Category: Food & Farms

  • Reishi Cappuccino Smoothie

    Reishi Cappuccino Smoothie

    Reishi Cappuccino Smoothie

    Reishi Mushroom Smoothie: A Nutrient-Packed Way to Start Your Day
    If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast option that will boost your immune system, improve your focus, and give you sustained energy throughout the day, look no further than the reishi mushroom smoothie. This delicious and nutritious smoothie is packed with powerful ingredients like reishi mushrooms, dates, and cacao that offer numerous health benefits.


    Reishi mushrooms, also known as Lingzhi mushrooms, are one of the most popular medicinal mushrooms in the world. They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to boost immunity, improve energy levels, and promote longevity. Reishi mushrooms contain polysaccharides, triterpenes, and other bioactive compounds that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties.


    In addition to reishi mushrooms, this smoothie contains dates, a natural sweetener that is a great alternative to refined sugar. Dates are high in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, and they have a low glycemic index, which means they won’t cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. Dates also contain essential minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones and muscles.


    Cacao is another superfood that adds flavor and nutrition to this smoothie. Cacao is the raw form of chocolate and is a great source of antioxidants, magnesium, iron, and fiber. It also contains theobromine, a natural stimulant that can improve mental focus and enhance mood. However, it’s important to note that cacao is not the same as commercial chocolate, which often contains added sugar and other ingredients that can negate its health benefits.


    This Reishi Cappuccino Smoothie is an excellent way to start your day with a boost of nutrients and health benefits. Reishi mushrooms, dates, and cacao are all powerful superfoods that can support your overall health and wellness. So, try this recipe today and enjoy the delicious and nutritious benefits!

    Reishi Cappuccino Smoothie

    This earthy and creamy concoction is not only delicious but also packed with amazing health benefits. Reishi mushrooms are known for their immune-boosting properties and are a great addition to any healthy lifestyle. If you're a fan of functional beverages or looking for a new twist on your smoothie routine, give this recipe a try!
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    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 frozen banana
    • 1 cup oat milk
    • 2 tablespoons almond butter
    • 4 deglet dates
    • 1 tablespoon cacao nibs or powder
    • 1 teaspoon reishi mushroom powder

    Method
     

    1. Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste and enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Minted Strawberry Lemonade

    Minted Strawberry Lemonade

    Minted Strawberry Lemonade

    For a quick and delicious addition to your summer table try this minty-sweet-tart drink! Try different variations for a fun twist, such as basil instead of mint, or limes instead of lemons! Give it a try this summer to help beat the heat!

    Minted Strawberry Lemonade

    A bright, tart, and sweet summer beverage.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 32 oz bottles Santa Cruz Organic® Lemonade chilled
    • 9 oz Strawberry spread (see notes)
    • 1 bushel Mint finely chopped
    • 1 whole Lemon thinly sliced
    • A few mint leaves for garnish

    Method
     

    1. COMBINE lemonade, fruit spread and chopped mint in pitcher. Stir until blended.
    2. SERVE over ice. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves.

    Notes

    Strawberry fruit spread, or jam, can be used for this recipe. Any other fruit spread or fruit preserve could be used as well.

    Recipe via Santa Cruz Organic

  • Simply stunning seafood

    Simply stunning seafood

    Simply stunning seafood

    An ocean of opportunities

    Seafood’s variety and versatility presents us with an ocean of delicious opportunities in the kitchen. Try these recipes for simple, flavorful, and diverse preparations.

    Open-Faced Shrimp Sandwich

    The delicate flavor of shrimp is highlighted with just a touch of lemon and a hint of mustard, while radish and celery give some fresh crunch to this dish.
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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup small pink shrimp cooked and peeled
    • ¼ cup finely chopped celery
    • ¼ cup finely chopped green onion
    • ¼ cup finely sliced radish
    • ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
    • Pinch of salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
    • 1 cup sunflower or pea shoots
    • 4 butter lettuce leaves
    • 4 slices of whole grain bread

    Method
     

    1. In small bowl, mix all ingredients, except lettuce and bread, together and heap into lettuce cups. Toast bread (if desired) and place lettuce cups on toast.
    2. Enjoy!

