Spring Sheet Pan

Ingredients

1 bunch asparagus, washed and trimmed

3 stalks green garlic, washed, ends trimmed, and diced

1 shallot, thinly sliced

¼ cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes

Salt and pepper, to taste

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

2 tablespoons oil (canola, oil from sun-dried tomatoes, or olive oil)

4 pre-cooked sausages, sliced (or another protein of choice: beans or cubed tofu could work too!)

2 cups pasta of choice, cooked according to package instructions (could also serve with roasted potatoes, rice, or crusty bread)

2 tablespoons salted butter

¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Balsamic glaze, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Fill a large pot with water and salt generously. Place over medium-heat, and slowly bring to a boil.

3. Add prepared asparagus, green garlic, shallot, and sun-dried tomatoes to the baking sheet.

4. Drizzle oil over top, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).

5. Add sliced sausages to the baking sheet as well, mixing evenly with the vegetables.

6. Place the baking sheet in the pre-heated oven and bake for 20 minutes.

7. While the veggies and sausages bake, prepare the pasta. About halfway through the baking time, add the pasta and bake according to the package directions.

8. Once finished, drain the pasta, and add the butter. Stir until melted, then add the Parmesan cheese.

9. Remove the sheet pan from the oven and serve roasted vegetables and sausage on top of a bed of pasta. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and enjoy!

Recipe developed and photographed by on-farm Registered Dietitian Alex Chesney

Rhubarb Vanilla Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

Crust

2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 tablespoon white sugar

Cheesecake Filling

1 8-ounce block full-fat cream cheese, softened

¼ cup white sugar

¼ cup sour cream, at room temperature

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 egg, at room temperature

Rhubarb Topping

4 stems rhubarb, very thinly sliced on a diagonal (~ ¼ inch thick)

¼ cup white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. Combine all crust ingredients in a medium bowl. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Place in the oven and pre-bake for 5 minutes.

3. Combine sliced rhubarb with white sugar and vanilla and mix until pieces of rhubarb are fully coated.Allow to sit while you complete the rest of the recipe.

4. Next, place the cream cheese and white sugar in a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.

5. Add the sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon juice, then beat again until fully combined.

6. Next, add the egg and beat until just combined. Batter will be thick!

7. Pour half of the batter into the pan and carefully spread to cover the crust.

8. Add slices of rhubarb on top of the batter, until the entire pan is covered.

9. Pour the remaining batter into the pan, smooth again to cover the first layer of rhubarb.

10. Add a second layer of rhubarb to the top.

11. By now the sugar and vanilla that coated the rhubarb will be liquefied. Pour the remaining sugar liquid overtop of the rhubarb and cheesecake.

12. Place the prepared pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, until the cheesecake is set and the rhubarb slices are softened.

13. Transfer the pan to a wire rack on the counter and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.

14. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours.

15. Once chilled, use a sharp knife to slice the cheesecake into bars or squares.

Recipe developed and photographed by on-farm Registered Dietitian Alex Chesney

Asparagus & Green Garlic Ricotta Pasta

Ingredients

1 lb asparagus, washed and snapped

1 tablespoon olive oil

Spices of choice: garlic powder & paprika

4 stalks green garlic, greens trimmed slightly, diced

2 cups mushrooms, sliced

1 tablespoon butter

½teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 cups pasta of choice (I used whole wheat rotini)

1 cup ricotta

¼ cup milk

¼ cup parmesan cheese

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 cup cooked & shredded chicken (optional or use protein of choice!)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°.

2. Toss asparagus in oil, then season generously with spices of choice. I went with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

3. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. When the oven is preheated, transfer the asparagus to the oven and set a timer for 20 minutes.

4. Next, put a large pot of salted water on the stove and bring to a boil.

5. While the asparagus bakes, melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook until mushrooms are softened and browned, and moisture is evaporated. Try to keep the mushrooms spread out and avoid over-stirring. Season with salt and pepper and add the red pepper flakes.

6. Once the mushrooms are browned, add the balsamic vinegar. Cook until evaporated. Reduce heat to low and keep warm.

7. By now the water should be boiling. Transfer your pasta to the water and cook according to package instructions.

8. Now, make your sauce! Whisk together ricotta, milk, and parmesan cheese in a small saucepan until steaming, but don’t bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper.

