Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Week #3

The Weekend
Having successfully packed my classroom into the trunk of my car, I went to New York this weekend to celebrate Sara's upcoming wedding.  Brian and I picked our vegetables up, and then he shipped me off to the Bachelorette party so he could enjoy some bro/X-box time for a couple of days.  His mom and Aunt Connie arrived (from California!) to begin a week-long visit to DC late Sunday night. 

What's in the box?
- Swiss Chard
- Bibb Lettuce
- Red Lettuce
- Dark Red Cherries
- Broccoli
- Lemon Basil
- Beets
- Green Onion

What to make...


*Para Beber... Brandied Cherries!
Ingredients: 
- Quart of Cherries
- 2 Lemons, for Peels
- Brandy
- Simple Syrup
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Cloves
- You will also need: a Cherry Pitter

Directions, courtesy of a friendly neighborhood bartender :)
Fill jar 1/2 to 3/4 way full with Brandy.  Fill some of the remaining space with cherries, pitted.  Top with simple syrup, but leave some room.  Add all other ingredients, to taste.  Let it sit in the fridge for a week, as pictured below.



*Dinner: Grilled Chicken with Beet Risotto



*Side: Beet Risotto



*This recipe can be found on epicurious.com at: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Beet-Risotto-230999

*Breakfast: Healthy Egg White Omelette 


Ingredients (for 1 omelette)
- 5 egg whites
- Carmelized onion (just make the whole thing and use what you want)
- Swiss Chard
- Fat Free Feta Cheese

Directions: 
1. To carmelize an onion - chop the onion into thin slices.  Then, cook "low and slow" - i.e. at a very low heat, and for a long time, until the onion browns.  Add a pinch of sugar if you'd like a sweeter taste.
2. Sautee the swiss chard with a little olive oil.  Add a squeeze of lemon juice, if you would like to.  I usually do.
3. Separate your egg whites.  Put 'em in a pan.  Add onion and swiss chard to the egg as it cooks.  Then, add the Feta cheese right before you fold the omelette in half.

Lessons Learned
1. Who knew there were so many types of beets?  I still think they taste weird.  

2. Brian's mom took the lead on the Risotto - and it was pretty awesome, even though it "tastes like beets" :)
3. We used the Brandied Cherries in an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan.  They taste great with Bourbon, but in the future we will use less brandy/less cloves and more simple syrup.

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