Broccomole and Pesto Cole Slaw

There is a lot happening here in Blairstown as the town folk gear up for the 4th of July festivities. I was invited by the Foodshed Alliance to prepare a few dish's for today's Farmers Market that might off set the heavy yang pork flavors wafting from one booth to the other. A whole, huge pig torched midnight black rested beneath the lid of a giant black roaster set up just for this special occasion, a Pig Roast. Indeed! And the line never once wore down to a trickle. Instead eager beavers, mouths wet in anticipation looked to their plates for salvation.

And I was the alternative to the pig, mother Delia admonishing the crowd to eat their veggies.

To that end I made a few recipes that stood their own against roast pork on the bar-bi. I knew there had to be plenty of flavor, a Wow surprise factor and then the realization that this was actually good for you. There was also the challenge of using what is now in season and the field was narrowed down, but not by much. I present to you here my incredible Broccomole (not a misprint) and the quintessential Cole Slaw that every 4th of July outing demands.

I figure that if Jamie Oliver can do a handful here and a sprinkle there, when writing his recipes, and that is how I cook, so be it.  The recipe for Pesto Cole Slaw was created in the early morning as the sun lifted over the lip of the garden fence while Maya, Seamus and me harvested fresh herbs for the afternoons festivities. The dew still wet upon the leaves may have something to do with the flavor, but then I bow to the earth Mother in all her glory, generosity, and culinary greatness.

Broccomole
Yield:  4 servings

½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
½ cup fresh parsley
1 clove garlic or 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 scallion, chopped
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
½  teaspoon sea salt
2 cups broccoli stems and tops, lightly steamed or blanched and cooled
1 ½ Tbs. fresh lemon juice 
1 tablespoon tahini (sesame butter)
1 tablespoon Garlic Red Pepper miso

1. Combine cilantro, parsley, garlic, scallion and olive oil in a food processor and puree until smooth (as in a pesto consistency).
2. Add the cooked broccoli and pulse to break down and combine.
3. Add the tahini and miso and run the processor, stopping to scrape down the sides from time to time.
4. When at a spreadable consistency adjust seasoning and salt to taste. Serve on crackers, crudités, or chips.

In the picture I served it with grilled tempeh and arugula on a gluten-free millet bread and it was really delicious.

Pesto Cole Slaw
Serves a crowd

1 green cabbage, chopped
½ red cabbage, chopped
sea salt
Handful fresh basil leaves, rinsed
Handful fresh parsley, rinsed
2 handfuls fresh arugula (spicier the better), rinsed
10 chive stalks, rinsed
2 cups ends of young spring onions (the green, above ground parts), rinsed, chopped
¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
½ cup Vegenaise (a good quality mayonnaise is fine)

1. In a food processor pulse the cabbage half a processor bowl at a time. Move the pulsed cabbage to a larger bowl, sprinkling a small amount of salt over the cabbage, before adding more cabbage to the processor.
2. When all the cabbage has been pulsed into small pieces get your hands in and toss the cabbage well, mixing the two colors and coating with salt. Cover with a cloth towel and allow to sit for at least 1-2 hours.
3. Meanwhile, rinse and dry the processor.
Add the basil, parsley, arugula, chives and onion greens to the processor along with the olive oil and blend to a smooth consistency.
4. Spoon in the Vegenaise and continue to blend until smooth.
5. Spoon the pesto aioli into the cabbage making sure to mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.