9. Once pasta is cooked, drain and pour in the sauce, stirring until coated.

10. Top with roasted asparagus and shredded chicken (and a little more parmesan for good measure) and enjoy!

Recipe developed and photographed by on-farm Registered Dietitian Alex Chesney

Rhubarb Lemon Curd

Ingredients

½ cup lemon juice

4 cups rhubarb, roughly chopped

2 cups water

Zest from one lemon

1 large egg

2 large egg yolks

1/4 cup granulated sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Begin by making the rhubarb juice: place chopped rhubarb and water in a medium-sized pan over medium heat. Cook until the rhubarb is softened, and juices are released. Strain the mixture into a small bowl. Keep the pulp for use in muffins or mix with honey for a perfect yogurt topping!

2. Transfer the rhubarb juice to a measuring cup to cool and stir in the lemon juice and zest.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, yolks, and sugar. When the juice has cooled to room temperature, whisk it into the egg mixture in a steady stream.

4. Set a clean bowl with a strainer over the top next to the stove.

5. Pour the egg and juice mixture back into your small saucepan and set it over medium heat. Stir slowly but constantly until the mixture has thickened to a pudding-like consistency — about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture is 180°F.

6. Strain the mixture into the clean bowl to remove the zest and any bits of cooked egg. Stir in the butter and the pinch of salt while the curd is still warm. Mix until smooth. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

7. Use this curd on top of French toast, as a filling for crepes or a tart, stirred into yogurt, and more!  There are so many options.

Recipe modified from thekitchn.com by Alex Chesney, RD

Sauteed Shrimp with Green Garlic

Ingredients

1 lb. raw shrimp, peeled

3-4 stalks green garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

1. Combine the shrimp with garlic, oil, and spices. Let sit for 10 minutes or so.

2. Heat an additional dollop of olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

3. Add the seasoned shrimp (be sure to scrape in all the bits of garlic) and cook, stirring frequently, for 10-15 minutes.

4. The green garlic will soften and caramelize (that’s when you know it’s ready!).

5. Serve with noodles of your choice, and a side of asparagus. Voila!

Recipe developed and photographed by on-farm Registered Dietitian Alex Chesney

Roasted Rhubarb Ricotta Toast

This recipe is like cheesecake on toast: tangy, sweet, and delicious! The ricotta give you a dose of protein, and rhubarb and whole grain toast offer up fibre, making for a super satisfying breakfast or snack. Roasting the rhubarb adds a unique depth to its flavour, especially when paired with flavours from honey, vanilla, and orange zest. We used our very own Melon Blossom Honey of course, but whatever you have on hand would work! Alternatively, you could swap it out for maple syrup. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

*Serves 3-4

Ingredients

2 cups rhubarb, cut into 2-inch long pieces

1/3 – 1/2 cup honey, depending how sweet you like it!

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon orange zest

1 cup ricotta cheese

3-4 thick slices of bread of choice

1 tablespoon sliced or chopped almonds

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Wash, trim, and chop rhubarb. Cut them diagonally for an extra pretty presentation!

3. Whisk vanilla into honey.

4. Toss rhubarb pieces with honey in a medium-sized bowl until they are evenly coated.

5. Sprinkle with orange zest.

6. Transfer prepared rhubarb pieces to a baking pan lined with parchment paper. There will be some extra honey in the bowl, so be sure to scrape that out on top of the rhubarb pieces!

7. Roast for 15 minutes or so. Rhubarb should be tender but still holding its shape.

8. While rhubarb roasts, toast your bread.

9. Spread approximately ¼ cup of ricotta cheese on each piece of toast.

10. When rhubarb is ready, lay atop your ricotta toast.

11. Spoon some of the liquid (it’s so good!) from the pan on top of the rhubarb pieces.

12. Sprinkle with almonds and enjoy!

Recipe developed and photographed by on-farm Registered Dietitian Alex Chesney

Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

*Serves 2

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash

1 tablespoon cooking oil

1 small onion, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

2 sausages, cooked & diced or crumbled

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tomatoes, diced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 stalks kale, leaves removed from the stem and chopped

3 stalks fresh thyme, leaves removed from stem

1 teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup ricotta

½ cup milk

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella

Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.

2. Pierce the spaghetti squash all over, then microwave for 4 minutes. Flip, and microwave for another 4 minutes.

3. Cut the spaghetti squash in half, then scrape out the seeds.

4. Season the inside of the squash with salt & pepper, then set aside.

5. Heat the oil over medium heat in a shallow saucepan. Add 1 piece of diced onion to the pan – when it starts to sizzle you know the pan is hot enough! Add the rest of the onion, and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened.

