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Simple Solutions to the Dinner Dilemma

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By Julia Howard

While there are usually easy meal solutions for breakfast and lunch, simple, healthy dinner ideas are no easy feat. Finding a recipe that your family will enjoy is only a part of the struggle. We crave a quick fix for dinner, something that doesn’t take hours to prep and cook, and something that won’t take an hour to clean up. The Saratoga Farmers’ Market has meal motivation and locally sourced ingredients to get you through these dinner difficulties.

Photo from iStock.

Sheet Pan Dinners

For an effortless, delicious meal with minimal cleanup, sheet pan dinners are one of our favorite approaches to dinner. Choose your favorite seasonal vegetable(s) and pair it with a protein like chicken, pork, or beef. Think steak with Brussels sprouts and potatoes, sausages with apples and carrots, chicken with mushrooms and tomatoes (tomatoes will return to the market in Feb.). The internet has many ideas, and finding the right ingredients is super simple between your pantry and the farmers’ market.

Photo from iStock

Farmers’ Market Frittatas

Frittatas can be very easy to make and are a great way to clean out your refrigerator. Ingredients include eggs, vegetables, fresh herbs (optional, and returning to the market in Feb.), cheese, and bacon or sausage – or omit for a vegetarian option. Simply sautee the vegetables, add cooked bacon and herbs, pour whisked eggs over the mixture, top with cheese, and broil for 3-4 minutes. We love M&A Farm’s recipe and remember that you can put just about anything in your frittata.

Photo of carrot and ginger soup by Pattie Garrett.

Simple Soups

Soups are one of the most satisfying, healthy, and easy one-pot meals to make. Simply chop up your vegetables, sautee the aromatics (leeks, onions, carrots, garlic, but the list goes on), add chicken or vegetable stock and simmer, then puree or leave chunky depending on the soup and your preference. Some ideas are vegetable soup, potato and leek soup, mushroom soup, and butternut squash soup.

Photo from iStock.

Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Meals

Slow cookers and Instant Pots have turned complicated, time-consuming meals into one-pot wonders. A quick Google search can reveal recipes for anything from tacos to pot roast to soups and stews. Once your ingredients are in the pot, you typically don’t need to pay attention to them until the meal is cooked and ready to serve. 

This weeks recipe: Farmers’ Market Frittata

Chicken Noodle Soup

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iStock

Recipe by Adam and Joanne Gallagher
Prep & Cook Time: 40mins
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

  • 2 tablespoons butter* or olive oil
  • 1 large onion*, chopped
  • 2 large carrots*, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped (optional)
  • 4 cloves garlic*, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme* or use 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breast*
  • 8 cups chicken stock, low sodium, or broth or use homemade stock
  • 5 ounces egg noodles (or pasta of choice)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley*, finely chopped
  • Water or more stock, as needed

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring every few minutes until the vegetables begin to soften; 5 to 6 minutes.
  2. Stir in the garlic, bay leaves, and thyme. Cook, while stirring the garlic around the pan, for about 1 minute.
  3. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a low simmer. Taste the soup then adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Depending on the stock used, you might need to add 1 or more teaspoons of salt.
  4. Submerge the chicken thighs into the soup so that the broth covers them. Bring the soup back to a low simmer then partially cover the pot with a lid and cook, stirring a few times until the chicken thighs are cooked through; about 20 minutes.
  5. If, during this time, the broth seems low, add a splash more stock or a bit of water. Turn the heat to medium-low.
  6. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate. Stir the noodles into the soup and cook until done, 6 to 10 minutes depending on the type of noodles used.
  7. While the noodles cook, shred the chicken into strips or dice into cubes. Slide the chicken back into the pot and then taste the soup once more for seasoning. Adjust with more salt and pepper, as needed. Stir in the parsley and serve.

Food for Good Health at the Farmers’ Market

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By Julia Howard

Squash Villa Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

The best way to stay healthy during cold and flu season is to take preventative steps before you feel that first sniffle. If you become sick, resting, staying hydrated, and getting proper nutrition are some of the most important things you can do to feel better and recover faster. Many locally grown and sourced foods can alleviate and support you during the healing process.

Pasture-raised chicken and grass-fed beef bones are available at the farmers’ market and can be boiled down to make nutrient-dense stock. Bone broth is rich in minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids and has many health benefits. To get started, place 1 gallon of water, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2-4 pounds of animal bones, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a large pot or slow cooker. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 12-24 hours. The longer it cooks, the better it will taste and the more nutritious it will be.

Vitamin C is largely associated with a strengthened immune system and may help to reduce cold and flu symptoms. Brussels sprouts, potatoes, tomatoes, and fresh herbs like parsley and thyme are high in vitamin C and currently available from local farms.

