Tuesday

Edamame: My Mean Green Appetizer

Edamame: I'm so lazy I buy them already shelled.
Edamame is a prettier name for soybeans. And, I'm a soybean nut. Shunned them for years because they looked like peas and.. Boy! Do I hate cooked peas.

I began purchasing frozen, shelled Edamame a few years ago at the supermarket and it quickly became a side dish staple. I roast 'em, stir fry 'em, slip them into casseroles. I pretty much try everything under the sun with soybeans ~ with no complaints. (Hey!)

So why not a dip? It's quick. It's yummy. And, it's also very different. You know what that means... tons of compliments!

* Toss this mess into blender, or food processor, and voila! Super tasty with New York Bagel Chips.

Edamame Dip ~ Oh. So. Easy.
  • 1 bag frozen, shelled edamame (It's maybe 12-14 oz., available at most grocery stores.) Microwave the bag (per bag instructions) and then let it cool.
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions (including the green stems.)
  • 1 tablespoon roasted garlic (The Spice World jars you see at the market. Fresh, chopped garlic cloves are tasty, too.)
  • 1/2 cup chopped, fresh Italian parsley.
  • 1/2 tablespoon miso (I use the dry powder from miso soup. Miso is soybean paste.)
  • 1 tablespoon chile powder.
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil.
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice.
* Salt, pepper, and wig out this recipe with garlic and cayenne 'til the cows come home. I hope you enjoy it.

Soybeans may look expensive, but they are super filling, compared to other veggies: 11 grams of protein + 9 grams of fiber in 1 itty bitty half cup.

    Wednesday

    Autumn Apple Pot Roast Recipe

    We've had the most delightful autumn weather this week. Deep blue skies and gorgeous, colorful leaves greet me at every turn.

    It's remarkable how our tastes seem to change right along with the leaves. Abandoning salads in favor of hearty, heavier meals.

    This idea was inspired by an email I got from a new Park City resident, who dolled up one of my recipes with apples.

    Hmmm... I thought to myself. I've got apples coming out my ears! Two trees laden with fruit that I've been picking every other day and... feeding to the horses. 

    I guess it's about time we humans enjoy this plentiful harvest...

    Autumn Apple Pot Roast ~ Crock Pot Recipe

    • 1 - average size pork roast. Or, beef chuck roast (I tend to buy whichever is on sale.)
    • 3 or 4 - chopped shallots (Or, a half average size yellow or white onion.)
    • 5 or 6 - garlic cloves, chopped into bits (I tend to go hog wild with the garlic...)
    • 2 - tart apples, sliced into wedges
    • 1/2 - cup applesauce
    • 1 - 32 oz low sodium beef broth
    • 2 tablespoons oregano
    • 1 tablespoon parsley
    • 1 teaspoon basil
    • 1/2 teaspoon thyme
    • Dash of celery salt and/salt and pepper to taste

    IMHO you don't need to be very exact when you're tossing goodies into a crock pot. I let this simmer for about 6 hours. It was sweet and tender and really quite delightful.

    Buon Appetito!