6. Next add the bell pepper, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

7. Add the sausage and garlic, and cook until garlic is fragrant.

8. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, and balsamic vinegar and cook for 10 minutes or so, until the tomatoes are softened and the mixture forms a thick sauce.

9. Add the kale, thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes, as well as a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Cook and stir until kale is wilted and softened, about 5 minutes or so.

10. Remove the sauce from heat and set aside.

11. Next, whisk together the ricotta and milk, and about a ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

12. Now it’s time to assemble the stuffed squash!

13. Sprinkle another ¼ cup mozzarella cheese in the bottom of the prepared spaghetti squash halves.

14. Next, fill each half of the squash with tomato sauce, followed by half of the ricotta mixture.

15. Reserve the remaining cheese for later.

16. Loosely cover the stuffed spaghetti squash with foil (be sure the foil is not touching the mixture inside!), then transfer to the oven.

17. Bake for 45 minutes, then remove the foil, top with remaining cheese, and return to the oven for another 15 minutes.

18. At this point, you should be able to scrape out the squash, along with the filling, mix together, and enjoy!

Recipe created & photographed by on-farm Registered Dietitian Alex Chesney

Sheet Pan Gnocci, Veggies, & Chickpeas

Ingredients

1 pound fresh, shelf-stable, or frozen potato gnocchi (or 2 large potatoes, cubed)

2 medium bell peppers, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 tomato, sliced

1 small onion, cut into 1-inch chunks

3 stems green garlic, chopped

1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed (or other protein of your choice, like cubed chicken or sausage!)

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Balsamic glaze, for serving

Hot sauce, for serving

Directions

1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 450°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place the gnocchi, peppers, tomatoes, onion, green garlic, thyme, salt, and a few generous grinds of black pepper in a large bowl. Drizzle with the oil and balsamic vinegar gently toss to combine. Spread the gnocchi mixture out evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

3. Roast, stirring halfway through, until the gnocchi are plump and the vegetables are tender and caramelized, 18 to 20 minutes total.

4. To serve, spoon the gnocchi and vegetable mixture into individual bowls and garnish each bowl with the cheese, balsamic glaze, and hot sauce.

5. Enjoy!

Recipe modified (from thekitchn.com) and photographed by Alex Chesney, RD

Sweet Potato, Kale, and Red Lentil Curry

*Serves: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 medium (or 1 large) sweet potato, cubed

1 carrot, diced

1 pepper, diced

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt

Pepper

1 teaspoon curry powder

½ teaspoon turmeric

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

1-2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste, depending on spice tolerance

1 can coconut milk

1 cup low-sodium vegetable stock

1/2 cup red lentils

2 stalks kale, finely chopped

Instructions:

1. Mise en place: chop all of your veggies and measure out all of your spices. That way they will be right ready to go when you need them!

2. Add oil to a shallow saucepan and heat over medium heat. To track the temperature, add 1 small piece of diced onion. When it starts to sizzle, you’re ready to go!

3. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Onion should be softened and fragrant.

4. Add the diced bell pepper & minced garlic. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, continuing to stir often.

5. Add spices and curry paste and stir until the veggies are evenly coated.

6. Next, add the coconut milk, stirring until smooth and mixed in with the veggies and spices. The mixture should be a nice rich orange colour.

7. Add the vegetable stock and stir again.

8. Finally, add the sweet potato. Stir, then cover and cook for 15 minutes over medium-low heat.

9. Remove the lid, stir, and add the red lentils. Stir again, then cover and cook 20 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes of so.

10. During the final 5 minutes, add kale. Continue to cook, stirring continuously, until the kale is wilted and coated in the sauce. The mixture should be thick and very fragrant.

11. Serve alongside rice or naan bread – something to soak up the saucy goodness. Enjoy!

Recipe created & photographed by Alex Chesney, RD

Creamy One-Pot Pasta with Butternut Squash, Kale & White Beans

I came across this recipe yesterday and was immediately intrigued for a few reasons:

• It used a bunch of produce we have on our farm right now (butternut squash, kale, & garlic)

• It was vegetarian (perfect for that meatless Monday trend)

• It was a creamy pasta dish (because, duh, what better comfort food is there?!)