    Mussels with Tomato, Saffron, and Fennel

    Steamed mussels are a classic way to enjoy seafood—and so is this rich, aromatic broth of tomato, fennel, and saffron.
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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ teaspoon saffron threads
    • ½ cup hot (not boiling) water
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 shallots finely sliced
    • 3 garlic cloves peeled and crushed
    • 1 fennel bulb finely sliced, fronds reserved
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup white wine
    • ½ cup low-sodium vegetable stock
    • 1 14.5-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
    • 1 pound farmed mussles scrubbed, beards removed
    • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
    • 1 or 2 lemon wedges for serving

    Method
     

    1. In small bowl or glass, place saffron threads and hot water. Allow saffron “tea” to steep for 20 minutes.
    2. In large stock pot, heat olive oil, shallots, and garlic on medium-low. Cook for 5 minutes, until shallots are soft. Add sliced fennel and salt and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more on medium. Turn heat up to medium-high, while stirring fennel constantly, and add wine. Reduce heat to medium and add saffron tea, vegetable stock, and tomatoes. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low if contents of pot begin to boil. After 20 to 25 minutes, broth will be rich and aromatic. With heat on medium, add mussels, cover, and allow to steam for 2 minutes, or until mussel shells open.
    3. Pour broth into large serving bowl and, using slotted spoon, place mussels on top. Garnish with chopped fennel fronds and parsley and serve with crusty bread and lemon wedges.
    4. Enjoy!

    Poached Sablefish and Bok Choy

    For this recipe, sablefish’s luxurious taste is combined with a light fragrant broth of lemongrass and ginger punctuated with the heat of Thai chili.
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    Servings: 2
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
    • 1 teaspoon tamari
    • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
    • ½ Thai chili finely sliced
    • 1 piece lemongrass cut into 2 inch pieces
    • 1 thumb-sized piece of gingerroot sliced into 5-6 pieces
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 2 pieces baby bok choy quartered
    • 2 6-ounce pieces sablefish skin removed
    • 1 tablespoon finely sliced green onions

    Method
     

    1. In medium-sized jug, combine stock, tamari, and vinegar, then add Thai chili, lemongrass, and gingerroot pieces. Set aside.
    2. In 10 inch skillet, heat sesame oil on medium-high. Sear bok choy for 2 minutes, until golden brown on all sides, turning as necessary. Reduce heat to medium and pour in stock mixture. Simmer for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low so that liquid is at a gentle simmer. Add fish pieces and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until sections of sablefish begin to flake apart but pieces remain intact.
    3. With tongs, remove bok choy and place on warmed plates. With slotted spoon or fish spatula, remove sablefish and place atop bok choy on each plate. Spoon a ladleful of cooking stock overtop, sprinkle with green onions, and serve.
    4. Enjoy!

    Article courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Swiss Mushroom Quinoa Burgers

    Swiss Mushroom Quinoa Burgers

    Swiss Mushroom Quinoa Burgers

    If you’re looking for ways to have a flavorful dose of protein between two buns this weekend for the unofficial start of summer, look no further than this Swiss mushroom quinoa burger. You can easily make a batch of 8 burgers to cook for a crowd or keep a few in the freezer for when you need a veggie option for a cookout. A meat-free bouillon paste adds savory umami notes. You likely have the rest of the ingredients for the patties in your pantry! 