Gomez Veggie Ville, photo by Pattie Garrett

Freshly harvested leafy greens like spinach and kale can also help boost your immune system as they contain vitamins E and C. A green smoothie or a raw salad can offer a daily dose of essential, health-building vitamins.

Ballston Lake Apiaries, photo by Pattie Garrett

Whether you’re looking to alleviate a cough or boost your immune system, honey is the perfect food to consume on its own or in a cup of tea. Honey is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Bee products such as propolis and bee pollen, available at Ballston Lake Apiaries, are high in zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins.

Garlic has been used in alternative medicine for centuries. Scientists have found that plant compounds in garlic are immune-supportive and anti-inflammatory even when consumed raw in small doses.

While no food alone can cure sickness, eating the right foods may help support your immune system and offer relief from certain symptoms.

This week’s recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

Garlic & Herb-Infused Butter

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Photo by Stacey Leonard

Recipe by J. Adkins Cultivation
Makes: 8 oz. of garlic and herb-infused butter

“There is nothing better than having fresh, organic herbs growing inside, ready to be snipped for your next recipe. Our favorite herbs are Rosemary and Winter Savory, especially at Christmastime. Herb-Infused Butter makes an excellent addition to any holiday dinner table.” – Jay Adkins

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 2 sticks (8 oz.) salted butter*
● 1 fresh garlic clove*, crushed
● 3 sprigs of Organic Rosemary*
● 3 Sprigs of Organic Winter Savory*

Additionally, you will need a butter mold for this recipe (get creative!)

Instructions
Pluck all herb leaves away from the stems of 2 sprigs of both herbs (leaving one whole fresh sprig for the last step).
Crush the garlic clove and toast lightly on low in a cast iron pan.
Toss the fresh herbs into the pan with the garlic and stir. The dry heat from the cast iron helps the flavor of the herbs break open and blend with the garlic.
Slice the butter and add to the pan on low/medium heat. As the butter melts, stir it well to mix in the garlic and herbs.
Wash and dry your mold (I used a small, antique ceramic dish shaped like a rectangle).
While the butter is melted and hot, pour it into the mold.
Let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Cover the dish and refrigerate for up to 1 hour or until the butter starts to set but is still soft.
Press the remaining whole sprigs into the top of the butter. Continue refrigerating until use.

 

Beer Mashed Potatoes

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Beer Mashed Potatoes, iStock

Recipe by Craft Beering
Yield: 6 servings
Prep & cook time: 30 min

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 3 lbs starchy potatoes* (such as Russet or Yukon Gold)
● 2/3 cup beer* (such as pilsner or lager)
● 1/2 cup butter*
● 1/2 heavy cream
● 2 cloves garlic*, minced (optional)
● salt & pepper (to taste)
● 1 tsp fresh parsley*, finely chopped, for garnish

Instructions
1. Peel the potatoes, rinse and cut them into uniform pieces, as needed for even cooking.
2. Place the potatoes in a large stockpot, add 1 tbsp salt and enough cold water to cover them by about 2 inches. Bring to boil over medium-high heat and boil until the potatoes are very tender.
3. While to potatoes are boiling, in a small saucepan over medium heat bring the beer to simmer. Temporarily remove from the stove and add the butter. As soon as it begins to melt add the cream. If using minced garlic, add it now. Stir to combine, place back on the stove and keep warm using the lowest setting available.
4. Drain the boiled potatoes and break them down using a masher. Add the beer mixture as you continue to mash. Optional – once the liquids are fully incorporated you can whip the mash for about a minute to make it extra creamy.
5. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed, stir well. Serve on a warm plate and garnish with parsley.

Notes:
*Be sure to use heavy cream – its higher fat content will ensure that it does not curdle in contact with the heated beer. Always add it after you’ve added the butter for the same reason.
*Adding the garlic to the warm mixture will significantly mellow its sharp taste and bring out its sweetness.

Lion’s Mane Scampi

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Photo by Emily Meagher

Recipe shared by
The Mushroom Shop
Serves: 2-4

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available
at the farmers’ market
● 8 oz linguine or fettuccine*,
or other pasta of choice
● ½ lb lion’s mane mushrooms*
● 4 Tbsp butter*
● 2 Tbsp olive oil
● 3 garlic cloves*, minced
● 1 shallot*, diced
● ½ cup white wine
● ½ lemon, juiced
● Salt, to taste

Instructions
1. Boil salted water in a medium or large pot. Cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes for linguine or fettuccine (or per packaging instructions).
2. Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Tear the lion’s mane into shrimp-sized pieces.
4. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet. Saute the garlic cloves and shallot for 4-5 minutes.
5. Add the lion’s mane and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
6. Deglaze with the white wine, add another 2 tablespoons of butter and the lemon juice. Add salt to taste.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, remove from heat. Toss well to ensure an even coating of the pasta. Enjoy!