Almond Cole Slaw
Which ingredients do not belong together?
- Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Oil and Vinegar
- Cole Slaw and Almonds
Most people would choose #3 because cole slaw traditionally gets its crunch from shredded cabbage and carrots and it’s creaminess and tanginess from a mayo or vinegar based dressing. Nuts never really enter the picture in this all-American side dish but adding finely chopped almonds to a traditional cole slaw recipe yields some very amazing results. Read more 
The Rice Bowl (without the rice)
Rice bowls are the “it bowls” of the moment with the popularity of this one-bowl meal growing exponentially day by day because of its versatility. The basic concept of a rice bowl is to cover a mound of rice with vegetables, beans, and/or tofu with the possibilities virtually endless because there are so many types of ingredients to choose from, even if rice seems to be the foundation. But what if you skip the rice and stick to vegetables and tofu? Well then, you’ll have a rice bowl without the rice: a delicious, crunchy, colorful bowl of vegetables with seasoned tofu. Read more
Farmhouse Tomatoes
The difference between a bland tomato and a great one is immense, much like the difference between a standard, sliced white bread and a crusty, aromatic sourdough. ~Yotam Ottolenghi
Nearly all of America’s winter tomatoes are grown in Florida and California because of the mild climate and long growing season needed to take a seedling with a few green leaves to mature into a vine full of tomatoes. Most of these tomatoes have been bred to ripen uniformly red and round, although historically America’s favorite “fruit” has been a myriad of colors and shapes, which are not attributes coveted by retailers who value consistency and predictability. Read more
Kite Hill Ravioli
Kite Hill – a California-based brand owned by Lyrical Foods, Inc. – has done what no other company has been able to do: make a truly delicious homemade ravioli with all the attributes we relish: the rich flavor of “cheese” and fillings enveloped in homemade pasta – but without the dairy products. Using artisanal almond milk products (that have been cultured just like dairy milk products) along with simple fresh ingredients, Kite Hill applies traditional methods to make one of America’s favorite comfort foods plant-based. Read more
Sweet Caramelized Onions
Caramelized onions compliment so many foods with their earthy sweet flavor but require a healthy dose of patience to make because the whole secret to making this delicious side dish is time. Onions needs to be cooked slowly over low heat to allow the moisture and sugars to release and turn slices of translucent crunchy onion into soft brown caramelized rings. Turning the heat up won’t hurry the process because caramelization requires slow, steady heat (almost sounds like a life lesson). So, when time is limited, consider buying Sweet Caramelized Onions by the Gracious Gourmet. Read more
1-2-3 Gremolata
Gremolata is an Italian chopped garlic, herb and citrus blend that can be used to add zest and flavor to any number of dishes, but especially vegetables, including roasted potatoes, zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, butternut squash, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and more. Read more
Pereg Gourmet Grain Blends
The most challenging part of adding grains to a diet is learning how to enhance the flavor with herbs, spices, vegetables and dried fruits. Pereg Gourmet takes the guesswork out by combining grains (farro and couscous) with just the right amount of all natural ingredients so that all you have to do is add water. In 15-20 minutes, a perfectly spiced side dish is ready to enjoy. Read more
Spaghetti with Mushroom Meatballs
Spaghetti and Meatballs is comfort food at its best but when meat is no longer on the menu, the challenge is how to make meatballs without meat, which almost sounds like an oxymoron. Except that mushrooms are often described as meaty which makes them perfect as a substitute in recipes calling for ground meat.
Mushroom meatballs are easy to put together and cook (they don’t fall apart) but the best part is the taste and texture. Crusty on the outside, moist on the inside, mushroom meatballs are so delicious that even non-vegetarians and non-vegans love them (my carnivore husband actually requests these). Read more
Broccoli Salad
When cole slaw doesn’t create as much excitement around the dinner table halfway through the summer as it did over July 4th, its time to mix things up a bit and serve fresh Broccoli Salad, a colorful and refreshing alternative to the traditional summer salads. Choosing flavors and textures that complement each other in both taste and presentation is the key here while keeping it simple with four ingredients. Think earthy, sweet, crunchy, and tangy. Read more
Top Picks at Trader Joe’s
With more than 430 stores across the United States, Trader Joe’s offers a shopping experience that keeps customers loyal: great products at competitive prices. Most of the retailer’s packaged products are under their own private label although some well-known manufacturers (i.e. the French chocolatier Valrhona) are also available.
Smaller than the average grocery store (12,500 square feet compared to 50,000), Trader Joe’s has a limited selection but one that brings shoppers back time after time. Some of the best products available at Trader Joe’s include: Read more
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