Turnip Fries

This morning I stopped by the Wicker Park Farmers Market with my boxers, Stanley "Pup" and Nelle. We arrived at the market around closing time, so we were only able to shop at the Nichols Farm stand. I bought radishes, mizuna, tuscan kale, shelling peas, fingerling potatoes, squash and their blossoms...... and of course TURNIPS! 

Did you know that eating one medium turnip will provide over half of your daily vitamin C needs?

Turnip Fries 

ingredients
2 turnips, washed and peeled
Olive Oil
Fresh ground pepper (season to taste preference) 
Kosher Salt (season to taste preference) 

preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with a split mat, parchment paper or foil. Using a sharp knife, cut the turnips into equally sized fry pieces. Layer the turnips on the lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and seasonings. Mix well. Bake for about 30 minutes, making sure to toss after 12 minutes, so that they bake evenly. Once baked, remove from oven, and serve with some ketchup. I love Red 78  all natural ketchup and it is made here in Chicago! 

Grilled Fava Beans

Fava beans are now in-season at the farmer’s market.  They remind me of my father, as he is a fava bean addict.  He usually prefers them steamed, but this weekend for Father’s Day, I’ve decided to serve them up a new and fun way for him to enjoy… grilled.  That’s right, grilled fava beans!  The fat pods uphold perfectly on the grill, and one can simply pop the beans out of the pods straight into your mouth.  It is the perfect appetizer for a BBQ, especially for a great Father’s Day. 

ingredients

2 lbs of fava beans, rinsed

3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

One lemon, halved

Sea Salt and Fresh ground pepper to taste

I served mine with some homemade chimichurri.

preparation

Preheat your grill to medium high heat. In a large bowl, toss the fava beans with olive oil and season to taste with salt and fresh ground pepper.  Make sure the fava beans are coated evenly.

Transfer the fava beans and lemon directly on the grates of the grill and cook, turning occasionally, about 5-6 minutes per side or until charred.  Remove from grill and put the fava beans on a serving dish. Squeeze the grilled lemon onto the fava beans.  They are now ready to dip in the chimichurri and pop the beans out of shells directly in your mouth.  Enjoy!