Fig Food Soups
The Fig Food Company makes nine delicious, organic plant-based soups that taste just like homemade, which is just what you would expect from a company that uses organic ingredients grown primarily by North American farmers. The first time I read about Fig Food Company, a wave of trust washed over me – and not just because the founder, Joel Henry is an honorable guy who cares passionately about nutrition, organic farming, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, and improving the environment – but because the ingredients list reads like a “who’s who list of what grows on a farm.” So, when I don’t have time to make homemade soup, I rely on soups made by Fig Food Company. Read more 
Teriyaki Tofu Rice Bowl
Teriyaki Tofu Rice Bowl is a staple in our home and a dish I make at least once a week. Inspired by The Happy Herbivore‘s recipe for Hawaiian Chickpea Teriyaki, this dish came about one night when everyone in the house had something to say about what ingredients they wanted in a rice bowl. Trying to please the whole group, I made a big bowl of brown rice and then put all the ingredients on the counter top buffet style so each person could make the bowl they wanted. What happened was surprising – everyone wanted all the toppings so we decided to call the dish Teriyaki Tofu Rice Bowl. It’s a winner. 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
Penne with Butternut Squash and Zucchini
Butternut squash is a colorful and nutritious vegetable but also a bit bland and mushy which is why this year-round vegetable is often used as a base for soups or served mashed. Combining butternut squash and pasta may seem like a double mushy idea but the addition of seasonings for flavor, green zucchini for color, and toasted almonds for crunch make for a delicious main course or side dish. Easy to make in a large skillet, the dish takes 30 minutes from start to finish (with 20 minutes of the time allocated to cooking). 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
Purely American Foods: Soups, Stews, and Chowders
Several years ago, I stopped buying canned soups and started making my own because I wanted to have soups with no additives and a lower sodium content. Most soups are relatively easy to make but have two challenging aspects: time and flavor. Cutting up vegetables is time-consuming but if a food processor is used, the chopping and mincing is a snap. Onions, celery, and carrots are three very common vegetables used in soups and my mini chopper dices these vegetables in seconds. Read more
Food Websites: The A to Z Quick Reference Guide
Many readers have asked for a list of the food websites I rely on so when I found myself e-mailing numerous links, I realized I needed to make a quick reference guide. No pretty pictures or descriptive write-ups, just the links. All of the foods listed below have been written about on this website (and more than likely, photographed also) so if you want detailed information on a specific product, utilize the search function on the cover page or use the category bars, which are also on the cover page of this website to find detailed product information and photographs. Read more
Whole Spice
Grocery store-bought spices were always a staple in my cabinet until I discovered Whole Spice – a California company that offers a wide selection of very fresh, all-natural herbs and spices without artificial colors, flavors or additives. Whole Spice offers more than 400 herbs, spices, seeds, blends, mixes, rubs, nuts, teas, fruits, vegetables, sugars, and seasonings in a variety of ways: whole, ground, powder, seed, granules, flakes, nibs, diced, sliced, granulated, crushed and more. 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
Vegan Risotto with Asparagus and Mushrooms
Risotto is usually thought of as a wintertime dish because of its hearty nature but during the summertime, a light risotto with asparagus and mushrooms can be a refreshing change. Skip the butter and parmesan cheese; instead rely on a bit of olive oil, dry white wine, vegetables, a small amount of mild elephant garlic and broth to give the risotto body, flavor and texture. Tender and creamy but not heavy, Vegan Risotto with Asparagus and Mushrooms is especially delicious with chopped fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Himalayan sea salt added just before serving. Read more
Paddock Post 