Lunchbox Liz

After the meeting of another grueling deadline I headed to the farm for some puppy therapy. Mura and Dag the farm dogs had nine puppies eight weeks ago and they are ready to play! The farm had a Colorado (mostly) organic spaghetti dinner to raise money for the education programs. The main attraction was the puppies, but there were also hayrides, cattail mazes, and homemade plum ice cream. I volunteered to bring one of a dozen peach custards for the feast.

Today’s Lunch
Peach Custard

6 peaches
4 eggs
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp melted butter

Peel the peaches and bake them for 30 minutes at 350 degrees in a 9- by 13-inch pan. Drain the liquid and place in a small saucepan. Bring the juice to a gentle boil and for ten minutes to concentrate. Allow to cool. Make the custard by beating together the peach juice, 4 eggs, flour and butter. Pour the custard over the peaches and bake for thirty minutes.

I have blog envy--it is total and complete. http://annesfood.blogspot.com/

Gardens are pumping out produce at a satisfying rate. Today when I visited the community farm we belong to volunteer members were hard at work harvesting; hauling; and counting cabbage, cucumbers, chard, radish, zucchini, yellow squash, garlic, basil, lettuce, green onions, and peppers for the week’s share. This is the first season in many years my husband and I haven't joined them for this Saturday ritual. It feels like cheating to just gather the fruits of their labor. Today’s recipe comes from a member of the farm.

Today’s Lunch

Radish, Cucumber & Basil Tea Sandwiches

4 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped basil (or other favorite fresh herb)
8 slices wheat bread
1 4-inch piece cucumber, sliced into very thin rounds
2 radishes, trimmed and very thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Place cream cheese and basil in a bowl; stir with a rubber spatula until combined.
Spread cream cheese mixture on 4 slices of bread; layer with cucumber and radish slices.

Spread remaining slices of bread with butter. Place, butter side facing down, on radishes. Trim crusts; cut sandwiches in half. Makes 8 sandwiches.