Tag: dinner

  • Winter Holiday Heroes with Christine Waltermyer

    Winter Holiday Heroes with Christine Waltermyer

    WINTER HOLIDAY HEROES

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”


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    Immunity Soup

    Keto Refrigerator Fudge

    Pomegranate Sweet Potato Bruschetta

    Loaded Sweet Potatoes


    Immunity Soup

    Serves 2-3

    Ingredients

    2 tablespoons olive oil

    1 onion, diced (1 1/2 cups)

    Sea salt

    1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, peeled and minced

    2-3 cloves garlic, minced

    3/4 cup fresh maitake mushrooms, chopped

    2 stalks celery, chopped

    2 small carrots, chopped

    1-inch piece kombu, soaked in cold water to cover for 10 minutes

    4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)

    2 bay leaves

    4 cups vegetable broth* (recipe below: astragalus, kombu, veg scraps)

    A pinch ground turmeric

    2 cups chopped kale

    1 13-oz. jar Jovial brand chickpeas, drained

    2-3 tablespoons light colored miso (such as South River Chickpea miso)

    Lotus Foods brown rice ramen noodles (2 cakes), cooked

    Method

    *If making vegetable broth from scratch, use the recipe below.

    1. Heat a soup pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Add the onion and a pinch of sea salt. Cook and stir for 5 minutes.

    2. Add the ginger and garlic. Cook and stir for another minute or two. Add the maitake mushrooms. Cook a few more minutes. Add the celery and carrot, and cook and stir for a few minutes.

    3. Add the kombu (whole or chopped), thyme, bay leaves, and the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil then lower heat to simmer on low, covered, for about 20 minutes. Add the turmeric, chopped kale, and chickpeas. Cook a few more minutes.

    4. Remove the bay leaves, thyme sprigs and kombu (if a whole piece). Place the miso in a small bowl and add a few tablespoons of water. Stir until diluted. Add this to the soup and stir. Add the cooked ramen noodles just before serving. Enjoy!

    *Immune-Boosting Vegetable Broth Recipe*

    1. In a large soup pot, place 4 cups leftover vegetable scraps (ends of carrots, ends of celery, cabbage hearts, kale stems, parsley stems, etc.) OR 2 whole carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 handful parsley and 1 onion.

    2. Add 1-2 teaspoons dried astragalus root, 2 bay leaves and a 2-inch piece of kombu sea vegetable.

    3. Add 4 cups of water.

    4. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to cook on low for 1 hour. Strain and use.


    Keto Refrigerator Fudge

    Serves 8

    Ingredients

    1/2 cup carob powder OR cocoa powder OR cacao powder

    1/2 teaspoon Sweetleaf Sweet Drops liquid stevia – Vanilla Creme Flavor

    1/2 cup virgin coconut oil, softened

    1/2 cup sprouted almond butter

    1/8 teaspoon sea salt

    Topping:

    2 tablespoons coconut oil, softened

    2 tablespoons almond butter

    Flaked sea salt (optional)

    Method

    1. Using a whisk, fork or electric hand mixer, combine the carob powder, liquid stevia, 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1/2 cup almond butter, and 1/8 teaspoon sea salt. Mix until smooth.

    2. Spread the mixture evenly into a parchment paper-lined 8×4-inch loaf pan. In a small bowl, mix together the 2 tablespoons coconut oil with 2 tablespoons almond butter. You can add a drop or two of stevia sweetener if you life. Mix well, then drizzle onto the top of your fudge. Use a toothpick to swirl it around and make a marbled surface.

    3. Chill for 1 to 2 hours. Top with some flaked sea salt. Slice, serve and enjoy!


    Pomegranate Sweet Potato Bruschetta

    Serves 8

    Ingredients

    1 16oz bag Caulipower Frozen Sweet PotaTOASTS (frozen Sweet Potato slices)

    Sunflower seed “cheese” spread:

    1/2 cup sunflower seeds

    1/4 cup water

    1/4 cup chopped scallions

    1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

    1/2 teaspoon onion powder

    1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

    1 tablespoon lemon juice

    1 tablespoon miso

    Garnish:

    D’Vash sweet potato nectar

    The seeds of 1 pomegranate

    1/2 cup chopped walnuts

    Fresh sprigs of thyme or rosemary

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the sweet potaTOASTS in an even layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. For more well done slices, brush with a little olive oil and bake 5 minutes longer.

    2. Meanwhile, make the sunflower seed “cheese” spread. Place the sunflower seeds, water, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, lemon juice and miso in a food processor. Process until a spreadable consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides a few times. The consistency does not need to be perfectly smooth.

