green garlic fantasia.

i was excited to (finally) see green garlic at our local farmers' market yesterday. my friend with mad culinary skills, life begins @ 30, introduced me to this little wonder a few years back, for which i am forever grateful. last night, i realized it was 6:30 and my dad hadn't eaten so i stared at the fridge (blink blink) and typed in a few words in epicurious search for some inspiration and came up with a superquick meal highlighting green garlic.

i sliced open chicken breasts and stuffed in a halved piece of green garlic, a lemon wedge and some cilantro. sprinkled with sea salt and freshly ground pepper and grilled them in olive oil for about 10 minutes per side. i had some almost-stale ciabatta bread so i diced it up and seasoned with the tops from the green garlic i just stuffed in the breasts, red pepper flakes and s&p. drizzled with olive oil and tossed around a pan for a few minutes. i then put them in the oven at 375° for about 10 minutes. finally, using the same pan i used for the croutons, i sautéed some spinach with lemon and olive oil. alongside, i served the beets i had just roasted and a few cherry tomatoes. i just put the croutons on the plate.

and i was serving it up by 7:05!

learn more about green garlic here.

photo credit: mariquita farm (one of life's favorite places, btw).