What’s in the Box? #54

I love the holidays.  For me it’s all about traditions, good food, and time spent with family.  This year we started a new tradition that we are excited to continue for many Christmases to come.  Last weekend, we took a train ride to a tree farm and cut down our own tree.  It was an awesome experience.  We had a blast!  And Harper really has a special eye for selecting the perfect Christmas tree.

So now that our tree is up and decorated, the lights are hung and twinkling, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here…and I like it!

You know what else I like?  Produce parties…can I get a woot woot?

Last week we had 10 link ups!  Things are starting to pick up around here and some new folks are joining the party.  Please welcome Lisa and Naima who are just receiving their first winter boxes of the season.  I am looking forward to seeing what goodies come their way.

As for me…

I had lots of delicious goodies that came my way this week.  I am most excited about the pears.  I have never seen this variety before but I am loving the color.  Very fall like.  I will definitely be eating these as my daily snack along with the mandarins.  Fruit, glorious fruit :)

I am intrigued by the purple top turnips.  These are a new item for me.  I actually thought they were rutabaga (which is another item I have never received before).  If I can treat them the same as any other turnips than I am golden.  Lacey of Making Myself Useful suggested a potato leek soup using the turnips as well.  Sounds like a plan to me :)  Soup and salad is such a great combo for a nice lunch or light dinner.  And that large head of lettuce will make enough salad to last me a while.  Spruce it up with some grated carrots, dried fruit and some nuts and dinner is served!

Another dinner this week will be Chile Rellenos.  I have never made them before, but luckily my friend Lauren over at Gourmet Veggie Mama hooked me up with a killer recipe.  Stuffed with spinach, cheese and dipped in beer?  Looks like someone’s going to have a fun weekend!!

Those little green things?  Those are pineapple guavas.  And they are delicious!  Little sweet gems, so soft and delicate.  They have a taste that is hard to describe.  I like to eat them as is or throw them into a smoothie.  Although I seem to be finding some new recipes online so if time allows I might have to get creative in the kitchen.

And last but not least, the broccoli.  My good ole standby.  Throw it in the steamer and serve it with just about everything.  That is, if Harper doesn’t devour it first.

Your turn:  What are some of your favorite ways to use the fruits and veggies shown?  Any special recipe, tips or tricks you’d like to share?  Looking forward to reading your responses :)

Linking up for the first time?  Click here for more info…and Welcome!

PS:  Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post and grabbing the official “What’s in the Box?” button at the bottom of my blog.  Thanks!

What’s in the Box? #53

Hello, Friends :)  It has been too long.  I have been meaning to write but I was a bit preoccupied by these beautiful views…

Needless to say, our Thanksgiving in Texas was wonderful.  And being outside, exploring my sister’s horse ranch with Harper as my guide, was magical.  So much to be grateful for.

And while I was out in the wilderness, there was a raging party going on.  Last week we had a small but mighty 4 link ups!  With the holiday many folks didn’t receive a box so our party was much smaller than usual.  However, the recipes and goodies that were shared were more than enough to go around.  Sharlea from Fresh Veggies in the Desert whipped up an amazing Onion, Bacon, Butternut Tart with Cranberry Salsa with her CSA goodies.  And Megan from Clean Eats, Fast Feets, made some beautiful Moroccan Stuffed Acorn Squash.  Kirsten from Farm Fresh Feasts shared come budget friendly tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle your food.  And finally Annie of AnnieRie Unplugged shared her ever bountiful Thanksgiving haul.  Thanks Ladies for your participation and for keeping the party alive.  I appreciate your loyalty and support :)

After one week without a box, you can imagine how happy I was to receive this week’s delivery.  I couldn’t wait to crack it open to see what goodies were hidden inside…

This week it’s all about the squash!  Butternut, delicata…all I can think about is cutting them up, tossing them with nutmeg, cinnamon, olive oil and a dash of salt and roasting them until they are deliciously tender.  A true autumn treat.

Another roasted favorite are carrots.  While I was away, I popped some carrots in the oven for dinner one night and they were a huge hit.  So simple, but so darn good!

