What the heck does CSA stand for??

CSA. This acronym was recently added to my vocabulary...and I didn't even know what it stood for. All I know is that it had to do with farming co-ops and it allowed me to get fresh produce straight from the farms. (I feel so green and hippie-ish saying that!) Anyway...according to Wikipedia (ya know...the most widely respected professional reference site...or not) defines a CSA as "Community-supported agriculture, a form of an alternative food network, (in Canada Community Shared Agriculture) (CSA) is asocio-economic model of agriculture and food distribution. A CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farming operation where the growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production. CSAs usually consist of a system of weekly delivery or pick-up of vegetables and fruit, in a vegetable box scheme, and sometimes includes dairy products and meat."

That's basically what I thought...right? :-) I was turned onto this concept by my friend, Amy Adams. She recently posted on her Facebook page asking for input from other people about farming co-ops. At first, I didn't get it. I remember asking the hubs, "Is that like when you share a cow with another family?" Oh how naive I am about what's available in the world! He patiently explained to me what Amy was talking about. At that point, I was like "Oh alright." and I moved on with life. 

A few days later, I actually looked into it. I was pleasantly surprised! It looked awesome! The one Amy went with is The Produce Box. The Produce Box's main premise is "We deliver locally grown, farm-fresh produce to your door every week during our North Carolina growing season. We are committed to working with North Carolina farmers only (the main reason we started the program) , and don't ship in products from other states or countries. Join us and become part of our "community of families" who enjoy delicious fruits and vegetables, eat healthier each week and support our farm neighbors." This particular co-op will deliver, which makes it perfect for Amy's family...and for mine. Vance and I decided to do it. I signed up for it on Friday and am awaiting my id and password information. With The Produce Box, you pay $22/week for a small box and $40/week for a large box. For the hubs and I, a small box will be plenty! You also pay a once a year $15 membership fee which is renewed in January. One of the best parts about this particular co-op is that you don't have to order every week AND you only pay for the weeks you do order. :-) That was a decision maker for me. The hubs and I try to eat as many veggies and fruits as possible each week, (I'm better about the fruits and he's better about the veggies) but we're unsure about if we'll be able to eat all of the provided veggies in a week's box. If we find that one box will last us more than one week, we will probably order every other week or so. That's to be determined. :-)

Amy's First Produce Box

Credit

Here's how The Produce Box works:

1. Order between Friday evening and Sunday night. (An email is sent that tells you what is in the default box, but you can order alternate boxes and add special items like bread, honey, peanuts, or extra fruit/veggies when available.)

2. Receive delivery Wednesday or Thursday.

3. Enjoy the produce!

4. Reuse/recycle cartons by placing them outside the night before or day of your next delivery. 

 

I cannot wait to get our first box and try it out!! Have any of you tried a farming co-op? What did you like about it or dislike about it? I'd love to hear any feedback you might have to offer!

For more information on The Produce Box, please visit their website at http://www.theproducebox.com/.

Mommy's Sausage Bread

Sorry it's been so long. Life has been handing me lemons, and I've been busy making lemonade. (Figuratively and literally!)

Last night, my mom taunted all of her Facebook friends via her status. She mentioned her sausage bread. Some people had never heard of sausage bread. Others started drooling in their screens. Still others begged for pictures and the recipe! In my family, sausage bread, is a staple. I've eaten it since before I can remember. However, I don't like sausage. That being said, I call mine pizza bread. Mom always made sure to make one sausage bread, one pizza bread (pepperoni) and one stromboli when she made it for our family. My dad almost always consumed a whole loaf on his own. (My daddy is a beast.) Anyway, I hadn't really thought about the recipe until last night when people asked about it. I've always just made it without thinking about it. However, it is one of the easiest recipes to follow! It can be completely homemade or semi-homemade. Until I get a bread maker, I make the semi-homemade version. My mom always makes the semi-homemade version because seriously...who has time to make homemade bread all the time? This recipe is word for word (minus a few grammar corrections I made) from my mom. Her personality sure does shine through! ;-) Love you, Mommy!

Mommy's Sausage Bread


Ingredients:

• Frozen bread dough* (or make your own if you like)
• Any pizza toppings you enjoy (Italian sausage (browned w/casings removed), Salami, Ham, Pepperoni, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Olives, Spinach, etc.)
• Cheese...lots of cheese**
• Garlic powder or Granulated Garlc
• Egg wash
• Pizza sauce
  
  
  >Ok here's where it gets tricky. I have no set of instructions. I never seem to do it the same twice. I'll do my best.<

Directions:

1. Let dough thaw per package directions.

2. Take one loaf at a time and place on lightly floured surface. 

3. Take your stress out by punching out air bubbles. (I pretty much keep the shape it is and just roll a bit longer and much wider, gradually flipping as needed. It takes some practice, but it's not difficult to do.)

Credit: My Mom

4. Using a pastry brush (or spoon)  brush dough with egg wash. 

5. Liberally sprinkle with garlic. 

6. Add whatever ingredients you want. 

7. Top with cheese. 

8. Roll longways and pinch seams together. 

9. Place on greased cookie sheet seam side down. 

10. Either coat bread with more egg wash or rub with oil (I use oil). 

11. Sprinkle with parm. cheese if desired.

Bake about 15-20 minutes at 350.

*I use Rhodes. It comes in three loaves and is found in the frozen bread aisle. I have resorted to using Pillsbury pizza dough when I can't find the loaves but it doesn't taste as good. I have found Rhodes at Wal-Mart!

**I use mozzarella, provolone, parmesean and sometimes cheddar

Some recipes just make you think of home. This is one of those for me.

Momma Mia! Stuffed Shells

Last night, I made one of my and my husband's favorite Italian meals...stuffed shells! Almost every time I make them, I post pictures on Facebook. My FB friends go crazy over how yummy they look! So, I decided to share the recipe in a public forum. 

Momma Mia Stuffed Shells

By Angela Bailey

Ingredients Needed:

Jumbo Pasta Shells 

1 Jar (1 lb, 8 oz) of Spaghetti Sauce

Mozzarella Cheese (I used Kraft's part skim.)

Parmesan Cheese

10 oz of Frozen Spinach (thawed/drained)

8 oz Ricotta Cheese

Cooking Spray

Water


Optional Ingredients:
Salt
Pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Fill a large pot 3/4 of the way full with water.

3. Add a couple dashes of salt to the water.

4. Boil the water.

5. While the water is boiling, spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.

6. Pour half of the spaghetti sauce into the bottom of the 9x13 baking dish and spread evenly.

7. Add pasta shells to the boiling water. (Don't use the whole box. Only approx. 16-18 shells will actually be made. However, throw in a few extras in case a couple break.) 

8. Cook shells until al dente.

9. While shells are cooking, in a medium mixing bowl, mix ricotta, spinach, and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. (Optional: Add a little salt and pepper.)

10. Drain shells in a colander when done cooking.

11. Rinse shells with cold water until they are cool to the touch.

12. Using a heaping tablespoon of spinach/ricotta mixture, fill shells and place in the 9x13 baking dish, opening facing up.

13. Pour the remainder of the spaghetti sauce over the shells.

14. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over sauce and shells. (I used two handfuls.)

15. Sprinkle parmesan cheese lightly over mozzarella.

16. Cover with tinfoil and put into the oven.

17. Cook for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

18 Enjoy!

This dish is very filling and super yummy! Vance and I are only able to eat about 4 shells each and we are stuffed! That just means there are leftovers! MMMM! I can't wait for lunch!

~A