Category: Local Spotlight

  • Noble Mushrooms are here!

    Noble Mushrooms are here!

    It may be gray outside but things are looking very colorful in our produce section thanks to our new local supplier Noble Mushrooms, based in Hillsborough, NJ. We recently brought their eye-catching blue oyster, lion’s mane, and chestnut mushroom varieties into all three locations. If you’ve already picked up a grow your own kit, took a few bunches home with you, or just spied them in the produce sections and wondered how on earth to prepare them, we’ve compiled a couple recipes that really play to the strengths of these amazing mushrooms.

    Oyster Mushroom Fritters with Scallion Aioli

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    For the Aioli
    • ½ cup mayonnaise (or vegenaise)
    • 2 oz scallion greens finely minced (save a pinch for garnish!)
    • ½ lemon juiced
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ tsp salt
    For the Mushrooms
    • ½ lb Blue Oyster mushrooms
    • 1 cup milk
    • 1 egg
    • 1 cup flour
    • 1 ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp ground black pepper
    • 1 tsp cayenne powder
    • ½ tsp onion powder
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • ¼ tsp cumin
    • ¼ tsp smoked paprika

    Method
     

    For the Aioli
    1. Place mayonnaise, lemon juice, scallion greens, and salt in food processor and begin blending.
    2. Slowly drizzle olive oil into mixture as it processes and whip until smooth. Taste and adjust salt if desired. Set aside in refrigerator.
    For the Mushrooms
    1. Prepare the mushroom by gently tearing fronds into bite-size pieces from edge of cap to stem, making sure to keep pieces connected to base.
    2. Whisk milk and egg in large mixing bowl.
    3. Whisk flour, salt, pepper, cayenne powder, onion powder, garlic powder and cumin in separate large mixing bowl.
    4. Coat mushroom in liquid mixture then dredge in flour. Repeat this process one more time then place mushroom in refrigerator.
    5. Pour enough oil to submerge mushroom in large vessel and heat to 350°F.
    6. Once oil is up to temperature, remove mushroom from refrigerator and slowly lower into cooking vessel gill-sides down. Use metal utensil to ensure it is fully submerged and cook until golden brown (about 10 minutes). Remove and place on drying rack.
    7. Place mushroom on serving plate and cut center in “X” pattern to make room for dipping sauce. If mushroom cluster doesn’t stand on its own, wrap the base of it in a rolled piece of aluminum foil to help it stand up.
    8. Place sauce in center, garnish with some more scallion greens and serve.

    Notes

    Adapted from North Spore 
    https://northspore.com/blogs/the-black-trumpet/5-of-the-best-blue-oyster-mushroom-recipes

    Roasted Chestnut Mushroom Salad

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 oz Chestnut mushrooms
    • 2 tbsp cooking oil
    • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
    • Fresh ground black pepper
    • A handful of fresh thyme sprigs
    • 3 large cloves of garlic
    • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    • 4 oz shallot cut into ¼ inch rounds

    Method
     

    1. Crush the garlic cloves and cut into ½ inch pieces.
    2. Trim the mushroom stems to an even length. Toss the mushrooms in a bowl with the oil, salt, garlic, thyme sprigs and pepper.
    3. Lay the mushrooms out on a cast iron pan or baking sheet lined with parchment and roast at 425°F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly brown. Rotate the pan 180° after 15 minutes.
    4. Peel the shallot and slice ¼ inch thick. Heat the shallot slices in a dry cast iron skillet until lightly charred (or just saute them quickly). Remove to a bowl and add the vinegar.
    5. Remove the mushrooms from the oven. Discard the thyme sprigs, transfer to a bowl, add the shallots and olive oil and cool.
    6. Double check the seasoning for salt and pepper and adjust until it tastes good to you. Serve warm or room temperature.

    Notes

    From Forager Chef:
    https://foragerchef.com/chestnut-mushroom/

    Comment below with your favorite mushroom recipe!

  • 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

    2021 Holiday Gift Guide

    2021 Holiday Gift Guide

    with Basil Bandwagon Natural Market

    Happy Holidays! We have gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season – kids, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, pets – you name it!

