Gelato Fiasco: Vegan Options
Inspired by Italy. Perfected in Maine.
With summertime around the corner, Italy’s version of ice cream – gelato – is a refreshing alternative on hot summer days. With an emphasis on texture and flavor: gelato has a softer texture (than ice cream) that allows the flavor to come through more strongly. Although most gelato contains milk (as opposed to cream), Gelato Fiasco offers four (4) dairy-free options: Dark Chocolate Noir Sorbetto, Ripe Mango Sorbetto, Raspberry Truffle Sorbetto, and Banana Stracciatella. Read more 
Chocolate Covered Blood Orange Slices (DIY)
Necessity is the mother of invention.
EHChocolatier of Somerville, Massachusetts made a decadent treat called Blood Orange & Chocolate but ran out just before Valentine’s Day after being named one of the best chocolatiers in the country. Desperate for more of these treats, the only way was to make them myself.
I could have bought blood oranges, sliced and dehydrated the pieces but instead I placed an order with Simple & Crisp – a Seattle, Washington-based company that specializes in dried fruit crisps with a cracker-like texture – for a few boxes of their Blood Orange Dried Fruit Crisps. Read more
SuperSeedz
Big things come in small packages.
Pumpkin seeds are nutritional powerhouses with a concentrated source of 7 vitamins (E, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, and folate (folic acid), 8 minerals (calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, and zinc), anti-oxidants, and amino acids. These seeds are also packed with protein (5-7 grams per ounce) and fiber (2-3 grams per ounce). Read more
The Sweet Potato, Tofu, and Mushroom Bowl
Because you know I’m all about that bowl
‘Bout that bowl, no plate
I’m all about that bowl
‘Bout that bowl, no plate
I’m all about that bowl
“Bout that bowl, no plate
I’m all about that bowl
‘Bout that bowl…bowl…bowl…bowl
Golden Berries and Golden Berry Relish
Golden Berries are making an appearance in grocery stores nationwide. Native to high altitude tropical climates – and particularly Peru and Columbia – Golden Berries are small round berries that look like yellow cherry tomatoes but with a sweet and mild tart flavor.
Also known as Peruvian Ground Cherries, Cape Gooseberries, Uchuva, and Physalis (its scientific name), Golden Berries have traditionally been used to make jams, preserves, and as an exotic garnish on tarts. More recently, the berries are being enjoyed as is, chopped in a salad, or diced in a relish (see recipe below). Read more
Dark Chocolate Matzah Bark
If you happen to live in Boston and need the perfect Passover treat, stop in at EHChocolatier at 561 Windsor Street in Sommerville, just east of Cambridge to buy Dark Chocolate Matzah Bark. Whether buying these for yourself, sharing as part of a dessert, or bringing them as a gift for the host or hostess, Dark Chocolate Matzah Bark will bring a sweet ending to any Passover Seder.
For those of us unable to get to Boston, EHChocolatier ships the bark 2-day Priority, Fed Ex 2-day, and UPS Second Day Air to ensure receipt before Passover. Read more
Sweet Olive Oil Tortas
Years ago while living in Madrid, Spain, sweet olive oil tortas (tortas de aceite) were a common snack that was often referred to as a “merienda” – a light snack in the late morning between breakfast and lunch or in the late afternoon between lunch and dinner. Although each neighborhood seemed to have their own bakery version, Ines Rosales was the most popular national brand simply because her tortas tasted the best. Read more
Frontier Bites
Frontier Bites were created several years ago when two brothers (Nate and Matt) challenged each other to a baking competition to see who could come up with the best alternative to the overly processed energy bars that they regularly ate. The rules were simple: no refined sugar, no dairy, no gluten, no soy and no more than 10 ingredients that could be found in the pantry. Read more
Just Cookie Dough
Just Cookie Dough is better for you and the world – so go ahead and grab a spoon.
Sticking a spoon into a bowl of cookie dough and eating it raw is more than a right of passage from childhood to adulthood. In fact, most of us never outgrow our passion for cookie dough. We claim we’re making cookies for our kids and we eat the dough when no one is looking. We mix cookie dough in ice cream and of course, we scoop spoonfuls onto cookie sheets to make cookies. But, sometimes we don’t have time to make cookie dough from scratch (and we don’t want a commercial cookie dough made with artificial colors, flavors, or even dairy products). So what’s a cookie dough addict to do? Buy a jar of Just Cookie Dough by Hampton Creek at your local Super Target. Read more
How to Spice Up Salad, Rice, and Baked Potatoes
At some point we all get into a rut when it comes to making a side dish, whether it’s the dinner salad, rice, or a baked potato. Let’s start with the salad. Lettuce greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and scallions are placed in a bowl, tossed with dressing and voilá, the salad is ready. If we think ahead, maybe some homemade croutons make an appearance.
For rice, we generally chose water and when feeling adventurous, maybe broth (low sodium if we’re in a nutritious frame of mind). Baked potatoes present another challenge, especially for those on dairy-free diets because butter and sour cream are not options. So, what can we do with these three essential side dishes to generate a bit more excitement at the table? Read more
Paddock Post 