A Colorful Spring
This Month’s Recipes: Blood Orange, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Salad - Rainbow Turkey Lettuce Cups - Red Pepper and Green Bean Almondine
Our own Chef Win Wilde is featured on the podcast Eatin’ wit’ a Regular Guy, talking about her Blood Orange, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Salad recipe!
As we come out of late-season snowstorms and look ahead to spring this is a good time to think of adding color to our plates. It is the time of year when new flowers are just pushing through the recently thawed ice layer to interrupt the dreary grey. Living in the Pacific Northwest we are accustomed to slogging out the winter doldrums and feigning cautious optimism regarding spring. Whether you are starting to think about more healthy options to add to your repertoire or just looking to add a little more color to your life it’s a good time to be inspired by what is growing around you.
There may be community gardens in your neighborhood or perhaps you like to plant herbs in your window box. Perhaps there are tidy vegetable rows just barely poking leaves through the topsoil on your morning dog walk, or you are thinking of adding lettuce to your garden. We are all eagerly soaking up that early spring sunshine just like these plants.
This is a great time to look for those vibrant fruits and vegetables you may have noticed interspersed among the greenery. Bag those yellow, orange, and red versions up with that green pepper. These differences are just levels of ripeness and can change both the taste and nutritional content found in each variety. Instead of using your typical iceberg or romaine lettuce in your salads, try Bibb, red leaf, or even radicchio.
These small changes can be especially important for those paying attention to specific vitamins or minerals in their diet. Substituting a yellow pepper instead of green may add additional Vitamin C while introducing a red pepper will increase your Vitamin A and taste sweeter. Mesculun, endive, and arugula are also nice additions to any mixed greens, adding a variety of color and flavor. Just taking the time and paying attention to the changing season refocuses us on our surroundings. Take a moment to look for the colors in your life. What do you see?
Additionally, we just wanted to share another delicious option available to the public. Working with The Wine Cellar, Chef Shana is preparing take home meals every other week in their central kitchen. You can find the options available and order online at Tastings & Events — The Wine Cellar (portlandwinecellar.com) Meals are sold and packaged individually. While you are at it, add one of their virtual wine tasting classes to the cart for a fun, safe and delicious date night!
We appreciate your support during this past year. I know it’s been trying for everyone and we feel fortunate to support so many of you with safely prepared, delicious meals. Stay safe and be well.
All the best,
Shana Larsen and the Chefs of Ready, Set, Eat!