Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Quinoa Chowder with Kale, Feta and Leeks

This hearty chowder was a hit with the Methow Endurance Women's Trail Running and Yoga Retreat group. As we move into fall my body starts craving simple warm and filling dishes. This chowder is excellent because its easy to make and absolutely delicious.

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
3/4 cup quinoa, any color or variety
8 cups (2 quarts) water, plus more as needed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, finely chopped or to taste
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and finely diced or to taste
1/2 lb par-boiled potatoes, peeled cut into 1/4 inch cubes
1 teaspoon ground cumin or to taste
1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
1 bunch scallions or garden leeks, include the greens thinly sliced
3 cups thinly sliced spinach or garden kale (about 1 bunch)
4 ounces feta cheese, small dice (about 1 cup)
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 hard-cooked egg, peeled and finely chopped


1.) Rinse the quinoa in a strainer under cold water until the water runs clear.
2.) Bring the quinoa and the 8 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the white outer casings on the quinoa have popped, revealing translucent little beads, about 10 to 15 minutes.
3.) Strain the quinoa through a fine-mesh strainer set over a large heatproof bowl. Measure the quinoa cooking liquid and add water as needed to make 6 cups; set the quinoa and cooking liquid aside.
4.) Heat the olive oil in a large, clean saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and jalapeño and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the potatoes, cumin, and measured salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes begin to soften, adjusting the heat as necessary so that the garlic doesn’t brown, about 3 minutes.
5.) Add the reserved cooking liquid and half of the scallions and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 12 minutes.

6.) Add the cooked quinoa, spinach, and remaining scallions and simmer until the spinach just begins to wilt, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the feta and cilantro. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Top with the chopped egg and serve.


Inspired by Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone (2007).

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Coconut Curry Peanut Sauce

This is a wonderful topping that we use at the Basecamp for grilled chicken or vegetables, usually served with a side of black forbidden or jasmine rice to soak up extra sauce. A great side dish or topping is adding fresh mung beans, sprouts, grated carrots, and raw unsalted peanuts.

Yields: 4 1/2 cups
Prep time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
1 tsp canola oil
1 small red onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 serrano pepper, seeded and minced
4 tsp fresh ginger minced
4 tsp curry powder
4 tsp cumin powder
1 can coconut milk
5 Tbs organic peanut butter
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, minced
5 tsp tamari
4 tsp honey
1/8 cup ketchup
1/8 cup lime juice
3/4 cup water

Heat the canola oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat.  Saute the onion, garlic, pepper, and ginger until the onion is translucent.

Add the curry powder and cumin, saute over low heat for 1 minute.

Add the cocunt milk, peanut butter, cilantro tamari, honey, lime juice, ketchup and water.

Bring the sauce to a boil, whisking often.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes before serving

Inspired by Cameron Green's Basecamp recipe.

Massaged Kale and Currant Salad

At the Basecamp we grow three varieties of kale and love to find new ways to use them! This salad is always a hit with the Basecamp guests because it presents kale in a new fashion. Massaging the kale transforms it into a silky sweet tasty treat that will delight your eyes and tastebuds! 

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:
1 bunch kale 
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup currants
3/4 cup diced apple (about 1/2 apple)
1/3 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons unfiltered apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Wash the kale leaves and then spin or pat dry. De-stem kale by pulling leaves away from the stems. Stack leaves and cut horizontally into bite sized pieces. Place kale in large mixing bowl and add salt. Massage the kale with your hands for 2-5 minutes or until it begins to soften and almost wilt.

Toast the sunflower seeds by placing them in a cast iron pan over medium heat. Stir constantly until they turn color and release a nutty aroma. 

Stir onion, currants, apple and sunflower seeds into kale. Dress with oil vinegar. Taste for salt and vinegar, adding more if necessary. When at desired flavor, toss in cheese. This salad will keep for several days and still be delicious! 

This recipe is inspired by Jennifer Alder's recipe in Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair. 

Zesty Sweet Potato and Carmalized Onion Enchiladas


These are some of our favorite enchilada or burrito fixings at the Basecamp, and guests always rave about them afterwards.  They were inspired by our now closed, but once local Pacos Tacos burritoes in Twisp, our favorite quick homemade burrito spot!.

Ingredients:

~20 small corn tortillas
2 cups onions (sliced thin)
2 cups mixed shredded white/yellow cheddar cheese 
*1 lbs leftover pulled pork roast, slow cooked in homemade salsa *optional* 
2 large baked sweet potatoes or squash
1 cup dry black beans 
1 bunch kale/deep greens sauteed in hot oil 
12 oz homemade enchilada sauce (canned if you are in a pinch)

Preparations:

Prepare all ingredients before assembly and add each to a bowl ready for filling.  1) Carmelize onions in olive oil by cooking for 10 minutes until darkened, but not burned.  2) Soak and cook black beans on the stovetop.  3) back squash or sweet potatoes in oven until roasted skin easily pulls off and insides are cooked thoroughly.  

Tortillas- Lightly skilled fry tortillas on high for 5 sec per side.  You can fry in oil, but we prefer a dry skillet for the healthier version.  


Filling- To each tortilla sprinkle cheese, add a pinch of onions, spoonful of black beans, pinch of sweet potato and optional pork, pinch of greens, and a second sprinkle of cheese.

Roll tortillas over and place open side down on a 9" by 13" glass casserole dish.  Fill pan with filled and rolled tortillas and pour enchilada sauce on top.  Sprinkle cheese on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.


Prep time: 1-2 hours

Serves 8-10