Farmers' Market Box 12-24-15

Green Bell Peppers – Black Sheep Produce
Napa Cabbage – Kong Thao Farm
Carrots – Be Wise Ranch
Fennel – Kong Thao Farm
Sonoran Garlic – Milliken Family Farm
Italian Parsley – Be Wise Ranch
Green Hydroponic Butter Lettuce – Go Green Agriculture
Bearss Limes – 3 Nuts
Navel Oranges – Black Sheep Produce
Purple Potatoes – Weiser Family Farm
Carnival Squash – Tutti Frutti Farms
Organic Juicing Bag:
Star Ruby Grapefruit – Sundance Oragnics
Carrots – Earthbound Organics
Dandelion Greens – Lakeside Organic Gardens
Green Kale – A & A Organics
Red Beets – A & A Organics
Farmer’s Choice:
Medjool Dates – Milliken Family Farm
Macadamia Nuts – Russell Family Farm
Kishu Tangerines – Rancho Del Sol
Feature: Holiday Cocktail Kit
Sugar Cane – Kong Thao Farm
Valencia Oranges – Polito Family Farm
Meyer Lemons – Rancho Del Sol
Passionfruit and Serrano Bitters – Boy Drinks World
Catalina Offshore catch of the week:

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Below are some great recipes for you to try out with the produce from your box/bag. Let us know on our Facebook Page or through twitter if you tried any of them with the hastag #SpecialtyProduceFMB!
FMB JUICE RECIPES
The Dande Man in Red
½ Bunch of Dandelion Greens
1 Grapefruit
1 Red Beet
Reindeer Food
3 Carrots
½ Bunch of Kale
Color Your Holiday in Red and Greens
1 Red Beet
2 Carrots
¼ Bunch of Dandelion Greens
2 Kale Leaves
Specialty Produce Recipe Suggestions
courtesy of Diane Phillips (Cucina Divina)
Cranberry Orange Salad
Serves 4 to 6
One head green butter lettuce, washed, spun dry, and separated into leaves
1 Navel Orange, peel and pith removed, and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup cranberry juice cocktail
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot or red onion
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup toasted pecans
1. Arrange the lettuce on salad plates. Top with a few slices of orange, and sprinkle with the cranberries.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cranberry juice, vinegar, shallot, mustard, honey, and oil. Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle over the salads. Top with some of the pecans, and serve.
Smashed Purple Potatoes with Herbs and Goat Cheese
Serves 4 to 6
1 pound purple potatoes, scrubbed
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon mixed dried herbs (thyme, rosemary and sage work well, or you could use Herbs de Provence)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups crumbled goat cheese
1. Put the potatoes into a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer until tender, this will vary depending on the size of the potato. (usually about 20 minutes)
2. Drain the potatoes.
3. While the potatoes are boiling, preheat the oven to 400 degrees; line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or a silicone liner. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour 1/2 the mixture onto the baking sheet.
4. When the potatoes are cooled enough to handle, put them on a cutting board, using a potholder, press down on the potato to smash it. Transfer to the oil lined baking sheet. Repeat with all the potatoes.
5. Brush the tops of the potatoes with the remaining oil mixture, and the goat cheese. At this point, the potatoes can be cooled, covered and refrigerated for 2 days. Let come to room temperature before proceeding.
6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes begin to get crispy around the edges and the cheese is golden brown. Serve the potatoes hot.
Coconut Lime Cupcakes
Makes 24 standard cupcakes
For the Cake:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste
1 tablespoon grated lime zest
5 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and coat the inside of a 24 cupcake tins with non-stick cooking spray or paper liners.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy. Add the vanilla, and zest.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
4. Mix the sour cream and juice together, add with the flour, baking soda and salt, and beat until the mixture comes together and is smooth.
5. Using a large portion scoop, transfer the batter into the prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting.
7. The cupcakes keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, freeze for about 2 months.
For the Frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 to 4 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
2 teaspoons coconut extract
2 cups shredded sweetened coconut, toasted (see note)
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and extract, until spreading consistency. Spread onto the cupcakes, or pipe onto the cupcakes with a piping bag.
2. Garnish each cupcake with toasted coconut.
3. Note: to toast coconut, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and spread the coconut onto a lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, turning twice in the cooking time. Cool completely before using. Toasted coconut can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Grilled Honey Lime Pork Tenderloin
Serves 4 to 6
Two 1 pound pork tenderloins, silver skin trimmed
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
Grated zest of one lime
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Few drops Tabasco
1. Put the tenderloins into a large zip-lock bag.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients, until blended. Pour over the pork tenderloins, and marinate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
3. Remove the pork from the marinade and pat dry.
4. Preheat the barbecue and grill the tenderloins over indirect heat for 6 to 7 minutes, turn, and grill another 5 minutes, checking to make sure the internal temperature of the meat is 140 degrees. Remove from the grill to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and allow to rest for 10 minutes before cutting into slices, and serving.
