Monthly Archives: May 2012

Twelves Grill and What I Did With the Leftovers

Posted on May 31, 2012 by rachelocal

There’s no better way to spend an afternoon than gallivanting around the countryside with a friend. That’s just what I did Tuesday with my friend, Natalie. We took to the road to find something good and local, and ended up in West Grove, Pennsylvania at Twelves Grill and Cafe.

Twelves is an elegant restaurant housed in a renovated 1883-built bank. You can even reserve space for your own wine in the walk-in brass vault to enjoy when you inevitably make your way back to the restaurant again and again (since West Grove is a dry town, Twelves is Bring Your Own Bottle) . How convenient!

Twelves Grill and Cafe with a storm brewing overhead

The owners, Tim Smith (also the Executive Chef) and Kristin Smith (General Manager), are proud of their local community and it shows. The restaurant space was renovated using local contractors, craftsmen, and designers, but best of all, Tim and Kristin source their menu items locally as much as possible. Tim shops farmer’s markets regularly and much of their beef and meat is Pennsylvania-raised.

When Natalie and I arrived, the staff greeted us warmly. This reception perfectly matched the ambiance of the restaurant. Decorated in tones of warm gold, brown, and a touch of coral, the tables sparkled and glowed in the waning evening light.

A table already set for a birthday celebration

Happily seated and reading the menu, Natalie and I wished we were ravenous. Everything looked good–from the cheese plate with local Swarmbustin’ honey to the filet mignon medallions. We settled on a bowl of the Cream of Local Mushroom Soup. I followed my bowl of soup with the Local Farm Salad, while Natalie enjoyed the Baby Spinach Salad. The entrees passing our table on the way to a lucky diner looked comforting and oh-so-delicious. The menu boasts many “From the Grill” items, like Pocono Spring Trout, organic salmon, and a grass-fed burger with bacon from Green Meadow Farm in Gap, PA.

Natalie and I enjoyed everything about our experience at Twelves, including an unexpected surprise: Our server, Felicia, was attentive, friendly and especially delightful since Natalie and Felicia knew each other from their middle school cheerleading days.

Cream of Local Mushroom Soup with Crab and Truffle Oil

Baby Spinach Salad with green apples, dried cranberries, buttermilk bleu cheese, tossed in shallot Dijon dressing

Local Farm Salad – Grilled asparagus, arugula frise, hard-boiled farm egg, toasted chevre, and warm bacon vinaigrette

Toasted Chevre always deserves a close up

Whether you want a latte in the morning, soup and salad at lunch, or a full-course dinner followed by dessert, Twelves Grill offers it all while respecting the local community and preparing local ingredients honestly.

One of the best parts of eating at Twelves was the bag I carried home containing the rest of that silky Cream of Local Mushroom Soup. The soup was so filling and decadent, we opted for leftovers. The next night I whipped up what I’m calling Twelves Leftovers Pasta with Mushrooms, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Spinach. Here’s how:

Scanning the fridge I pulled out local spring onions, garlic, mushrooms from Kennett, and spinach fresh from my garden.

Local mushrooms

First, I put a pot of water on to boil while I sliced the spring onion and the mushrooms. The spring onion went into a pre-heated pan with a couple tablespoons of olive oil.

Beautiful spring onions

The onions sautéed for a bit while I finished chopping the mushrooms and the garlic. Into the pan went the garlic, followed by the mushrooms.

Mushrooms getting even more delicious

These ingredients mingled for a while before I tossed a couple pinches of kosher salt into the pan. Finally time for the secret ingredient–leftover Twelves’ Cream of Local Mushroom Soup. Because of the richness of this soup, it’s the perfect base for a pasta sauce. You could also use cream or half and half here (and I would add a handful of Pecorino Romano, too) if you’re not lucky enough to have any leftover soup on hand.

Creamy sauce

Wanting to build another layer of flavor into the sauce, I added a couple tablespoons of the sun-dried tomato paste waiting in the fridge for just such an occasion. And if I was going to add the paste, why not actual sun-dried tomatoes?

Sun-dried tomato paste. It comes in a tube, from Italy (sadly, Italy is not local)

Sweet and sassy sun-dried tomatoes make everything 80% more delicious

By this time, the pasta was al dente. I drained the pasta and reserved a bit of the water, just in case my sauce needed bolstering. The pasta went right into the pan. So did the spinach. I tossed all of this together and added a spoonful of the pasta water for good measure.

