Farm Club Trial

Back in January I bought a Living Social deal for Arganica Farm Club, which is a bit different from a CSA in that you pick what you want to order and aren't committed to receiving a delivery every week...which for our house, means less waste. I like that Arganica's produce and other goods aren't just from one local farm - They pull from various organic farms to ensure you have a good variety. With a CSA, you might receive lots of 'filler' produce in the non-peak seasons. I was very happy with our first 'Fresh Pick Crate' which contains both fruits and veggies. (Most standard CSA's only have veggies in their weekly boxes and require a separate fruit membership.) Last week I ordered our second Fresh Pick Crate and also ordered organic milk (which comes in a cool recyclable glass bottle!), free range eggs, and...homemade maple donuts and black raspberry ice cream (how did those get on my order form???). Our crate this week contained collard greens and mushrooms (the mystery item in the brown paper bag) which I decided to both incorporate into Chicken Marsala on Sunday night. Also included: lettuce, zucchini, pears, deeee-licious plums, oranges, lemons, potatoes, carrots, and broccoli. After only 5 days almost everything has been devoured!



I was very close to signing up for a CSA this summer, but yesterday when Groupon provided another Arganica deal, I couldn't pass signing up for another 6 month membership. (Did I mention they delivery right to your front door???)

Turning 5 into 4

In the older Every Day with Rachael Ray magazines, there was a section called "Take 5" where readers sent in great dishes made with 5 ingredients. I liked the idea of the Grilled Salmon, bacon, and feta packets that I came across, so used that as my basis for dinner the other night. Instead of grilling, I cooked mine in the oven and just used ingredients that I had on hand. They were so quick and simple!

Regina's Salmon Packets
2 pieces of salmon
Feta cheese
Fresh spinach
Tomato

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and cut 2 pieces of aluminium foil.
2. Place each piece of salmon on the foil and season with salt & pepper. Top with a few handfuls of spinach, chopped tomato, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with EVOO and fold the foil into packets. Place on a baking seat and cook for about 15 minutes.

Love is in the Air

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned in the past, Frank & I aren’t big on Valentine’s Day. I certainly don’t mind being showered with gifts and flowers, which he does surprise me with some years, but we avoid at all costs the overcrowded restaurants and save our splurge for another day. Instead, it’s become somewhat of a tradition for us to stay at home and both cook dinner on V Day. As I was looking through my RR mag, a recipe for Seared Scallops and Tenderloin Steaks caught my eye, so for this year’s V Day meal, I choose surf & turf: Filets with scallops cooked in a tomato cream sauce – coupled with heart shaped pasta (of course!). The RR recipe served the surf & turf with a Manhattan sauce, but since I didn't have sweet vermouth in the house, I had to improvise!


(yes, I even break out our china & crystal on 2/14!)

Frank jokes that my Valentine’s Day gift came two weeks later…This past weekend we drove up to New Jersey to pick up (…suspense building…) my NEW CAR! I had my 4Runner for 9 years and just learned that it needed $3,000 worth of work which didn’t seem worth it. So, naturally, we instead bought a 2011 Lexus RX350 which I’d had my eye on for quite some time now. My cousin (who also sold me the 4Runner) now runs a Lexus dealership in Atlantic City, so Frank & I picked up my dad Saturday afternoon and set out to pick up the car, and sadly leave behind the 4Runner. I am LOVING my new wheels!