Note: I was sent a Hurom H320 Slow Juicer in order to write this post including a recipe for Green Juice. Opinions are mine alone.
This summer, I have really been enjoying having a CSA share again. However, no matter how hard I try, it is still difficult to use up all of those beautiful fruits and vegetables!
When Hurom contacted me about trying one of their Slow Juicers, I felt like the timing was perfect! What a great way for me to utilize these ingredients more, like in this recipe for Green Juice!
My husband has been making himself “green drinks” for years now in a blender (paid link) but I have trouble getting over the super pulpy texture of it. So Hurom’s H320 Slow Juicer (paid link) called out to me immediately. Not only is the juicer quite the visual stunner (shown in color “Kale”), but it also has two different strainers, one which yields an ultra-low pulp juice.
Despite the name, slow juicers are still pretty darn quick. Hurom’s patented Slow Squeeze Technology uses an auger to squeeze out juice (similar to how you would hand-squeeze an orange). This natural motion minimizes damage to ingredients, keeping their natural taste and nutrition intact.
Photo courtesy of Hurom
I am still learning the ins and outs of juicing and how to create the perfect balance of tasty and nutrient-rich juices, but I figured I’d take inspiration from my husband’s green drinks for my first try to make this Green Juice.
This recipe for Green Juice uses quite the colorful group of fruits and veggies, but the color of the kale and spinach wins out in the end, providing that nice green color to the drink.
Ingredients (makes ~16 oz juice; multiply as needed):
Note: I was sent a DREO ChefMaker Combi Fryer for review, which I tested using this recipe for Teriyaki Chicken Wings. All opinions are mine alone.
I am super late to the air fryer band wagon, but I am kind of happy I held out long enough to instead try a DREO ChefMaker Combi Fryer (paid link)! I am still becoming acquainted with all of the delicious options this appliance has, but I was so impressed with my first test run making these Teriyaki Chicken Wings that I had to share it immediately!
The ChefMaker is described on DREO’s website as “the most professional air fryer for making Michelin-starred meals.” The appliance uses “CombiCook technology” which translates professional cooking methods into intelligent algorithms that allow ChefMaker to become a fully automated master cooking machine that handles temperature, time, and atomization by itself. It also includes a water atomization system that replenishes evaporated moisture and reduces the chamber temperature to prevent food from charring and ensure the core gets evenly cooked.
There are a ton of ingredient-based presets to take a lot of the guesswork out of cooking, as well a three professional cooking modes: Chef Mode (ingredient-based master chef presets), Classic Cook (choosing a cooking style including air fry, defrost, reheat, broil, roast, toast, bake, and dehydrate), and Probe Cook (take full control of cooking temperature to create new recipes).
In addition to the appliance itself, the DREO app includes step-by-step videos for recipes while also tracking the cooking process on your phone.
Sounds kind of awesome, right? I wanted to try the ChefMaker out as soon as possible! Using the app, I found a recipe for Teriyaki Chicken Wings that I miraculously had all ingredients already on hand. I adapted the recipe slightly, but tried to stick to the step-by-step videos as possible to get a sense of the benefit of the app as well.
The weather has yet to turn cold (in fact, we just had a week-long heatwave!) but I’m already thinking about colder weather foods. One of my favorite comfort foods is traditional Irish Vegetable Soup.
Unlike a chunky vegetable soup commonly found in the US, Irish Vegetable Soup is a blended soup made of potatoes, leeks, carrots, and onions that feels creamy and comforting without any cream!
The absolute best way to enjoy an Irish Vegetable Soup is with some Irish Brown Bread, but because that’s somewhat difficult to come across in the US, I substituted in a loaf of Italian bread to sop up all that vegetable goodness.
Note: I was given a box of produce from Penn Farm and used some of the produce in order to make this Cantaloupe Tomato Panzanella Salad recipe. Opinions are mine alone.