• AND it was still high in protein and all-around pretty balanced

I was hooked! I had most the ingredients on hand, so I went for it… The verdict? I’m so glad I did! I’ve had some not so great experiences with one-pot pastas in the past, leaving me with a runny mixture of seemingly random ingredients, but this one turned out perfectly. The original recipe called for fresh basil and pumpkin seeds, which I didn’t have on hand at the time, so I made a few tweaks to fit my pantry. It was quick, easy, and pretty darn tasty. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

*Serves: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 8 -- 13 minutes

Ingredients

2 teaspoons dried basil

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 small lemon

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

6 cloves garlic

1 (15-ounce) can white kidney beans

12 ounces dried spaghetti

1 cup butternut squash purée (can sub sweet potato or pumpkin purée)

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

3 cups loosely-packed kale

¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded

½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Finely grate the zest of ½ a small lemon. Combine with the dried basil and red pepper flakes, then whisk in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste, stir to combine; set aside. Halve the lemon and set aside.

2. Thinly slice 6 garlic cloves and add to a large straight-sided skillet (we like this one) or Dutch oven. Drain and rinse 1 can white kidney beans. Add 1/2 the beans, the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 12 ounces spaghetti, 1 cup canned butternut squash purée, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.

3. Add 4 ½ cups water and bring to a boil over high heat (this will take about 5 minutes). Boil the mixture, stirring and turning the pasta with tongs to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and almost all the liquid has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. In the last two minutes of cooking, add 3 cups baby kale.

4. Remove from the heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of the plain Greek yogurt, the remaining beans, the shredded mozzarella, the herbed oil mixture, and the juice from ½ the lemon. Stir with tongs, and taste, adding more lemon juice and salt as needed. Divide the pasta between 6 bowls and garnish each bowl with the shredded Parmesan cheese, and more black pepper.

Recipe Note:

To reheat leftovers, warm in a skillet with a splash of water, tossing until the sauce loosens up and is creamy. Season with salt, to taste, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Recipe slightly modified from: https://www.thekitchn.com/one-pot-pasta-recipes-261459

Blueberry Goat Cheese Tart

Although it’s still technically summer, the cool nights and crisp mornings are telling us fall is well on its way. And I think this recipe is a perfect representation of that transition. A little bit summery, featuring the last of our 2019 blueberries, and a little bit autumnal with the comforting and filling oven warmed pastry, stuffed with a sweet & savoury filling. It’s the perfect recipe for impressing guests, while still allowing yourself time to enjoy your company since it’s so quick & easy. Paired with a hearty side salad — I’m thinking one with apples and nuts — it makes an easy and satisfying meal. Give it a try & let me know what you think!

Ingredients

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 log goat cheese, softened

1.5 cups blueberries

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1 spring fresh thyme, leaves removed from stem (or ½ teaspoon dried)

Handful of fresh basil leaves, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. Unroll the sheet of puff pastry onto a parchment-paper lined baking sheet. Score a ½ inch border around the the edges, being careful to not cut all the way through. Next, prick all over the base with a fork. Pop in the oven and bake for 12 minutes.

3. While the pastry bakes, prepare the blueberry filling.

4. Add blueberries, water, vinegar, maple syrup, and thyme to a small pot and place on the stove over medium heat. Cook, stirring consistently, for 10 minutes or so. The blueberries should break down and the mixture should be bubbly and thickened.

5. Remove the pastry from the oven, and gently press down the centre of the tart.

6. Carefully and evenly spread the softened goat cheese out across the pastry, leaving that ½ inch border uncovered.

7. Add the blueberry filling to the tart, on top of the goat cheese and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes.

8. While the tart finishes baking, roughly chop the fresh basil. After removing from the oven, sprinkle this herb on top, along with a few fresh blueberries for serving.

9. Slice into rectangles and enjoy!

Recipe developed & photographed by Alex Chesney, RD

Zucchini Alfredo

A fresh, easy, and delicious recipe for you, friends! The zucchini noodles are light & high in fibre and the sauce is rich & creamy — they balance one another out perfectly. Pictured here with a side of tomato salad (roma tomatoes diced & tossed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, & pepper). Just add a couple slices of crusty bread to sop up the sauce and you’ll be all set. Enjoy!

*Serves 4

Ingredients

6 medium-sized zucchini

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 ½ cups half-and-half

2 cups Parmesan cheese

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Spiralize the zucchini, cutting the strands into sections about 8 inches long.

2. Next, cook the zucchini noodles. Add a tablespoon of cooking oil (my go-to is canola!) to a large skillet and heat over medium-low heat. Continue to cook them while preparing the sauce, stirring occasionally. Add a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes too, for a bit of heat!

3. To begin making the sauce, melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat until it starts to bubble and sizzle.

