The Daily Grind, Chop and Fry

“Spring produce” doesn’t mean the same thing for all of us; it varies depending on where we live. In the southern half of the US and some parts creeping north, some cool weather crops like greens are coming up in home gardens now, and are showing up in the stores looking perky and costing less. As spring crawls its way up the map, it is time to freshen up our menus. I’m starting with Week Two. The other weeks are next, and I’m hoping to add a fourth week for variety.

Day One – Can be Vegan if yams are baked
Baked Tofu with Miso Ginger Sauce
Buttermilk Whipped Yams
Steamed Vegetable

Day Two
White Bean and Fennel Gratin
Steamed Rice (or another grain)
Fresh or frozen peas

Day Three – Vegan
Spicy Sesame Peanut Noodles
Carrot Ginger Soup

Day Four
My Sister’s Squash Chili
Delicious Corn Bread

Day Five – Vegan
Green Goddess Rice Bowl

Download Shopping List or to view in browser….

Shopping List

Produce

1 large onion
2 head garlic
3 yellow onions
ginger root
1 bulb fennel
1 head broccoli
1 head bok choy
1 bunch Swiss chard
1 bunch green kale
1 green and 1 red pepper
celery
Peas, fresh or frozen
2 green onions
parsley
lemon
3 lemon (sub brown rice vinegar for ½ lemon optional)
1 lime
carrots (about 1¾ pounds)
Ginger root
3 yams
butternut squash (fresh, canned or frozen)

Pantry

soy sauce
sesame oil
Mirin
nori
5.5 oz. can coconut milk
15 oz. white beans – Great Northern or Lima
3 or 4 cans dark red kidney beans – two cans
3 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 large (14-oz) can crushed whole tomatoes
1 sm can roma tomatoes,chopped
1/2 pound linguini
Hot sauce – optional
Rice
olive oil
yellow corn meal
unbleached white flour
baking powder
baking soda
ginger powder
chili powder
bay leaves
cayenne pepper
fresh nutmeg
sesame seeds
Tahini
peanut butter
sunflower seeds
Honey or agave nectar

Dairy

14 oz firm tofu per 3 persons
orange juice
Buttermilk
butter
1 egg
gruyere cheese

Misc.

White or yellow miso
2 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs (preferably from a baguette)
white pickled ginger