September 18, 2014 • Nancy Wolfson-Moche

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I am back… with a new post and some news. First, my blog has been redesigned, with huge thanks to Adi Shniderman for all of his help. Second, I (you are because you eat) have been selected as a 2014 Martha Stewart American Made finalist. Please vote for me here.

I have been growing pea shoots on my windowsill for several months now. They are practically foolproof (every seed sprouts!) and fast-growing (they are edible within two weeks after planting). They are a great garnish on grains, a delicious spicy addition to a salad and they rock when blistered in olive oil in a hot skillet. Try them… you’ll like them.

serves 2 (you will have rice left over)

INgredients

For the rice:

2 cups medium grain brown rice

2 ½ cups water

6-7 fresh pea shoots

4 sprigs fresh thyme

For the beet greens salad:

2 medium sized beets, with green tops

2 stalks celery

2-3 slices fennel

4 sprigs parsley

For the dressing:

2 small – medium lemons (or one large)
1 Tablespoon tahini

1 teaspoon umeboshi plum paste

1 scallion

Process

Rinse the brown rice and soak it overnight (if possible) in 2 ½ cups water. Place the rice, water and a pinch of sea salt in a small to medium sized heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid. I used a pressure cooker here, but cooking instructions are basically the same for any pot. Set the pot on a medium high flame and bring to a boil. When boiling, cover the pot and turn flame down to a simmer. Let the rice simmer, covered, for about 50 minutes. While the rice cooks, wash the pea shoots and thyme. Chop or tear the thyme into small pieces. Then turn flame off and allow rice to sit in the pot for at least ten minutes before disturbing and then serving.

Use a wooden spoon to scoop it out, put it in a bowl and top it with chopped thyme and fresh-cut pea shoots.

While the rice is cooking, make the dressing. Scoop the tahini and ume plum paste into a small glass or ceramic mixing bowl. Chop the scallion into very small pieces and add them to the bowl. Squeeze the lemons and pour the juice into the mixture.

Mix all ingredients with a whisk or a fork, until they are well blended. Allow dressing to sit while you make the salad.

Wash the beet greens, celery, fennel and parsley separately and well. Cut the cooled beets into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Next chop the beet greens into one-inch wide pieces. Add them to a bowl, along with the beets.

Chop the celery into quarter-inch-wide pieces and place in the bowl.

Chop the fennel into smaller pieces and add to the bowl.

Chop the parsley, and add.

Pour the dressing on top and mix. Serve with the rice dish and savor it all.

©Nancy Wolfson-Moche 2014