The Ruach}
Read the current issue of our bulletin

Gan Ilan Preschool}
Early childhood education

Become a Member}

Subscribe to our Newsletter}

Calendar}

Volunteer}

Photo Gallery}

csa-recipes-for May 15,  2012

Hi CSA Friends- Below are two recipes for Green Garbanzo Beans, which some of you may be unfamiliar with.  They are what folks are calling the “new edamame”. Lucky us, Javier has been growing them the last couple of years.  Next up is a “greatest hit” recipe my daughter has been BEGGING for, to make Cauliflower/Carrot pickles, very easy, and very tasty, thanks to CSA member Carine Mink!  Lastly, with the summer fruit coming in (YAAAAAAAAY!), it also means a lot of the citrus is about done, so I wanted to pass along a variation of avocado/blood orange salad that has been bandied about at the CSA lately, before the blood oranges are no longer. Enjoy, and happy eating to all!

B’tayavon (Bon Appetit),
Janna, Recipe Maven

About Green Garbanzo Beans
http://nutritionunplugged.com/2010/05/fresh-green-chickpeas-are-the-new-edamame/

Move over, edamame?  Fresh garbanzos — the moist, raw version of a legume … Read More >

csa-recipes-for May 8,  2012

Hi CSA Friends- I’m leaving the recipe from last week for bok choy (and the notes) since there was so much bonus bok choy today! I tried the recipe and loved it with peanuts. Desiree LeClerc said it was excellent doing the sesame seed variation as well, from my notes.  Desiree also highly recommended this artichoke recipe, so I wanted to pass it along too. Thanks Desiree!

B’tayavon (Bon Appetit),
Janna, Recipe Maven

From Desiree:
Here is a recipe I used on my two artichokes tonight. I did not reduce the amounts for the braising sauce and it seemed just right with only 2 artichokes. This was excellent as well.

Artichokes Braised with Garlic and Thyme Gourmet | April 2005

Food editor Maggie Ruggiero learned this method of cooking artichokes from a close friend of hers, Betty Alfenito, “prop stylist and cook extraordinaire.” We … Read More >

csa-recipes-for May 1,  2012

Hello Everyone:

We are looking forward to seeing everyone again this afternoon!  It is nice to have a break, and it is great to start a new season!
Janna’s got some great recipes below that use the sweet bok choy and lemons that are so abundant this time of year. 
Just a reminder, please bring bags or boxes to bring home your beautiful produce.  Also, please bring a check to pay for the season, if you have not already done so!

Thanks!

Warmest regards,
Rebecca

FROM JANNA’S KITCHEN

Hi CSA Friends- I found this tasty looking beet dish with lentils I’m looking forward to trying once I’m back from Florida. I always think I’d love preserved lemons, but I’ll admit I tend to punt and just use lemon zest. I need to plan ahead! That said, I’ll include a preserved lemon tutorial if you plan … Read More >

csa-recipes-for April 10,  2012

Hi CSA Friends,

I hope all who celebrated had a lovely start to Passover and a good Easter. Welcome to Spring! This is a quick reminder that our CSA is on holiday break for 2 weeks, and will resume Tuesday 4/24.

Spring CSA Subscription:  4/24-6/26, 10 weeks
Prices coming soon….....
(prices always go up a bit as the heavier spring/summer produce comes in.  We don’t want to give you ONE of something!)

While on break, you can get fabulous produce at the following Farmer’s Markets: 

SUN- WC Market downtown, South of Target-Sundays 9-1pm- Javier Ledesma sells here, so same veggies!!!
http://www.cccfm.org/
or
TUE- WC Kaiser (small, located in courtyard, but can get what you need, often my quick solution since it’s close to me!!!)
http://www.pcfma.com/market_home.php?market_id=44
or
TUE-  Concord- Todos Santos Plaza (big!)- 10am-2pm TUE
http://www.pcfma.com/market_home.php?market_id=3

csa-recipes-for April 3,  2012

Hi CSA Friends-  Passover starts tomorrow, Friday, at sundown. The Passover Seder, of course, recounts the story of the Jews escape from slavery in Egypt.  Egypt in Hebrew is “Mitzrayim”, which literally means “the narrow place”. While physically, we talk about the escape from slavery, there is also the metaphysical escape from the truly narrow places in which we all can find ourselves stuck. So too, it is Spring, and time for renewal. Whichever holidays and festivals you celebrate, may everyone find their way out of their narrow places to freedom and into your own place of renewal.

I’m sending more “greatest hits” recipes this week that are Passover/Easter/Spring appropriate. 

Happy Passover and Easter and Spring,
B’tayavon (Bon Appetit),
Janna

Herb Apricot (or any dried fruit) Chicken
“30 minute meals” with Rachael Ray

Our family loves this meal, with a ton … Read More >

csa-recipes-for March 27,  2012

Hi CSA Friends- 

This week is a greatest hits week for the CSA, as so many folks asked for these recipes, it includes uses for green garlic, parsley, cilantro. 

Green garlic, oh green garlic, I hope you have some.  If you don’t, please take some next time we have it.  It has a very brief season in early spring.  You eat the WHOLE thing. It has the essence of garlic, with none of the sharpness, and when I see it hit the markets, my mouth starts watering!  If you pan fry it in a little olive oil, alone, with greens….toss it over pasta. Mix it with eggs.  It’s divine. 

Then there is a seasonal chicken recipe with green garlic and braising greens or spinach. “Braising greens” means any of the heartier greens (collards, kale, chard).

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

B’tayavon (Bon Appetit),
Janna Lipman Weiss, Recipe Maven

PS Don’t … Read More >

csa-recipes-for March 20,  2012

Hello Everyone,

On Friday night, just before Shabbat began, a rainstorm started to howl and knocked out the power in many parts of Lafayette and Walnut Creek.  My husband Jonathan came home from work and quickly headed out to check on his 92 year old mom and aunt, who live in Rossmore.

Katherine, Lillian and I started to prepare for a night without electricity. Out came the Shabbat candles, so we would have light for our evening meal.  As we were setting the table, I looked out my front window and realized my neighbor Anita was home alone with her two small boys.  Then I thought about an elderly woman who lives up the street and does not have nearby relatives.  And down the block was my friend Alicia, who’s partner Rick was away on a business trip.

I asked the kids what we should do and without hesitation, we … Read More >

csa-recipes-for March 13,  2012

Hello Everyone!

Avocados are one of my favorite foods to eat.  For breakfast, I often just slice one in half, remove the pit, add a dash of rice vinegar and salt to each side and then dig in!

This week’s recipes feature two wonderful recipes from Food Network chefs Alton Brown and Paula Deen. One is for quacamole and one is for salad dressing that is out of this world.  It will taste great on the red leaf or romaine lettuce!

Looking forward to hearing all about your favorite ways to use avocados.

Warmest regards,
Rebecca

Guacamole
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Serves:
1 batch

Ingredients:
3 Haas avocados, halved, seeded and peeled
1 lime, juiced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon chopped … Read More >