Local ingredients on their way to greatness

The pasta was the perfect marriage of local and Italian ingredients, especially topped with Pecorino Romano. I ate these leftovers as leftovers for lunch the next day. I can’t wait to go back to Twelves Grill to try the Prix Fixe Menu–pick three courses for $25 (served Tuesday through Thursday). I wonder what I’ll make with THOSE leftovers. . .

Twelves Leftovers Pasta with Mushrooms, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Spinach

Twelves Grill and Cafe

10 Exchange Place

West Grove, PA 19390

610.869.4020

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Categories: Recipes, Restaurant, Winter Recipes | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Community Food Drive this Saturday!

Posted on May 30, 2012 by rachelocal

For all you locals out there, join my church, Eastpoint, for a Community Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank of Delaware. Close to 242,000 Delawareans turn to emergency food assistance each year. With that in mind,  Starbucks in People’s Station (2470 Pulaski Hwy, Newark, DE 19702) kindly agreed to host the event with us. The Starbucks and Eastpoint staffs are gearing up for a big turnout. You can bring your non-perishable food donation directly to the main drop off location at Starbucks (you can even drive up–don’t even have to get out of your car!) or to any of these participating stores in People’s Plaza:

Safeway

McGlynn’s Pub

Town Hair Salon

Papa John’s Pizza

First State Garden Center

British Bell Tea Room

Home Budget Center

Hibachi Grill

La Piazza Di Caruso

Cold Stone Creamery

Applebee’s

If you have time to hang out for a bit, please do. Greg, my CSA buddy, and the band will be playing some music for us, and Valerie, gardener and artist extraordinaire, will be face painting clever designs and little works of art on anyone and everyone. If you need more info, please comment below.

Oh, and if anyone wants to donate fresh from the garden produce, I’ll be on hand to collect it. Any readers out there plant extra garden rows for their local food bank?

See you Saturday!

Categories: Gardening, Random | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment

Local Treats + Cows = Somerset Farm

Posted on May 28, 2012 by rachelocal

“Who wants a treat?”

When my dad uttered these words, my eight-year-old self would fly into a  flurry of excitement. A treat meant ice cream. And ice cream meant Peaceful Meadows, a dairy farm in Massachusetts (my homeland). Not only does Peaceful Meadows have amazing ice cream treats, but it also has cows. Lots of them to watch whilst enjoying your Coconut Chocolate Almond Hot Fudge Sundae with extra (and homemade) whipped cream.  Nothing better in the world even now that I’m all grown up.

So imagine my pure joy when pulling into Somerset Farm, an ice cream place right up the street from my house. The family-owned business serves local Woodside Farm Creamery ice cream in a very Peaceful Meadows-esque setting. Cows included.

Somerset Farm on opening weekend

Surveying the flavor board, I discovered Somerset Farm offers more than enough flavors for every family member. After a taste test, I ordered the Chocolate Thunder, which rivals brownie batter. The husband enjoyed his Chocolate Peanut Butter on a sugar cone, while my brother tried the Motor Oil (coffee ice cream with caramel and chocolate swirls). My sister-in-law dared to be different with two flavors on one cone–Chocolate Thunder with a Cookies and Cream topper. We were satisfied with our choices and the price–only $7.50 for all that creamy goodness.

So many flavors! Next time, I’m mixing it up with Cherry Vanilla and Chocolate Thunder

This is Kaila, my sister-in-law, and perhaps the cutest pregnant woman I’ve ever seen

Don’t come between a pregnant lady and her ice cream

After sitting a while enjoying our treats, we stood near the fence to watch the cows grazing in the field next door. When I have an ice cream cone in my hand, I can concentrate on little else, so cow watching is the perfect accompaniment to ice cream eating. It requires no concentration whatsoever, except for maybe the occasional staring contest with a friendly cow.

Cows grazing

We decided this cow was on his way to a rave. Why else would he be wearing such a brightly colored nose ring?

This cow stared me down

My husband seemed overly eager to take a picture of me with the cows. I soon discovered the only reason he snapped my photo was because of the Chocolate Thunder all over my face.

Chocolate Thunder lipstick, strangely reminiscent of a shade called Browned Down Red I wore in  college (I love the 90s)

Families milled about as they ate their cones, checking out the cows or finding a spot underneath the magnificent tree on the property. I felt like I was on a Southern plantation when sitting under that tree. All I needed was a hoop skirt, corset, glass of lemonade, and a genteel Southern accent.

