Demo Day - Creamy Kale & Artichoke Dip

Kale has been growing in full strength this season, and members of Urban Oasis have been lucky enough to get a bit each week. Yet, I still hear the question "What can else I do with kale?"  The truth is, you can get tired of the same old thing all the time, so I set out each growing week to come up with something different to put on your plate.  As I slowly walk though the rows of kale, recipes swim wildly in my mind.  Eventually, I settle on an idea - A dip - and just in time for the Super Bowl! 

We go to gatherings, hang out in bars or just end up on the couch somewhere to watch the big game. Regardless of where we find ourselves, there's usually some form of junk food around. I'm betting a healthier option, like the one here - served with fresh Urban Oasis broccoli or carrots, might make you feel a little better while you're drinking that extra beer.  

Creamy Kale & Artichoke Dip
by Chef John N Carminati


Ingredients
6 mustard green leaves, stems removed
6 kale leaves, stems removed
6 artichoke hearts
2 medium radishes
1 garlic clove
1/2 cup, equal parts parsley & cilantro
8 oz block cream cheese, room temperature
lemon juice
olive oil
salt to taste


Method

1. Blanch and shock kale and mustard greens, squeeze out all liquid.
2. Combine all ingredients, except cream cheese, to blender or food processor and blend until combined.
3. Add cream cheese and blend.

Beef & Cabbage

As I sit here typing up tonight's dinner recipe, I noticed this would make two posts about cabbage in a  row - and I'm perfectly ok with that.  Farming is seasonal work.  I know these cabbages will only be around for a short while, and I'm taking full advantage!  As consumers, we're used to heading on over to the grocery store, at any time of year, and find pretty much every type of produce imaginable.  We forget, winter produce like cabbage shouldn't be readily available all year long - and especially not in the middle of the hot Florida summer!


Beef & Cabbage
by Chef John N Carminati


Ingredients
Cabbage Mix
1 white onion, sliced thick Julianne
1 medium cabbage, chopped
1 bok choy bottom, chopped (separate from leaves)
1/2 cup scallions, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 1/2 - 2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp butter
salt to taste

Beef & Marinade
1 Tbsp cumin
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp whole fennel seeds
2 generous pinches Kosher salt
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp hot sauce
3/4 - 1 lb thinly sliced beef

Method

1. In a medium bowl, combine beef marinade ingredients.  Add beef slices, and let marinate. 
2. In oiled saute pan, sweat onions until translucent and slightly caramelized.
3. Add cabbage, bok choy and butter to the pan and cover.
4. Stir every so often.  When bok choy and cabbage are tender, remove pan from heat and keep covered.
5. In a hot pan, sear the beef until cooked through.
6. Fold scallions into cabbage and add salt to taste.
7. Serve beef over cabbage