Greens & Goat Cheese Quiche Tart

As I aim to become more conscious of the food I consume, I'm having fun finding different ways to incorporate local goods into complete dishes and meals. This recipe is a case in point! With exception for the olive oil, salt, and pepper, all of the following ingredients were grown or produced in New England, and many were picked up right at the farm. I used a combination of beet greens and spinach, but Swiss chard or kale would also work just as well. For anyone with a few garlic scapes still kicking around your fridge or garden- these, too, can be substituted for or used in addition to scallion or onion.

For more information on where you can find locally-grown and produced goods perhaps not available through your CSA or local farmers market, such as particular pick-your-own crops and dry storage items, I suggest using this website to seek out farms or retailers specializing in these items.

 

Greens & Goat Cheese Quiche Tart
Makes one 9" tart

Ingredients:

For the tart shell:

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp dried basil (optional)
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup ice water, strained

For the quiche filling:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 bunch scallions or 3 bunching onions, sliced into rounds (about 3/4 to 1 scant cup)
• 1/2 bulb fennel, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 lb greens, chopped (a great way to use those oft' composted beet greens!)
• a small handful of basil leaves, chiffonade sliced (about 1/4 cup, loosely filled)
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tbsp milk or heavy cream
• 4 oz goat cheese (or your preferred cheese; gouda seems like a great fit, too!)
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and dried basil. Add cold butter, chopped into large chunks, and work into dry ingredients using a pastry cutter until you have a shaggy-looking dough with pieces no larger than English peas. Quickly drizzle in the ice water and stir to combine. At this point, the dough should stick together when you pinch a bit of it between your fingers; if it is still very dry and crumbly, add more ice water, tablespoon by tablespoon, until this is achieved. Turn out the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap, using the wrap to help you create a large, flat disk of dough (fold the edges of the dough toward the center and press down to smooth out any roughness). Refridgerate the dough for one hour or put it in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the fennel and scallion or onion until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the greens, with salt and pepper to taste, and cook until wilted and tender, about 5-8 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the basil, stirring to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk or cream, and goat cheese; season with salt and pepper.

Remove the dough from the fridge and roll out into an 12 inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Fold the overhanging edge down inside the tart pan, pressing gently to help it adhere. Using tongs, evenly distribute the greens filling in the tart shell, then pour in the egg mixture, gently tilting the tart pan to ensure an even spread. Bake in an oven preheated to 375 degrees F until the crust is golden and the filling is set, about 35-40 minutes. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

 Great served for breakfast, brunch, or a picnic dinner.

Rebekah

Images by Rebekah Carter (2012). Recipe adapted from Flour Arrangements.

CSA Salad with Carrot-Ginger Dressing

CSA distributions have begun, and we all know what that means in New England: greens! And loads of cruciferous roots, stems, and leaves, too. While many of these items are delicious sauteed, stir-fried, and roasted, I prefer to eat them in their raw state when temperatures linger in the upper 80's/low 90's, much like they have this week. Here's a suggestion for a CSA-inspired salad with a refreshing and robust carrot-ginger dressing.

CSA Salad
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients:

• 6 cups salad greens, such as chopped head lettuce, spinach, or arugula
• 2 cups Asian greens, such as chopped mustard greens, kale, bok choy, or cabbage
• 1 kohlrabi, julienne-sliced
• 4 radishes or 2 turnips, thinly-sliced
• 1 cup sugar snap or snow peas, tops and strings removed
• Garnish of scallions, thinly-sliced

Directions:
Wash, chop, and (salad) spin greens. Wash and prep other vegetables as indicated. Combine and gently toss greens and kohlrabi with carrot-ginger dressing or preferred dressing; garnish with radish/turnip slices, peas, and scallions.

Carrot-Ginger Dressing
Makes about 1 1/2 cups or more

Ingredients:

• 4 medium carrots, roughly chopped
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1-2 tbsp garlic scape, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1/4 cup oil (I used walnut oil)

Directions:

Place all ingredients except oil in a blender or food processor; process until finely chopped. Slowly add the oil and continue processing until smooth; add water to thin, if desired. The dressing can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.

