Ok, had to do a quick post after that really long one because I am so excited that I got to harvest my first greens today! I cut 4 big bunches of butter crunch lettuce (starts from Wilson’s Garden Center), several big leaves from the Swiss Chard and red kale, both also from Wilson’s. Now here’s my magic recipe which works for ALL greens and veggies. It is a no-fault plan for a yummy home-grown meal.

Peel & chop garlic. I like lots of garlic!
Peel & chop an onion (I like red onions best)
Clean and prepare greens (kale, for example, needs removed from stems, torn into bite-sized bits and steamed a little. Lighter greens such as spinach or chard can just be cleaned and removed from stems. If using chard, you can chop the stems and use them, too.)
Rinse a can of white beans (I like Great Northern best, but garbanzo or navy beans work, too. Maybe you have a beany favorite)

To cook:
Coat the bottom of a non-stick skillet with a good quality extra-virgin olive oil. Add onions and saute over medium-low heat until soft. Add garlic and continue to cook until both are soft and beginning to brown. You don’t want it to burn! Toss in the greens and saute until the greens wilt. Sear over higher heat if you like it a little brown.
Toss in the beans and stir until beans are warm.
Add salt to taste.

Ok, as you can see, I am a “dump” cook. I seldom use recipes and when I do I always improvise. This recipe is so easy that it is very difficult to ruin! Even a novice can make a delicious meal. If you have bulkier veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, asparagus or whatever, you can lightly steam them before tossing into the oil.

This is also yummy served with herbed rice. Explore with rice, there are many, many varieties! I never buy white or polished rice, but much prefer the heartier (and healthier) brown rice, red rice, black rice, wild rice and all the other many varieties out there. I find it least expensive at Asian or Indian markets in Columbus.

Of course, there are lots of great veggie recipes in the All New Square Foot Gardening Cookbook: Taking the Harvest to the Table.

Share your “magic” recipe and post it in the comments area.