CSA Week 5

CSA Week 5- Here's what I got: Strawberry Jam, Spring Onions, Romaine Lettuce, Kale, Green Beans, Brocolli, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Fennel, Arugula and Corn. 

So many great goodies!  So the first thing I have to say is that if you only get one thing at the Farmer's Market this summer, GET THE CORN.  There is such a huge difference between corn on the cob at the grocery store and corn from a local farm.  With that amazing corn, I made Corn Chowder with Bacon adapted from Cooking Light.  It was so good!

Corn Chowder with Bacon

Ingredients:

2  bacon slices

1/2  onion, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

2 stalks of celery, chopped

2 cups of corn, cut off the cob (use the freshest, most local corn you can- it makes a difference!)

1.5 cups  skim milk

1/2 cup of cream

1/2  teaspoon  salt

1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper

3/4  cup  (3 ounces) reduced-fat shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:

Cook bacon in a Dutch oven/or pot over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; crumble and set aside. Add celery, onion and pepper and 1 cup of  corn to drippings in pan; sauté 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Place remaining corn and 1 cup milk in a blender, and process until smooth. Add pureed mixture to vegetables in pan; stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup cream, salt, black pepper, and cheese. Cook over medium heat (do not boil), stirring constantly, until cheese melts. Ladle chowder into bowls. Top each serving evenly with reserved crumbled bacon. Sprinkle with additional black pepper, if desired.

This was such delicious soup, I seriously loved it.  Fresh corn is so amazing.  You can taste such a difference between the crap you buy at the store.  With the soup I made Kale Chips and Sauteed Zuchinni's/Summer Squash Quesidillas.

I write about Kale Chips all the time and they really are some of my favorite food of all time.  The quesidillas were made with 1 zucchini and 1 summer squash diced in half and sauteed with olive oil salt and pepper.  Then I used my whole wheat flour tortillas with melted cheese to put the whole thing together. Delicious!


I am off to celebrate our 2 year Wedding Anniversary at the Capital Grille. Can't wait!