  • Spring Run Dairy Meets Basil Bandwagon

    Spring Run Dairy Meets Basil Bandwagon

    Basil Bandwagon Natural Market is proud to offer delicious, fresh and local milk from Spring Run Dairy Farm of Pittstown, NJ. Daniel Lyness, owner and operator, efficiently runs this dairy farm with the help of his family. Spring Run’s property is absolutely breathtaking, as the 126 acre farm contains plenty of pastures for the cows to graze on, a garden to grow crops, as well as picturesque views of the land surrounding the farm. The cows themselves are incredibly joyful and friendly, as the Lyness family works around-the-clock to make sure that they have an enriching life beyond producing milk. They do this by making sure that the cows have plenty of time to relax and graze freely in the pastures, consistent cleanliness of the cows and their barns, and that they have abundant amounts of nourishing foods. The beautiful farm in combination with the nurturing results in a farm containing cheerful and carefree cows.

    One of the most notable aspects is the careful control over farm operations especially with the cows that inhabit it. Dan’s process begins with planting and harvesting the crops that feed the cows. Spring Run ensures that everything their cows ingest is up to their high standards. The feed they grow is stored for the winter as well, to ensure that the calves and cows are getting the essential nutrients they need all year round. Spring Run believes that in order to have high quality milk, you need cows that are nutritionally balanced as well as clean, happy, and healthy. As Dan says, “the cleaner, the better!”

    Spring Run has two distinct breeds of cows, the Jersey Cow and the Holstein Cow, each with their own specific characteristics. The Jersey Cow is brown in color and much smaller than the Holstein, your classic black and white cow. The Jersey Cow produces much less milk than the Holstein, but that milk is higher in fat and protein than the milk from a Holstein. The combination of milk from the two breeds results in a flavorful and creamy whole milk.

    The pasteurization and bottling process is done completely contactless to ensure that it’s sanitary and free from outside contaminants. As soon as the raw milk is collected from the cows, it is immediately kept at 35°F, filtered out for any contaminants, and put into a pasteurizer to be cleaned and bottled. To further maintain high quality, they pasteurize at the minimum required temperature to preserve vital nutrients from being removed. The NJ State Department of Health comes once a month to analyze and test Spring Run’s milk in a laboratory, and every 3 months to inspect the condition of the cows and the pastures. To ensure that everything is properly sterilized, they made all their machines in the process completely stainless steel, as this is the easiest to keep sanitary. Everything that is used in the pasteurization and bottling process is sanitized thoroughly twice a day to ensure no bacteria is present anywhere in the facility.

    Their facility is fairly new, as the barns were built by Dan in 2013 and they have been bottling their own milk on-site since February 2021. Spring Run has streamlined their milk pasteurization and bottling processes to be as efficient as possible to continuously produce high quality dairy products. Spring Run’s self-serve farm store is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM-4PM for customers to purchase milk and see the cows grazing in the pastures that made it all possible.

    Resources:
    https://www.facebook.com/springrundairy

  • A Delicious New Partnership with Unionville Vineyards

    A Delicious New Partnership with Unionville Vineyards

    If you’ve never had the Buffalo Tofu at Basil Bandwagon Natural Market with a glass of Unionville’s Estate Blush, you are missing out on one of the great food & wine pairings of the world! I’m really excited to share the news that almost the full portfolio of Unionville wines can be purchased now at each of the Basil Bandwagon locations- Lambertville, Flemington, and Clinton. These are terrific places, equal parts grocer, prepared foods counter, and vitamin & supplement shop. The stores focus on organic, local, fresh, and healthy foods. Their Farm to Market Café always has amazing offerings, and their specialty juices and smoothies are always rotating and delicious. You could visit for a sandwich, a cup of coffee, a pint of local ice cream (I’ve spied offerings from The Bent Spoon in the freezer), or do your entire week of grocery shopping. Now, you can stock up on wine for dinner or the weekend too.

    Here are a few pairings that Purchasing Director Katrin Alampi and I pondered upon. You can find these items at the Café counter in each store, and these wines are all stocked there too. Enjoy! 
    – John Cifelli, GM

    Mushroom Turkey Burgers: local turkey, mushrooms, onions, garlic, oats
    pair these with the Silver Lining Cabernet Franc. This fruity, medium-bodied red will bounce off the savory, umami flavors of the burger. Skip the ketchup, let the wine play that role.

    Lemon Kale Quinoa Salad: quinoa, root vegetables, kale, olive oil, lemon juice
    pair with Pinot Grigio. This is a fun one because root veggies and kale are challenging wine pairing partners. Our Pinot Grigio is textured and zippy, the acidity acts to wash and refresh the palate. 

    Falafel with Tahini: spicy chickpea patty served with housemade tahini
    pair with Estate Blush. When you build a cheese board, you often find fruits and nuts together as accompaniment. The fruity blush wine and the nutty character of falafel and tahini are lovely together, and the touch of sweetness to the wine balances the spice of the dish.

