Surprise Strawberries & Sumptuous Salads- June 14-18

Jun 13, 2022 | Box Contents, Recipes, Tips and Tricks

A few weeks ago I had one of our farm share staff tackle some enormous weeds in last year’s strawberries, not knowing if it would ever be worth it. Oh, the strawberry plants came back, of course, but I was sure the tarnished plant bugs who decimated the crop last year would be back with them. That pest is probably the top reason that few people grow strawberries organically, and that’s why we are growing some new plants in raised troughs to reduce access to pests. It was my joy today to find beautiful strawberries growing in the old field. We just have them for whole shares this week, but we will do our best to share the goodness around when they are available.

New this week is snow peas from the greenhouse. Add these to get a beautiful crunch to your salads or stir fries…if they get that far (they are awfully tasty just as a snack too). Green leaf lettuce makes a beautiful option for any salad, especially taco salad, and if the official lettuce of burgers of all kinds!

Here’s a recipe for a Taco Bowl shared by one of our own from the Farm Share team. The pictures are from my own Taco Salad Creation

Tip: kids aren’t crazy about radish? I grated these radish and they paired beautifully cooked in the taco meat. The kids were none the wiser! Raw salted radishes also make an amazing side for tacos. For an authentic Mexican touch, add a splash of lime.

Taco Bowls Recipe

Ingredients:

1 onion
4 cloves of garlic
Cilantro
1 lime
1 green onion
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cups rice
500g ground beef
Taco seasoning
3/4 cups sour cream

Instructions (serves 4):

Dice 1 onion
Mince or grate 4 cloves of garlic
Zest and juice 1 lime
Finely chop cilantro
Dice 1 tomato
Chop 1 green onion
Add 1 tbsp of oil to a medium-to-large pot and set to medium heat
Once warm, add onion and half the garlic to the pot
Once the onion is soft, add 2 tbsp of tomato paste and 2 cups of rice. Cook mixture until fragrant (3-4 minutes)
Add 4 cups of water to the same pot and let it boil
Once boiling, turn heat to low and cover until cooked (12-14 minutes)
While rice mixture cooks, add 2 tbsp oil and remaining garlic to a medium pan and place on medium heat
Once pan is warm, add 500g ground beef
Add taco seasoning to the beef
While beef cooks, add 3/4 cup sour cream and lime zest to a small bowl and combine… This will be your lime crema
In another medium bowl, add tomatoes, green onion, cilantro, and lime juice and stir well… This will be your salsa

Top the tomato rice with beef, salsa, and a dollop of lime crema!

If you do not have pre-made taco seasoning, use this mixture…

2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons sea salt
2 teaspoons black pepper

BONUS Recipe: Roasted Turnips with Herbs Feta

Thank you Farm Share member Matt for Sharing this Recipe! Now, you may not have received rutabaga this week (very similar to turnip), but if you got one week 1 and you’re still not sure what to do with it, give this recipe a try. Matt says this is his go-to to have his family gobbling rutabaga!

Roasted Turnips with Herbs and Feta | Stop and Shop

You can share your recipes too! I love sharing your family favourites. If you have photos, we’ll take them too! I can’t be the only one who takes pictures of my creations :).