4. Add the minced garlic and saute until lightly browned and fragrant, between 30 seconds and 1 minute.

5. Next, whisk in the cream. Heat the cream until it simmers, whisking occasionally. This should take 3 – 4 minutes.

6. Finally, whisk in the parmesan cheese, salt, nutmeg, and pepper.

7. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the sauce thickens. This should take an additional 3 – 4 minutes. At this point, the sauce should coat the back of a spoon.

8. Add the cooked zucchini noodles to the prepared sauce and toss to coat.

9. Serve alongside a salad and some fresh bread for the perfect summer meal!

Recipe developed & photographed by Alex Chesney, RD

Smashed New Potato Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

This week we are excited to share a delicious-looking recipe with you courtesy of our friends over at The Grateful Plate! These ladies are big supporters of our Farm Market & Pick-Your-Own Patch, and were generous enough to create a recipe using goodies found in our patch! We think this potato salad would be the perfect addition to your long weekend. You can pick just about all of the ingredients yourself from our veggie patch, or grab them pre-picked from our farm market if you’re running short on time. Either way, give it a shot, and let us know what you think!

*Serves 4-6

A big and bright salad that incorporates farm fresh radishes, peas and new potatoes.  It tastes amazing when served while the potatoes are still warm.  Serve with a side of protein of choice for an easy summer meal!

Ingredients

Salad mix:

2 pounds new potatoes, washed, either small ones or larger ones cut to equal pieces

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

6 cups mixed spring greens, washed

4 radishes, thinly sliced

1/4 cup fresh shelled peas

1/2 small red onion, sliced

4 eggs, hard boiled and peeled

1 green onion top, thinly sliced

Dressing:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp Dijon Mustard

1 tsp minced garlic

salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment; set aside.

2. Add all of the dressing ingredients to a small jar and shake well; set aside.

3. In a large bowl mix the potatoes with the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.  Place on the sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes, until potatoes are tender and crispy brown.  Remove from the oven and use the bottom of a mug to gently smash the potato pieces.  They should still remain intact, just smushed! Set aside while you prepare the rest of the salad.

4. On a large platter layer the salad ingredients: start with the greens on the bottom and scatter the sliced radishes, peas and onion on top.  Cut the eggs in half and place on the salad.   Tuck in the bits on warm golden potatoes and finish with a sprinkle of green onion.

5. Serve immediately with the dressing.

Renee Mackey-Burson

The Grateful Plate

www.thegratefulplate.ca

Instagram - @the.grateful.plate

Facebook - @thegratefulplate.ca

Buffalo Chickpea Stuffed Zucchini

When I’m working away on a hot summers’ day, I like to daydream about what I’m going to eat for dinner. And when I’ve worked outside on the farm for 12 hours, I want something that’s filling, satisfying, and delicious. One favourite that checks off all these boxes is chicken wings & a beer. Seriously, it’s true! It’s the perfect patio meal. But sadly, wings are not something I typically whip up at home on a regular night. So I set out to recreate the experience with an easier, plant-based alternative. And here’s what I came up with!

Crispy chickpeas smothered in Buffalo sauce, stuffed into zucchini, and drenched with homemade ranch sauce. And I gotta say, it was pretty great! I felt full & satisfied after eating (thanks to the fibre offered up by both the chickpeas & zucchini and the plant-based protein from those chickpeas!), and I loved the heat from the Buffalo sauce, paired with the cooling & refreshing homemade Ranch dressing.  

Overall, this recipe is pretty darn delicious, if I do say so myself! It’s got a nice kick to it, it’s filling, and it’s easy. What more could we want? Give it a try and let me know what you think! Zucchini & green garlic are available now from our farm, and you’ll be able to pick your own dill & green onions at our farm market veggie patch within the next week. Stay tuned!

Ingredients

Stuffed Zucchini

4 large Thames River Melons zucchini, halved with seeds removed

1 can chickpeas, rinsed

2 heads Thames River Melons green garlic, minced

1 tablespoon canola oil

Buffalo Sauce

2/3 cups Frank’s Red Hot sauce

1/4 cup butter

1 tablespoon vinegar

¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Dash of cayenne

Dash of garlic powder

Homemade Ranch Dressing

½ cup Greek yogurt

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 head/sprig of Thames River Melons fresh dill, minced

3 Thames River Melons green onions, diced

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Bread Crumb Topping

1 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs

1 teaspoon mixed dried herbs (basil & oregano work well!)

Instructions

1. Begin by preparing the buffalo sauce: combine the Frank’s, butter, vinegar, Worcestershire, cayenne, and garlic powder in a small pot and place over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally.