One of my favorite things about this blog is the opportunity to spotlight amazing restaurants, ingredients, and food organizations when I come across them. So when I heard about this CSA, I knew I had to share their amazing story ASAP, even if it is toward the end of the CSA season (note: bookmark this post so you have all the info you need to sign up for this CSA next year!) I also have an awesome recipe for Cantaloupe Tomato Panzanella Salad that shows off the bounty of Penn Farm’s CSA, so be sure to check that out at the end of the post!
William Penn High School is a public high school in New Castle, Delaware, where students enrolled in the school’s Agriculture classes help maintain a farm nearby the school. Historic Penn Farm has been a tenant farm since its inception in the late 1700s, and the 100-acre farm is the last surviving farm of the original tenant farms. William Penn High School, through a partnership with the Trustees of the New York Commons, continues the legacy of Historic Penn Farm while educating students on agriculture and also supporting the local community.
William Penn High School’s “Farm-to-School” program gives students the opportunity to learn how to grow produce from seeds, maintain the farm throughout the growing season, and help to harvest everything at the end of the season.
Some of the produce is utilized in other programs within William Penn High School; agriculture students work directly with the school’s culinary students, nutrition services, and science students. Local produce from Penn Farm becomes delicious meals enjoyed by the rest of the student body. In addition to vegetables, other animal products such as eggs are also produced and used in school nutritional programs throughout the district.
All produce on Penn Farm is grown from non-GMO seeds and is grown following organic practices. The farm harvests A LOT of produce, so Penn Farm also offers a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) each year. The 10-week CSA at Penn Farm lasts from late June through August, where those who buy a share receive a fresh produce box each week. Each box is chock full of vegetables, enough to feed a family of four for a week! Sign-ups each season open in the spring. I received the following in my box this week (note: the cantaloupe had to go it its own photo because it was bigger than my head!):
The CSA offering is a great way for Penn Farm, William Penn High School, and Colonial School District to provide a valuable service to the local community. In return, purchasing a CSA share serves as a method of monetary support for Penn Farm and the Agriculture Programs at William Penn High School.
To show off some of this beautiful produce, I knew I had to go for a summer classic: Panzanella Salad! This Cantaloupe Tomato Panzanella Salad highlights the cantaloupe, tomatoes, and cucumbers from my Pann Farm CSA Share, plus helped me use up some leftover Italian bread I had!
Ingredients:
Salad:
6 slices Italian bread, cut into bite sized pieces
When I first started this blog, I was living in Old City and working in Center City Philadelphia, which meant I got to stop at Reading Terminal on my way home and get inspiration for my meals based on what looked the best that day. I stopped by the Historic Lewes Farmers Market recently looking for some inspiration while at the Delaware Beaches. While I was there, I was able to catch a demonstration by SoDel Concepts’ Pastry Chef Dru Tevis and Bennett Orchards’ Henry Bennett. I picked up some White Peaches from Bennett Orchards while I was there, which inspired me to make this perfectly summery White Peach Strawberry Salad!
This salad is very simple to make, and has less than 10 ingredients, but delivers a balanced mix of sweet, toasty, earthy, and acidic flavors, making for a truly memorable bite!
Ingredients:
Salad:
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 (5 oz) bag spring mix
2 sliced white peaches or nectarines
1 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (if you don’t like blue cheese, you can substitute in feta)
Note: I was sent some quail eggs from Spring Creek Quail Farms in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.
I love a recipe that looks fancy, but really takes minimal effort, like this recipe for Prosciutto Asparagus and Quail Egg Tarts, adapted slightly from a Spring Creek Quail Farms recipe, created by Chef Andrea Monzon. When Spring Creek Quail Farms contacted me with a bunch of quail egg recipes, I jumped at the opportunity!