    Black Bean Burger: black beans, brown rice, corn, bell peppers, onion, garlic, cumin 
    Pair with Revolutionary Red. This burger packs a punch of flavor, and the medium to full bodied Revolutionary Red matches it in weight, fruitiness, and intensity.

    Chicken Salad: shredded organic chicken, mayo, celery, onions, stoneground mustard
    Pair with Estate Chardonnay. I consider myself to be somewhat of a chicken salad aficionado. Why most places want to clobber theirs with mayonnaise confounds me. Basil’s is perfectly balanced, and the sweet, salty, and savory flavors are wonderfully complimented by the tropical and citrus fruit character of our Chardonnay. Have this on toasted multi-grain to take it to the next level!

  • Introducing: Hudson Valley Fisheries

    Introducing: Hudson Valley Fisheries

    Healthy. Local. Sustainable.

    Hudson Valley Fisheries was inspired by their commitment to environmental stewardship. Their goal is to protect wild populations and the environment through a state-of-the-art land-based biosecure Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS).

    As an aquaculture teaching facility, they are educating future fish farmers in best practices, collaborating with the Culinary Institute of America and numerous colleges and universities in the Hudson Valley region. Every aspect of their business model is designed to keep their carbon footprint small, including their central location, to offer impeccably fresh, local fish via delivery trucks, thus eliminating the environmental costs of trans-Atlantic and international seafood transportation.

    Fed a responsibly-sourced, GMO-free and balanced diet of natural antioxidants, proteins and lipids, New York Steelhead are completely traceable from egg to place.

    Flavor Profile

    • Clean flavor, subtle and herbaceous

    • Pairs well with many flavors and ingredients

    • Rich in omega 3 and fatty acids

    Texture Profile

    • Smooth and velvety

    • Meaty, lean with nice fat content

    • Medium moist flake that holds together with cooking

    • Pan roasting and grilling yield a wonderfully crisp skin

    What makes Hudson Valley Fisheries healthy?

    Unlike open-sea fish farms that regularly use harsh chemicals to control pathogens, parasites and sea lice, our land-based farm uses RAS technology which provides optimal conditions for our fish to grow without the need for antibiotics, vaccines or growth hormones. Our land-based facility offers round the clock dedicated animal care and the strictest biosecurity which guarantees our fish never disrupt native ecosystems or wild seafood populations.

    What makes Hudson Valley Fisheries sustainable?

    It all starts with RAS. Our bio-secure facility uses a Recirculating Aquaculture System which provides optimal conditions for our fish to grow without the use of antibiotics, vaccines, or hormones. Fish waste is recycled into nutrient-rich plant food and kept out of our rivers and oceans. With a land-based facility, our fish never disrupt native ecosystems or wild populations.

    Looking for a way to prepare your New York Steelhead?

    Check out this delicious recipe below!

    Crispy Steelhead Trout Tenders

    with Herbed Yogurt Dipping Sauce

    Ingredients:

    New York Steelhead fillets
    (6 oz. New York Steelhead, filet), skinned and cut into 5 x 2 inch pieces

    2 eggs

    1 teaspoon dijon mustard

    1 cup panko breadcrumbs

    1 teaspoon lemon zest

    1/8 teaspoon salt

    1/8 teaspoon pepper

    1 lemon, squeezed

    For Sauce:

    1/2 cup whole greek yogurt

    1/4 teaspoon onion powder

    1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

    1/2 teaspoon chopped chives

    1/4 teaspoon chopped parsley

    1/8 teaspoon salt

    1/8 teaspoon pepper

    Method

    Fish Directions:
    Combine breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and lemon zest, in a plate. In a separate plate, combine eggs and mustard. Dip each tender in the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumb mixture. Set coated tenders aside on a plate. Spray tenders with olive oil cooking spray and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes at 375F flipping once.


    Sauce Directions:
    Mix well and allow to sit in the fridge for 1 hour for a stronger ranch flavor. Enjoy with tenders!

    References:

    https://www.hudsonvalleyfisheries.com/

    https://www.hudsonvalleyfisheries.com/blogs/steelheadcooking/crispy-steelhead-tenders-with-herbed-yogurt-dipping-sauce

    https://www.instagram.com/hudsonvalleyfisheries/

  • Shop Local This Holiday Season with Third Child Wellness Boutique!

    Shop Local This Holiday Season with Third Child Wellness Boutique!