Maple and Brown Sugar Carnival Squash
Serves 2
One carnival squash
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, silicone, or parchment. Cut the squash in half horizontally, scoop out the seeds, and arrange the squash on the prepared baking sheet.
2. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, and pour equal amounts in each squash, brushing some on the top and up the sides.
3. Bake the squash for 30 minutes, and baste the inside with some of the maple mixture. Bake an additional 15 minutes, until the squash is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife. Remove from the oven, and serve.
Rutabaga Gratin
Serves 6
A change of pace from potatoes, this gratin goes well with beef, lamb, or pork, as well as poultry.
3 rutabaga, peeled, and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
6 drops Tabasco
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1/2 cups finely shredded Gruyere or imported Swiss cheese
1/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and coat the inside of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Put the rutabaga, garlic, milk, cream, thyme, and Tabasco into a large skillet, and simmer until the rutabaga is almost tender.
3. Taste the sauce for salt and pepper, and adjust. Stir in the parsley. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, and sprinkle with the cheeses.
4. Bake the gratin for 20 to 30 minutes, until the cheese are golden brown and the gratin is bubbling.
5. Allow the gratin to rest for 10 minutes, and serve.
Napa Cabbage Slaw with Peanut Dressing
Serves 4
This cooling salad is delicious with leftover chicken added, or serve it with your favorite grilled meats. If you have any leftover radishes from last weeks’ box, cut them into julienne and add to the slaw.
One head Napa cabbage, washed, spun dry, and cut into 1/2-inch ribbons
One fennel bulb, wispy ends trimmed, and thinly sliced
2 Navel oranges, peel and pith removed, and cut into segments
3 tablespoons peanut butter
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 cup finely chopped roasted peanuts for garnish
1. In a large salad bowl, combine the cabbage, fennel, and oranges.
2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the peanuts butter, vinegar, soy, honey, sesame oil, vegetable oil, and lime juice.
3. Pour over the slaw, and toss together until the cabbage and fennel are coated. Garnish the slaw with chopped peanuts and serve.
Denver Omelet Casserole
Serves 6 to 8
Christmas breakfast or New Year’s Brunch, this is a terrific make ahead dish for any breakfast.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup sweet yellow onion, finely chopped
One medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded and finely chopped
¼ pound ham, finely chopped
4 cups torn bread sturdy white bread cubes, tough crusts removed
6 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons salt
6 drops Tabasco sauce
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat the inside of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter, and sauté the onion and peppers until they are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the ham, and continue to sauté until the onion is translucent. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and cool, adding the bread cubes and stirring until blended.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, flour, salt and Tabasco, until blended. Pour over the ham mixture, stirring to blend. Transfer the entire contents of the bowl to the prepared pan.
4. Do-Ahead: At this point, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or up to 2 days, bring to room temperature before proceeding)
5. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, (see note) until the strata is puffed and golden brown and set in the center. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes before cutting into wedges.
6. Do-Ahead: If you would like to bake this ahead of time, bake the strata until the middle registers 140 degrees (about 25 minutes); it will not be set, but the eggs will be cooked. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool—it will continue to cook while it’s cooling.
7. Cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for 6 weeks. Allow to come to room temperature before reheating, loosely tented with foil in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until the center is heated through. (Poke the end of a sharp knife into the center and if the knife is warm, so is the strata—or it should register 170 on an instant read meat thermometer)
8. Variation: Cheesy Denver Quiche: Add 1 cup of shredded cheese to the egg mixture after adding the ham, onions and peppers. Good choices: mild cheddar, white sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Fontina or Provolone.
Slow Cooker Basque Chicken
Serves 6
3 lb. bone-in chicken pieces (3 leg quarters and 3 breast quarters work here), skin removed
2 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 lb. Serrano ham, cut into 1/2-in cubes (if Serrano ham isn’t available use prosciutto)
2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium green bell peppers, cored and cut into 1/2-in strips
2 medium yellow bell peppers, cored and cut into 1/2-in strips
One 28- to 32-oz can of chopped tomatoes, with their juice
1/2 cup pitted picholine or other green olives, for garnish
1/2 cup pitted niçoise olives, for garnish
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
1. Sprinkle the chicken with 1 tsp of the salt and 1/2 tsp of the pepper. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp. of the oil over medium-high heat and brown the chicken on all sides, a few pieces at a time, being careful not to crowd the pan. Transfer the browned chicken to the insert of a 5- to 7-qt slow cooker.