I am giddy about those apples.  For one, it reminds me that I need to share my that apple crisp recipe (I haven’t forgotten…).  And secondly, Fuji apples are my favorite.  In fact, as I write this post I am snacking on one with a few slices of Gruyère cheese. A perfect pairing.  And when I am done with this I plan to peel one of those juicy mandarins.  A satisfying late night snack.

I love shallots.  They have such a mild flavor but they can easily transform a dish.  I used a bunch of shallots to make my Thanksgiving green beans.  Slice them thinly, saute them with lots of butter, season slightly.  Once they begin to soften, throw in the raw green beans, add some chicken broth to the pan (just enough to soak the veggies) cover the pan and steam for 5-10 minutes until green beans are tender.  Works every time!  In fact, I use this technique with a lot of my veggies.  I will probably saute my swiss chard with the shallots this week.  Might even throw in some of that garlic for an extra kick.

It’s been a while since I got some kiwi.  I usually slice it up and add it to smoothies or throw it into a fruit salad but I would really like to cook or bake with it this time.  Stay tuned to see what I come up with :)

I’m excited to get my fiesta on.  That bunch of cilantro is super fresh and fragrant.  I am thinking about making a batch of Green Rice to go along with a new taco recipe I have been dying to share with you.  Hopefully with my busy schedule, I can get my act together and get some food pics taken (if I can catch the daylight…)

And for the little head of lettuce.  A salad of course.  I might even jazz it up with some apple chunks and grated carrots if I am feeling wild one evening.

Your turn:  What are some of your favorite ways to use the fruits and veggies shown?  Any special recipe, tips or tricks you’d like to share?  Looking forward to reading your responses :)

Linking up for the first time?  Click here for more info…and Welcome!

PS:  Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post and grabbing the official “What’s in the Box?” button at the bottom of my blog.  Thanks!

What’s in the Box? Recipe Roundup #3

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  The day has finally come when we fill our bellies with delicious food, sit around the table with family, and reflect on all the things in our lives for which we are grateful.  I can’t wait to get busy in the kitchen .  We have quite a menu planned.  Turkey, Brussels, green beans, sweet potatoes, new potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pie, pie pie!  I can taste it already ;)

But before we stuff our faces with homemade Thanksgiving feasts, I wanted to give thanks to all the participants of last week’s party.  We had a total of 13 link ups and it reminded me of a Turkey Day virtual potluck.  Kirsten brought the Potatoes, Annemarie brought a Fall Harvest Stew and for dessert Carrie brought Carrot Zucchini Bread.  Who’s bringing the turkey?

Since we are out-of-town and therefore not getting a box this week, I have decided to do another Recipe Roundup of some of my favorite meals that have yet to make an appearance on the blog.

What’s in the Box? #48

Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples:  Besides snacking on apples, baking with apples or dipping them in my favorite nut butter spread, I love adding apples to savory dishes.  And pork and apples make the perfect pair.  Serve it with a side of roasted squash and a green veggie and you have yourself a fun and festive fall meal.

What’s in the Box? #49

Better Than Butternut: Roasted Delicata Squash:  I LOVE roasted delicata squash.  It is by far my new favorite indulgence.  I could totally eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert…you name it, from now on I will be including a side of roasted delicata squash.  True story.  I sprinkled mine with a bit of nutmeg and cinnamon in addition to the suggested recipe and the result was heavenly.  A must try!

What’s in the Box? #50

Baked Chicken with Spinach, Pears and Blue Cheese:  I love dishes that combine sweet and salty flavors.  I also love savory dishes that incorporate fruit (see above).  And, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love chicken.  This dish is a grand slam.  I made this for the first time many years ago and whenever I come across pears, I can’t help but give this recipe another whirl.

What’s in the Box? #51

Swiss Chard and Goat Cheese Custard Bake:  Harper went through a phase where she was really into egg dishes.  So ever since, I like to test out new recipes in case she gets the taste for them again.  This was a real winner.  The eggs were nice and fluffy and the goat cheese gave it just the right amount of bite to keep it interesting.  Great for morning, noon or night.

What’s in the Box? #52

Dragon Fruit Cupcake:  Unfortunately I wasn’t able to enjoy my dragon fruit before I left (however I was able to find it a good home at my neighbors).  But had I been able to experiment with it a bit, I think I would have tried these.  They sound like they would not only be delicious, but pretty to look at too ;)

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving…gobble, gobble!

