Fresh Spring Pea, Fennel and Mint Salad
Peas have been a delicious food since ancient times and archaeologists have found them in Egyptian tombs. They probably dried them for the afterlife (and beyond). Today, only about 5 % of all peas grown are sold fresh. Peas are a good low calorie source of protein. A ¾ cup serving of peas (about 100-calories) contains more protein than a whole egg or a tablespoon of peanut butter and has less than one gram of fat and no cholesterol. So there.It's a fleeting pleasure to stumble ...
Ten More Products We Saw at Expo West that We Bet You Haven’t Tried
Expo West last month in Anaheim was a bonanza of products including many that are new and unusual. Here's ten more that you probably haven't heard of... in addition to the ones we mentioned in our earlier post here.Arette Tea Seed Oil -- Yet another oil touted for its benefits as well as its flavor, Arette brings several varieties to the market. They claim it one of the most nutritious and healthiest edible oils, with a high percentage of unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, has a ...
Raise the Bars: Top Snack Bar Picks
From a few humble meal replacement bars (remember the ubiquitous Power Bar), the snack bar is now a world unto itself. Noted for what they include (protein, sprouted seeds, caffeine, and super foods) and what they don't (grains, dairy, and sugar), they have come into their own for both snacking and meal replacement.After what seemed like hundreds displayed at Expo West, these are our top picks for 2017, worth tracking down.bRaw – These small batch are so good that they are dangerous. ...
Foods You May Never Have Heard Of
It was the biggest ever Natural Products Expo – over 80,000 attendees and thousands of products spread over three venues in Anaheim California March 2017. The world's largest expo of its kind, it was a challenge just to get through it but the resulting finds were worth it!We found dozens of products that most people – even dedicated foodies – have likely never heard of. Some were hot out of production and some were just new to Americans.Some may have already hit your store shelves ...
Got Flu? Try this Herbal Cough Syrup
I got the flu this year, first time in years. This was the hit-you-like-a-ton-of-bricks flu, body-slammed with fever, delirium, the whole works. My lungs and head filled up and a few weeks later I still had a deep, nagging cough. After staring at all the OTC products on the drugstore shelf, weighing the nasty side effects I read about on the packages and the Internet, I figured it was time to go homemade.Fortunately, I had on hand almost all the ingredients for a kick-ass cherry herbal ...
Whole Baked Kabocha Squash with Apples
This recipe could not be easier. It is so easy, in fact, that I don't even think it's legit to call it a recipe but cookbook authors have told me otherwise. After all, we have entire "recipe books" devoted to juice, which basically consists of 2-5 ingredients put through a juicer.Its flavor belies its simplicity. The squash and apple meld together with the roasty goodness and it makes an amazing hearty winter side dish. Kabocha squash is particularly "meaty" and flavorful, with a cream ...
The Lowly Lima Part One: Artichoke Fennel and Lima Bean Stew
This recipe makes us love the lima bean, the humble bean that many people are not even sure they actually like. Fresh bulb fennel is combined with canned or frozen artichokes, lemon juice and lima beans. Don’t like fennel? Try this and you may change your mind as the vegetable combination mellows the anise flavor and creates a fresh taste.With its lemony sauce and less common blend of vegetables, this stew is delicious and hits the spot for flavor, with the fennel melting into a ...
Nut Balls Not in Politics? Yes, Easy Fruity Nutty “Candies” Please
These "candies" are really just a mixture of dried fruits, seeds and nuts. Similar to the ones you can buy (but fresher), you can use any dried fruits and nuts of your choice and even add extras such as coconut shreds to suit your palate. We always start with dates, which we pre-soak unless they are super-fresh and juicy.This version also uses dried cherries, Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, raisins, coconut and dried blueberries but it's just a guide. Other great options include hemp ...
Fall Plums Love (Vegan) Tarts
As we say hello to Autumn, we must make our peace with the last of the summer flavors. Gone are the peaches and berries, the sweet corn and melons. Fortunately, Fall is prime time for fruits like apples, pears and those fleeting late Italian prune plums.So begins the annual Fall Plum Tart, modeled on the famous New York Times recipe. They call it torte; I call it tart. Take your pick. It's super easy and will impress every time.For years, a variation of this sweet and tangy plum ...
Easiest Pickled Dandelion Capers
Dandelions are getting a makeover in the public eye. Sure, they're weeds marring the green lawn perfection. But the health benefits and culinary side of them have been getting increasing attention. Greens bursting with flavor and calcium, vitamins A and C, and iron, they are abundant and generally free. This recipe for naturally fermented (pickled) dandelion buds shouts gourmet but is the easiest way to preserve the ever-present weeds. No boiling, no vinegar, just easy. Bonus points ...
