The Produce Box

in my real life, I have a "real job" that I work 40+ hours a week..  Then again, don't we all?!? However, for fun, I cook and have a grand time doing so! I also have another blog - Cookies & Curtains Come and check it out if you have time! And as always - ENJOY! Jane

I was blessed to get a few apples in my box this week.. I had to pry them out of my daughter's hands as she wanted to eat them right away.  Um, no. So, tonight when cooking dinner, I decided to throw together some apple bundles.. I cup up my special apples (both!) after peeling.  I diced them up so they would cook faster. I took a purchased pie crust (oh the horrors!) but that's all I had an it IS a weeknight, you know! I rolled it out a little larger and then cut it in half. I mixed the diced apples with about 1 Tbs of splenda and 1 Tbs of sugar.  I also put in 1 tsp of brown sugar.  Mix in about 1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon as well.   I cut up 2 Tbs of butter and mixed it all together. Spray a pan with cooking spray.  Place the pie crusts on the prepared pan. Place half the mixture on one of the sides of the pie crust, half on the other.  Pour any extra juice! Pinch each crusts together at the top so they ...

This is an absolute favorite at my house.. Slice up cucumbers very thin - I use a mandoline.. Pour red wine vinegar (can also use apple cider vinegar) over the top along with some sugar to sweeten.  We also have put in splenda and I cannot tell the difference.  Finish off with water to cover.  You'll need to taste to get the right sweet vinegar taste.  My daughter (who is 15) makes this. VERY easy to make, and so yummy! :-) Enjoy!

I just love the arrival of my weekly box.  It gives me such hope for the wonderful upcoming meals and snacks! :-)

Where's the (grass-fed) beef? Beef, an American staple, has been making headlines as more people become aware of the environmental and health benefits of “grass-fed” beef. Traditionally, cows have been allowed to eat from a pasture, then are “finished off” with a diet of grains, soy, and supplements (including hormones) prior to butchering.  This diet was designed to rapidly bulk up the cow. Grass-fed cows, however, are a bit more old-fashioned -- think pioneers -- hormone- and grain-free! With a movement to buy local, be “green,” and eat more REAL food, grass-fed beef has gained popularity. The beef is not only leaner and healthier, but the overall carbon imprint is less. Less energy is needed to grow grass versus harvesting grain, thus it’s better for our planet. And get this: On the standard American diet, we consume an average of 67 pounds of beef per year. Co-founder of EatWild.com, Jo Robinson, explains that switching to grass-fed beef will save you 16,642 calo...

We love sweet corn at my house. I always laugh when we eat it as I think of all those "missing teeth" and "braces" years I had to cut it off the cob for my daughter.  So if you're in a hurry, don't have time to light the grill or boil water, try this! Shuck the corn and wash it.  Pat dry with paper towels. Rip large pieces of wax paper from the roll. Lay the corn down at an angle.  Place a small bit of butter on the corn and roll up the wax paper like a piece of candy. Microwave on high for 5-7 minutes (this was for 2 pieces).  Also depends if you like your corn crunchy or soft.. It's really good! If I have leftovers, I cut the corn off the cob and freeze it.  I use it in corn chowder and risotto and other stuff down the road.. Enjoy!

                                   The box looked LUSCIOUS this week, didn't it?!?

Chicken and Peppers with Balsamic Vinegar I received lots of peppers in this box..  I was determined to use as many as possible :-) Soooo...  here you go! 4 Tbs olive oil, divided 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into strips salt and pepper to taste 2 green peppers, thinly sliced  (you can also mix and put in red/yellow/orange) 1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced (I use a mandoline to slice) 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped 4 Tbs balsamic vinegar, divided 4 teaspoons chopped fresh basil (can use dried if that's all you have - just use less) Heat 2 Tbs olive oil in large skillet over medium high heat.  Place the chicken in the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and brown on both sides.  Remove from heat and set aside. Heat remaining oil in the same skillet over medium heat.  Stir in all the peppers and onions.  Cook about 5 minutes, until tender.  Mix in garlic, cook and...

Hello out there!! I am the new blogger for The Produce Box and I'm THRILLED to be out here! My name is Jane Frank and I love love LOVE to cook.  If I could cook for a living I'd be in heaven..  Well, not really, but you know what I mean..  :-)  I am a self taught cook, my Mom despised cooking (5 kids to feed 3 meals a day!)  She cooked to provide meals, not because she enjoyed it.  She did teach me to make her insanely delicious gravy, and I treasure that gravy every time I make it.  I love to create and blend and try new recipes - it truly is my passion! I have lived in Raleigh for 20 years.  I am a recent widow, and I have a 15 year old daughter.  She takes most of my food photos..  (She wanted me to mention that!) I have been an avid customer of The Produce Box for years and used to post pictures of my weekly box (on Facebook) and what I did with it.  Now I'll post my recipes and fun information right here on this blog!  ...