a few weekends ago, we meandered down to the farmers market near our house and were so excited by the fresh produce that we bought things without much of a game plan.
it’s rare for me to buy things without a plan – usually i pick out recipes, make a list, and buy according to that list. but this was so much more fun! we just walked from stand to stand, grabbed whatever looked good, and all of the sudden, our bag was overflowing with produce.
when we got home, we put all of that produce out on the counter, added a few items from our cupboards and fridge, and voila, dinner was served! is this something i should be doing more often?? how do you shop for food, my dear readers? with lists? or by picking out what looks good when you’re at the store and creating things?
one year ago: chickpea tacos
beans and greens over barley
- 2c vegetable broth
- 2½c water
- 1½c pearled barley, rinsed
- 2T olive oil
- 1/2c leeks, chopped
- 2 summer squash, sliced into bite sized rounds
- 1 small zucchini, sliced into bite sized rounds
- 15oz cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2c spinach, washed and roughly chopped
- 2t dried basil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2T parsley, minced
- 1/2c parmesan cheese (or more!)
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- boil the broth and water, then add the barley and allow to simmer for 40 mins
- meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saute pan, then add the leeks and saute for 5 minutes
- add the summer squash and zucchini and saute 3 more minutes
- next, add the beans, spinach, dried basil, and salt & pepper, and saute until warm
- take the pan off the heat, and toss in the parsley
- serve the beans and greens in a bowl over the barley, sprinkling liberally with parmesan cheese, and enjoy!