Cuisine - Italian, Places - Massachusetts, Recipes, Shopping

Recipe: Garlic Scapes and Basil Pesto

A few weeks ago, we joined a CSA, or “Community Supported Agriculture,” with Farmer Dave’s based in Dracut, Mass. Each Monday, we pick up a share of fresh crops in Beverly, just a little hop from our place in Salem, Mass. The variety of veggies is different each week and depends on field conditions. For instance, this week we had beets, spinach, yellow and green zucchinis, fennel, Swiss chard, lettuce and more.

It’s more than enough produce for the two of us. It is also great since it makes us eat more healthy. We can get creative with our meals (I made some beet cupcakes with an orange cream cheese frosting from our second week’s crops), and we support local farmers.

We especially like the last part after watching documentaries like “Food Inc.,” which details how the government regulates the U.S. food supply. Plus, with the rising cost of fuel, those increases are then transferred to all of our food purchases. So, if we can buy locally, we save a little in the end by not buying produce from across the country or that is out of season. We always know what we have is fresh and local. It’s a good feeling to know that you’re supporting a local, small business, too.

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Cuisine - Mexican, Recipes

Recipe: Fresh Homemade Salsa

This is one of our favorite recipes to bring to potlucks and parties (along with our homemade guacamole recipe.) We also really like having “Taco Night” at our house on occasion, where you make up a sort of taco or burrito fixin’ bar and have a free-for-all. It’s so easy, tastes good and is fun.

I really like this recipe because it just tastes fresh. Those jar salsas are OK when you’re in a pinch but there’s so much added sodium and other things that I can’t pronounce that I’d much rather make my own condiments if I can. This also is a really great recipe if you have a tomato plant and you’re running out of ideas to make with the fruit.

This recipe is really versatile, as well. You can add whatever you really like. If you don’t like jalapeno, don’t add it. You could make it more tropical by adding some mango or papaya to the mixture. It’s really whatever you want to make of it!

I hope you enjoy!

Homemade Salsa

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Cuisine - American, Places - Milwaukee

Italian Beef and Fries at Dr. Dawg

Dr Dawg exterior in Glendale.Late in 2010, Dr. Dawg opened up on Milwaukee’s north side. I really enjoyed their Chicago-style hot dogs with all the fixins and Sprecher root beer on-tap. A little while later, I went back to test out the Doctor’s Italian beef.

Can I get an “Mmm, good”?

Dr. Dawg’s Italian beef comes in three sizes: 5-inch, 7-inch and “Da Big 12.” Slow-roasted, paper-thin slices of tender beef are piled high on a cushy, fresh Italian roll. Also slathered on top of the sandwich is your pick of sweet peppers or spicy giardiniera.

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Cuisine - Italian, Cuisine - Mexican, Recipes

Recipe: Spaghetti tacos

A few months ago I posted about the new phenomenon of spaghetti tacos that started because of the Nickelodeon show “iCarly.”

I decided to test out this recipe and update it for adult tastes. Here is my recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian turkey sausage
  • 1 pound spaghetti noodles (I used whole wheat angel hair pasta but feel free to use your favorite)
  • 1 jar of your favorite tomato/pasta sauce
  • 8 soft taco-size tortillas
  • Margarine or butter
  • Garlic bread seasoning
  • Basil (for garnish)
  • Fresh mozzarella balls (for garnish)
  • Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

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