Your turn:  What are some of your favorite CSA recipes?  Feel free to link up some of the CSA inspired meals that you are the most proud of.  Looking forward to drooling over your dishes :)

Linking up for the first time?  Click here for more info…and Welcome!

PS:  Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post and grabbing the official “What’s in the Box?” button at the bottom of my blog.  Thanks!

What’s in the Box? #52

Besides the amazing feast, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it brings people together and gives us the opportunity for reflection.  With only one week left until Turkey Day, I wanted to take a few moments to highlight some of the things for which I am grateful.

• My Family:  With an adorable 20 month old daughter and a loving husband, I am truly blessed.  We have so much fun hanging out with each other and nothing brings me more joy than snuggling up with them at night.  And of course I am grateful for my parents, my brother and sister, uncles and aunts, cousins, niece and nephews…no matter where we are in the world, I know they are always there for me and I appreciate their love and support.
• My Music:  I am so grateful to be able to share my love for music with others.  Whether I am prancing around the room with scarves, shaking myself silly with a pair of maracas or singing lullabies on my guitar, not a day that goes by that I don’t stop and say, “wow…I’m having a blast…and this is my job?”.  Thank you to all the families who come and support my classes.   I appreciate you investing in the gift of music for your children and their future.
• My Readers:  When I started my blog over a year ago, I had no expectations.  I was merely looking for a creative outlet.  And now I am connected with almost 400 followers.  Thank you for your encouragement and feedback.  I appreciate your likes, comments and interactions.  My freshman year was a blast!  Looking forward to seeing what the next year has in store :)

And last but not least, I am grateful for my fresh, organic and local fruit and veggies…and of course my produce party people!  Holler if you hear me ;)

At last week’s party we had a total of 23 link ups.  And by the looks of it, I’m not the only one craving something warm in this cold autumn weather.  Soups, stocks, chilis and bowls of potage are making their way onto everyone’s dinner table this time of year.  Throwing in your CSA veggies into your favorite pot of soup not only helps take your homemade concoctions to a whole new level, but its an easy way to use up leftover produce that is on the verge of going bad.  A big thanks to everyone who participated in the party last week.  I appreciate your continual support and loyalty to this wild and crazy party.

Speaking of wild and crazy, check out what’s going on in my box this week…

Is that dragonfruit?  Wow!  This is definitely the highlight of my 2+ years experience with my CSA.  I didn’t even know these were grown locally!  Learn something new everyday :)  Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Coolest. Fruit. Ever!

So now the question is, what in the heck do I do with this thing?  I tried it before  and it was a bit disappointing.  But after reading up on it a bit it might have been because the fruit was unripe.  Plus, we all know CSA produce is way better than anything at the grocery store, so I am hoping this local fruit will change my mind.  Fingers crossed…

My other item of excitement for the week…Brussels sprouts.  It has been almost a year since I got these in my box and so I am thrilled to have them back.  Like most of my veggies, I plan to roast these puppies right away.  And if I am being honest, I will be eating this entire bag in one sitting.  Because nothing tastes better to me than roasted Brussels.  True story.

And then of course you have another household favorite, gocki (for those of you who don’t speak Harper, that means broccoli).  The child LOVES gocki.  The last time we got gocki I steamed it and planned to serve it with dinner for guests.  But before I could get it on the table, Harper ate more than half of it on her own.  Made me pretty darn proud to see her following in her mama’s Chucks ;)

I still have a few pears left over from last week and after this delivery am thinking of making some sort of sweet pear treat.  Although, I still owe you an apple crumble (will be making my 4th crumble again tomorrow in hopes of getting it on the blog…it always goes too quickly).  So not sure if I will have time to do both.  In which case I will continue to enjoy them for a snack.

With cold season in full swing, I am doing my best to ward off wucky cooties (another Harper term).  Fresh squeezed orange juice is the way to go this week.  Might even mix it with some juiced kale.  Because now that I have a juicer, the sky is the limit!

