Spring Produce: Shop Smarter

Spring Produce: Shop Smarter 1

Here at Ebates we are trying so hard to stick to keep up our healthy eating resolutions. One of the ways we are doing this is keeping ourselves very aware of new, tasty vegetables by trekking to any and all farmer’s markets. This past weekend we paid way too much attention to the flowers and dried fruit, so we decided to brush up on which fruits and veggies to pay the closest attention to at our next farmer’s market adventure. Here are Spring’s best produce options:

apricots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apricots: we are going to grab some, chop them up and toss them in some Greek yogurt. Sprinkle with some almonds and voila – breakfast!

asparagus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asparagus: this is one of our favorite veggies. It’s so versatile. We have roasted it with a little olive oil, salt, & pepper. We have thrown it into an omelette with some cheese. We have eaten in a quinoa salad with various other veggies.

beets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beets: We are always struck by how sweet this veggie is. It hasn’t always been a favorite, but we have found ways to really enjoy it. Our favorite way to prepare beets is quite simple and VERY tasty. Cut off the stems and poke a few little holes in the beet with a fork or sharp knife. Then wrap them in foil with a little salt and olive oil. Bake at 350 for an hour. Once they are cooled a bit remove the skin, slice in pieces and sprinkle with some goat cheese and chopped chives.

cherries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cherries: we aren’t huge fans of cherries, but are eager to give them another chance. Or maybe a few more. These could easily be pitted and served just like the apricots, or just snacked on in front of the TV.

fennel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fennel: We are recent converts to team fennel after having it in a wonderful salad at a local restaurant. It was served sliced quite thin with tomatoes and pitted olives in a light vinaigrette. We know that doesn’t sound the most delicious, but it is worth trying.

leeks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leeks: Leeks are one of our favorite veggies. They make everything taste better. We saute them in a little olive oil and throw them in fritattas, salads, soups, stews. They add a delicious onion-y flavor but less sharp and more sweet.

peas

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peas: No shocker here that peas made this list. We are big fans of peas but don’t have a ton of recipes to share. We typically shell them and saute with a little salt and butter. A little fresh grated parmesean makes for a nice finish.

rhubarb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhubarb: We aren’t skilled in the art of pie making but love a good strawberry rhubarb pie. Grab these red and pink stalks because their season is quite short!

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

This scrumptious blog comes courtesy of our dear friend Kim, who blogs over at Today’s Creative. She is a wonderful lifestyle blogger. Be sure to check her out!

This fall dessert is not only a favorite in my home, but also around my neighborhood. It’s not uncommon for me to make this a couple of times a month and has become a tradition at my October Ladies Bunco night. This classic dump cake is simple to make and is a hit for any event, even Thanksgiving!  No fancy ingredients, or techniques makes this cake super fast to make.

pumpkin crunch dump cake recipePumpkin Crunch Cake

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

 

* 1 can pumpkin puree

* 1 can evaporated milk

* 4 eggs

* 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

* 1 1/2 Cups sugar

* 1 teaspoon salt

* 1 package yellow cake mix

* 1 Cup chopped nuts ( I used pecans)

* 1 Cup butter or margarine – melted

Optional

 

whipped cream

Instructions:

Lightly grease 9×13 baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together: Pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Mix well. I use a mixer, but you could use a wooden spoon.

Pour into prepared pan

Sprinkle cake mix over the top of the mixture. Pat down and spread nuts evenly. Drizzle melted butter over the top.

Bake 50-60 min.

Top with whipped cream when serving…if wanted. I prefer mine plain.

Enjoy!

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