By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
It’s almost September, so many local farm markets are getting smaller or even closing for the winter. It’s the perfect time to utilize this awesome community resource, and serve up the freshest food. Here are six recipes you can make that include ingredients fresh and available this time of year:
1. Homemade Marinara Sauce
Making homemade pasta sauce will spice up your dinner. You can create a rich, citrusy flavor at home, in your kitchen. All it takes is a couple of hours, and lots of tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- 12 medium to large tomatoes
- 7 cloves of garlic, diced
- Handfuls of fresh basil, parsley and oregano
- A dash of salt
- A dash of pepper
- ½ cup of lemon juice
- A dash of red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp of olive oil
- ½ cup of dry white wine
Chop tomatoes in large, thick chunks and strain them to remove seeds.
In a large pot, pour olive oil inside and turn on medium heat. Once the oil warms, add diced garlic.
Once the garlic has browned, add white wine. Let reduce for five minutes.
Add tomatoes, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cove, and let simmer for three hours.
Once the sauce has become thick and smells savory, add herbs. Stir and turn off heat. Serve over cooked pasta or on a meatball hoagie.
2. Goat Cheese Peppers
This fresh take on stuffed peppers makes for the perfect appetizer. It’s spicy and creamy and fresh. And it only takes 30 minutes to make!
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces of goat cheese
- 10 poblano or jalapeno peppers
- Salt and pepper to taste
Clean peppers thoroughly. Cut them in half vertically and remove seeds. Place on a non-stick sheet pan.
Scoop goat cheese into pepper halves. Add salt and pepper. Place in a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes. Allow cool and serve. Enjoy!
3. Lemon Blueberry Cake
This sweet treat serves up tart tastes. It’s moist and buttery and covered in buttercream frosting.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- 1 tsp of salt
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup of canola oil
- 3 tbsp of butter, softened
- Zest of three lemons
- ½ cup of lemon juice
- ¾ cup of blueberries
For Frosting:
- 1 small container of cream cheese
- ½ cup of powdered sugar
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- 2 tsp of vanilla extract
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.
In a stand mixer, combine on medium speed eggs, sugar, butter, lemon juice, and oil. Slowly add dry ingredients into the wet mix.
Stir in zest and blueberries and pour in a nonstick cake pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes.
While the cake is in the oven, in a stand mixer, combine powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar on medium speed until the frosting is thick.
Remove cake from the oven after 35 minutes. Allow to cool in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Once cooled, frost cake and serve.
4. Farm-Fresh Buddha Bowl
Looking for an easier way to sneak in some veggies? Combine a grain, some protein and veggies to create a satisfying meal everyone can love.
Ingredients:
- Protein of choice (shrimp, chicken, or chickpeas work great)
- Grain of choice (quinoa, rice, or noodles)
- Veggies of choice (roasted carrots, radish, microgreens, cucumber)
- Spices of choice (paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, soy sauce)
In a saute pan, sear protein of choice. If you are going for beans, rinse them well, hydrate them (if needed), and cook in a saucepan over medium heat for 10 minutes.
On a sheet pan, cut and roast veggies for 30-50 minutes depending on the density of the vegetable. Add salt for extra flavor!
Use the cooktop to make grain of choice. If you are deciding on rice, quinoa or noodles, cook over medium heat in a pt full of salty water. Cook as directed on the box.
In a serving bowl, add cooked grain, veggies, and protein. Cover in spices and flavorings (such as lemon juice, hot sauce, or crispy onions). Eat and enjoy!
5. Oatmeal with Farm Favorites
This breakfast classic goes great with almost anything. So scour your market and pick up some great add-ons to this starchy meal.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of steel-cut oats
- ½ cup of milk of choice
- Add-ons of your choice (nut butter, bananas, diced apple, cinnamon)
In a saucepan over medium heat, add oats and milk. Stir until thick and creamy.
Pour mixture in a serving bowl. Add additional ingredients for flavor and enjoy this warm and comforting dish.
6. Frozen Lemonade
Beat the summer heat with this refreshing drink. Add unique flavors to make your mix stand out.
Ingredients:
- 12 lemons, juiced
- 2 cups of water
- 2 cups of ice
- 1 cup of sugar
- Add-ons of choice (ginger, raspberries, strawberries, orange zest)
Juice lemons and pour into a pitcher. Combine with water and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Add additional ingredients and stir.
Pour mixture into a blender with ice. Blend until thick and frosty.
Enjoy with a fun garnish like a lemon wheel, lime rind, or inside a watermelon!
