This weekend, I realized that I have a love/hate relationship with Target. I love it because they always have everything I need but I also hate it because they always have everything I need.
Let me explain further.
On Sunday we took a trip to visit my Dad in LA. We stayed the night and woke up bright and early to head to Disneyland for the day. While I was in the midst of getting Harper dressed, I realized I had forgotten her socks (darn!). Luckily, there was a Target on the way to the freeway, so we decided to make a quick stop to pick up a pair. I decided to run in by myself while everyone else waited in the car.
Ten minutes later, I approached the car holding a large paper Target bag. Freddie asked me, “You need a big bag to carry one pair of socks?”. I looked down in shame. ”Well, actually, I realized I needed a few more things”. Then I proceeded to tell him this story.
Upon entering Target I had a goal in mind. Go to the children’s clothing section and pick out a pair of socks. I made it there without any distraction and successfully found a 6 pack of socks (you can never have too many socks). While I was on my way to the register, I passed by the Women’s Active Wear section. A gray hoodie caught my eye. I realized that I had forgotten my jacket at home and therefore could totally justify purchasing a $15 sweatshirt to ensure I didn’t get cold later in the evening. Once I made it up to the checkout stand, and was waiting in line, I got caught browsing the various products they had on the register display. I saw a three pack of my favorite chap stick (which I had also left at home) as well as a 3 pack of kleenex (thought it would come in handy to have in the baby bag just in case). So I threw those on the conveyor belt as well.
$30!!! And to think I just went in for ONE pair of socks.
So what does this have to do with the produce party? Nothing really…just needed to get that off my chest :)
I feel better now, thanks. Time to talk about some fruit and veggies.
Last week we had a total of 10 link ups! And these ladies are really catering to my sweet tooth. We had a sinful Caramelized Apple Cinnamon Pot de Creme and a batch of Purple Carrot Cake Cupcakes. Yummy!!! And after a seasonal break, I am beyond excited to welcome some of my most loyal participants back to the party. Shout out to AnnieRe Unplugged and My Yummy Local Life. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for all that delicious CSA produce :) Thanks to everyone who linked up to share their goodies. Your generosity is appreciated.
Now it’s my turn to share what is in my box…
Hooray for Brussels sprouts! It has been a while since I have enjoyed some of these and I can’t think of a better complement to a hearty home cooked meal than a side of roasted Brussels sprouts. I always follow this recipe because it never fails to deliver.
Next, I am going to figure out what to do with those English peas. I have never received them in my box before so this is a new one to me. Upon research of the veggie, I am sad to find out that their shells are not edible. I hate to waste them :( Although it is suggested to save them to use for veggie stock (something I have yet to try). Harper LOVES peas so I am looking forward to creating a special recipe just for her.
I already used the lemons and the garlic on dinner tonight. I finally got around to making the Apricot Pork Chops I told you about last week. So the garlic came in handy for that recipe. On the side I served sugar snap peas dressed with some fresh lemon zest and juice. It was a big hit :)
I know that soup season is winding down, but I have never had the pleasure of making a cauliflower soup before. I have been looking around at recipes and I have a strong urge to make one. I will let you know how it goes ;) And I am sure I will accompany the soup with a side salad. Because that’s how I roll…
On to the chard. After finding this recipe from Farm Fresh Feasts, I am in need of some Panade with Swiss Chard, Onion and Cheddar Sausage in my life. I have a feeling the family is going to go nuts over this. Bread, chard and sausage? Sounds like the perfect meal :)
Finally, for the fruit, I will be using it for my snacks and possibly some smoothies. I recently found a smoothie recipe for kiwis, vanilla yogurt, milk, protein powder, a banana and some chia seeds. Sounds delightful. Might need to make that for breakfast tomorrow.
Your turn: What are some of your favorite ways to use the fruits and veggies shown? Any special recipe, tips or tricks you’d like to share? Looking forward to reading your responses :)
Linking up for the first time? Click here for more info…and Welcome!
PS: Don’t forget to tell your readers about the party by linking back to this post and grabbing the official “What’s in the Box?” button at the bottom of my blog. Thanks!
I’m still making plenty of soup. We live in Vermont and winter seems kind of never-ending! (It’s snowing right now, actually.) :)
Love that you got Brussels sprouts and lots of fruit in your share. Such a treat.
Part of me wishes we had seasons like that. But to be honest, I am such a california girl, I probably couldn’t hang.
Heather,
Thanks for hosting!
