Beet Salad with Oranges, Olives & Chives
serves 4 - 6
from Jesse Cool's column in SJ Merc on Produce

6 medium beets
3 oranges
1/2 C pitted kalamata olives
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. rice vinegar
2 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
Salt to taste
Generous pinch of cayenne

Peel and coarsely grate beets by hand or food processor. Place in a medium bowl. Peel & seed two of the oranges, separate into segments and cut into bite-size pieces. Toss with grated beets & olives. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, ginger, chives and juice of 3rd orange. Season with salt & cayenne, and stir into beet mixture. Allow to stand at room temp. at least 15 min., tossing occasionally. Salad gets better when marinated a few hours.

Braised Cabbage with Caraway
serves 6
from "Jane Brody's Good Food Book"

1 head green cabbage
1 tsp. butter (or olive oil)
1 tbsp. minced fresh parsley
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 C chicken* broth
1/2 tsp. caraway seeds, or to taste

Remove outer discolored leaves from cabbage. With a sharp knife cut out most of the core of the cabbage, leaving just enough to hold the head together. Slide head into wedges about 1 1/2" thick. In a large skillet, melt butter (or heat oil) and add cabbage, parsley, sugar, pepper & broth. Cover & cook over moderate heat for about 12 min., basting several times w/pan juices. When cabbage is nearly done, sprinkle with caraway seeds. Serve with a little of the pan juices.

*vegeterians: try Westbrae Natural's 'California UnChicken Broth'