Mexican Chopped Salad
She doesn’t always follow the recipe….
Several weeks ago, my daughter suggested we try a recipe called Mexican Chopped Salad with Green Goddess Dressing by Gwyneth Paltrow. My recollection of Green Goddess Dressing is from the 1970’s when a company called Seven Seas made a shelf-stable bottled version of a salad dressing that typically contains a lot of mayonnaise and sour cream: not something that would appeal to my family. Read more 
Bragg’s Salad Dressings
Many people believe that a salad is not complete without a tasty salad dressing so the choice becomes whether to make a homemade version, which can be intimidating because there are so many decisions to make regarding the choice of ingredients (type of oil, vinegar, herbs, juices, spices) and determining the right combinations, or buy a pre-made salad dressing, which can be a huge timesaver (especially if empty salad dressing bottles are not in your kitchen inventory). Read more
The Joy of Jeff’s Peppers
Central Valley, California is a 450 mile long, 50-mile wide flat valley known for growing some of the best peppers in the United States. At Jeff’s Naturals – a Napa Valley-based company specializing in jarred Mediterranean food products – red peppers grown in the Central Valley are roasted, sliced, and packed within 24 hours of harvest to ensure a pepper with a light, smoky flavor and a smooth yet crisp texture. Read more
Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Walnuts
Brussels Sprouts are irresistibly good when pan roasted on the stove and paired with dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, caramelized shallots, and a light mustard dressing. Inspired by a recipe by Josh Feathers of Blackberry Farm, I adjusted the recipe to reflect my preference for dried cranberries, homemade caramelized shallots (jarred onion jams also work well if time is a factor)*, and citrus champagne vinegar. The dish can also be made with fresh apple slices, depending on your preference (below are pictures of both with and without fresh apple slices). Read more
It’s Time to Freekeh
Every time I cook up a packet of Organic Freekeh – all natural roasted green wheat – I think of the 1978 hit song by Chic – Le Freak because that’s exactly what I do – freak out . Yes, I really do sing that song changing “freak out” to “freekeh” in my head – Ahh, Freekeh, Freekeh, c’est chic!...(out loud if no one is home) and then freak out over the flavor (nutty and smokey) and texture (firm and chewy) of a big bowl of Freekeh, especially when mixed with steamed broccoli florets and stems or fresh sautéed asparagus. Read more
Quinoa, Sea Bean, and Tofu Salad
The secret to the flavorful Quinoa, Sea Bean and Tofu Salad lies with a tiny green plant called the Sea Bean. Sea Beans are salt tolerant plants that look like skinny little asparagus sprouts, Grown close to salt water: in marshes, on beaches, or in mangroves, these green plants have a salty flavor which can be toned down if soaked overnight in a bowl of cold water and then rinsed. Read more
Engine 2 Organic Grain Medleys
Rice is one of those dishes that can be incredibly bland or amazingly delicious depending on how it’s prepared. The secret to a great tasting and nutritious rice dish is to blend the rice with grains, vegetables, beans, and even fruit which can require planning ahead. For those occasions when time is a factor, consider using an Engine 2 Plant-Strong Grain Medley. Completely pre-made and sold in the freezer section of Whole Foods, the four Grain Medley Blends – Ancient Grains, Wild Rice, Fiesta, and Morning Blends – are packaged in 13-ounce bags. Read more
Engine 2 Plant-Strong Products
There is beauty in simplicity.
School has started, life is busy, and the big question of the day is how to make healthy meals or snacks when time is limited. Rip Esselstyn, author of The Engine 2 Diet and My Beef With Meat combined forces with Whole Foods to create a healthy line of plant-based food products – cereals, milks, burgers, grain medley, tortillas, crackers, and hummus – which means they are made from whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. In other words, there are no animals products, no added oils, minimal added sugar, if at all, less than 25% total calories from fat per serving, and a 1:1 ration of milligrams of sodium to calories per serving. Best of all, the products taste delicious, which is just what you would expect of foods made with wholesome, natural ingredients. Read more
Red Cabbage Slaw
On a recent trip to Boston, my daughter and I had lunch at Veggie Galaxy – a vegetarian/vegan diner – where we indulged in veggie burgers and Red Cabbage Slaw. The slaw was so good – tangy with a very slight spiciness – that I asked the server about it and she volunteered to write down the ingredients. When we finished lunch, she gave us the check and a “guest check” that listed the ingredients so all I had to do was figure out the quantities. Read more
The Taco Bowl Reconsidered
Taco night has always been a family favorite but every once in a while, the menu needs to be shaken up a bit which is how I came to add Taco Bowl night to mealtime. When I first decided to try taco bowls, the pre-made shells were on my shopping list but after reading labels and not caring for some of the ingredients, I decided to try to make my own. Organic corn tortillas usually contain corn, water, and a trace of lime but finding 9-10 inch organic corn tortillas (most grocery stores carry the 6-7 inch size) is very difficult unless there is a Latin market close by. So, I started thinking about alternatives which is how I considered Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Tortillas. Read more
Paddock Post 