Garnet Yams (orange fleshed also mis-labeled as sweet potato) and orange fleshed squashes, eg. Butternut are packed with energy minerals and tons of Vit C.?
Yams are great for detoxifying and balancing hormone and blood sugar levels, ensuring constant flow of energy; and 1/2 a cup ( 4 ozs) cooked mashed yams = 23,000 I.U./14mg beta carotene, linked to preventing strokes, cataracts, some cancers and heart disease.
Squashes motivate the circulation of energy meridians, esp. great for strengthening digestive function!
Interesting facts as now good local squashes and yams are beginning to appear in local markets...this new crop makes up for the stored varieties that we have had in the shops all summer.
The menu chosen by my client's for tomorrow is:
Garnet Yam soup with caraway and cream cheese..this is a fabulous way of getting people to enjoy yams..the resulting soup looks very decadent, and is very simple and delicious..prepare as for a reg. potato-carrot soup, and add half as many chopped peel yams to the mix, as potato.
Cook on simmer in a lidded pan until all veggies are cooked through ( I also used carrots, celery, onions, scallions...adding stock).
Partially blend on high speed adding caraway seed and cream cheese to taste...return to pan and simmer until 1/4 reduced, stirring.
serve garnished with chopped celery leaves or parsley..honestly you will be very pleased with the results.
A Yam topped vegetable-cheese pie...this is a tomato base with the addition of my own bell peppers, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, roasted corn and peas.
cook until the potatoes begin to fall apart, add herbs of choice, and a.little red wine if available, remove from heat and cool overnight.
The next day I am adding chunked white Monterey Jack Cheese ( like a mild white Cheddar) , to the cool mix and topping with poached peeled and slice yams, with roasted nuts of choice, I am adding unsalted roasted pistachio meats..this will be heated in clients home..on a lined cookie sheet, pre-heated oven 375f for about 30 mins until heated through..and the cheese melting in the mix.
Twice baked potatoes with cheese and home grown, dried tomatoes ( now coming to last of the season of own grown)..the cooking will be completed at the clients home..large new season Russet potatoes filled with a rich mashed potato, with whole eggs, 2% milk and unsalted butter, Cheddar cheese, chopped dried tomato.
A Roasted Butternut Squash salad...I never used to like squashes as they all seemed to be watery when cooked, Butternut are different and remain silky & firm like a slow roasted potato when cooked, this comes with a red cabbage and apple slaw with walnuts & salad greens
An Alsace Region styled white onion tart...fabulous tart for the cooler evenings, contains no cheese, but is made with live yogurt and sour cream, hints of nutmeg and fennel seeds in the all butter, whole wheat crust.
I sauteed the onions very slowly in butter and finished with some brandy
Followed by dessert of oatmeal cookies with walnuts and dried cranberries ( yes I know they have been requested twice this week!)
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| Apart from onions and garlic..I wash all my market fresh vegetables by plunging into fresh cold water, as well as removing some loose dirt, sand etc. it also refreshes the tenderer plants like lettuce and greens which have taken a beating lately in our very hot and humid weather, out in the fields..also a great trick to revive tender "Spring" mixes and spinach..drain well and air dry for a few hours, before using or storing for the next day |
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| Sauteing the onions for the tart |
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| the previous 2..the tomato based vegetable pies |
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| Previous 3 the completed Yam and Caraway soup |
The Onion Tart was another success
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