Spinach, Leeks and Bacon

Here's another one inspired by what was left in my refrigerator the day before the veggie box arrived.  It turned out very yummy, and when the garden is producing this summer I'll most definitely make it again! The kids got creative with the lemon before I used it. This one had a ridge on the top and looked like a chick. They called the Chickie Lemon. :)

Spinach, Leeks and Bacon
1 bunch of Spinach, trimmed or about 2 C baby spinach
2 leeks, sliced and rinsed well
2 T coconut oil or butter
juice from 1/2 lemon or about 1/4 C lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
2 Strips of crumbled bacon or about 1/4 C bacon bits (optional)

Melt oil in a skillet and sauté sliced leeks until just starting to brown and get soft. Add spinach and lemon juice to pan, cover and cook for about 2-3 minutes until spinach is just starting to turn a darker green. Remove from heat and mix in bacon, salt and pepper if you're using it. Serve warm.

Roasted Cabbage with Bacon

I think I found the easiest side dish ever! I was running out of ideas for making a side dish from a head of cabbage the other day when I decided to try roasting it. I'd heard of people doing this, but I'd never tried it. But I couldn't just throw it on a roasting pan, I had to jazz it up a bit. And what's better to jazz things up that bacon?!? So I put a slice of bacon on top of each cabbage wedge, drizzled it with a little olive oil and vinegar and roasted it. YUM! I think next time I might add more bacon, but other than that, it was perfect!

Roasted Cabbage with Bacon
1 head of cabbage (I used green cabbage)
4-8 slices of bacon
1/4 C olive oil
1/4 C vinegar of choice (I used apple cider vinegar)
salt and pepper to taste


Preheat oven to 375F. Wash cabbage and cut head into quarters. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper then place cabbage in the bowl. Coat cabbage with vinaigrette then place cut side down on a cookie sheet. Lay 1-2 strips of bacon over each cabbage wedge. Roast for about 30 minutes or until bacon is crisp and cabbage is softened.

Apple, Celery Root and Bacon Salad

I had no real idea what celery root was until it came in my veggie delivery box last week. I wasn't even sure which item in the box was celery root until I'd eliminated everything else and was left with something that looked a little strange. This is celery root also known as celeriac:


I'm not a fan of the flavor of raw celery, so I wasn't sure if I'd like celery root as it does have a mild celery flavor. But in this dish, the celery flavor isn't overpowering and it didn't detract from the other flavors at all. Once you add in the apple, bacon and dressing you have a very flavorful, tangy, sweet and sour salad that can be a side dish or a meal. Give this strange looking vegetable a try!

Apple, Celery Root and Bacon Salad
1 celery root, scrubbed, peeled and chopped
2 medium apples cored and chopped
1/3 C white or apple cider vinegar
1 t honey
2 t Dijon mustard
1 T chopped fresh parsley
4 strips of bacon cooked and crumbled

Mix all ingredients and let stand for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors mingle.