2. While the sauce is cooking, prepare the zucchini for stuffing. Slice them in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scrape out the pulp/seeds from the middle, creating a hollowed out centre. You can either compost this pulp, or reserve for use in a soup, pasta sauce, or stew. Pop it in the freezer if you think you’ll use it later!

3. By now, the Buffalo sauce should be ready. Once the butter is melted and the mixture is bubbling, remove from heat. Set aside for later.

4. At this point, fire up the grill to preheat. You’ll want it on medium-high heat, somewhere between 350 and 400⁰F.

5. Next, prepare the chickpea filling. Mince the green garlic (be sure to remove the papery skin from the outside and hard neck from inside the middle). Place the canola oil in a large pan, on medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant: 1-2 minutes. Next, add the chickpeas and cook for another 5 minutes or so, until they start to dry out and crisp up. At this point, add 2/3 of the Buffalo sauce to the pan. Reserve the remaining sauce for later. Cook the chickpeas in the sauce for another 2-3 minutes. Next, gently mash the mixture. Remove from heat and set aside.

6. Prepare the breadcrumb topping: combine the remaining buffalo sauce with the breadcrumbs and mix until thoroughly combined.

7. Now it’s time to assemble the stuffed zucchini! Scoop the buffalo chickpea mixture into the hollowed-out zucchini halves. Be sure to divide the mixture evenly. Top each stuffed zucchini with a sprinkling of the bread crumb topping.

8. Take the prepared stuffed zucchini out to the grill. Line it with a piece of greased aluminum foil, and then transfer the zucchini to it. Cook for 20-30 minutes, until the zucchini is softened.

9. While the zucchini cooks, prepare the homemade Ranch dressing: combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, dill, green onion, milk, and lemon juice.

10. Once the stuffed zucchini is ready, serve with a drizzle of sauce.

11. That’s it – enjoy!

Crispy Skillet Asparagus & Eggs

This time of year is busy on the farm. Like, really busy. There’s planting to be coordinated, farmers’ markets that are starting up, and crops to be harvested. With so little time on my hands, I’m always looking for meals that are easy and delicious and will keep me fueled for the day. This is a perfect example of this. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s the perfect dinner for late nights after long days outside. Or for a quick lunch or brunch on the weekend. Give it a try yourself and let me know what you think!

*Serves 2

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter

½ bunch Thames River Melons Asparagus

2 eggs

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more or less, to taste)

2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese

Pinch of large-flake sea salt

Pinch of pepper

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a cast iron pan over medium heat. Ensure the entire bottom of the pan is thoroughly coated.

2. Add the asparagus, and cook for approximately 3 minutes, until they begin to soften and brown. Once browning, crack the eggs overtop of the asparagus.

3. Next, sprinkle with the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

4. Finally, top with the freshly grated cheese.

5. Continue to cook for an additional 3 minutes or so, until the eggs are set, and the cheese is melted. Remove the pan from heat and serve!

6. Pair with a slice of toasted bread and some fruit for a perfect lunch: quick, easy, delicious, and balanced.

Recipe developed and photographed by Alex Chesney, RD

Rhubarb for Breakfast Two Ways

Rhubarb has such a wonderfully tangy and fresh flavour, which makes it the perfect addition to your breakfast plate! It brightens up that first meal of the day, and makes you excited to face whatever adventure is heading your way. At least, it does for me! Check out these two breakfast ideas that will fuel you up and keep you energized. Let me know what you think!

Stewed Rhubarb on French Toast

*Serves 4

Ingredients

Stewed Rhubarb

2 cups rhubarb, chopped

1 tablespoon water

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon honey (more or less, to taste)

French Toast

8 slices bread of your choice

4 eggs

½ cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon butter

Toppings

1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2%

Cinnamon

Honey (optional)

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a small pot, and place over medium-low heat. Cook for 5 – 8 minutes, stirring frequently and mashing as the rhubarb starts to soften. Once rhubarb has softened completely, it’s all ready to go!

2. To prepare French Toast, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

3. Heat a pan over medium-low heat, and melt half of the butter. Once the butter is sizzling, dunk 4 slices of bread into the egg mixture, and place in the prepared pan. Cook for approximately 3 minutes per side, until the French Toast is golden brown. Flip and repeat on the other side, then repeat the process for the 4 remaining slices of bread.

4. Top your prepared French Toast with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, a generous scoop or two of stewed rhubarb, and sprinkle cinnamon on top.

5. Breakfast is served!

Recipe created & photographed by Alex Chesney, RD

Rhubarb Crisp Parfait

*Serves 4

Ingredients

4 cups rhubarb, chopped

2 tablespoons sugar

½ cup oats

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 tablespoon hemp hearts

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup butter

2 cups Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375⁰F.

