For the past, almost two years, we have been a part of a organic produce co-op. This means that every two weeks our illustrious and fearless leader (and it’s definitely not me) contacts a wholesale organic produce company and places an order. In return for $35, we receive a basket load of produce. Our fruits and veggies range from everyday apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, and red leaf lettuce to things that I simply would not purchase if I walked into the grocery/produce store. Things like bok choy, spinach, other squashes besides the normal yellow squash…and even sweet potatoes.
As you can guess, these baskets are a blessing because we are getting fresh produce. Not only that but it’s not the same old everyday stuff that I would purchase.
So, I’m starting a new series called The Cooking Challenge. Here, I will be taking one of our not too common produces (those are the ones that, at least I, would not normally purchase) and finding recipes to try out with them in an effort to get my children to eat them happily! Okay, on occasion me too.
Gourmet chef…I am not. However, I love to cook and try new things. Most of these recipes are going to be very simple and some may be a bit more complicated. Some will taste delicious but, of course, I’m going to have to post my failures. With pictures of course!
My recipe searcher of choice is almost always Recipezaar. I know everyone has their favorite but this has served as ol’ faithful for me and the ratings/reviews have very, very seldom let me down. I will give credit where credit is due and Recipezaar makes it easy by having each recipe marked with a number (so you can find it and print it off).
Now, our basket came in last week and I’ve put off trying to find recipes for my most unusual items because I’m still trying to recover from a cold and all our stomach bugs. So, today, I’ve been exploring and up first in our series is going to be recipes for spinach, eggplant (oh yes, eggplant…I’m a little nervous about this…but I’ll save that story for another post), and cauliflower. I have a recipe for cauliflower but I thought we’d branch out and try another one. I think I may have found a winner there.
So, stay tuned…The Cooking Challenge is underway!
I vote eggplant parmesan!! Call Olive Garden for the recipe! If y'all don't like it, I might! 🙂
Oh…let's not talk about eggplant parmesan…soooo not up my alley!
you can also take those "weird" veggies and puree them and add them to other dishes and the kids eat them without knowing any different. The book Deceptively Delicious is helpful. Some recipes are better than others, but it is helpful in knowing how to "hide" what veggies. Knowing you, you already know about it, but I've found it helpful and have even gotten Erik eating more veggies.