Spring Creek Quail Farms, a small, family-owned, zero-waste farm in Saint Anns, Ontario, offers a small but powerful, nutritious alternative in the Egg aisle: quail eggs. Quail eggs have long captivated food enthusiasts with their exquisite taste, enticed health-conscious consumers with their remarkable nutritional benefits and have been viewed as a delicacy by many communities. Spring Creek Quail Farms eggs can be found in multiple stores across the US and Canada.
Quail eggs are an easy and effective way to elevate really any recipe where you’d use eggs. The quail eggs, buttery puff pastry, tangy goat cheese, salty prosciutto, and fresh asparagus result in an absolutely delicious dish that can be served either as an appetizer or as a smaller main course.
Note: I was sent a jar of Sarge’s Shrimp and Grits Sauce, Yellow Stone Ground Grits, and Seafood Seasoning in order to make this post Opinions are mine alone.
If I see Shrimp and Grits on a Menu, you better believe I am ordering it! Despite this, (and inexplicably despite feeling fine about making shrimp and grits separately), I’ve always been a bit hesitant to make shrimp and grits at home.
So when I was contacted by Sarge’s to try their sauce, I jumped at the chance. Sarge’s sauce is made by Chef Julius West in Raleigh, NC. The sauce is a unique take on a classic Southern dish that has been a staple in the region for generations. Sarges Shrimp & Grits Sauce is a savory, rich, and versatile sauce that can be used as a marinade, a dipping sauce, or a cooking ingredient. Made with high-quality ingredients, including fresh shrimp, butter, and spices, our sauce is the perfect addition to any seafood, meat, or vegetable dish.
Sarge’s Low Country Shrimp and Grits Sauce is a delicious and savory combination of aromatic spices with a hint of fire to spice things up. The sauce blends together chicken broth, all purpose flour, garlic, vegetable oil, hot sauce, Sriracha, bell peppers, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and a special blend of herbs and spices.
With the help of Sarge’s sauce, this recipe for Shrimp and Grits can be made in just 20 minutes!
This recipe for Rosemary White Beans with Onions and Tomatoes has quickly become a staple in my house this winter.
It is quick to prepare, I tend to have most of these ingredients already on hand, and it is so darn comforting! It is also a one pot meal so there are less dishes to clean up when you’re done cooking and enjoying your meal!
I have only made “real” scones once before (as well as kind of a “cheat” drop scone), so this was a fun opportunity for me to do something I don’t often bake!
Breakfast Breads & Sweet Treats is a great cookbook for any breakfast afficionado in your life. Father Dominic really covers it all, from how to make puff pastry from scratch to baking mixes, to even a recipe for English muffin bread!
There is also an entire chapter dedicated to scones, which is where I found this mouthwatering recipe for Bacon Cheddar Chive Scones.
Ingredients (Serves 8):
8 oz bacon, cooked crisp and chopped (about 1 cup)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (one stick) cold butter
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I went with sharp)
1/4 cup minced fresh chives (the original recipe had 1/2 cup; I only had enough for 1/4 cup!)
Note: I was sent a copy of Baking Secrets from the Bread Monk (paid link) in order to write this post for an Eggnog Date Nut Bread. Opinions are mine alone.
We hosted Christmas this year for the first time, so my house is stocked with half opened and half eaten, well, everything. My husband, a lifetime grazer, is in his element, but I am still trying to best use up ingredients to make new recipes, like using up any remaining eggnog to make this Eggnog Date Nut Bread!
I had exactly one cup of eggnog left in my fridge, so when I was paging through Baking Secrets from the Bread Monk (paid link) and found this recipe for Eggnog Date Nut Bread that uses one cup of eggnog, it felt a bit like destiny.
Baking Secrets from the Bread Monk is filled with Father Dominic’s favorite tips and tricks for baking, so this cookbook is a lovely read. He even includes substitutes for common ingredients, hints for kitchen organization and storage, advice on the best baking tools for the job, and fun historical facts and kitchen wisdom.