2. Mix together the rhubarb and sugar, and place in a small baking dish. Next, combine oats, chia seeds, hemp hearts, and brown sugar. Once combined, cut in the butter until a crumbly mixture forms.

3. Top the rhubarb with the oat mixture, then place in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, until bubbly and rhubarb is softened.

4. Allow the mixture to cool, then you can begin to assemble the parfaits!

5. Find 4 tall glasses or mason jars and add ¼ Greek yogurt to the bottom of each. Next, add a scoop of rhubarb crisp. Top with another ¼ cup of Greek yogurt, and finish with another scoop of rhubarb crisp on top. Screw on the lids if using jars or cover with saran or beeswax wrap if using glasses and store in the fridge until ready to eat.

6. To serve, top with an additional sprinkle of chia seeds and hemp hearts. Enjoy!

Recipe created & photographed by Alex Chesney, RD

Rhubarb BBQ Sauce

This past weekend we were finally treated to some warmer weather, and gosh was it ever overdue! We really need the sun to shine more often in order to be able to get our field work done.

On a lighter note, the sunshine also inspires us to cook up more summery meals. And this definitely fits the bill! Check out our recipe below for a homemade BBQ sauce that’s tangy and delicious, and features springtime rhubarb. It’s got some texture to it, and pairs wonderfully with chicken or pork. It’s not overly sweet, but does have some perfect sweetness thanks to the inclusion of brown sugar and our very own Strawberry BBQ Sauce!

Did you know that rhubarb is high in fibre, calcium, and vitamin C? Just 1 cup of diced rhubarb packs in 2.2g of fibre (8% of the recommended Daily Value, aka DV), 10% of the recommended daily intake for calicim, and 16% of the recommended vitamin C. It’s definitely an underrated springtime treat, for both its culinary and nutritional perks.

Give it a try today and let us know what you think!

Ingredients

1 teaspoon canola oil

1 onion, minced

1” piece of ginger, minced or grated

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup rhubarb, diced

½ cup water

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup Thames River Melons Strawberry BBQ Sauce

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Dash of salt

Dash of pepper

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 piece of minced onion to test the temperature. Once the onion starts to sizzle, you know it’s time to add the rest!

2. Add the remaining onion and cook until softened, 3 – 5 minutes. Next, add the ginger and garlic and cook for an additional 1 – 2 minutes, until fragrant.

3. Finally, add all remaining ingredients: rhubarb, water, brown sugar, strawberry bbq sauce, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, paprika, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper.

4. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until rhubarb starts to soften. As it does, mash together to create a more unified sauce.

5. Continue to cook until most of the moisture has evaporated, and the mixture has thickened.

6. Serve with the protein of your choice: we topped our chicken meatballs with it, but it would also be delicious on BBQ’d chicken legs, or on pork!

Recipe created & photographed by Alex Chesney, RD

Quick & Easy Asparagus Benny

Sunday morning brunch is one of my favourite meals of the week. I typically have more time to prepare it than I do for a weeknight dinner, which makes for a more relaxed cooking experience. I also love to cook with a coffee in hand, music in the background, and morning sunshine streaming in through the windows. And this weekend, eggs benedict is on the menu! Except… not really. I’m making a sneaky, super quick & easy version. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Hollandaise sauce, but it’s not something I make on the regular. It’s pretty labour intensive, and very rich. In my quick & easy version, I swapped out the Hollandaise for a simple white sauce + Swiss Cheese. And I’m giving you options for the eggs — you can poach ‘em if you feel up to it, but a simple sunny-side-up will work just fine!

Most importantly, though, this eggs benedict features the spring veggie we’ve all been waiting for: asparagus! It pairs deliciously well with eggs, and the cheese sauce ties it all together perfectly. Choose whole wheat English muffins for an extra dose of fibre, and you’ve got yourself a tasty and balanced brunch. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

*Serves 6

Ingredients

6 whole wheat English muffins

12 eggs

2 bunches Thames River Melons Asparagus, washed & trimmed

2 tablespoons butter (plus more for buttering)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

1 ½ cups Swiss cheese, shredded

6 slices deli ham, sliced in half (optional)

Pinch of salt

Pinch of pepper

Fresh parsley, minced, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Wash & trim the asparagus, then set aside.

2. Begin to make your Swiss cheese sauce: melt the butter over medium heat and cook until sizzling. Sprinkle the flour over top and mix together to form a thick paste. I like to use a rubber spatula for this step, to ensure I get into all the corners of the pot.