Russet potatoes always get me in the mood for Thanksgiving.  I can remember one year when I was celebrating with my aunt and uncle, my cousin and I stayed up late the night before peeling potatoes.  The memory always makes me chuckle because there was only one good peeler.  So we would take turns sharing the good peeler and as we passed it between each other would say, “It’s only fair”.  To this day, I always keep more than one vegetable peeler in my drawer just in case I have a late night pre-Thanksgiving potato peeling party.

Surprisingly, I am loving the tomatoes this week because they are heirloom, and heirloom tomatoes = something special.  I am thinking a caprese inspired salad using the gorgeous lettuce that we got too.  Would make for a delicious side dish or even a light lunch.

Your turn:  What are you grateful for this year?  Any special family traditions that you observe on Thanksgiving?  Looking forward to reading your responses :)

Linking up for the first time?  Click here for more info…and Welcome!

PS:  Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post and grabbing the official “What’s in the Box?” button at the bottom of my blog.  Thanks!

What’s in the Box? #51

I don’t know about you, but I have a never-ending list of chores and errands that seems to multiply by the minute.  Every time I check something off, 5 more things appear.  But I guess, that’s just life.  However, today, I think I was finally able to get my head above water.  I went to the bank, dropped off a package at the post office and picked up a few things at the store all in less than an hour while carting around an adorable little toddler on my hip.  Might not sound like much, but if you have kids, you know what a feat this is.  Kind of made me feel like super mom.

And that’s the beauty of motherhood.  Finding victory in the small things and being grateful for life’s simple pleasures.  Like organic fruit and veggies delivered to your door.  Talk about winning.  One less thing to add to my list of things to do all while reaping the benefits of fresh and local produce.  Now that’s something to party about!

Last week we had a total of 24 link ups!  And honestly, I am drooling over each and every one.  I know I say this all the time, but the creativity that is showcased at our weekly gatherings is insane!  Who knew fruits and veggies could be this versatile?  I mean, ice cream, pancakes, pizza, burgers, cocktails, all inspired by CSA boxes.  Makes you want one…right?  Check out this site for more information and to help you find a CSA farm in your area.  Trust me, you won’t regret it :)

Now if you will excuse me for a second, it’s time for me to drool over my goodies…

Guess who’s doing a happy dance over those raspberries? (*points to self and then proceeds to give self high-five*)  Can you believe it?  Are they not the most beautiful things you have ever seen?  Talk about spoiled!  I’m pretty much speechless.  Can’t decide whether to make my mom’s famous Raspberry Chicken, create an incredible salad using my head of lettuce, or pop them in my mouth one by one.  Doing my best to practice self-control until I can come up with a game plan.

Another item I am stoked about…apples!  You would think I would be sick of apples by now, especially with the bagillion apples I took home from our apple picking a few weeks ago.  But after making Freddie an awesome apple crisp, I was hoping for a few more so that I can whip up another batch.  I mean, it’s only fair that I share the recipe with you too….right?  Stay tuned!

I am also loving the pears right now.  There is no better mid day snack.  And believe it or not, I ate the skin off these ones and it wasn’t bad.  Either that or I am growing up and no longer need my mom to skin my fruits and veggies anymore.  I mean, I am 30 :)

And since I am 30, I do my best to incorporate veggies at every meal.  Especially breakfast!  And this chard is my new favorite addition to a fruit smoothie.  Green has never tasted so good.  Although, this green stuff is pretty yummy too.  And a bunch of fresh Italian parsley is always a good excuse to get the food processor out and to get busy on some spinach dip.  Plus, I am fully equipped with dipping devices thanks to my carrots and cucumbers.  Snacking for the week has just been elevated to a whole new level.

Finally, the butternut squash, cauliflower and garlic are perfect for roasting!  In my opinion, there is no better way to enjoy these veggies.  So crunchy and sweet, I almost want to throw them in now for a late night snack.  But again, I am doing my best to practice self-control ;)

Your turn:  What are some of your favorite ways to use the fruits and veggies shown?  Any special recipe, tips or tricks you’d like to share?  Looking forward to reading your responses :)

Linking up for the first time?  Click here for more info…and Welcome!

PS:  Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post and grabbing the official “What’s in the Box?” button at the bottom of my blog.  Thanks!

What’s in the Box? #50

Happy Halloween everyone!  I hope you all had a fun and safe evening.  As for us, we have been celebrating Halloween for nearly a week now.  It all started last Friday when we went to Boo at the Zoo and boy was it a blast!  Here is a pic of all of us dressed up in our costumes.