I cannot believe you walked out of Target without buying anything with those magical red stickers on it. If I am in the store, my body propels me to the clearance end caps without conscious thought. Sometimes I score–I got a Ball Blue Book of Canning on clearance last fall (who puts that on clearance? It’s timeless!).
I was just reading Outstanding In The Field and saw a recipe for a pea pesto–that may be good with English peas.
I hope you like the Panade–my folks are visiting and mom loved it, too.
I’m linking up some meaty recipes today. First, because today is Pi day, a pasty (the kind you eat not wear). Second, meatloaf that my kids did the math on to find out that, in fact, I don’t even have 50% meat in my meatloaves. Oops. Last, because it’s green and pretty and tasty too, a Turkey Spinach Pesto Pizza.
We had an unexpected defrosting of the fruit and veg freezer so I’m using some thawed fruits to make a blueberry and peach crumb pie today for our Pi day dessert. Wish me luck!
yum! Everything sounds delicious :)
Trust me, if I had more time…I would have cleaned up in the “red sticker” section!
I’m allllllllll too familiar with the Target love/hate relationship. Overall, it’s mostly a love, though. :)
Always more love :)
My Father would say “if you got bok choy, make chicken bok choy chow!” It is a recipe that he has made up. He sautes the bok choy with a little garlic and onion and throws in some chicken and seasons it all up nice and serves it over steamed rice. I would think that ginger and soy maybe some rice wine vinegar would go well in it. I don’t think that he really makes is the same way twice. It looks like a yummy box this week.
I LOVE Bok Choy! It has been a while since I have received some in my box but that recipe sounds delish :) Thanks for sharing.
I think the Target obsession must run in the Bahler/Mercer family… I can’t go in there without spending $50 EVER! And now that we don’t have one in Alaska, I spend WAY more than that!
It’s a black hole…good to know it’s a genetic trait :)
Thanks for the shout out! I’m a little jealous of your citrus fruit. I think our citrus is pretty much done this year already :( I’m not sure what other types of fruit there are in Arizona, but we shall see- heading out to get my second box this afternoon!
Can’t see what you have in store!
Panade is news to me, too, and with a vegetarian boyfriend this looks like a perfect meal! As for Target…when I moved to Texas from New Jersey, I used to go to Target and simply hang out, because Target is Target everywhere and it helped alleviate a little bit of my homesickness. We find comfort in the strangest places sometimes… :)
I totally find comfort in Target. It’s comforting to know they have EVERYTHING I need :)
I have the same exact problem with Target!
They get me every time ;)
[...] out the other CSA deliciousness people got this week over at In Her Chucks link [...]
Such amazing stuff. I could get lost looking at pictures of your produce box. By the way, I made the tomato basil bisque and it was delicious. Thank you.
So glad to hear it was successful. Makes me want to make another batch :)
hurray for brussels sprouts!! we got some out here in Ohio, too!
I have a very similar relationship with Target :P
maybe we should start a support group
I have a love/hate relationship with target. If you get your rx’s filled and have their pharmacy rewards card you can get a coupon for 5% off every 5 rx’s you fill. Has definitely been helpful although its still a rare day that I get out of target with a bill under $100
Thats how they lure you in…with “discounts” :)
They already had me long before this program started. Target lover from birth
Ughhh! I spend so much money at Target! For me, it’s always a situation where I find a tank top or a tee that fits really well and since they come in 10 colors, I feel compelled to buy it in 10 colors. Justifying it by saying “How often do I find something that fits me this well?!”
Anyway! Thanks for hosting – I linked three recipes, a spinach stuffed salmon, a pad thai with a CSA box spin on it, and chicken and carrot stew!
Sounds delicious! I will have to head on over to your blog and check out those recipes for myself.
As far as Target goes, the one thing I have going for me is that my OCD will not allow me to buy more than one of anything. I need to have the variety. So it limits the quantity that ends up in my cart. But then I justify buying more things because I only get one of each…
That happens to me at Target too! I just look down and have no idea how that cute scarf/disposable electric toothbrush/Thomas O’Brien bowl/box of Swiffers/salad spinner got in my basket! Thankfully, it’s not easy to get to Target in NYC :-)
funny…sounds similar to the things that “jump” into my basket too :)
[...] it out! This post has been entered into What’s In The Box recipe link party at In Her [...]
[...] it out! This post has been entered into What’s In The Box recipe link party at In Her [...]
[...] it out! This post has been entered into What’s In The Box recipe link party at In Her [...]