Moving hiatus

Yes, those are my couches

The countdown has begun: we move in five days.

Along with all the joys of moving also comes all the stress of packing and coordinating.

And did I mention the four days with no internet access? And the lack of kitchen countertops and sink?

All this is to explain why I will be taking a week's hiatus from this blog. When I'm back and reconnected, it will be time for another CSA Share Ninja Rescue post, so please keep posting comments on what you're getting in your shares.

And don't forget to follow me on Facebook, as I will be trying to post some updates there during the hiatus.

See you next week!

Loaded oatmeal cookies: a recipe

Loaded oatmeal cookies

We've been talking CSA veg so much lately that I figured it was time for some cookies.

I love cookies like these, that somehow manage to imply that they are healthful because they are "loaded" with good things like flaxseed, wheat germ and fruit -- apparently we should just ignore that they also include two kinds of sugar and chocolate. Heck, some people who have made the recipe have even gone so far as to refer to them as "breakfast cookies." Really?

Not that there's anything wrong with cookies for breakfast, of course.

Regardless, I think they are just plain wicked. In fact, Mr. Ninj, cramming in his fifth or sixth last night, proclaimed them to be in a tie with the salty oaties for best cookie ever. (Gee, funny how the dandelion cookies didn't even make it out of the starting blocks for him...)

Wow. Them's fightin' words.

I think you should make both this weekend and let me know which one wins in your house.

RECIPE LINK: Loaded Oatmeal Cookies from Better Homes and Gardens

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday: fruit

Apples in the wee orchard!

CSA Share Ninja Rescue: leeks, arugula and radishes

Photo by Nathalie Dulex via stock.xchng

Welcome back to the CSA Share Ninja Rescue feature, where you tell me what items in your CSA share are making you scratch your head or lose your patience and I provide you with some help in the form of recipes or ideas.

To see how it works, check out the previous installments:

• Cabbage, kale and peas
• Beets, turnips and fava beans

Commenters from last week have asked for recipe ideas for leeks, arugula and radishes.

Leeks
If you haven't cooked with leeks very much, be warned: they are very, very dirty. But they are also easy to clean -- check out this great demo video from Gourmet.

• Eggs baked in cream from The Wednesday Chef: This makes a lovely brunch dish or light dinner
• Vichyssoise: Potato and leek soup -- a classic!
• Ham and leek bread pudding via The Ninj and Thomas Keller (sort of): No bourbon, but still amazing

Ranchy pasta salad: a recipe

Ranchy pasta salad

Moving is starting to wreak havoc with my kitchen ninja-ness.

I'm currently project managing the minor remodeling at our new house while simultaneously packing up the contents of our current house in time for moving day.

As you can imagine, this work has cut into my blog-worthy cooking and recipe-researching time.

However, rather than let the blog stagnate, I thought I'd just be honest about how we're eating during this transition time. I'm happy to report that we are not simply going out to dinner every night (although that will likely happen once we finally move in and the kitchen is still ripped apart). Instead, I'm keeping my menu plan quick and easy.

Case in point, this pasta salad.

Now, if you are my friend Liz, you will shriek in horror because this recipe includes -- gasp -- bottled salad dressing!

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday: garden

The garden, the wee orchard and the Ninjette.