    3. Remove the baked sweet potaTOASTS from the oven and let them cool to room temperature. Spread each one with a rounded tablespoon of the sunflower seed “cheese” spread. Top with some walnuts, pomegranate seeds, thyme sprigs and a drizzle of sweet potato nectar. Enjoy!


    Loaded Sweet Potatoes

    Serves 4

    Ingredients

    2 sweet potatoes or yams

    Olive oil

    One onion, diced

    8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

    2 cloves garlic, minced

    Sea salt and pepper

    White wine

    1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

    4 cups chopped kale

    2 teaspoons maple syrup

    1 teaspoon prepared mustard

    1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

    Squeeze of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar

    Sauce:

    1/4 cup sesame tahini

    2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

    1 tablespoon maple syrup

    A few pinches sea salt

    3-5 tablespoons water

    Garnish:

    Fresh chives, chopped

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Poke the sweet potatoes with a fork a few times. Place whole sweet potatoes or yams in a covered casserole or you can wrap the sweet potatoes individually with foil and place them on a baking sheet instead of a covered casserole. Place them in the oven and bake for 60 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. When finished remove from oven, keep covered and set aside.

    2. Meanwhile, prepare sautéed vegetable topping. In a skillet, warm 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and a pinch of salt, cook and stir for five minutes.

    3. Add the mushrooms, garlic and thyme. If the onions are sticking to the pan, add a small splash of white wine. Cover and cook for five more minutes or until the mushrooms have softened. Add the kale and another splash of white wine. Cover and cook for five more minutes. Add remaining seasonings: maple syrup, mustard, lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and cook and stir for a few more minutes. Cook until the liquid has mostly evaporated.

    4. To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well together. The consistency should be something like ketchup.

    5. Slice the cooked sweet potatoes or yams in half lengthwise and evenly distribute the sautéed vegetables on top of each one. Drizzle with a couple tablespoons of the sauce and serve topped with chives. Enjoy!


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • PRODUCE RECIPE OF THE WEEK: LOCAL LETTUCE & ROASTED ASPARAGUS SALAD

    PRODUCE RECIPE OF THE WEEK: LOCAL LETTUCE & ROASTED ASPARAGUS SALAD

    On sale this week (6/10-6/16): Organic Asparagus $4.99 lb!

    In this week’s recipe, we use New York Grown Asparagus from our weekly produce specials and Oak Leaf Lettuce from our friends Dean and Emily at Cabbage Throw Farm in Asbury, NJ.

    Ingredients

    1 Pound Asparagus, clean and trimmed

    1/3 Cup Plus 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

    1/2 Teaspoon Lemon Zest

    Salt and Pepper, to taste

    1 1/2 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

    1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard

    1 Head Cabbage Throw Farm Oak Leaf Lettuce, picked and cleaned

    2 Ounces Parmesan Cheese, shaved


    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss asparagus with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the lemon zest, and season with salt and pepper. Roast asparagus for about 8 minutes, until just tender and the tips begin to turn brown.

    2. In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice with dijon mustard and the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

    3. In a large bowl, toss the lettuce with all but 2 tablespoons of homemade dressing. Arrange the salad on plates and top with the roasted asparagus and cheese.

    4. Drizzle remaining dressing over asparagus, serve, and enjoy!


    Before you enjoy your delicious local lettuce and roasted asparagus salad, 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

  • Stuffed Delicata Squash

    Stuffed Delicata Squash

    We love Delicata Squash because it’s SO easy to prepare. No peeling- just slice in half and scoop out the seeds. It cooks fast and tastes similar to sweet corn- so even people who aren’t squash fans will enjoy it!

    We choose to stuff it with savory mushrooms, Italian chicken sausage and top it with parmesan cheese.

    Stuffed Delicata Squash

    • 4 large delicata squash, ends cut off, sliced vertically and deseeded
    • 1 package of Bilinski’s Organic Mild Italian Chicken Sausage
    • ½ small onion, diced
    • 3/4 cup of  chopped Crimini Mushrooms
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 4 stalks of celery, minced
    • 6 tbsp. of Organic Valley shredded Parmesan Cheese
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • your favorite fresh herbs to taste

     

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush the cut sides of the squash with oil and sprinkle with salt. Place face down on a large baking sheet. Bake until tender and browned on the edges, about 20 to 25 minutes.

    Meanwhile, in a large saute pan cook sausage on medium heat, breaking up the meat into small pieces as it cooks until the sausage is cooked through and is browned.

    We used a food processor to chop the sausage and mushrooms to get a uniform texture.

    Add the onion and celery; cook until celery is soft, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the pan, more salt and pepper if needed and cook, stirring 5 minutes, then cook covered for 2 minutes, or until the mushrooms are soft and cooked through.

    Divide (1/2 cup) between the squash, top with parmesan cheese and bake 10 minutes.