Two bakers with our adorable and delicious cupcake!  We were originally planning on a Sesame Street theme this year since Harper LOVES Elmo, but when we saw this costume at Target, we just couldn’t resist.  Plus, who knows?  This uniform might come in handy one day ;)

From cupcakes to veggies, time to get this party started!

Last week we had a total of 24 link ups!  And again, it appears to be all about the squash.  We had some Squash Tortilla Soup, Squash and Pumpkin Gnudi, Squash Enchiladas, and Squash with Pasta.  Fall is looking mighty delicious :)  Thanks to everyone who linked up.  We are sad to see some of our participants link up for the last time as their CSA season has ended.  But we hope you continue to visit and as always we love to hear your ideas on what to do with all this fresh produce!

So let’s check out this week’s tricks and treats…

A pumpkin!  A pumpkin!  For week’s now I have seen tons of folks with pumpkins in their boxes.  And to be honest, I started to harbor some pumpkin envy.  So I was excited to finally have one of my own :)  I am super grateful for all the previous pumpkin posts that have been linked up to the party because now I can learn what the heck to do with this thing!  Looking forward to seeing what fresh pumpkin is all about.

My other surprise was white beets!  I thought I had seen it all, but apparently I was wrong.  I’m most excited because white beets means less mess when I am cooking up a batch of beet fritters.  No more stains :)

One of my favorite fall dishes is Braised Pork with Orange and Fennel.  I made it the last time we got fennel, but I can’t resist making it again.  The flavors are just so delicious and since it cooks for quite a while it gives the house such a lovely aroma.  The onions will come in quite handy for this dish as well.  I normally serve it with white rice, but seeing those spuds makes me think that it would be delicious atop a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.  And as always, I plan to accompany my dinner with a trusty green salad (because butter lettuce makes the best salads!).

I am dying over this fruit!  Loving fresh strawberries this late in the season.  Harper was on those right away (in fact one of the pics I took has a half eaten strawberry in it…).  I am actually thinking about cooking up some oatmeal and slicing some on top.  Such a yummy way to start the day.  I am also stoked about the pears.  Pears always remind me of fall.  I love to snack on them as long as the skin is off.  I can’t stand the skin.  Too tough.  And finally, fuji apples.  They are my favorite variety.  In fact, when we went apple picking a few weeks ago, I might have eaten 3-4 by myself.  They are just so good!

Last but not least, tomatoes.  After weeks and weeks of tomatoes, I am starting to get a bit uninspired.  I have done my best to stay creative but I think I have hit a tomato wall.  So all ideas are welcome :)

Your turn:  What are some of your favorite ways to use the fruits and veggies shown?  Any special recipe, tips or tricks you’d like to share?  Looking forward to reading your responses :)

Linking up for the first time?  Click here for more info…and Welcome!

PS: Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!  You only have a few days to get your entries in.  Remember to leave a comment on the original post letting me know that you have completed the tasks.  Your comments act as your entry into the giveaway.  Good luck!

What’s in the Box? #49

With Halloween around the corner, I have to say, there is nothing cuter than a baby dressed up as a piece of produce.  Who doesn’t love a baby strawberry, baby banana, baby watermelon, baby peas, and of course a baby pumpkin.  When I was little, my mom dressed my brother and I up as a bunch of grapes.  I wish I had pictures to prove it but unfortunately it was back in the days before digital imaging was available.  But they kind of sort of looked like this.  Except for we were bundled up in purple sweat suits with an overlay that had big fabric grapes attached to it.  Pretty darn cute.  I have no idea where she got the idea from, but it might be to blame for my slight addition to all things fruit and veggies.  Start ’em young I guess :)

From babies dressed as produce to adults who love produce…

Last week we had a total of 33 link ups!  And apparently it’s all about “them apples”.  Which is perfect because we went apple picking this weekend and I am in need of some major inspiration.  And lucky for me I think I have enough apples to indulge in each and every one of these mouth-watering recipes.  Starting with applesauce, apple pie and apple galette.  Yummy in my tummy!  Thank you to everyone who participated!  Love drooling over all your delicious CSA goodies.

