Carrot and Parsley Salad

2-1/2 c. shredded carrot

2-1/2 c. chopped parley or parsley plus some cilantro leaves

 

Dressing:

3 T. olive oil

1 small clove garlic, pressed or minced

½ tsp. salt or to taste

2 T. fresh lemon juice

Pinch of cayenne (optional)

 

Place carrots and parsley in a serving bowl and set aside.  Mix up the dressing ingredients and pour over the carrot mixture.  Toss well and serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Napa Cabbage Slaw

1/4 cup rice vinegar (not seasoned)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon grated peeled ginger
2 tablespoons toasted sesame or vegetable oil
1 fresh serrano chile, finely chopped, with seeds
1 small head Napa cabbage (1 1/2 pounds), cored and cut crosswise into very narrow slices
1 bunch scallions, sliced 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro

Whisk together vinegar, sugar, ginger, oil, chile, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add remaining ingredients and toss well. Let stand, tossing occasionally, 10 minutes.

Braised Greens

1 bunch braising greens (or any greens) 

1 T. butter or olive oil
A few thinly sliced onions
2 cloves garlic, chopped 

1 cup stock, wine, or other liquid
2 T. Vinegar 

Place the butter or oil in a heavy skillet with a tight fitting lid and heat over medium heat. 

Add onions and cook for 5 minutes or so until slightly softened. Add garlic and cook for additional 2 minutes. 

Add greens to the pan and pour over the stock/wine/liquid. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes or so. Make sure the pan doesn’t boil dry. Add more liquid if necessary. Greens are ready when they are completely tender. 

Add vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, stir once and remove the greens to serve. 

If you want, you can then cook the remaining liquid down to a glaze consistency to drizzle back over the greens. 

 

Chinese Radish Salad

12 trimmed radishes (~7 oz) or spring turnips
2 Tbsp plus 1 tsp Chinese light soy sauce
1 Tbsp distilled white vinegar (rice vinegar would be okay too) 
1 tsp sugar
1/2 garlic clove lightly mashed, but left whole
3/4 tsp toasted sesame oil 

Hit each radish with a potato masher or heavy cleaver (or something similar) to crush it lightly. A few pieces may fly off, but the radishes must stay whole. Put the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic and sesame oil in a bowl and mix well. Add the radishes and mix again. This salad may be served immediately or kept refrigerated in a closed jar for up to 2 weeks. This salad is also EXCELLENT with the spring turnips we have been receiving in our CSA. From Madhur Jaffrey's "World Vegetarian"

Creamy Spiced Kale

 

1 bunch kale (or other sturdy leafy greens)
2 teaspoons Ras el Hanout
2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
pinch salt
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/2 cup coconut milk

Wash the greens and remove the stems with the tip of a sharp knife. Roughly chop or tear the leaves. Unlike salad greens, you want to let a little water cling to tough braising greens. The water droplets turn to steam in the pan and tenderize the leaves.

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, then toss in about half the greens. Stir them with a wooden spoon until they begin to wilt, then add the rest of the greens. Stir then cover with a lid.

In a small bowl, mix the Ras el Hanout, garlic, and salt with a fork. 

When the leaves are dark green and beginning to wilt, remove the lid and let any remaining water evaporate. When the pan is mostly dry, pus the leaves to the side and add the coconut oil. Let the oil heat, then pour the spices directly into the pool of oil to release their fragrance (and flavor), about 20 seconds.

Pour the coconut milk into the pan, stirring to combine the greens, seasonings, and milk. (Be careful that the spices spread out and don't stay in one clump). Saute until the sauce begins to thicken and your nose is delighted by the aroma.