Keeping up with the box

So I am quite enjoying the CSA. Every Tuesday we (my office mate and I) get a big box of yum and divide it up. The biggest difference I notice is greens. There's always a big bunch of chard, collard greens, spinach, or something dark and leafy that I don't usually think about buying at the grocery store. Great chopped up in pasta or soup, or just braised with some onions as a side veggie.

But between the CSA box and the flea market, I sometimes overbuy just a bit. It reminds me of when I was a newlywed in Utah, after several years in Alaska. I was so exuberant about the low prices of produce - and so unused to the quantities it took to feed a household of only two people - that I stuffed the fridge and had things go bad a couple weeks in a row. I learned.

Now I am just trying more consciously to use the veggies. It's one of the best ways I have found to stay satisfied while sticking with my Weight Watchers points. Almost all veggies are free in that regard! So, for example, I have a little Ziploc bag full of asparagus, bell peppers and radishes to eat with my lunch today.

And, for example, this salad, which I wanted to eat all night long and almost did. The color was divine. The flavor was amazing.

Who else loved it? Z. Cutest thing ever to watch her gnaw on a broccoli floret. My girl.

Asian-style Spring Broccoli Salad with Chicken

1 head broccoli, florets cut thin, stem julienned
1/4 head red cabbage, sliced thin
5-6 radishes, sliced thin
2 c. snap peas or snow peas, strings removed
1 yellow bell pepper, julienned
2 sweet carrots, sliced on the diagonal
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped

2 chicken breast halves, grilled or broiled, sliced
1/2 c. roasted peanuts (or cashews would also be excellent)

about 1/2 c of your favorite Asian-style sesame dressing, or whisk together:
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 tbsp. dark sesame oil
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 inch ginger, peeled and minced or pressed through a garlic press
1 clove garlic
2 tbsp. rice vinegar

Stir it all together. I would say this would be about 6 servings if you were not using the "veggies are free, eat all you want" mentality.

If you are using that mentality ... 2 servings. Enjoy.