The Basics.
This week's haul of bodacious pork chops from Tad at Feather Brook Farms and bok choy from Fran at Busa Farms had us poring over our Asian cookbooks at the dining room table, hunting for ideas. Cookbooks like Myers and Chang at Home, and David Chang's Momofuku offer delightful recipes that are big on flavor and approachable enough - if you have the right pantry items. Having them on hand broadens the horizon of possibilities for every day cooking and provides flavorful answers to the question: "What the hell do I do with these greens?"
A few things to have on hand:
- Fish Sauce: Origin - fish coated in salt and left to ferment. Flavor - Umami all day
- Oyster Sauce: Slow simmering oysters until the sauce caramelizes and becomes dark brown and thick. Modern sauces are made with cornstarch and sugar to enhance flavors. More umami.
- Mirin: A staple of Japanese cuisine, Mirin is like sake with a lower alcohol content and higher sugar content. Common in fish dishes and other sauces.
- Soy Sauce: Created over 2,000 years ago is sauce is made of fermented soy beans and adds a rich saltiness to any dish.
- Hoisin: Though the word "hoisin" is Chinese for seafood, there is no fish in this sauce. Instead, it is made of soy beans, fennel, garlic and chilis. Perfect for pork.
- Sriracha: A mash up of red chilis, vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt- this makes its way to so many dishes in our house. As a topping for eggs, compliment to mayo or base of broths we go through about a bottle a month.
Stock up, and lets get cooking.
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Pork Chops from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Brookford Farm
Pescatarian Protein - Scallops from Red's Best; Eggs from Brookford Farm
Vegetarian Protein - Eggs from Brookford Farm
Paleo Proteins - Pork Chops from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Brookford Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Bok Choy, English Peas and Strawberries from Busa Farms; Red Leaf Lettuce from Brookford Farm
Grain - Pasta from Nella Pasta
Special Treat - Nuts from Q's Nuts
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Pork Chops from Feather Brook Farms; Scallops from Red's Best, Eggs from Brookford Farm
Pescatarian Protein - Scallops and Hake from Red's Best; Eggs from Brookford Farm
Vegetarian Protein - Eggs from Brookford Farm
Paleo Proteins - Pork Chops from Feather Brook Farms; Scallops from Red's Best, Eggs from Brookford Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Broccoli, Bok Choy, English Peas and Strawberries from Busa Farms; Summer Squash and Red Leaf Lettuce from Brookford Farm
Grain - Pasta from Nella Pasta
Special Treat - Nuts from Q's Nuts
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Pork Chops and Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farms; Scallops from Red's Best, Eggs and Yogurt from Brookford Farm
Paleo Protein - Pork Chops and Ground Beef from Feather Brook Farms; Scallops from Red's Best, Eggs from Brookford Farm
Fruits and Veggies - CHERRIES (!), Broccoli, Bok Choy, English Peas and Strawberries from Busa Farms; Summer Squash and Red Leaf Lettuce from Brookford Farm
Grain - Pasta from Nella Pasta, Granola from Forge Baking Co
Special Treat - Nuts from Q's Nuts; Vegan Chocolate Cake from Forge Baking Co
RECIPES
Korean Style Pork Chops: The tastiness cannot be beat. Our chops are a little thicker, keep an eye out with your meat thermometer for the 145 range.
Stir-Fry Grown-Up Bok Choy: So many recipes call for Baby Bok Choy. Though we think that's delicious, we also don't believe in ageism. Adult Bok Choy is just as tasty and can stand in at many of the classic preparations.
Soy Scallops: Balsamic and soy glazed fresh sea scallops. Sounds lovely, I'd like three servings please.
Provencal Bok Choy: A departure from the Asian classics but just as damn tasty.
Strawberry, Almond and Pea Salad: If your strawberries last long enough to put them in a salad, this one is a beauty. You can shell your peas or leave them whole and chop them finely, eating the crisp outside as well. If you have a nice feta on hand to crumble in this salad- go for it. Cheese makes everything better.
Pasta and Peas: Simple enough.
TIPS AND TRICKS
If you wanna Fan Girl at home over Joanne Chang, we recommend this essential cookbook.
Myers + Chang at Home- Recipes from a Beloved Boston Eatery. Again, its approachable and delicious. It impossible to recreate the glory of eating in her restaurant, but its possible to get close.