Now time to drool over my goodies…

Hip, hip, hooray for pink ladies!  They are so crisp, sweet and delightful.  Harper and I tore into one right away.  It was the perfect afternoon treat.  I’m looking forward to getting the juicer going this weekend and might have to experiment with a little pink lady juice.  Yum!

I am also super excited to see the blackberries.  I have a few savory recipes I have wanted to try.  Most of which include pork, which will make the husband very happy :)

I had planned on making another batch of my seedy orange zest muffins this weekend for a bake sale fundraiser, so these oranges are just on time!  I will also be throwing some of my favorite Baked Turkey Ricotta Meatballs in the oven for company on Saturday, thanks to that lovely bunch of spinach.  And of course, what dinner party would be complete without a lovely side salad.  I’m thinking about adding some carrots, apples and nuts for a nice taste of autumn.

And nothing says autumn to me more than squash.  I have been eagerly awaiting some delicata and now have a nice collection of recipes that I have been saving from the link party.  But for my first time around, I think I might just have to do a simple roast.  I am a sucker for roasted veggies and I find that roasted squash always does my body good!  And if I follow this recipe, I can make use of my sage too.

Anytime I get an onion in my box, I always share it with Freddie.  Because the man LOVES onions, especially in his eggs.  But this time I wanted to be a bit more adventurous.  So I googled “green onions” and came up with this recipe for Green Onion Pancakes.  Now if this isn’t going to make my husband jump for joy, I don’t know what will.  Pure heaven for him…a gas mask for me :)  Thank God for gum!

And finally the tomatoes.  I have been quite proud of myself lately.  For someone who grew up not liking tomatoes, I am finding new recipes that are changing my mind on a regular basis.  From Chicken with Tomato Herb Pan Sauce to my new cherry tomato pesto (recipe coming soon) I am slowly falling in love with these delicate gems.  But after a lot of experimentation, I might just have to lean on an old standby: Homemade Tomato Sauce.  It’s simple, it’s easy and it’s a real crowd pleaser.  Plus, Harper love her “sketti” and mama will do anything to please my little angel.

Your turn:  What are some of your favorite ways to use the fruits and veggies shown?  Any special recipe, tips or tricks you’d like to share?  Looking forward to reading your responses :)

Linking up for the first time?  Click here for more info…and Welcome!

PS:  Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post and grabbing the official “What’s in the Box?” button at the bottom of my blog.  Thanks!

What’s in the Box? #48

We are smack dab in the middle of October and if it weren’t for all the Halloween decor, you would never know it.  Why?  Because it’s in the 80s where I live!

Isn’t it supposed to be cold and blustery?  And of course it would be different if we could get a little bit of relief from an air conditioner.  But they don’t believe in those in my town.  They say you don’t need it because it’s close to the ocean and “never gets too hot”.  Bologna!  In the midst of doing house work today, I found myself dripping in sweat and needing a break.  I plopped down on the couch and exclaimed, “Man, I’m hot!”.  Harper stopped what she was doing, came over to me and began blowing in my face.  Gotta love that built-in air conditioner :)

I don’t mean to complain.  I know lots of people who are already experiencing snow (e.g. those Alaskans…) and would do anything for some sunshine.  But after a long summer, I am ready for a glimpse of fall.

Enough about the weather, let’s check out some produce.  Last week we had a total of 24 link ups and it seems as though it is all about the squash.  Butternut, acorn and spaghetti squash.  A sure sign that fall is in full swing (in most parts of the country at least…).  I can’t wait until autumn squash starts showing up at my doorstep.  But until they do, I am going to live vicariously through my fellow bloggers and enjoy a bowl of Butternut Squash Oats for breakfast, Acorn Squash Stew for lunch, and some Squash-asagna for dinner.  Talk about some good eats :)  Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s party.  Each and every submission is extremely valuable and I continue to learn from your posts.  Keep them coming.  And tell a friend ;)

Now on to my goodies for the week…

I guess the upside of warm weather is the continuance of warm weather crops.  Hello strawberries!  Oh, how I love you :)  Harper and I practically ate all the strawberries before I could get the picture taken.  I barely get the box open before she started reaching for the “berries”, as she calls them.  A girl after my own heart :)

Another benefit of the warm weather is that we can still enjoy outdoor barbecues.  And Freddie and I already have plans to throw those corn cobs on the grill with those lovely sweet peppers and a few rib eyes.  Serve it up with a side of broccoli and we got ourselves the perfect summer meal…in the fall!

