Farmer's Market Bowls

For a week this summer we had the honor of hosting my niece, who visited all the way from Los Angeles. Since we decided it would be best if we met halfway to pick her up, we also scoured the internets for a delicious place to stop and grab a bite. We found a place that offered "Farmer's Market" bowls that were a variety of organic, locally grown mixed veggies.

My niece overlooking Fisherman's Wharf

It was good. But it was essentially steamed veggies and a bit of mashed potato. I really liked the presentation of it, but it was lacking something and after a few weeks, I finally figured out what it was: sauce. So here's my tastier, upgraded version of the Farmer's Market bowl.



You'll need, for each person:

1 beet, washed and ends cut off
1 large red potato, washed
1 small bunch (about 3 stalks) of baby broccoli

1 batch of tahini sauce.

Steam the beet(s) and the potato(es) in seperate containers for about 40 minutes, or until soft when pricked with a fork.

Place the broccoli into one of the steaming pans (on top of which ever vegetable is already in there) cover and cook about 2 more minutes.

Remove the beet(s) from the pan with tongs and run under cold water. The skin should slip off easily. Place back in the hot water while you deal with your potatoes.

Mash the potato with a teaspoon of butter, until soft and mixed. (I like to leave the skin on potatoes, but that's a personal decision).

Then place the potatoes, the beets and the broccoli in a bowl and top with tahini. Enjoy!

Cabbage and Cucumber Salad with Tahini Sauce

In the early morning hours, when I'm stealthily getting ready for class while the rest of my family is still sleeping, I enjoy the quietness of the house. In a large family, someone is always talking or needing attention, and these small moments of being alone are like a sanctuary for me.

I just started reading Planet Walker, a book about a man who didn't speak or ride in cars, in an effort to bring around awareness of environmental issues, for the better part of 2 decades. He stopped talking, he recalls later, because he needed to do more listening.

It's funny how much we, as a species, communicate verbally without being clear and without really listening to each other. This is what I'm thinking about today as I head out to teach my morning class.


On another note, this recipe is from last night's dinner. Crispy and fresh, with the sweetness of the cabbage and the tanginess of the tahini, perfect for summer. I have been using this tahini sauce a lot lately, and you're going to see it used in a few more recipes over the next week or so. So make a big batch and stick it in the fridge, it pairs well with sandwiches, salads and beans.

Ingredients:

1/2 of a head of green cabbage, chopped

2 cucumbers, sliced

1 cup of cherry tomatoes

dried dill, for garnish

Tahini Sauce:

equal parts tahini and water

juice of one lemon

salt and pepper to taste

2 cloves of garlic, minced

Combine the tahini, water, lemon, salt, pepper and garlic in a bowl and whisk together. Adjust water as necessary.

Layer the cabbage and the cucumbers and top with cherry tomatoes. Drizzle the tahini sauce on top and sprinkle with dried dill.

Vegan Kale "Yummy Bowls" with Red Pepper Miso and Garlic Tahini.

Choose your favorite grain, bean and vegetables and make your own yummy bowl!

Ingredients
Bowl:
1.5 cups of grain, such as rice, quinoa, bulgur or couscous
2.5 cups water or broth
1 onion, chopped
1 cup mixed vegetables of your choice ( I used green beans and yellow squash)
1/2 cup beans, such as garbanzo, black bean, or lentil
2 tbsp miso paste


Combine all of the ingredients except the miso in a stockpot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until all of the liquid is absorbed.  Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp Red Pepper Miso paste such as:

Tahini Sauce:
Meanwhile, in a food processor combine: 1/2 cup tahini, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 cup lemon juice and 2 tbsp olive oil. Blend until smooth.

Next assemble your bowl: ladle the grain and bean mixture into your bowl. Top with steamed kale, tahini sauce and a shake or two of hot chili oil. You might try this one:

Enjoy!