2. Add the remaining 2 tbsp. of oil to the skillet and sauté the ham, letting it brown a bit, and then transfer to the insert of the slow cooker. Add the onions, garlic, and bell peppers to the skillet, and season with the remaining 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper. Cook until the onions begins to soften, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes to the pan, and bring to a boil, scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Transfer the contents of the skillet to the insert of the slow cooker, covering the chicken with the mixture.
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
5. At the end of the cooking time, skim off any excess fat that on the surface of the sauce, taste for seasoning, and add salt or pepper if necessary. Serve the chicken garnished with green and black olives and parsley.
Marinated Goat Cheese
Serves 4 to 6
This is a simple appetizer. I have been making mine in canning jars, and then giving them as gifts with rain forest crisp crackers.
One 11-ounce log goat cheese
2 cups extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
Grated zest of 1 lemon
Pinch red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1. Roll the goat cheese into 1-inch balls, and place in a container that will hold them without too much crowding.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the oil, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, pepper flakes and salt. Pour over the goat cheese, and seal the container. The goat cheese can marinate at room temperature for up to 2 hours, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. The oil is terrific to saute with, too.
Orange, Olive and Fennel Salad
Serves 4
2 Navel oranges, peel and pith removed, and cut into 1/2-inch slices
One fennel bulb, wispy ends removed, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup black oil cured olives
1/4 cup orange juice
1 garlic clove, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt
1. Arrange the oranges and fennel on a serving platter. Sprinkle the olives over the oranges and fennel.
In a small bowl, whisk together the juice, garlic, red pepper, parsley and oil. Taste for seasoning and add salt if necessary. Pour over the salad, and serve the salad at room temperature.
Chocolate Orange Cheesecake
Serves 12
This is a great show stopper, and cheesecakes freeze beautifully, so make it ahead for your holiday party. Always serve cheesecake at room temperature.
1 3/4 cups chopped bittersweet Chocolate
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted
16 ounces cream cheese
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon orange extract
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sour cream mixed with 2 tablespoons of orange juice
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine the graham crackers and butter press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan and slightly up the sides. Bake 15 minutes. Cool.
2. Melt 1 ½ cups chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water until melted. Cool.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and 1-3/4 cups sugar until smooth.
4. Add the melted chocolate, orange juice, extract and eggs, one at a time.
5. Pour into crust, and bake 50 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.
6. Mix sour cream, 6 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons orange juice together. Spread over cake.
7. Drizzle remaining 1/4 cup melted chocolate over the cake, and bake an additional 5 minutes. Leave the cheesecake in the turned off oven with the door ajar for 1 hour, remove and cool completely.
8. Refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Farmers’ Choice:
Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken Tenders
Serves 4 to 6
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound chicken tenders
2 cups panko crumbs, or dry bread crumbs (panko gives a crispier coating)
1 cup finely chopped macadamia nuts
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1. In a shallow wide dish, beat together the eggs, water, salt and pepper.
2. Add the chicken to the egg mixture, and stir to coat the chicken.
3. In another wide dish, combine the crumbs and macadamia nuts.
4. Dip the chicken into the panko mixture, and coat on both sides. Lay the chicken onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, parchment or silicone baking liner. Continue to layer the chicken. Drizzle each chicken tender with some of the butter and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
5. Bring the chicken to room temperature for about 30 minutes before proceeding.
6. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the chicken for 12 to 16 minutes, until golden brown, and cooked through. (Registers 165 on an instant read thermometer)
7. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before removing from the baking sheet and serving. The chicken is great hot, warm, or cold. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tangerine Herb Butter
Makes 1 cup
An herb butter is terrific to use as a base for poultry or seafood. These butters freeze beautifully, giving you a burst of flavor for steamed vegetables, too.
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup tangerine juice
2 tablespoons Italian parsley
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 teaspoon tangerine zest
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor, and process until the herbs are chopped, and the mixture comes together.
2. Remove to a piece of plastic wrap, and form into a log.
3. Wrap in the plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Medjool Date Cookies
Makes about 3 dozen
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla paste or extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1-1/2 cups chopped, pitted Medjool dates
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line 3 baking sheets with parchment, silicone or aluminum foil.
5. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, and sugars until light and fluffy.
6. Add the eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla.
7. Add the flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, oats and dates, mixing until the dough comes together. Depending on how “wet” the dates are you may need to add up to 1/2 cup more oatmeal, or 1/2 cup chopped nuts.
8. Using a portion scoop, scoop up 1-tablespoon rounds, and place on the baking sheets, 2-inches apart.
9. Bake to 8 to 10 minutes, until the outer edges are set, and the cookies begin to turn golden. Leave on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
@Diane Phillips www.dianephillips.com www.cucinadivina.blogpot.com
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