    Swiss Mushroom Quinoa Burgers

    If you’re looking for ways to have a flavorful dose of protein between two buns this weekend for the unofficial start of summer, look no further than this Swiss mushroom quinoa burger.
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    Servings: 8
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 large eggs
    • 4 large garlic cloves grated or finely minced
    • 2 tablespoons beef-less vegetarian soup base
    • 2 ½ cups cooked quinoa
    • 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas drained and mashed
    • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 3 tablespoons avocado oil
    • 8 burger buns
    • 8 slices plant-based Swiss cheese (Chao)
    • 8 ounces crimini mushrooms sliced
    • 4 romaine leaves
    • 1 beefsteak tomato sliced
    • 1 small red onion thinly sliced
    • Ketchup
    • Mustard

    Method
     

    1. In a mixing bowl, beat together eggs, garlic, oil, and soup base seasoning. Mix in cooked quinoa, mashed chickpeas, and breadcrumbs.
    2. Divide mixture into 8 equal parts and roll into balls. Flatten each ball into a 3 ½ inch patty. Place burgers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for an hour before cooking.
    3. Heat a skillet on medium with 3 tablespoons of avocado oil. Cook patties 3 minutes per side or until heated through and golden in color. Served topped with your favorite toppings.
    4. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Coconut Hemp Protein Bites

    Coconut Hemp Protein Bites

    Coconut Hemp Protein Bites

    Looking for a quick snack? These coconut hemp protein bites are ready in minutes and perfectly portioned for lunch boxes, the mid-afternoon slump, or to fuel your next workout. The recipe is scalable and customizable. Double it so you always have a quick bite on hand when hunger strikes. You can swap nuts or dried fruit, add a flavored protein powder, or skip the shredded coconut. Make sure you write down the changes as you make them—there’s nothing worse than perfecting your secret recipe and not being able to replicate it! 

    Coconut Hemp Protein Bites

    Looking for a quick snack? These coconut hemp protein bites are ready in minutes and perfectly portioned for lunch boxes, the mid-afternoon slump, or to fuel your next workout.
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    Servings: 14
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup raisins
    • ⅓ cup roasted sunflower seeds
    • ¼ cup sliced almonds
    • ¼ cup walnuts
    • ¼ cup hemp protein powder
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
    • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
    • ½ cup almond butter
    • ½ cup shredded coconut

    Method
     

    1. In a food processor, place raisins, nuts, sunflower seeds, hemp protein, maple syrup, hemp hearts, and chia seeds. Run machine until mixture is finely minced.
    2. Place nut/seed mixture in a mixing bowl and work in almond butter until dough forms.
    3. Scoop mixture into tablespoon amounts and roll into balls then coat in shredded coconut. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
    4. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Lime Ginger Cucumber Mint Agua Fresca

    Lime Ginger Cucumber Mint Agua Fresca

    Lime Ginger Cucumber Mint Agua Fresca

    There have been odd food celebrations and holidays long before social media. Some of them are fun while others seem a bit unnecessary. There’s a beverage day! We recommend you consume beverages every day. This agua fresca is a great recipe that shouldn’t be confined to ‘beverage day’–it should be on your rotation all summer long. Fresh, bubbly, and complex, it’s the mocktail you never knew you needed. Ready in minutes, it’s perfect for unexpected guests. 

    Lime Ginger Cucumber Mint Agua Fresca

    Today may be beverage day, but this agua fresca should be on your rotation all summer long. Fresh, bubbly, and complex, it’s the mocktail you never knew you needed. 
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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cans Lime Ginger Nixie Sparkling Water
    • 3 cucumbers blended
    • 1 cup water
    • Ice
    • 4-5 sprigs mint

    Method
     

    1. Mix ingredients in a large pitcher.
    2. Serve with mint garnish. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Taco Caesar Salad

    Taco Caesar Salad

    Taco Caesar Salad

    Full of protein and dressed with a creamy homemade Caesar dressing, this salad is quick and satisfying. Don’t skimp on all the extras! We love the textures and flavors that the toppings bring, from rich avocado to tangy pickled red onion and crunchy tortilla chips. Romaine lettuce holds up well to the warm beans and taco filling, but feel free to substitute your favorite hearty green. 