Cow petting

This tree is beautiful, the perfect place to enjoy a treat

Exactly where I’ll be sitting next time I visit Somerset Farm

Grabbing a cone at Somerset Farm is a relaxing way to spend a summer evening. Now I know exactly where I’ll go when someone says, “Who wants a treat?”

Somerset Farm
Corner of Denny and Frazer Roads, Newark, DE 19702
Open Thursday to Sunday, 4 pm to 9 pm
302.893.6494


Categories: Delaware Farms, Local Stores | Tags: , , , , , | 14 Comments

Until Life is Gentle Again Eat Greens

Posted on May 26, 2012 by rachelocal

A few years back I survived a particularly difficult patch of life. As I was going through it, my family and friends encouraged and supported me, endlessly and patiently. I remember one encouraging gift I received from my brother and his wife–a hummingbird candle holder (I love birds of all kinds) and a card. The card was the best part, because on the inside I read these simple words: “Until life is gentle again.” That one phrase filled me with hope for a better future.

I thought of that very phrase this morning when I crawled out of bed to make coffee. As my eyes adjusted to the light and I licked my dry, cracked lips, I wanted life to be gentle again. Not because I’m going through some hardship, but simply because last night I overdid it. My friend Phil and I food shopped til we dropped. Then Phil prepared the most delicious, decadent meal and served it up with style to me, the husband and friends. The spread included lamb chops seared with some spice and herb concoction pulverized in my never-used mortar and pestle, sautéed artichoke hearts with garlic and red onion, creamy sun-dried tomato risotto, and a Caprese salad to start. This was preceded by crostini with two kinds of marinated olives, Dubliner cheese, peppadew peppers (perfect combination of sweet and heat), and caper berries.

As you know, I’m a locavore at heart. This meal was a last hurrah of sorts. I’m going strictly local in only nine days, so I figured if Phil was kind enough get his chef on in my kitchen, I couldn’t turn down bright red and spicy piquante peppers from South Africa or a drizzle of  truffle oil. White truffle oil! (I’m kicking myself for not taking photos of the delicacies on my table, but I was in the moment, enjoying good friends and drinking excellent wine, so forgive this blogging faux pas.)

As the evening waned and my friends took their families home, I realized I didn’t serve any of the ice cream Phil purchased for dessert. So I curled up on the couch and ate straight from the container. This wasn’t one of those pint-sized containers; it was an entire half-gallon and I nearly ate it all. Mind you, I haven’t eaten food this rich in a long time. Usually I eat simply, and this week I didn’t even eat much meat. I couldn’t get enough of the rare joy of those lamb chops.

Needless to say, my morning was rough. Life was not gentle. I went about my day like a champ after consuming several cups of coffee, toast, followed by iced coffee, followed by water. This evening I realized I was hungry as the leftovers whispered my name. But no, leftovers, no. Life would not be gentle again, unless I treated myself gently. I needed something nutritious, simple, and local, so I headed out to the garden to harvest some spinach and arugula. I intended to make a salad, but decided to saute it with olive oil, red pepper flakes and garlic instead. The only accompaniment was two large glasses of water. I felt revived after all those greens, but I’m not gonna lie, I hope Phil comes over again very, very soon.

Before

After

Categories: Gardening, Random, Recipes | Tags: , , , , , | 4 Comments

An Award! How Lovely!

Posted on May 24, 2012 by rachelocal

The lovely Madame Croquette  has nominated me for a One Lovely Blog Award. My first award; I’m thrilled! Thank you, Madame, for  honoring my blog as lovely! Funny thing is, often when I’m writing a post I think to myself, “Gosh, I use the word lovely a lot. I need to come up with a different adjective.” Lovely is one of my favorite words, so to be nominated for an award with lovely in the title is, you guessed it. . .lovely.

Now for the rules associated with this award:

1. Share whoever gave this award to you with a link back to their blog (above); 2. Write 7 random facts about yourself; 3. Give this award to 15 other bloggers; 4. Let them know they have won; 5. Pop the award on your blog.

Write 7 random facts about yourself . Okay, here goes:

1. I was born in Massachusetts and spent my childhood there. It’s one of my favorite places on earth.

2. I got engaged in a graveyard whilst sitting in a tree.

Me in the tree

The husband carved our initials in the tree. Aw.

3. Not sure this is a random fact, because it doesn’t feel random, but purposeful: I love Jesus and talk to God each day.

4.  My favorite cookbook right now is Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles Cookbook. I love it and Bourdain.