I am also very excited to see more tomatoes.  I popped over to my neighbor house the other day and they had just finished making a cherry tomato pesto.  A.MAZ.ING!  I need some more in my life.  Immediately.  So I will be sharing that recipe with you all as soon as I get my hands on it :)

If the weather was a bit cooler I would be enjoying a bowl of this kale soup.  But soup during a heat wave sounds like torture.  Salad on the other hand, sounds like a great way to satisfy my appetite.  So kale salad it is!  And speaking of salad, that butter lettuce is going to make for a delicious salad of its own.  Possibly a strawberry salad?  Another great meal to help beat the heat.

For snacks, I am looking forward to some cucumbers dipped in spinach dip (my favorite combo), some apples doused with Nuttzo and a few of those juicy tangerines.  In fact, I am going to help myself to one before I go to bed (always helps to kick my sweets cravings…).

Your turn:  What are some of your favorite ways to use the fruits and veggies shown?  Any special recipe, tips or tricks you’d like to share?  Looking forward to reading your responses :)

Linking up for the first time?  Click here for more info…and Welcome!  PS:  Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post and grabbing the official “What’s in the Box?” button at the bottom of my blog.  Thanks!

What’s in the Box? #47

With all of the excitement that has been going on lately, I keep forgetting to mention an important milestone for In Her Chucks and the What’s in the Box link party.  So rather than share childhood memories or funny stories, I am going to cut right to the chase.  A few months back, a loyal reader and awesome blogger, Christa of Christa to the Max, created a What’s in the Box? button for me.  I had been trying to create one on my own for quite a while but was frustrated by my lack of knowledge of html coding.  So, thank you Christa for coming to my rescue and helping to make What’s in the Box? more official :)  For those of you who are interested in grabbing the What’s in the Box? button, scroll down to the bottom of the homepage and pick it up.  And thanks in advance for promoting this fun and exciting party!

Now on to the fruits and veggies.  Last week we had 33 link ups!  And with Halloween right around the corner, it’s clearly all about the pumpkin.  Starting with how to cook a pumpkin, then how to turn your pumpkin into pancakes or doughnuts, and finally, what to do with those seeds.  Makes me want to go on the pumpkin diet.  Yum!  Thanks to everyone else who linked up.  Looks like everyone is eating well these days :)

Let’s take a look at what I will be eating this week…

Hello, chard!  It’s been a while since you have graced by box, and strangely enough, a veggie I once despised, is welcomed back with open arms.  And I got two huge bunches too!  I want to try something new with these this week.  During one of our first link parties, someone shared a recipe for a swiss chard smoothie and I have been intrigued ever since.  I am finally going to take the plunge and give it a try.  Can’t wait :)

I got pretty giddy to see those gorgeous cherry tomatoes because I owe you a killer recipe and this time I am not making excuses.  It’s going up on the blog tomorrow.  I promise!

I enjoyed one of those apples with a few slices of cheddar cheese for an after dinner snack which is keeping me satisfied as I sit here and tap away at my computer.  Not quite sure what kind they are but they are sweet and crisp and oh so delicious.  The grapes are going to make for a great snack as well.  Only wished I had gotten them sooner because my mom was asking for some the other night for a salad she had in mind.  Maybe I can get the recipe and pass it on.  It would be nice to jazz up that lovely head of lettuce and turn it into something special.

Speaking of special, whenever I get fresh avocados in my box I feel special.  And if I want to make my husband feel special, I whip him up a fresh batch of my famous guacamole.  Quite honestly it has been a while since we have enjoyed a mini-fiesta around here.  Which means some fajitas with that GIGANTIC onion and a few of the leftover peppers from last week might even be in order.  And of course, no fiesta would be complete without margaritas…in cupcake form :)

After reading this post, I will most definitely be roasting my carrots and beets this week.  I love how roasting brings out the sweetness in the veggies and the texture is just perfect.  Makes a great side dish to any meal.

