Eating Greens

This week we are excited to collaborate with Ashley of Honeydew Ink. Artist, Graphic Designer and Calligrapher, Ashley took all of the photographs for this post.

The Market Inspiration
"Eating greens is a special treat..," or so Thumper knows to recite. We often get stuck in the rut of eating greens only because we know they are good for us, but greens can be a part of a dish that is looked forward to, even by those who don't usually like them. Diversifying and trying new options is a fun and easy way to find your favorites. Your local farmer's market is the best place to search; as the seasons change, so will the choices to enjoy. Here are some of our current favorites:

Mizuna lettuce is a Japanese green in the Mustard family. With a crisp and subtle flavor it is the perfect substitute for your traditional salad bar lettuces. Mizuna pairs well with the peppery flavor of arugula, this is the lettuce combination we have used in the golden beet sesame salad below.

Golden Beets are one of the best vegetables out there. Apposed to the traditional red beet, golden beets are sweet and don't have the intense earthy flavor that is often too overpowering in their red counterpart. And since we can't ignore presentation, their vibrant yellow color is also a standout presence in any dish. The leafy green tops of beats can be cooked as a side dish. Simply saute in olive oil with salt and pepper until wilted. Turn off the heat and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Collard Greens we have talked about in a previous post and they are still my favorite green for cooking. Making them an ideal addition to our slow cooker chili recipe below.

The Recipes

Golden Beet Sesame Salad
4-5 Golden Beets, peeled and sliced
1 bunch Mizuna Lettuce, rinsed and chopped
1/2 bunch Arugula, rinsed and chopped
Thinly sliced red onion
Sesame Oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
Salt & Pepper
Freshly grated Basque Cheese

To assemble the salad, combine the Mizuna and Arugula. Plate the lettuce onto individual plates. Top with equal amounts of golden beets. Add red onion as desired. Drizzle one spoonful of sesame oil over each plate and one half spoonful lemon juice. Drizzle with honey and add a pinch of both salt and pepper. Finish with the freshly grated cheese.

Slower Cooker Collard Green Chili
1 bunch Collard Greens, chopped into 1 inch pieces
1 pound ground beef
2 medium shallots, diced
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp berbere
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 tsp cinnamon

In a skillet over medium high heat brown the shallots and the ground beef for 7-10 minutes. While browning, add all of the remains ingredients to your slow cooker. Add the shallots and ground beef. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream.

The Pairing
You know a movie plot is great when it has been remade as many times as Brewster's Millions; our favorite is the 1945 version starring Dennis O'Keefe and directed by Alan Dwan. The plot follows a returning World War II vet that learns he can inherit $8 million (that's a lot of greens, get it?) only if he spends a million of it in two months. It is a funny and charming film that doesn't just make us laugh, it also has something to say about the value of money versus friendship and love. -Z

Follow Ashley on Instagram @honeydew_ink