5. I’ve watched every single season of America’s Next Top Model and can’t get enough of it. If there’s a marathon on TV, I will watch episode after episode with no thought of food or water. (Don’t judge.)

Kahlen from Season 4 and my favorite contestant of all time. Photo credit: listal.com and most likely ANTM and maybe Tyra Banks.

6. I have a degree in Elementary Education and taught kindergarten (briefly) and first grade (even more briefly). I applaud all the teachers out there workin’ it in their classrooms every day.

7.  Given the fact I have already mentioned ANTM, this random fact will make me seem very, very shallow, but I’m okay with it: I have been watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix. Ergo, I am in love with Tim Riggins. Even the husband has said (more than once), “Tim Riggins knows how to wear a pair of jeans!” Indeed he does.

Thank you, Tim Riggins, thank you

Now for my favorite blogs. I follow many, but here are my top picks ( in no particular order)

Picking 15 blogs when there’s countless quality, useful, and lovely blogs out there seems unfair, but those are my picks nonetheless.  Now I’m off to make myself a One Lovely Blog Award t-shirt. Represent.

Categories: Random | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Strawberry Picking with the Joneses

Posted on May 23, 2012 by rachelocal

I promised Cindi Filasky I would be back to pick strawberries, so a few days ago my dear friend Phil and I headed to Middletown. I was beyond excited about this adventure because Phil has two amazing children–Sean, a charming, melt-your-heart-with-his-smile  four-year-old, and Sophie, an intoxicatingly darling (and outspoken) two-year-old. Such great ages for the wonders of strawberry picking. Combine their adorableness with the the fact that they speak with a lovely South African accent and your heart could literally explode.

My heart stops a little every time I look at them, because these blonde bundles of energy belong to Jane, my BFF. Jane left this earth for the grandness of heaven almost a year ago. I miss her terribly every single day, but I’m blessed to spend time with her favorite people–Phil, Sophie, and Sean–since they moved back to the States from South Africa a couple months ago.

My Janie (pregnant with Sean) on the night we first met

I see Jane’s personality and sparkle in her children. Sean calls me “Auntie Ray Ray,” and when he greets me I can just hear Jane saying, “Hello, BFF!” (Yes, we called each other BFF regularly, because we’re cool like that.) On strawberry picking day, Sophie congratulated me several times for finding a red strawberry, “You found a red one!” she exclaimed. “Good job!” In that moment, I saw Jane smiling and heard her say, “Well done!” over some small accomplishment I had made (extra charming with her South African accent).

The Jones family and I enjoyed our romp through the strawberry fields. I could go on and on about our adventure and explain Sean and Sophie’s delight over each strawberry picked, but a photo’s worth a thousand words, so here’s a few to commemorate our day.  Filasky’s is open most days until 7; go make some memories!

Welcome to Filasky’s

Sophie checking out her freshly picked strawberry while Phil and Sean scour the fields in the background

Sneaking a bite!

Red means ready to be picked!

Phil and Seanie evaluate a berry

Sophie and I filling up our bucket

“Wait for me!”

Sean kept saying, “Look at the size of this guy!”

Sophie found a red one!

Sweet Sophie

Strawberry fields…forever

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Local Stores | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Strawberries and More at Filasky’s

Posted on May 22, 2012 by rachelocal

I’m tempted to start this post with a Strawberry Fields Forever reference, but I won’t. (Or did I?)

Instead, I’ll start by simply saying I love Filasky’s Produce! Located in Middletown on Bunker Hill Road, Filasky’s  is more than just a place to buy fresh, local produce, it’s an experience! While driving down the long, gravel road with a strawberry field to the right, you can see the red, red berries peaking out from under their plentiful leaves.  The fields went on, well, forever. The end of the driveway leads to a bright and cheery red barn, which houses the produce for sale. The magnitude of artfully displayed flowers on the property is breathtaking–hanging baskets, potted plants and flowers of all kinds, including huge dahlias. I swear those dahlias were talking and laughing together as they swayed in the wind.

Dinner plate dahlia

Gorgeous entrance to the produce stand

Flower wagon

Once inside the barn, Cindi Filasky greeted me and my husband with a smile. “Are you here to pick strawberries?” she asked. “Not today,” I said. “But we will definitely be back. Your strawberries look gorgeous!” Cindi was pleased with this praise and assured me picking is the best right now. “You have to come back. The weather is perfect.”

We chatted for a bit about the farm and Cindi’s family. John and Cindi have been farming in New Castle County since 1981. One of their sons, John Jr,. is actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the farm. Filasky’s is a family affair!