3. Cook the butter-flour mixture for 1 – 2 minutes, until fully thickened. At this point I typically switch to a whisk. Next slowly add some of the milk, whisking constantly to combine. Add a little milk at a time, whisking until combined. Once all of the milk has been added, continue to whisk constantly.

4. Continue to cook for 5 – 6 minutes. Watch the pan closely and monitor the heat. You want the sauce to heat at a slow and steady pace – too fast, and it will boil, which could cause the mixture to separate! You want a silky smooth sauce for this delicious breakfast.

5. While the sauce cooks, prepare the asparagus. You can steam, sauté, or roast – any method will work! Cook until the asparagus is tender, but still holds its shape. Regardless of cooking method, this typically takes between 4 and 6 minutes, depending on the thickness of the stalk.

6. The sauce should begin to thicken by now. Once it has, sprinkle in the shredded cheese, salt, and pepper, and whisk to combine. Once the cheese has melted, the sauce should be thickened and ready to eat! Reduce the heat to low and whisk occasionally as you continue to prepare the remaining ingredients.

7. Toast the English muffins and cook the eggs. Again, how you cook the eggs is up to you! A traditional eggs Benedict calls for poached eggs, but for this quick and easy recipe I would recommend a simple sunny side up. Alternatively, check out this handy guide to oven-poached eggs.

8. Now, you are officially ready to assemble!

9. Lightly butter each side of the English muffins, then top them with the ham (if using) and several stalks of the prepared asparagus. Next, add an egg to each half, and finish it off with a generous drizzle of the Swiss cheese sauce.

10. Sprinkle with a pinch of fresh parsley, and you’re ready to eat! Enjoy.

Rhubarb Custard Bars

What a strange time of year — spring is clearly here, and we’ve had some gloriously warm & sunny days! But we’ve also had some very chilly, windy, and rainy ones. It seems to go back and forth, teasing us with warmth, then sending us running back inside with the cold.

This mix of temperatures allows for time with the oven on, though! And turning on the oven inevitably leads to baking for me. This week I whipped up some rhubarb custard bars: a delicious combination of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavours. If you can, try to snag a corner bar, as they get extra caramelization, and are even more delicious.

I found this recipe on a popular baking blog, and made a few tweaks: added some oats to the crust for extra texture and a bump of fibre, halved the sugar in the filling, and added vanilla for an increased depth in flavour. Although these adjustments do make these bars a little more healthy, they’re definitely still a dessert. And that’s okay! There’s more than enough room for desserts in our diets. It’s all about balance: maybe don’t eat the whole tray, but enjoy one or two without guilt, just enjoyment!

They don’t take long at all to whip up, but you do have to have some patience to allow them to fully cool and set. It’s worth the wait, though! Give them a try and let me know what you think.

Ingredients

For the crust

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup oats

3/4 cup cold butter, cubed

1/4 cup sugar

For the filling

3 large eggs, beaten

¾ cup white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

4 cups rhubarb, diced

2 tablespoons icing sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

2. Pat the crumbs into a well greased 9 x 13 in baking pan. Bake the crust at 350 F for 10-12 min or until lightly browned.

3. While the crust is in the oven, mix together eggs, sugar, vanilla, flour and salt.

4. Gently stir in the diced rhubarb. Pour the rhubarb mixture over the hot crust. Return bars to the hot oven. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggly

5. Cool for 30 mins on the counter and then refrigerate until chilled before cutting into bars.

6. Before serving, sprinkle with icing sugar for an extra hint of sweetness and a pretty final touch.

Recipe modified from http://chocolatewithgrace.com/rhubarb-bars/ by Alex Chesney, RD

Grilled Green Garlic

Green garlic is baby garlic, and it’s more tender & sweet than its fully grown counterpart. It can also be enjoyed in some unique ways! Grilled, for example. Check out our quick tutorial below to see how you too can enjoy this delicious snack. Keep an eye out, green garlic will be heading to a farmers’ market near you within the next couple of weeks!

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat

2. Toss green garlic in oil of choice (I used canola!), then sprinkle on salt, and pepper

3. Place prepared garlic on a piece of greased tin foil 

4. Transfer the garlic to the grill, and cook with lid closed for 5 - 7 minutes

5. Open lid, turn garlic, then close lid again and cook for another 5-7 minutes

6. Garlic is ready to eat when it is fragrant, softened, and caramelized

7. Enjoy as an appetizer, or alongside grilled veggies & sausages!