Under the Median: FAST FOOD IS GOOD FOR YOU! CSA Box #5

Summer is the perfect time to save money on food or get your grocery budget in line if the winter months have taken a toll on your pocket book. One of the amazing things about fresh food is that you don't have to go to great lengths to add expensive ingredients or spend hours in the kitchen to create amazing, tasty, healthy dishes.

Fast food is good for you!

Nope! I don't mean any establishment where you look at a brightly lit board and order a "full meal deal". My version of "fast food" that won't pack on the pounds, endanger your health, or cost you and arm and a leg.

This week, let's focus on real food that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, with a maximum of 9 ingredients.

Ready? Let's go!

Crisp Sauteed Red Potatoes with Green Onions

So easy and yet, so delicious! Red potatoes, sauteed with green onions in a pan until crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Amazing!

This next recipe utilized green onion, broccoli, and cauliflower - all from my CSA box!

I made this for supper tonight and it got a rousing "two thumbs up" from everyone. I had the quinoa pre-made. But, even if you don't you can saute the veggies, while cooking the quinoa and still have this dish on the table in 30 minutes.

Quinoa with Broccoli and Cauliflower

3 cut up green onions (including the tops)

2 cloves of garlic - minced

2 cups cut up fresh cauliflower

2 cups cut up fresh broccoli

1 Tbsp salt free seasoning (your choice)

2 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

4 cups cooked quinoa

2 Tbsp lemon juice

I don't saute anything using oil. It's just extra calories. You can achieve the same effect by using water. Cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of water. Heat until very warm. Add onions and garlic. Cook until the onion and garlic are softened. Add broccoli, cauliflower, and seasoning. Cook on med/high heat until the broccoli turns bright green - about 5 minutes. Add cooked quinoa and pour the lemon juice over the top. Check to see if you need to adjust the seasonings.

Lemony Sugar Snap Peas

Truthfully, these are absolutely decadent just washed and eaten raw. But, if you are fortunate enough to have some left, then this recipe for lemony sugar snap peas is a sure winner! The 14 year old sous chef and I designed this recipe after I found 2 pound bags of sugar snap peas on clearance at Kroger. Since then, my family has asked for it again and again. It takes 9 ingredients and 20 minutes. Throw them over brown rice for a complete meal. Enjoy!

Lemony Sugar Snap Peas

Quick Cabbage Soup

Nine ingredients, easy, and delicious! The blog promises that this quick cabbage soup is exactly that - hot and ready in just 15 minutes.

Tomato Cucumber Salad with Lime Dressing

The fresh tomatoes are just starting to ripen! Yay! I created this recipe for tomato cucumber salad as a tribute to the sweet and sour summer salads that my grandmother made for picnics. I gave it a twist with a fresh lime vinaigrette. Perfect for upcoming summer get togethers.

What are you making with this season's early summer produce? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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