Rebekah

Images by Rebekah Carter (2012). Dressing recipe slightly adapted from The Kitchn.

Cooking with Greens

It's official: the CSA and farmers market season in Massachusetts is finally here! With New England's summer bounty finally making its way out of fertile plots and into the hands (and reusable bags) of northeastern residents, one question remains: what do I do with all these greens? Well, quite simply, many things! Sauteed or stir-fried, baked or raw, there are endless possibilities when it comes to consuming your greens. Below are some ideas about how to include more of these super-nutritious leafy vegetables in your diet.

Breakfast:

Greens in the morning? Why not! I'm a big fan of sauteing hearty greens like kale or the more tender Swiss chard with fresh garlic or onions, some olive oil or butter, and a splash of a lemon juice or vinegar (white, cider, red wine, balsamic... they all work well depending on the flavor you are trying to achieve). Boost the flavor by adding some cumin seeds or powder and a sprinkle of red pepper flake for a touch of heat. Or fold in some Parmesan cheese as a final step in your sauteed creation. Serve it with some eggs and pan-fried potatoes (bake potato, sliced + garlic powder + paprika) and you have a complete meal. Ribbon-sliced spinach and chard make wonderful additions to any omelet or quiche; saute them first in order to draw out water, thereby preventing your egg dish from being soupy.

Lunch:

Raw greens, in a salad with freshly-picked radishes, salad turnips, and scallions, make for a light and local midday meal. Late spring and early summer are "the salad days," as they say, so enjoy those tender lettuces, spinach, and arugula with a light vinaigrette made from whisked olive oil, lemon juice, and finely-chopped garlic scapes (VERY limited season so get 'em now!) or scallions with salt and fresh-ground pepper to taste. If lemons aren't your favorite, use balsamic or red wine vinegar instead; keep in mind that a basic vinaigrette calls for 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil (I add a little dab of Dijon mustard, too). Add roasted beets, apple or pear slices, nuts, seeds, and goat cheese to really bulk things up!

Dinner:

Stir frying your greens with fresh veggies is another quick and simple way to increase the nutrient content of your meals. Asian greens, such as bok choy, tatsoi, and mustard greens, mixed with thickly-sliced mushrooms, celery, peppers, julienne carrots and alliums, can be hit with some soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a light drizzle of sesame oil, making for a delicious supper (I finish with the sesame for flavor but initially use another cooking oil, such as olive or canola oil, for the actual stir-frying). Another favorite of mine: replace the sesame oil with red curry paste, basil (Thai if available), and red pepper flake for some southeast Asian flavor; a generous splash of coconut milk and a touch of lime juice take it to the next level.


Go Mediterranean style with your kale, Swiss chard, and spinach by sauteing these greens with garlic or onion, fresh herbs like marjoram, thyme, and basil, thinly-sliced fennel, and mushrooms with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice. Tomatoes, whether fresh, sundried, or canned, and shaved Parmesan make excellent additions as well. Finely-chopped greens folded into tomato sauce is another way to feed even the pickiest of eaters a healthy dose of these nutrient-rich vegetables.

Snack:

Kale chips can be a big hit even with picky eaters who tend to pass on greens. Heat your oven to 400 degrees F; wash, dry, and de-stem a bunch of kale (or Swiss chard) and cut or tear into large pieces. Drizzle about 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large bowl and add the kale; toss so that the greens become lightly coated. Transfer greens to cookie sheets (single layer of kale or chard to ensure proper roasting) and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 10 minutes or until the pieces are crisp. Feel free to try other seasonings like garlic or onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, vinegar, or sesame oil.

Why are greens so good for me?

Your diet should include all colors of the rainbow; eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, both raw and cooked, every day is key to achieving optimal health. Leafy greens are extra special, though, as they are packed with many essential vitamins (A, C, K, folate) and minerals (calcium, potassium, iron), fiber (soluble and insoluble for cholesterol reduction and regularity), and antioxidants that help repair and prevent damage caused by free radicals that promote aging and chronic disease.

Rebekah

Images by Rebekah Carter (2011).

For additional advice on cooking greens or other vegetables, leave a comment on this post, contact Rebekah, or check out suggestions by Waltham Fields.