salsa recipe from a farm nearby

 The farmstand near where I used to work just posted this recipe for salsa on their Facebook feed, and I'm interested in giving it a try.  

• 12 cups diced tomatoes, drained
• 2-4 large onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup jalapenos, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
• 2 cups anaheims, chopped
• 3 T salt (that seems like a lot - will reduce) 
• 1 cup cider vinegar  
• (I'll add spices such as cumin, oregano, cilantro) 

 Bring to a boil, simmer 30 minutes (or less if canning).  Eat fresh, freeze, can. 

If canning, water bath for 15 minutes in pints or smaller.  

pear muffins

 Have a lot of imperfect pears, and this pear muffin recipe is fine.  I actually like the muffins better when not fresh from the oven (when they've been frozen and reheated) - the flavor seems better then. 

Mix and let sit for at least 15 minutes.

• 1 cup old fashioned oats (90 grams)
• 1 cup milk (245 g)

Mix in different bowl: 

• 1 cup white whole wheat flour (110 g)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

 

Add to oats once soaked: 

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg beaten
• ¼ cup olive oil (or any neutral-tasting oil)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Then add in the dry ingredients, mixing lightly, then fold in: 

• 1½ cup fresh lightly diced pears

 

and put into 12 muffin tins  

 

400 degrees 18-20 minutes  

oven zucchini and sausage

 In my quest to eat a lot more zucchini since it's going gangbusters in my backyard, here's what I plan to make today:

• zucchini (I used about 6 small-medium), cut in chunky half-rounds
• olive oil (perhaps 1/2 T)
• spices (I used salt, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper) 
• chicken sausage (I used 3 pre-cooked sausages cut diagonally)

Chop zucchini and mix in bowl with oil and spices.  Spread on sheet pan with sausages.

Roast at 400 degrees for 15 minutes and check for zucchini doneness.  (I like mine a bit firm, not mushy.)

braised white beans

 This was a nice hearty dish that goes very nicely on thin toasted whole wheat sourdough.   I didn't use greens this time but I will in the future.

• garlic, shallots, or other aromatics 
• rosemary or other herbs  
• white beans (I used Great Northern beans that I'd canned without any salt, so I just dumped the jar in) 
• kale or other green, large handful, chopped
• salt & pepper 

Saute aromatics in wide pan, then dump in beans, herbs, greens.  Cook on medium heat to cook down the liquid.  Add salt and pepper, other spices and herbs as desired.  

green beans and ground sausage

That's pretty much all it is, just green beans and ground sausage, but it made a nice meal.  I did also add garlic and pepper. 

• 2 cloves garlic
• green beans (a pound?  I have no idea, just whatever was ready for harvest in my garden)
• 1/2 pound ground Italian chicken sausage 

Lightly saute garlic on medium-low heat until aromatic, a couple of minutes.  Add green beans and saute a couple of minutes at medium heat.

Add 1/4 cup water and bring to boil.  Put a lid on it and cook for about three minutes.  When still firm, remove from heat, add pepper and any other desires seasoning.  Put beans and garlic on a plate/bowl.

Using the same pan, cook the sausage.  Once fully cooked, add the green beans/garlic mixture back in and stir to heat.  Taste and season accordingly.

Could eat with roasted root vegetables or a grain or whatever but I like it just like this!   

spiced lentils w/carrots

Spiced lentils, made by Dear Friend and super tasty.   

• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic
• 4 carrots, chopped 
• 1 tsp grated garlic
• cumin, cinnamon, allspice, crushed red pepper, garam masala, etc. 
• 1 cup brown or green lentils
• 3 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1/4 c dried fruit
• 3 cup veg broth

Saute onion, garlic, ginger, and carrots in a healthy amount of olive oil.

Add spices.

Add rest of ingredients, stir, bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.  

baghali polo - favas, dill & rice

I had dill to use up and plentiful favas and came upon baghali polo recipe.  Seems there are many ways to make it.

Here's what I did, which was ok.  It would definitely be better with basmati rice; I used short-grain brown because that's what I had on hand.  I'm sure it's much better when made by someone Persian. 

https://www.themediterraneandish.com/baghali-polo-persian-dill-rice-with-fava-beans/ 

 https://food52.com/recipes/41908-rice-with-favas-and-dill-baghali-polo

https://www.aheadofthyme.com/baghali-polo-persian-dill-rice-with-fava-beans/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdT4KdsVnpk 

• 1.5 cup rice 
• 2 cups favas shelled and peeled as necessary 
• dill bunches (add dry as necessary), chopped 
• salt
• oil
• butter
• saffron  

Parboil the rice.  I did 15 minutes and probably should have done 30. 

Saute the favas and dill with oil and butter.  

Put a pinch of saffron in 1 cup hot water with more butter if desired. 

Layer 1/3 of rice on bottom, half favas & dill, alternate for rice on top.  Put three holes into the rice with handle of spoon, pour saffron water in and turn on heat.

Once steaming, turn down very low, put towel under lid, and cook about 50 minutes.