Arrange them in a layer in the baking dish. It's fine if the sticks overlap some; they will shrink and flatten into a single layer as they braise.
3. The aromatics: Finely chop the reserved celery heart, with the celery tops and leaves. Melt the remaining butter in a medium skillet (IO-inch) over medium-high heat. Add the shallot, thyme, and chopped celery heart and leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Saute, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Pour in the wine and simmer until the pan is almost dry, about 3 minutes. Add the stock and simmer until reduced by half, another 6 minutes or so.
4. The braise: Pour the celery-shallot-stock mixture over the celery sticks. Cover with foil and slide into the middle of the oven to braise until the celery has collapsed and feels very tender when prodded with a knife tip, about I hour and 15 minutes.
5. The finish: Remove the celery from the oven, and increase the oven heat to 400 degrees. Sprinkle the cheese and bread crumbs over the celery, and return to the oven until the cheese is melted and the top is crusty and browned, about 10 more minutes. Serve hot
or warm.
Serves 4 I Braising Time: about 1 1/2 hours.

Beth's Peach-Nectarine Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 large ripe peach - peeled, pitted and diced
• 1 very ripe nectarine, pitted and diced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease 8 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Add vegetable oil, egg and milk; mix well. Fold in diced peach and nectarine. Fill each muffin tin to the top with muffin mix. Sprinkle a little brown sugar onto the top of each uncooked muffin.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes. Check muffins regularly after 15 minutes of baking. Serve warm or cool. 

Grilled Pork Chops with Fresh Nectarine Salsa

Ingredients

• 2 nectarines, pitted and diced
• 1 ripe tomato, seeded and diced
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
• salt to taste
•  
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 (4 ounce) boneless pork loin chops

Directions

1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat. Lightly oil grate, and set 4 inches from the heat.
2. To make the salsa, place the nectarines, tomato, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and red pepper flakes in a bowl; toss to blend. Season to taste with salt. Cover, and refrigerate 30 minutes to blend flavors.
3. Stir the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Place the olive oil in a small bowl. Brush the pork chops with oil, and season both sides evenly with the cumin mixture.
4. Place pork loin chops on the preheated grill. Cook until lightly browned and juices run clear, about 4 minutes on each side. Place pork chops on serving plates, and top with a generous spoonful of salsa.