What’s in the Box? #6

Another Wednesday is upon us.  Only, until about 6:45 tonight I thought maybe it was still Tuesday.  Why?  Well, because I came and left the house a total of 4 times, and each time I returned I was met by an empty box (you leave your empty box from the week before and they swap it for the full box).  I finally called my delivery company to see if they had forgotten us.  But as soon I hung up the phone the delivery man came running up to the door with our box.  He asked my husband if we had called to complain…I guess I got him in trouble…sorry delivery man, but I have a blog to write!

It seems that this is not my week for pictures.  By the time my box finally arrived it was too dark to take a picture of my box outside so I was forced so snap a shot in my kitchen.  Oh natural light how I miss thee…

I opened the box to find a letter from the delivery team apologizing for some last-minute substitutions.  Due to the unusually cold weather, some of the local crops suffered and therefore there was a scramble to find produce to take its place.  This is when eating local means being flexible.

I couldn’t help but notice the holiday theme (unintentional I am sure).  The vibrant red and greens with a pop of white set off a slew of christmas songs in my head, starting with Jingle Bells (the holiday musical I took Harper to today may be to blame too…but either way…).

If I had to choose, strawberries would be my favorite fruit (but I try to be fair and not discriminate).  I love them on my french toast, in my yogurt, blended in my smoothie.  They never do me wrong.  This week however, I will have to feature my strawberries in a new way.  Paired with another fresh head of lettuce, my favorite salad recipe is calling my name.  I am looking forward to sharing it with you.

Red bell peppers were a nice surprise.  This was one of the last-minute substitutions.  Fine by me!  This cold weather has had me in the mood for some Chicken Chili, which I am sure Freddie would not be opposed to.  It’s a heart warmer.  And a delicious excuse for leftovers.

Funny that avocados showed up.  I just came across a rival guacamole recipe by Becoming Madame today that I am dying to try.  It claims to be the best guacamole ever.  And to be honest, it looks pretty darn yummy.  She even has a YouTube video that walks you through the steps…which had me salivating the entire time.  So, the challenge is on :)

A year ago I would be lost with a bunch of beets.  But now, I have so many ideas to choose from.  This time around, I am excited to introduce you to a sweet option for beets.  I will have to keep it under wraps until I reveal the recipe.  But I promise you it will be worth it.

As a kid, I was always intrigued by the white broccoli…known to us today as Cauliflower.  Keeping with the holiday theme, it still reminds me of snow-covered trees.  Cauliflower can get a bad wrap of being bland, but I like to see it as a blank canvas, just waiting to be jazzed up with some vibrant flavors and spices.  This Gratin of Cauliflower with Gruyère is a winner around our house.  I like to serve it alongside a nicely roasted pork loin or a grilled rib eye steak.  And, it calls for parsley, so my fresh bunch of curly parsley will come in very handy for this recipe.

Oh little mandarins…boy am I happy to have you back.  I found myself getting a bit bored with them week after week, but then when they didn’t come in the box last week I realized how much I missed them.  So much so that I am enjoying a few right now.  I couldn’t wait to get to peelin’.  Such a great little snack!  And while we are on the citrus train, there is nothing like a fresh grapefruit.  I love to eat them by themselves for breakfast, but then again, I have a variety of recipes from sweet to savory that might need a feature on the blog.  So many ideas, so little time!

For a moment there I almost thought my Wednesday was going to pass by without a box.  And this post would have had to be renamed “Where is the Box?”.  But I am glad it finally arrived safe and sound.  As the saying goes, better late than never, right?