    Taco Caesar Salad

    Full of protein and dressed with a creamy homemade Caesar dressing, this salad is quick, satisfying, and worthy of #TacoTuesday or #MeatlessMonday!
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    Servings: 2
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 4-ounce package taco seasoned plant-based crumbles
    • ½ cup cooked black beans drained and rinsed
    • ½ head romaine lettuce chopped
    • ½ cup pickled red onion drained
    • 1 avocado chopped
    • ½ cup cilantro leaves
    • ½ cup shaved parmesan
    • 3 ounces corn tortilla chips
    Dressing
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 2 tablespoons buttermilk
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
    • ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    Method
     

    1. Cook taco crumbles based on the package instructions. Stir in black beans and heat until warmed through.
    2. Whisk together the dressing ingredients.
    3. Place warm crumbles and black beans as the base of the salad on plates. Arrange romaine, pickled onion, avocado, cilantro, and parmesan on top. Drizzle salads with dressing and top with broken tortilla chips.
    4. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Eat for the Planet

    Eat for the Planet

    Eat for the Planet

    Sustainable recipes you’ll love

    More of us than ever are coming to understand the links between the food we eat and its impact on the planet. Eating a diet rich in legumes and organic vegetables, with a reduced emphasis on meat, is recognized as being better for us and the planet. Read on to discover delicious recipes that will help you include more sustainable ingredients in your meal plans.

    Leek and Mushroom Tartines with Wilted Watercress

    Watercress is relatively disease and pest resistant, so it doesn’t require pesticides. It’s easy to grow, and it’s packed with nutrition.
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    Servings: 2
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil divided
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil divided
    • 10 Mushrooms, mixture of white and brown cleaned and diced, about 2 cups
    • 2 sprigs thyme
    • ¼ teaspoon salt divided
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 Leek trimmed, quartered, and diced, about 1½ cups
    • 1 teaspoon Honey
    • 1 cup watercress
    • 2 slices whole grain or sourdough bread
    • Black pepper, to taste

    Method
     

    1. In large skillet on high, heat 1 Tbsp (15 mL) olive oil. When oil is hot, add mushrooms and thyme sprigs and cook for about 5 minutes, shaking pan from time to time to toss, but otherwise keeping movement to a minimum. Once mushrooms are browned, add a pinch of salt and lemon juice, stir through, and tip out onto plate to rest.
    2. Reduce heat to medium and, in the same pan, add remaining 1 tsp (5 mL) olive oil, leeks, and remaining salt. Cook leeks, being careful not to brown, for about 5 minutes, or until just soft. Tip mushrooms and thyme sprigs back into the pan, add honey, and combine with leeks. Remove pan from heat.
    3. Toast 2 pieces of bread. When ready, add watercress to still-warm leek and mushroom mixture and mix through, just wilting watercress. Spoon onto toasted and plated bread and season with black pepper.
    4. Enjoy!

    Herby Lentil Salad with Spinach and Peas

    Symbiotic bacteria called Rhizobium invade the roots of lentils and legumes such as peas and beans, allowing them to “fix,” or use, nitrogen. This also improves the quality of the soil they grow in.
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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup black beluga or French Puy lentils
    • 1 Bay leaf
    • ¼ cup green peas
    • ¼ cup cilantro finely sliced
    • ¼ cup parsley finely sliced
    • ¼ cup mint finely sliced
    • ¼ cup red wine vinegard
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 3 Green onions finely sliced
    • 1 cup baby spinach

    Method
     

    1. Pick over lentils, removing pebbles or debris, and rinse. Bring a large pot of water to boil and add lentils and bay leaf. Reduce to medium-low and cook lentils at a slow simmer for 20 minutes, or until tender but not mushy. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process.
    2. In separate pot, blanch green peas for 2 to 3 minutes; drain and rinse with cool water.
    3. In small bowl, combine herbs, vinegar, olive oil, and salt.
    4. In large bowl, place cooked and cooled lentils. Pour dressing overtop lentils; add green onions, peas, and baby spinach; and toss together. Tip out onto large shallow platter to serve.
    5. Enjoy!