And finally, the oranges.  I am thinking about making some fresh squeezed orange juice.  Which might even take place in the morning.  I am planning on enjoying some sweet potato pancakes with a side of bacon.  And fresh squeezed orange juice sounds like the perfect beverage to compliment that meal.

Your turn:  What are some of your favorite ways to use the fruits and veggies shown?  Any special recipe, tips or tricks you’d like to share?  Looking forward to reading your responses :)

Linking up for the first time?  Click here for more info…and Welcome!  PS:  Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post.  Thanks!

PS:  Don’t forget to double your dose of fresh fruits and veggies by visiting this week’s Fresh Foods Link Up from Gastronomical Sovereignty

What’s in the Box? #44

I love a good link party.  Heck, a rockin link party will get me to share my daily eats, my sweets and my beets (apparently I love a good free-style rapping session too!).  So why not party it up a little more?  A fellow blogger and local food enthusiast Kristy Lynn of Gastronomical Sovereignty, recently invited me to join her weekly link party, Fresh Foods Wednesday.  Kristy’s party celebrates everything from CSAs, to farmer’s market finds, to homegrown treasures.  As the title explains, the fresher, the better!  So go and check out her soiree and tell her I sent you.  She is sure to show you a good time :)

Now a review of last week’s festivities…we had a total of 45 link ups!  Which is a lot of veggie loving goodness.  And as the weather begins to cool there is no better way to use up your fresh produce than to whip up a batch of the ultimate comfort food…soup.  Looking for warm and flavorful inspiration?  How about some Chicken Noodle Soup, Butternut Beet Soup, Minestrone Soup, or Cream of Spaghetti Squash Soup?  So many delicious options.  Makes me feel all warm and cozy inside :)

Thanks to everyone else who linked up.  We had a lot of new faces last week.  I always love welcoming more produce lovers into the mix. Keep those fruits and veggies coming…I can’t get enough.

Alright…my turn!

Thanks to this link party, I now realize I am not the only one who gets excited over 2 BUNCHES OF KALE!  Excuse me while I jump up and down :) (Holla if you hear me!)  I don’t have specific plans for these bushels of goodness at the moment.  Too many delicious ideas to pin one down.  But there is no doubt that a rendezvous with that elephant garlic will take place.  Sounds like the ultimate marriage…

Something else I am happy to see again are the beets.  It has been a while since their presence has graced my box and believe it or not I missed them so much I had Freddie go out and buy 4 lbs last weekend (I made a double portion of this salad).  So now I might have to get busy with some Chocolate Beet Muffins.  A healthy and nutritious treat :)

Speaking of muffins, these oranges make me want to recreate another round of my Seedy Orange Zest Muffins.  As I see it, you can never have enough muffins around the house.  They make for a great breakfast on the go, a satisfying quick snack and they are a great way to create community with your neighbors.  Sharing is caring!

As for the rest of the fruit, those plums have become my favorite snack.  Paired with some raw almonds, it’s the perfect sweet, filling and portable mid-morning meal.  How bout them apples?  Well, one will be used in those Chocolate Beet Muffins, some will be smothered with almond butter (or my new favorite spread, Nuttzo) and the rest will be cooked up with the leeks for my favorite fall dish.  Here’s to hoping I get the chance to share…

How gorgeous is that head of lettuce?  So pretty, it deserves to be made into a special kind of salad.  Something fancy and over the top.  Suggestions welcome.

And finally, the last few bits of summer.  Corn and tomatoes.  Last week I mentioned Freddie’s favorite way to eat tomatoes but I never got a chance to post it on the blog.  So here is the recipe for the Tomato and Corn Pie.  Try it.  You will LOVE it!  Since we are a little “pied” out at the moment, I am looking forward to trying out some new recipes.  I am loving this link up for Summer Squash, Corn and Zucchini Saute with Mint from last week.  Sounds so refreshing.  And for the tomatoes, I’m feeling some homemade tomato sauce coming on.  The variety of colors are sure to create a beautiful blend.

PS:  Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!  You only have a few days left to get your entries in.  Remember to leave a comment on the original post letting me know that you have completed the tasks.  Your comments act as your entry into the giveaway.  Good luck!  

Linking up for the first time?  Click here for more info…and Welcome!  PS:  Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post.  Thanks!