Some of you may know Father Dominic Garramone, known as “The Bread Monk,” from the PBS cooking show Baking Bread with Father Dominic that aired from 1999 to 2001. He also has a number of cookbooks (I have another cookbook I’m excited to share with you in the new year). I recently was lucky enough to catch him at a virtual event hosted by the Hillside Public Library and loved hearing about his passion for baking.
This specific recipe for Eggnog Date Nut Bread is found in the “Food Holiday Mash-ups and Recipes for All Seasons” chapter under December and doesn’t require yeast to make, or any kneading at all.
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus flour for dusting pan
Note: I received a cooler bag with BrightFarms local leafy greens and salad ingredients in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.
I am so excited to share this Autumn Delicata Squash Salad recipe with you, thanks to BrightFarms!
I recently received a lovely delivery from BrightFarms, the leading provider of locally grown packaged salads.
BrightFarms operates hydroponic greenhouse farms right outside the communities where they are sold, including one in Selinsgrove, PA, about 150 miles from Philadelphia. The indoor farming company has revolutionized what’s possible in the agricultural industry by growing produce indoors and in carefully controlled greenhouses without ever using pesticides.
Their products are:
Pesticide-Free: Proudly pesticide free and non-GMO to keep your family safe
Greenhouse/Sustainably Grown: Greenhouses provide the ideal environment to grow 365 days/year to peak flavor
Locally Grown: Greens are grown, harvested & delivered to stores in as little as 24 hours, so BrightFarms greens are at peak freshness and flavor when arriving in your fridge
My BrightFarms cooler bag was filled with a bunch of goodies, including the ingredients to make this delicious Autumn Delicata Squash Salad!
I have been making this chocolate chip cookie recipe for years, and I always get compliments on how soft and chewy these cookies are. So yes, I am hereby declaring these the BEST chocolate chip cookies!
I’m actually surprised I haven’t posted this recipe before. Recently, I made a batch of these chocolate chip cookies, and one of my friend’s kids liked the recipe so much that she asked me for the recipe, and I realized my mistake. So, I am finally rectifying that issue!
This recipe is really easy to make, and the dough doesn’t need to rest in the fridge before baking! I do strongly suggest that you let the butter and egg come to room temperature though, it will make for a better cookie texture.
To make this recipe easier to come together, I strongly suggest using a mandoline (I love the one that comes in Oxo’s Mini Complete Grate and Slice Set [paid link]) to slice the fennel and red onion. I am quite accident prone, so I also strongly suggest purchasing a cut-resistant glove (paid link) so that you keep all of your fingers cut-free.
Ingredients:
2 (8 to 10 ounce) portions albacore tuna
3 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon ground coriander
salt, to taste
ground pepper, to taste
1 large navel orange
1 fennel bulb, trimmed and very thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pitted Castelvetrano olives (I like to keep half of them whole and chop the other half)
the juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons reserved fennel fronds, plus more for garnish
3 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
Seafood is a favorite weekday dinner of mine because it usually takes under 30 minutes to make a seafood dish. This particular recipe for Sheet Pan Balsamic Fish with Roasted Tomatoes has become a staple in our home because of the relatively easy clean up as well – most of the meal is made right in one sheet pan!
I like to serve this over rice or couscous to soak in all of the juices on the sheet pan. This makes 2 hearty servings, with plenty of the tomato mixture to enjoy!
It’s that time of year where there are plenty of barbecues and outdoor gatherings again. Whenever our friends host, I never want to come empty handed so I like to have a bunch of dessert recipes on hand, especially no bake dessert recipes!
This No Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake is perfect for summer meet ups – you don’t have to turn on your oven and overheat your own home, and it can be made ahead and served chilled or at room temperature.
The cake is super simple to make. It is layers of graham crackers, whipped cream pudding, and chocolate frosting, mimicking the flavors of a chocolate eclair. If you don’t want to make your own frosting, you can also buy store bought and just use that.
Ingredients:
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 (16 oz box) plus 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, divided
2 (3.4 oz) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups whole milk, divided
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