    Their story begins with two strong-willed, creative women…

    ☑ Women-Owned

    ☑ Small Business

    ☑ Locally Made in Somerville, NJ

    ☑ Made in Small Batches

    ☑ 100% Natural Skin Care

    You don’t often see a mother in-law/daughter in-law team of entrepreneurs like this one. Theresa was a stay-at-home mom with a background in health and nutrition. Shirley was newly retired and looking for something meaningful to do with her extra time. After years of working for the man, Shirley decided it would be more fun to work for herself. Together, in 2018, this mother/daughter in-law duo decided to take on the world of natural skin care products. 

    Now, about making the world a better place. Theresa and Shirley care deeply about their community. They’ve decided to pay it forward by donating 5% of all profits to the following organizations: Steps Together, the ACLU and The Trevor Project.​

    ​Shirley and Theresa Bonner love their planet and their community. They are proud to have their on-line and wholesale business based in Somerville, NJ and have taken every opportunity to help make Somerville and the world, a better place to live. 

    ‘Nothing Hidden. Just pure love for your skin.’

    All of Third Child Wellness Boutique products are free of parabens, perfumes, phthalates, SLS and petrolatum.

    Check out some of their NATURAL skin care products below ↴

    Dry Skin?

    All of their skin repair butters can be used on lips, hands, feet, elbows arms, legs, knees, necks, tummies, shoulders, backs and any other body part you can think of. People with thick, curly hair can use it to add shine and control! It is, however, for external use only.

    Available: Dude, Relax; Lumberjacked; Nagmasté; Sageing Grace; Sunny G

    Achy Joints?

    This massage oil blend is amazing for easing every day aches and pains. They, of course, use organic avocado oil as a base for their spicy warming massage blend.

    Available: Ooo, Spicy

    Itchy Beard?

    Their handmade, small batch beard oils are a one-of-a-kind experience for the facial hair wearing humans out there. All of their beard oils are made with organic avocado oil that is cold-infused with organic, fair-trade coffee grounds. It is nourishing, smooth and smells so good on those course beards, side burns and mustaches! Take care of itchy skin and ingrown hair while looking and smelling amazing all day long.

    Available: Lumberjacked; Americano

    Seeing Spots?

    Espress Yo inner beauty on the outside! Their handmade coffee oil is truly amazing for evening out skin tone as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines and age spots. Their use organic avocado oil to infuse their coffee oil skin treatment, and add a grapefruit or lavender essential oil for a light, lovely scent.

    Available: Espress Yo-Self (Grapefruit); Espress Yo-Self (Lavender)

    Funky Smell?

    Big sniff… hold it… ahhh… their aromatherapy room and body sprays freshen your home or office space anytime you need it. Because their sprays are pure and natural, you can spray them directly onto your skin to refresh yourself anytime, anyplace.

    Available: Chill-Ax; Get Yo Zeez; Lumberjacked; Sageing Grace; Yowee Zowee

    Enjoy Long Showers?

    Love a great bath bomb, but don’t have a tub? No time for candles and bubbles? Treat yourself to an aromatherapy sauna session in your own shower. Simply place one of their beautifully scented steamers on the floor of your shower and let the water do the rest.

    Available: Chill-Ax; Sageing Grace; Yowee Zowee

    Sensitive Pits?

    Their soft, spreadable natural deodorant won’t irritate your delicate underarm skin or clog pores. They use only gently, pure ingredients to keep you smelling fresh and spicy all day long.

    Available: New Spice

    While you’re out getting your holiday shopping done this season, remember to #ShopSmall & #ShopLocal! By shopping at your favorite local natural market (like us!), you are supporting families who started a small business to help make the world a little bit better & brighter!

  • PRODUCE RECIPE OF THE WEEK: TOMATO CONSERVA

    PRODUCE RECIPE OF THE WEEK: TOMATO CONSERVA

    Local Spotlight: San Marzano Tomatoes from Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative!

    Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative is a non-profit organic farmer’s cooperative of over 100 family farmers located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania! They provide fresh, certified organic fruits, vegetables, and other farm fresh products!

    It’s tomato season and we’re celebrating it with this flavorful tomato conserva! It’s the perfect addition to any dish where you want to add some rich flavor; like a caprese salad, pasta, soup, stew, or you can even use it as a condiment. These slow-roasted tomatoes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 2 months.

    Ingredients

    4 lb. Ripe San Marzano or Plum Tomatoes, cored and sliced crosswise 1/2 inch think

    2 Medium Cloves Garlic, smashed and peeled

    1/2 Cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

    Kosher Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    Method

    1. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and heat the over to 350 degrees F

    2. Divide the tomatoes and garlic between two large rimmed baking sheets.

    3. Drizzle oil over tomatoes and season with 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper. Gently toss the tomatoes to evenly coat with oil and spread in a single layer.