Cindi Filasky

Taking a quick look around the barn I found locally grown asparagus, radishes and mushrooms. Not to mention other goodies like baby red potatoes, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and all sorts of jams and butters. In season, the Filaskys grow strawberries, corn, green beans, cantaloupes, watermelons, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins and more. They also provide local options not grown on the property like that beautiful asparagus, peaches, lima beans, potatoes, blueberries, apples, and greens. It’s like local heaven!

Strawberries!

Pear butter from Maryland

I gathered up an assortment of veggies, plus some shortcake and strawberry jam. Since this is Filasky’s, you must purchase strawberries as well. I grabbed a whole bucket full. I even purchased the bucket for a dollar and promised Cindi I would be back to fill it with her beautiful strawberries.

The husband and I left Filasky’s overflowing with local products, including Woodside Farm Creamery Ice Cream. Cindi keeps spoons at the register, so we dug in before we even made it back down the long, gravel road.

I helped preserve their farm. Yay me! (And yay Filasky’s for providing so many local and fresh options.)

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Local Farms, Local Stores | Tags: , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Day 136--Health Data and Arugula Pesto

Posted on May 19, 2012 by rachelocal

Reblogged from yearofhealthierliving:

We have been on our family locavore journey for almost six months now. We feel better, have more energy and we are enjoying our food! So I was very interested to see what my doctor would have to say at my annual physical last week. Last year, she gave me a little warning that at 204, my cholesterol was high for the first time ever, and that I had gained about six pounds in the previous year.

Read more… 332 more words

I've shared yearofhealthierliving's blog before. Everything she says in this post is exactly how I feel! I haven't had any blood tests or doctor visits, but I have trimmed up a bit and generally feel better since adding local, organic, non-processed foods to my daily diet. Here's more proof that eating REAL food makes for a happier and healthier you (and me)! Now I'm off to gather some arugula from my garden to make this yummy-sounding pesto.
Categories: Random | Leave a comment

8 Step Guide to Planting Tomatoes

Posted on May 18, 2012 by rachelocal

It seems as if everything’s come full circle for me. If you remember, I started my local experiment due to a mind-blowing cherry tomato from John’s Farmer’s Market. Almost a year later, I find myself in John’s backyard helping him plant those very tomatoes. See, full circle.

Here’s how we did it, step by step.

Step 1 – Dig Holes.

(This is, of course after you’ve tilled your plot and made sure your soil is suitable for planting by checking pH levels, etc. Or just throw some gardening soil in a pot and dig your hole there.)

John dug the holes, about six to eight inches deep, sixteen per row and a little over a foot apart.

Step 2 – Add Food to the Soil.

As John dug, I followed behind him and dropped a few handfuls of garden tone and garden lime into each hole. John figures the lime will help with a common tomato problem: the dreaded Blossom End Rot, which happens when the tomato develops a sunken brown or black spot on its bottom and is inedible. BER (as it’s known in the gardening community) is the result of low calcium. John and I hope the lime adds calcium and prevents BER.

A generous handful of garden lime and garden tone go into the newly dug hole

Step 3 – Mix the Food into the Soil.

Once the holes were dug and the extras added, John showed me how to incorporate the fertilizer and lime into the soil. Basically, the shovel acted as a big spoon and we mixed it all together.

Feeding the soil to give the plants a good shot at flourishing

Step 4 – Add Compost.

(Skip this step if you are not a fastidious compost maker like John. His compost is the result of months of kitchen scrap saving and hard work.)

Taking the wheelbarrow down the rows, we filled each hole with the rich, dark compost.

Neat rows of composted tomato plant holes

Step 5 – Separate the Tomato Plants.

(Skip this step if you have grown your own seedlings that don’t need separating. Obviously.)

John showed me how to separate the plants, being careful with the roots. John’s plants came from Lancaster County, PA. He got a bunch of them for only around $33.00! What a deal! This is what’s so exciting about gardening; the best tasting food for the absolute lowest price (if we don’t count the countless hours spent planting, weeding, harvesting and generally caring for each plant).

Carefully separate each plant

Step 6 –  Plant the Plants!

John and I placed a plant next to each hole. I started at one end and he started at the other. We dug into the compost and soil and gently placed the plant in its new home, lightly  tamping down the soil around it to give the delicate plant a firm foundation.

Ready for planting!

Tamping down the soil around the tiny plant

Step 7 – Put the  Soil Back.