    Poached Rhubarb with Cinnamon, Mint, and Ginger

    Selecting seasonal fruit reduces the need for heating, refrigeration, artificial lighting, pesticides, and increased transport. While rhubarb’s season may be short, the plant is a perennial that can produce for years.
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    Servings: 2
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups rhubarb cut into 1 in. pieces
    • 1 piece gingerroot, about thumb-size cut into 3 or 4 chunks
    • 1 stick cinnamon
    • 1 large sprig mint
    • ½ cup orange juice
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon honey

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
    2. In shallow 10 x 10 x 3 in (26 x 26 x 8 cm) baking pan, arrange rhubarb in one layer. Cut ginger in 3 or 4 chunks and add to pan along with cinnamon stick and mint sprig.
    3. In small bowl or jug, mix together orange juice, water, and honey. Pour over rhubarb mixture.
    4. Place baking tray in preheated oven and poach for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Rhubarb is done when it is fork tender but still retains its shape. Serve over porridge or granola, or use as a dessert topping or cake filling.
    5. Enjoy!

    Article Provided by Alive Magazine

  • Asparagus Pappardelle

    Asparagus Pappardelle

    Asparagus Pappardelle

    Spring is in the air! With this asparagus pappardelle, you can have spring in your bowl, too! Whether you like pencil thin asparagus or heartier thicker stalks, asparagus is the quintessential spring vegetable. It’s the harbinger of the season. Combined with other tender green produce, dill and peas, and a light cream sauce, you know you can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. The asiago cheese and shallots build a lot of flavor without overpowering the freshness of the veggies. We’ll be making this recipe all spring long as we wait to see what else our local farmers have to offer.

    Asparagus Pappardelle

    Spring is in the air! With this asparagus pappardelle, you can have spring in your bowl, too! Plus you can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.
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    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 tablespoons olive oil
    • ⅓ cup shallots minced
    • 3 Large garlic cloves minced
    • 1 pound pappardelle pasta
    • 1 pound fresh asparagus cut into 1-inch pieces (discard woody parts)
    • ½ cup frozen peas
    • 1¼ cups heavy cream
    • 1½ cups asiago cheese shredded
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
    • ½ ounce fresh dill stemmed

    Method
     

    1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
    2. Heat oil in a large saucepan and add shallots. Cook shallots until translucent then add garlic and cook for a minute. Add cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted. Reduce heat to low.
    3. Cook pasta as directed on package. Add asparagus and peas one minute before pasta is done. Strain and add to sauce. 
    4. Toss pasta to coat and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with dill and serve promptly.
    5. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Shredded Carrot Salad

    Shredded Carrot Salad

    Shredded Carrot Salad

    Colorful, flavorful, and oh so simple, this shredded carrot salad could be your next lunch. Pick up a rotisserie chicken for dinner tonight and use the rest of the pulled chicken to take this salad to the next level! Crunchy shredded veggies like carrots and cabbage give coleslaw vibes, but the sesame tamari dressing keeps things light. With a hearty base, this riot of fiber is perfect for meal prepping. It won’t get soggy in the fridge or over the course of a barbecue or potluck. You may have lots of carrots for the easter bunny or just to celebrate spring. This is the perfect recipe to make use of that bounty. 

    Shredded Carrot Salad

    Colorful, flavorful, and oh so simple, this shredded carrot salad could be your next lunch. Pick up a rotisserie chicken for dinner tonight and use the rest of the pulled chicken to take this salad to the next level! 
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound carrots peeled and shredded
    • 1 pound red cabbage finely shredded
    • 2 cups pulled Rotisserie chicken
    • ¾ cup frozen corn thawed
    • 1 handful fresh parsley chopped
    • 4 Green onions thinly sliced
    • ½ cup sliced almonds toasted
    • ¼ cup currants or raisins
    Dressing
    • ⅓ cup toasted sesame oil
    • 3 tablespoons tamari
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

    Method
     

    1. In a large bowl, combine carrots, cabbage, chicken, and corn.
    2. Whisk together toasted sesame oil, tamari, and cayenne pepper.
    3. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Adjust seasoning to taste.
    4. Top with parsley, green onions, sliced almonds, and currants or raisins.
    5. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Gluten-free

    Recipe Provided by INFRA