    4. Put sheets in oven and lower heat to 225 degrees F. Slowly roast, rotating and switching sheets halfway through, until the tomatoes look like juicy sun-dried tomatoes, wrinkly and slightly browned in spots, 5-6 hours.

    5. Let tomatoes cool for at least 10 minutes before serving or using.

    NOTE: The conserva can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 2 months.

    Before you enjoy your flavorful tomato conserva, make sure you take a picture of your masterpiece! Post it on social media and tag your favorite produce market, Basil Bandwagon Natural Market! #basilbandwagon #producerecipeoftheweek

    For more pictures and ideas from this recipe, click here: https://www.finecooking.com/recipe/tomato-conserva

  • PRODUCE RECIPE OF THE WEEK: BLUEBERRY HEMP VINAIGRETTE & LOCAL GREENS SALAD

    PRODUCE RECIPE OF THE WEEK: BLUEBERRY HEMP VINAIGRETTE & LOCAL GREENS SALAD

    On sale this week (6/3-6/9): Organic Blueberries (pint) $4.99 each!

    Happy Hemp History Week! To celebrate #ReturnOfThePlant, we decided to make a light and refreshing blueberry hemp vinaigrette to pair with our local greens salad. This vinaigrette is not only light, sweet, and refreshing, but it pairs perfectly with a veggie or fruit salad. So we thought, why not combine it with the AMAZING spring greens mix from our local Cabbage Throw Farm right here in Hunterdon County!

    BONUS SALE– Manitoba Harvest Shelled Hemp Hearts (7oz) bag is on sale this month for $6.29!

    Ingredients

    Vinaigrette

    -1/2 Cup Blueberries

    -1/2 Cup Shelled Hemp Seeds

    -1/2 Cup Water

    -4 Tablespoons Turbinado Sugar (or Agave Nectar)

    -2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar

    -1/2 Teaspoon Salt

    Salad

    -5 Ounces Spring Mix (Buy Local! We used spring mix from Cabbage Throw Farm)

    -1 Cup Blueberries

    -3/4 Cup Pecans, chopped

    -4 Ounces Feta Cheese, chopped small or grated

    Method

    1. In a high speed blender, mix all vinaigrette ingredients together and blend to a smooth and creamy texture.

    2. In a large bowl, mix all salad ingredients together.

    3. Drizzle vinaigrette onto salad mix and enjoy!

    Before you enjoy your light and refreshing local greens salad with blueberry hemp vinaigrette, make sure you take a picture of your masterpiece! Post it on social media and tag your favorite produce market, Basil Bandwagon Natural Market! #basilbandwagon #producerecipeoftheweek

  • Small Business Saturday

    Small Business Saturday

    Save the Date!

    IT’S SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY ON 11/24/18! SO WE ARE HAVING A LOCAL SALE!

    ALL LOCAL GOODS WILL HAVE 3X REWARDS POINTS AND ALL BASIL BANDWAGON SUPPLEMENTS WILL BE 25% OFF.

    SALE ENDS AT 8PM ON SATURDAY SO MAKE SURE YOU COME IN AND #SHOPSMALL!

     

    The First 10  Customers  in each store to spend $75 will receive a limited edition 

    Shop Small Cloth bag filled
    with goodies!

  • Local Spotlight: Her Fitness New Jersey

    Local Spotlight: Her Fitness New Jersey

    Starting fresh with fitness and a healthy diet is a huge challenge. We ALL want to get there, of course, but how do you stay motivated? How do you avoid injury? Most important: How do you really get results?

    Carolyn found herself looking at 40 with a few extra pounds that crept up on her. Stress led to fatigue which led to the bad habits that so many of us get into, and she was struggling to feel like she could get it under control.

    Working with Marie Ande and her group fitness sessions allowed her to see results for the first time in almost a decade.

    Her Fitness is Personal training in a group setting for women who are committed to becoming or staying healthy, fit and strong.

    In addition to Her Fitness, Carolyn stuck to clean eating. Cutting back on sugar, starch, and dairy- she had to find ways to make sure her meals were thought out ahead of time.

    One thing Marie suggested was a good protein shake in the morning. We LOVE Plant Fusion Lean Protein- its super filling, and mixes easily with almond milk in a shaker bottle (and it tastes awesome!):

    Carolyn’s go-to lunch was the Mushroom Turkey Burger over greens from the cafe:

    Taking good care of your gut is important when you’re trying to drop weight. Getting the most out of your food ensures your body won’t push you into cravings. Probiotics are instrumental: