Zuppa Tuscana (or Soupa Oklahoma) with fruit compote

Swiss chard wins most hardy plant in my garden this year, despite snails and cabbage moths in abundance and very inconsistent watering. I put it in the ground in February and it is still growing strong.  Hurray for my stems of steel! I also love the way it looks, the way it flutes like flowers overflowing in a bouquet. And when my children kneel next to it, and it grows above their heads, it reminds me of the painting by Diego Rivera of the girl with the calla lilies.

Diego Rivera. 1941. Flower seller, girl with the calla lilies.

Zuppa Tuscana (or Soupa Oklahoma)

• 8 oz. ground pork $2.83
• 4 garlic cloves $0.25
• 1/2 tsp fresh pepper $0.10
• 1/2 tsp cayenne $0.10
• 1/2 tsp salt $0.10
• 6 red potatoes (halved and then sliced thinly in half moons $2
• 6 cups of vegetable broth (homemade)
• 3 large sprigs of basil (from my garden or $0.75)
• 3 large sprigs of oregano (from my garden or $0.75)
• 3 large sprigs of rosemary (from my garden or $0.75)
• 2 large sprigs of marjoram (from my garden or $0.50)
• 3 cups of thinly sliced swiss chard/ kale/spinach (from my garden or $2)
• 2 cups of unsweetend almond milk (not local) $0.72 cents (Alternatively could use 2 cups of milk or 1.5 cups of milk plus 0.5 cups of cream)

Total: $8.10 (not counting broth or herbs)

Brown the pork with the garlic, spices and a few Tbsp of broth. Then add the rest of the broth and the potatoes. I tied all the herbs together during for the cooking and then removed them when done. Cook for about 30 min. Then add the chard and cook for 15 min on low simmer. Add the almond milk near the end just enough for it to get heated. You will be amazed how great this substitution for milk is in this recipe.

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Pear apple compote

• 5 apples $2.00
• 5 very ripe pears $2.00
• 1/2 cup of raisins $0.60
• 1 cup of water 

• 1/3 cup of honey   $2.64 (optional)
• 8 Tbsp Whipped cream (optional, but a great way to use up the rest of the clotted cream).

Cut the apples and pears into half inch chunks. Add the water and the raisins and simmer on very low heat until fruit breaks down into soft thick lumps and raisins swell. With fresh organic fruit sweetening seems optional.

Total: $4.60


Menu Total: $12.70 or $2.12/ each!