Harmony Valley CSA box #1

We got our first CSA box last week...woot woo!! Here is what was in our box: rhubarb, chives, sorrel, overwintered parsnips, sunchokes, red russian kale, asparagus, ramps,radishes,spinach, saute mix, and pussy willows. Everything has been absolutely wonderful!

I made this ramp frittata. I did not use the asparagus that the recipe called for because I was saving it for soup. Brian and I really liked this. The kiddos are somewhat selective about how they like their eggs prepared so, I just gave them a little. They thought it was alright.

Rhubarb crumb bars...yummy!! I will definitely be adding these to my rhubarb repertoire. I didn't make too many changes. I used dark brown sugar instead of light and I dusted the pan with powdered sugar instead of flour. Another tip from a friend. It is basically a butter cake on the bottom topped by rhubarb and then a delicious struesel.

This cream of asparagus and sorrel soup was unbelievable. It had a wonderful velvet like texture. The flavor was amazing, like spring. I only made a few changes. I used 1/2 cup of cream and 1/2 cup of skim milk. I also added the addition of chives at the end. Even Ian who does not care for soup loved this. He gave it two thumbs up!

Here is what our plans are for the rest of this week's box.

Baked potatoes with chives

Roasted parsnips with sweet butter sauce

Spinach salad

Sauted kale

Chili roasted sunchokes

Steak on a bed of saute mix

We are so glad that we signed up for this! We are in LOVE already! Have a great week friends!

xoxo

Rach

Happy Mother's day!

I hope that you are all having a lovely day! I just told my darling husband that I would like popcorn and DQ blizzards for supper. He said really?? Katie's response was, "It's Mother's day Mama gets whatever she wants." I always knew there was something extra special about the girl.
xoxo
Rach

Ian's first science fair

Ian participated in his first science fair this year. First graders aren't required to participate, but he insisted. Since his latest obsession has been sharks, he choose the Great White Shark as his topic. Now he knows a fount of shark facts! Way to go buddy! We are super proud of you!!

Bits of Encouragement

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:6-11

xoxo

Rachel

Birthday Bash

Brian and I celebrated our birthdays a few weeks ago. Yes, we are two days apart. Yes, I am two days older. And yes, I look much younger...he he. We were pretty low key this year, but we had fun just hanging out. I got breakfast and a song by my three favorite people.

Brian made these most amazing lamb burgers for dinner. If you like lamb, please make them! The only change he made was using hollumi cheese instead of goat cheese. The hollumi was very good, but I think goat would be great too!

Isn't the cake sooo pretty!! I just loved the spring flowers!

Buying gifts for Brian can sometimes be difficult. He had mentioned awhile back that he wanted a nice paring knife so I settled on that.

He wanted steak for his birthday. So I choose a recipe from another cookbook that I am reviewing.

Fun times!!

The Pie Queen

My in-laws came into town this weekend to take the kids on an outing. Much fun was had by all! We invited them to stay for dinner and my amazing husband made an amazing dinner.

The pie queen (my mother-in-law) brought a delicious rhubarb custard pie! She also mentioned a couple of pie tips that she recently learned from cookbook author Maida Heatter

1. Get a small cup and fill it with water and add ice. Use the ice cold water for the crust.

2. When the pie is completed lightly brush the crust with milk before baking. This will give you a nice golden brown crust.

If you are looking for ways to use up your rhubarb try this pie. The sweet custard balances nicely with the sharpness of the rhubarb.

Rhubarb Custard Pie

4 cups rhubarb

1 tsp. milk

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/3 cup flour

Pie pastry for a double crust

Blend together eggs, milk, sugar, and flour. Fold in rhubarb. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Put top crust over filling and seal edges. Make steam vents. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes then 350 for 30 minutes.

xoxo

Rachel