A New Opportunity and Some Recipes: 1st Quality Produce

Although you might not be able to tell by my recipes, in the last six years since I have been gluten-free I have found a passion for eating healthy. I am the kind of person who likes to have five fruits and vegetables everyday (while maybe sneaking in a cookie too!). However, sometimes I wonder where that produce is being sourced from. Often when we go to the grocery store we see stickers or labels that say "Product of Mexico or Chile," not knowing how the food was handled or processed. For all of you who wonder this too, I have some exciting news! 1^st Quality Produce is launching their new “Farm to Families” box, which includes 10-15 pre-selected fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season (and all grown in California). The box retails for $29.99, but would cost  over $45 if you were to get the same produce at the grocery store. Not only is all of the produce in the box fresh and sourced from California, but everything is gluten free of course! The produce does vary from week to week, guaranteeing that customers receive what is the most fresh. Not only does this box save you time from going to the store (everything is ready for you in the box when you go to pick up), but you also know where all of the produce is being sourced from. The “Farm to Families” box is an innovative and convenient way to shop for local farm fresh produce. 

 Included in the Farm to Families Box Week 1: 

 So the real question then becomes now that you have all of this produce, what can you make for dinner? :) Besides the recipes below, you can eat the celery with some peanut butter and raisins (or even mini chocolate chips) for a kid-friendly snack, blackberries go great in a fresh fruit salad, cucumbers are great with some feta, olives, and Italian dressing, peaches can be grilled and served with chicken for a quick dinner, red onions are great on a gluten-free BBQ chicken pizza, and zucchini can be grilled or used as the pasta in a gluten-free lasagna. 

 Garlic Chili Roasted Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Yield: About 8-10 servings 

 Using just what I was given in the box (along with a few pantry staples), I was able to make a Mexican feast using all local, fresh, and a gluten free ingredients. 

INGREDIENTS 

·        4 Sweet Corn

·        4 Tablespoons of Butter (I used Imperial)

·        Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning (I make my own)

·        Grape Tomatoes

·        1 Can of Black Beans (15 oz. can)

·        ¼ Cup of Fresh Cilantro(chopped)

·        1 Tablespoon Olive Oil  

·        Juice of 1 Lime (about 3 Tablespoons)

·        Salt/Pepper to Taste

·        ¼ Teaspoon of Cumin

DIRECTIONS

1.     Preheat oven or toaster oven to 450 °F.

2.     While your oven is preheating, line a baking tray with foil and spray with cooking spray.  

3.     Mix 4 Tablespoons of Butter with about 1 Tablespoon of Taco Seasoning (You can add more or less depending on how spicy or strong your mix is).

4.     Slather the mixture onto the corn and bake for about 30 minutes or until your corn is roasted.

5.     Let the corn cool a little bit (you don’t want to burn yourself!), then put the corn off of the cobs, making sure to get the “milk” of the corn as well.

6.     In a medium size bowl, squeeze the juice of one lime and then while whisking, drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil until emulsified (which mean that the oil and lime juice have mixed together).

7.     Season the dressing with salt/pepper and the cumin.

8.     Drain one can of black beans and cut the grape tomatoes (as many or as little as you like).

9.     Put the roasted corn, black beans, and tomatoes into the bowl with the dressing and mix.

10. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes so all of the flavors are absorbed into the lightly warm corn and the rest of the ingredients.

11. Enjoy! 

 Cilantro Lime Dressing 

 INGREDIENTS 

·        1 Cup of Fresh Cilantro

·        1 Avocado

·        1/3 Cup of Plain Greek Yogurt (You can also use Sour Cream)  

·        ½ Teaspoon of White Vinegar

·        2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

·        Juice of 1 Lime (3 Tablespoons)

·        Salt/Pepper to Taste

·        ¼ Teaspoon of Cumin

·        Scant 1/4 Teaspoon of Granulated Garlic (You can do more or less depending how much you like garlic).  

·        ½ Teaspoon of Powdered Onion

·        2 Tablespoons of Water

DIRECTIONS

1.     Wash your cilantro and pull off all of the leaves.

2.     In a mini food prep (or food processor), combine all of the above ingredients for about 1-2 minutes or until smooth (except the water).  

3.     After everything is been pulsed, add the water slowly until the dressing becomes the consistency you want. (I use the full 2 Tablespoons of Water, but you may want the dressing thicker if you want it to be a sauce instead of a dressing).

4.     Let the dressing sit for about 10 minutes.

5.     Enjoy! (You can use this on tacos, taco salads, chicken, fish, steak, or even with quesadillas as a dipping sauce).  

Tacos with cheese, chicken, Garlic Chili Roasted Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salsa, lettuce, and Cilantro Lime Dressing 

Taco Salad with Lettuce, Garlic Chili Roasted Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salsa, Red Peppers, chicken, cheese, crushed up tortilla chips, and Cilantro Lime Dressing 

Are you excited now? Well, the public can begin pre-ordering Farm to Families fresh produce boxes today (Monday) through Thursday. Boxes can be picked up Friday (June 19) at 1st Quality Produce, 2445 S. Gearhart St., Fresno. For more information, or to order, call (559) 442-1932 (tell them the Gluten-Free Project sent you!)

Until Next Time,