Veggie Wednesday: Last of the Harvest Salad

We are very much at the end of tomato season, and yet, with 90 degree days this week you'd think it was still mid-summer. Hot days don't match with apples and pumpkins and all things fall, so I went with my gut (no pun intended) and scrounged around for the makings of a beautiful salad.

Most people see purslane as a weed and, indeed, it does appear that way in the yard - tentacling out onto the sidewalk and looking like a general nuisance. However, purslane is somewhat of a wonder in that it contains more Omega 3s than any other leafy plant life. Have a look here to read more!

Also, marigolds are not just pretty, they are edible! Check this out for exactly how to deal with them.

Now, I am not going to give you a recipe as this should be self-explanatory. Tiny little heirloom tomatoes tossed with cucumber, purslane, and your favorite vinaigrette and topped with a beauty of a marigold makes for such a pretty plate. I wish these things were available in my yard all year long.

Beef and Cheese Crostata

Crostata is usually a sweet dessert, but this savory preparation is a delicious and different dinner that disappears each time I make it. I make two of these as my kids are very hearty eaters. Change the onions to 1 teaspoon onion powder if you have picky eaters. Serve with a veggie and salad.

Beef and Cheese Crostata

Hands-On Time: 5 minutes
Ready In: 35 minutes
Yield: Serves 3 - 6

Ingredients:

1lb.  ground beef
1/4 cup finely chopped onion (or 1 teaspoon onion powder)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup prepared brown gravy
1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
1 refrigerated pie crust

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Remove pie crust from refrigerator and let come to room temperature before unrolling. Make sure crust is 12-inches in diameter. If not, roll until it measures correctly.
3. Place crust on an ungreased baking sheet.
4. Brown ground beef with onions and garlic and drain completely. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Stir in gravy and spoon onto pie crust, leaving an edge of 1-inch.
6. Fold pie crust just over the edge of the meat mixture and bake for 20 minutes or until crust begins to brown.
7. Add cheese to the top and bake for another 5 minutes until cheese is melted.
8. Let cool for 5 minutes and cut into 6 wedges.

Pumpkin Milkshakes

Pumpkin time usually means warm and comforting baked goods, but I am of the mind that milkshakes are a year-round treat. This one combines vitamin-A rich pumpkin puree, creamy vanilla ice cream and just the right amount of spice to make it the perfect cool harvest drink.

Pumpkin Milkshakes
Hands-On Time: 5 minutes
Ready In: 5 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

2 cups vanilla ice cream
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup milk
2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
whipped cream

Directions:

1. In a blender combine ice cream, puree, spice, milk and brown sugar. Pulse until
smooth.
2. Pour into 2 (8 ounce) glasses and top with whipped cream.

Barbunya Pilaki

The first time I had Pilaki was several months ago when I stopped in to a local Middle Eastern cuisine restaurant, Anatolian Kitchen. My daughter Katie is a vegetarian and I knew there would be excellent options there for her on a lunch date.

My food knowledge is fairly extensive as I read, breathe, and live food on a regular basis, but somehow I had never heard of this particular dish. Pilaki is a Turkish dish made of what you see here in this recipe, and is named differently for the color or type of bean being used: barbunya for red or pink beans, and fasulye with white beans.

Katie really enjoyed this, so when I got home I looked up recipes and used several to come up with what I knew she would like. This is that recipe. By all means, cook your beans from dried if you have the time, but this quicker method is tasty, as well. I also have thrown everything into the pressure cooker for a quick 15 minute cook and that was delicious, as well.

Barbunya Pilaki
Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 14 ounce can of roman, borlotti, or cranberry beans drained- can also use kidney beans (pictured)
4 Tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion - finely chopped
2 cloves garlic - minced
1 large carrot - peeled and diced
1 large potato - peeled and diced
2 large plum tomatoes - seeded and chopped
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon coarse grind black pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley - chopped


Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a heavy bottomed pot, add onions, carrots, and garlic. Cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add potato, beans and tomatoes with water and bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender and a thick stew has formed.
3. Stir in lemon juice and parsley - reserving a Tablespoon of parsley for serving.
4. Ladle into bowls and to with parsley.

Baked Pennoni

Here is another easy meal for busy school nights. One of my favorite uses for ShopRite Certified organic Imported Specialty Pasta is this recipe. It goes together quickly, bakes in one pan and disappears in no time. Pennoni is perfect here because the cheese and sauce get into each piece of pasta and fill them with cheesy goodness.

I love ShopRite Imported San Marzano DOP tomatoes in the sauce for their rich flavor. Add a green salad for a complete meal the whole family will love.

Baked Pennoni
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

2 cups ricotta cheese
1 whole egg
1/2 pound ShopRite Imported Pennoni pasta
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 can ShopRite Imported DOP San Marzano whole tomatoes
4 fresh basil leaves
3 cloves garlic - minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
salt to taste
sugar to taste (about 1 to 2 teaspoons)
1 cup shredded Mozzarella
1 cup grated Parmesan-Romano cheese

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cook Penonni until al dente. Drain and keep warm.
3. Combine ricotta and egg. Blend well and add pepper and 3/4 cup of each cheese. Set aside.
4. Cook onion in oil in a small saucepan until translucent. Crush tomatoes and add to onion with basil, garlic, oregano, salt and sugar. Simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Spray a 2 quart baking dish or casserole with cooking spray and set aside.
6. Combine pasta, sauce and ricotta mixture and blend well. Pour into casserole and top with remaining cheeses.
7. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and slightly browned on top. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.