sometimes inspiration will carry me to the kitchen to bake something, but when i open the cupboards the ingredients are dismal. i wanted to make granola bars but as i eyed the most discouraging amount of oats i had ever encountered, i thought it might not happen. just then i spied small amounts of different seeds and nuts all over the cupboard, so instead of sulking away empty-handed, i got a little creative.
i toasted them all up in a dry frying pan, tossed them with some kosher salt, vanilla and agave, then baked them into bars. and, of course, finished them off with a drizzle of semi-sweet chocolate. the result is a toasty, crackly, just-sweet-enough bar that flakes and pops as you chew it. the hint of salt compliments the treat’s sweetness and toasty crunch really well. it reminded me slightly of the taste of fresh popped popcorn, but tucked into a hardy and healthy snack.
(more…)
Posted in tips | Tagged almonds, bars, buckwheat, chocolate, coconut, flax, granola bar, oats, pecans, quinoa, sunflower seeds, sweet and salty |
i’ve had fresh sugar cane juice before, but never the cane itself. it is usually grown in tropical climates, but this week the family i work for at the silver lake farmers’ market brought their first green sugar cane of the season down from fresno, so i decided to take one for a spin.
similar in appearance to bamboo, the cane has a thick outer skin that must be cut away with a sharp knife before enjoying the juicy center. the inside can be chewed on as is or cut into a pieces to pass around. pop it in your mouth and chew to release the lightly sweet juices tucked inside, but be sure to spit out the fiber when you’re done – it’s not edible.
it’s amazing at how subtle the sweetness is compared to sugar as we know it, which highlights the sobering reality that it takes a great deal of the sugar cane to make a surprisingly small amount of sugar – something we can easily take for granted.
for some reason i always thought that oranges were a summer fruit, but much to my surprise they are at the peak of their season right now! i haven’t gone this bonkers over a harvest since july when the juicy white donut peaches were like nothing i had ever tasted. like the peaches, i have been toting home upwards of ten pounds of these seedless mandarin oranges every week. mostly i enjoy squeezing them into a tall glass of the best orange juice i’ve ever had in my life. but they’re also super easy to peal and pop in your mouth. i even made a pot of orange spice and red wine marmalade for christmas presents.
enjoy oranges now, while they taste the best. in fact keep your eye on all citrus, because lemons and grapefruits are amazing right now too.
related recipes:
we’ve been a bit busy since thanksgiving and haven’t had the time to post. but i’ve still been in the kitchen trying out new recipes and rediscovering old ones. there are a few to come, but in the meantime here are a few previous posts that will help you celebrate the season. enjoy!
dinner:
drink:
dessert:
Posted in tips | Tagged christmas |
thanksgiving is just around the corner, and the nortoriously carnivorous holiday is probably my favorite chance to prove that vegan food can be comfort food too! this year i’m bringing you five dishes to impress your friends and family with. in the meantime, here are a few to get you started:
Posted in tips | Tagged thanksgiving |
ginger has been used for thousands of years in chinese medicine to treat stomach disorders like persistent nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, loss of appetite or anorexia. but it also treats mild lung disorders, like upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis or a simple cold and cough. it reduces toxicity which means it is anti-bacterial, and explains why ginger is always served with sushi – to battle the bacteria in the raw fish. and because of it’s warm nature it is used to treat pain caused by cold, as seen in most cases of menstrual cramps, stiff muscles and indigestion caused by cold.
but western medicine prizes the rhizome just as much, labeling it with words like anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antioxidant and anti-cancer. reduction of inflammation explains it’s ability to reduce muscle and joint pain – such as gout or arthritis – as well as topical swelling. while anticoagulant means that it reduces clotting thereby helping to prevent strokes. it’s anti-oxidizing properties reinforce it’s anti-cancer properties since cancer can be caused by DNA mutations caused by oxidative stress.
since i got a juicer i have been drinking large quantities of ginger juice and loving the way it makes me feel. read on for lots of ways to introduce a little, or a lot, of ginger into your diet.
(more…)
Also posted in drink | Tagged anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, anticoagulant, antioxidant, cinnamon, ginger, herbs, immunity, juice, natural remedies, organic, tea, turmeric |
tomato season is coming to an end, but there are still a few weeks left to enjoy all of the sweet, tangy, fresh and juicy varieties of seasonal heirloom tomatoes. you can find the freshest picks and most different varieties at your local farmers’ markets. since i happen to sell tomatoes at a few farmers’ markets, i’m offering up these 10 tips for successfully choosing, moving, storing and serving those unique and delicate veggies. hope they help!
(more…)
summer is all about spending time outdoors with friends and family, while enjoying really great food and drink that accent all of the fresh flavors the season has to offer. don’t waste a lot of time slaving over a hot stove, entertain and enjoy yourself with these 20 simple recipes for light summer fare!
(more…)
Posted in tips | Tagged fresh, summer |
even as someone with considerable knowledge of nutrition and a degree in biology, it wasn’t immediately obvious to me just what an antioxidant was or why i was being told to dose up on them so heavily. but after brushing up on my organic chemistry, i’ve compiled this simple little guide of everything you need to know about antioxidants.
(more…)
i have worked at two juice bars here in LA and think i’ve gotten a pretty good taste of the raw food experience. i’ve sampled and prepared many raw creations, learned about the health benefits and most importantly, met a lot of people that have plenty of experience with raw food.
personally, a completely raw diet isn’t for me, but i do enjoy raw food as a good portion of what i eat. i prefer having the option to eat delicious raw treats as well as cooked ones. so i’ve compiled here a short list of my opinions as to why it’s a great idea to go raw, and why maybe it’s not.
(more…)
