To make excellent meals, you just need a few simple building blocks. Below are some of our favorite dishes, which can be prepared using infinite combinations of produce from your Boston Organics box. We think of them as a different take on a meal kit. We love them because if you have just a handful of staples in your kitchen, you can plug in pretty much any produce you receive in your Boston Organics box and prepare a delicious, fruit-and-vegetable centered meal. If cooking is new for you, developing just a few skills will help you expand your repertoire immensely.
Stir Fry
A basic stir-fry is a great way to incorporate lots of delicious veggies into a single dish, while maintaining the flavor and crunch of the individual items. Seasoning with ginger, garlic and soy sauce is a common combo, but feel free to experiment with seasonings. Keep your kitchen stocked with rice, tofu and ginger so that you can prepare a stir-fry with whatever produce arrives in your box. If you're looking for inspiration to get you started, check out these recipes for Stir-Fried Bok Choy with Mushrooms and Peppers and Summer Vegetable Stir-Fry.
Curry
Curries are a colorful and flavorful way to enjoy all the veggies in your box. Start with vegetables and coconut milk, and the rest is up to you! Add ginger, garlic, curry powder, turmeric, hot peppers or other seasonings as you like. Serve over rice or quinoa for a satisfying meal, and sprinkle over with chopped cashews for some crunch. This simple recipe is easily adapted to your tastes and the vegetables that you have available.
Pizza
Take-out pizza is a favorite fast and simple weeknight meal. With just a few add-ons, you can enjoy a delicious homemade pizza with not much more effort, and loads more vegetables! Make a simple sauce with onions, garlic and organic tomato puree. Spread over a stretched dough and top with your favorite veggies: squash of all stripes, sauteed greens, eggplant, onions, sliced tomato, broccoli, sweet potatoes... the possibilities are endless. Sprinkle with cheese and bake until golden.
If you're feeling adventurous, experiment with "sweetzas", like this Apple, Chedder and Maple Pizza (also known as the Vermonter).
Salad
This one might seem obvious, but we thought it bore repeating. Enjoy a produce packed salad as a side dish or bulk it up with cheese, hard-boiled egg, beans or other protein to make a meal. Start with greens, and add produce of your choice. In the winter, we love grating root vegetables like carrots, beets and radishes onto salads, or tossing in sections of sweet and tart citrus like grapefruit and oranges (in fact, oranges and beets are an awesome combination, as in this bright salad). Cucumbers, sprouts, apples, fennel, berries, avocado, tomatoes, grapes and corn are great toppers too.
Don't feel limited in your choice of greens, either. Kale, chard or even shredded cabbage or brussels sprouts make flavorful and crunchy bases for salads. Toss in your favorite dressing (or make your own!) and enjoy.
Tacos
Tortillas are an ideal vehicle for food, especially Mi Tierra's organic corn tortillas, which are made from just three ingredients. Lay out a layer of tortillas, add some slices of cheese if desired, and heat up in the oven or microwave until warm but not crunchy and the cheese, if using, is nice and melty. Add beans, tofu, tempeh or meat of your choice. Zucchini or cauliflower, roasted winter squash or sauteed greens are a great place to start. Top with a fresh salsa, grated radishes or carrots or a tangy coleslaw.
Frittata
Frittata isn't just for brunch. It's a simple dinner, or leftover slices make a great packed lunch. Whisk eggs with dairy of your choice (one half cup of dairy per dozen eggs is a good rule of thumb). Combine with grated cheese and vegetables and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Mushrooms, greens, squash, tomatoes, broccoli and peppers are great additions to frittatas. But really the sky's the limit: experiment with adding apples or other fruit too.
Tofu Scramble
For a vegan option, tofu scrambles make satisfying anytime meals. Saute tofu with salsa or curry powder, and add in your favorite veggies, from mushrooms to spinach to peppers. Shake in some turmeric for extra flavor, and for a nice yellow hue. If you're craving "breakfast for dinner," serve it up with a side of homemade home fries.
Muesli
Muesli is a combination of rolled oats, dried fruit and nuts. It is often hailed as a healthier alternative to granola as it does not contain added sugars beyond those found in the dried fruit. Top your muesli with yogurt and fruit from your Boston Organics box. Alternatively, juice some of your fruit and pour it over your muesli to soak overnight. Breakfast will be ready to roll as soon as you get up!
Baked Oatmeal
Serve breakfast for a crowd or keep weekday mornings simple with batches of baked oatmeal. Oats, almond milk and eggs serve as a base for this versatile dish. Stir berries, apple chunks or banana into the oat mixture before baking, or serve with fresh fruit spooned on top. Baked oatmeal keeps well and is simple to heat up.
Happy cooking!