I raked the dirt left over from John’s digging over the bottom of  each plant, mounding it up a little to prevent a gust of wind from blowing it completely over. When doing this step, make sure each leaf is above the soil. Don’t bury any of those leaves!

Step 8 – Give the Plant Some Manure Tea.

Yup, there’s such a thing as manure tea, and it’s not pretty. John makes it by placing horse manure in a large container of water. While it’s not an appealing item to have sitting in your back yard, manure tea is yet another way John gives nutrients to the soil. You know what else isn’t appealing? Having manure tea underneath your finger nails because you stuck your hand in it while filling up a water pitcher. It’s even less fun to spill it all over the sleeve of your sweatshirt.

Despite the lack of appeal, we doused each plant generously with manure tea.

Horse manure + water = Manure tea.

And that’s it! Now we wait. Luckily, we had a generous amount of rain in Delaware last week. I was at John’s garden a couple days ago and the plants are flourishing! The broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and potatoes are tall and getting so leafy. The strawberries are starting to bear fruit! The rain also brought plenty of weeds with it, so I’ll learn the fine art of weed pulling from John next week.

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Gardening | Tags: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

50 Post Thai Coconut Turkey

Posted on May 16, 2012 by rachelocal

Monday I hit a blogging milestone. Fifty posts! In celebration, I decided to cook one of my favorite dishes. Off to the store I went to buy coconut milk and diced tomatoes. Everything else waited for me in the pantry and fridge. I know what you’re thinking. . .coconut milk and store-bought canned tomatoes are NOT LOCAL. This is true. BUT if you notice the countdown on the right, I am not going strictly local for 19 more days. Until then I am eating local as best I can. Many local items went into my cast iron pot tonight, including local turkey. I usually use chicken, but when all was simmered and sauced, I liked the turkey better; the flavor was deeper and more robust.

I was VERY PROUD to use my own cilantro as a garnish for this dish. Walked right out to the deck and clipped it just before serving. I can’t begin to explain to you the satisfaction I felt while gathering those tiny leaves from their pretty pot. I felt. . .accomplished. Sounds silly, but that cilantro is a goal realized, just like 50 posts feels like a job well done. While assembling the first 50 posts, I planted a garden, made new friends, met with shop and restaurant owners with a commitment to local foods, ate hyper-local salads (walked outside and picked the ingredients; can’t get much more local than that), discussed food issues with complete strangers, learned what a GMO is, banned GMOs from my house, lost a few pounds (all those salads), watched at least eight food documentaries, and discovered what it means to eat REAL food. I’m excited to see what the next 50 posts bring me!

50 Post Thai Coconut Turkey

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 turkey legs

2 turkey thighs

Kosher salt and pepper

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 medium onion, sliced

8 oz. white mushrooms, sliced thickly

2 carrots, peeled and sliced (or julienned if you want to be fancy)

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons curry powder

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 cup chicken broth (you can also use water; it works fine)

2 14 ounce cans diced tomatoes

2 14 ounce cans coconut milk (substitute 14 ounces chicken stock if all that coconut milk scares you)

8 ounces green beans, cut into bite-sized pieces

Juice of one lime

Handful of cilantro for serving

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Salt and pepper the turkey legs liberally. Sear the turkey legs on each side, about four minutes, working in batches.

Browning Turkey

Remove the seared turkey to a plate for the time being. Pour the chicken broth in the pot, being sure to scrape up the yummy bits on the bottom with a wooden spoon. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, onion, carrots, mushrooms, curry powder, smoked paprika, and fish sauce.

Spices go in

Cook for a couple of minutes, while stirring. Add the diced tomatoes and coconut milk. Bring to a boil. Taste for salt. Add either kosher salt or fish sauce, whatever you prefer (if needed).

Yellow pot o’ kosher salt – my favorite kitchen accessory

Return the turkey to the pot and simmer for at least one hour or until the meat is pulling away from the bone.

Turkey, simmering away in its coconut bath

Now add the green beans and cook until green beans are tender but still crisp. Stir in the lime juice. Ladle over brown rice, choosing a thigh or a leg. Garnish with cilantro. If you want to remove the turkey from the bone and add it back to the pot, feel free. The basic sauce can be spiced up, spiced down and combined with any other vegetables and  protein. Be creative and enjoy!

50 Post Thai Coconut Turkey

What did all the bloggers out there learn after 50 posts? 

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Gardening, Recipes, Spring Recipes, Winter Recipes | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

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