Recipes

Juniper Berries…

For Seasoning Recipes, Flavoring Sauerkraut, and Infusing Beverages!

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Mar – Apr 2024 • Vol 4, No 9

Juniper, Juniperus communis, is an evergreen shrub that grows abundantly here in Montana. In the pine family, the berries are green when immature, while ripe berries are blue/black. In the Western US, juniper also goes by cedar, so a reference to “cedar berries” can also mean juniper. Juniper berries can be used fresh-harvested or dried in a tea, as a tincture, and as the oil. The berries are high in nutrients and valuable plant compounds, with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

HOW TO USE JUNIPER BERRIES:
Unlike other berries, juniper berries are typical-ly used only in small amounts to flavor foods—not eaten in large portions. They have an astringent, pine-like taste, which makes them a popular ingredient for seasoning recipes, flavoring sauerkraut, and infusing beverages. They’re commonly sold dried—either whole or crushed—but can be harvested fresh as well. Juniper berry essential oil is also used in aromatherapy and said to be calming. Additionally, juniper-berry tea can be made at home using foraged juniper berries.

HEALTH & MEDICINAL USES:

  • Lung Disorders, including asthma and bronchitis.
  • Influenza & Colds. Navajo shamans use hot juniper tea.
  • Antidiabetic Properties. A Sioux recipe and a Spanish study have shown its efficacious use as a decoction (boiling and straining).
  • Heart Health. The berries improve HDL (good cholesterol levels), reduce high triglycerides.
  • Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity, attributed to potent compounds in their oil. For foot fungus, soak your feet in warm water with a few drops of juniper oil.

JUNIPER/CABBAGE SAUERKRAUT:

Use a 5-quart fermentation pot.

  • 8 lbs. white cabbage
  • 1/2 tbsp. caraway seeds
  • 3 1/2 tbsp. sea salt
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. juniper berries
  • 2 sour apples (optional)
  1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Transfer to the fermentation pot and pack the mix tightly.
  2. Cover the last layer with a few large cabbage leaves.
  3. Use your favorite sauerkraut-making procedures…

New to fermentation? Refer to The Cultured Cabbage, by Klaus Kaufmann and Annelies Schöneck. It’s the very best book I’ve found on lactic-acid fermentation!

Marlenea La Shomb passionately works as a health coach and writer for all who are ready to find harmony and balance in body, mind, and soul through natural therapies and education.

2024-02-29T10:16:23-07:00Natural Therapies/Remedies, Recipes|

Date • Apricot • Almond Poppable Protein Balls

Poppable Protein Bars

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Mar – Apr 2024 • Vol 4, No 9

There are over 40 different kinds of dates that grow all over the world, in a variety of colors: red, golden, blue, purple, with different textures, sweetnesses, and chemical compositions, therefore carrying each their own set of health benefits. Locally, most people are familiar with the medjool dates (very sweet), and baking dates (less expensive) for all other recipes, including this one.

Many people say, “I eat a banana a day because I was told I need potassium.” But did you know that, while bananas ARE a source of potassium, dates, by weight, have 50% MORE potassium than bananas? AND dates activate more happy hormones than chocolate, but without the calories. (See my article in the March–April 2023 issue of this magazine on: Finding What Switches On Your Happy Hormones.)

Dates pack a big nutritional punch! Here are some of the many health benefits of dates:

  • Improve gut health and heart health
  • Keep blood-sugar levels steady. Dates are considered a low-glycemic index food, helpful for diabetics.
  • Lower (LDL) cholesterol levels
  • Keep your weight levels steady
  • Full of antioxidants, which protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals
  • Protects against cataracts
  • Boost brain health in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease
  • Assists with natural childbirth (used in other countries)
  • Anti-aging benefits for your skin, due to their abundant phytohormones

Looking to eat less sugar? Dates are a more nutritious substitute for candies and chocolate chips in dessert recipes. Make a Sweet Date Paste by mixing dates with water in a blender. To use it as a sugar substitute, swap it at a 1:1 ratio. If your recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar, use 1 cup of date paste instead.

Add dates to balance out savory dishes as in this recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Hazelnuts and Dates.

Recipe: Date • Apricot • Almond Poppable Protein Balls

  • 4–6 dates
  • Dried apricots (1 cup)
  • Soaked, drained & rinsed (sprouted) almonds (1 cup)
  • A little maple syrup (opt.)

Slip the almond skins off between your thumb and fingers. Put in a food processor. Add in dried calendula flowers, roman chamomile flowers, or dried dandelion flowers to add color, flavor and nutrients (optional). Pulse it. (You can leave it chunky or process it to a smooth texture.) Form into balls. Roll in dried coconut. For a zestier taste, roll in dried orange-peel powder with coconut sugar.

2024-02-29T09:52:19-07:00Recipes|

Whole Roasted Garlic

Pop Them in Your Mouth or Use Them for Cooking—It’s Endless!

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Jan – Feb 2024 • Vol 4, No 8

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a species of bulbous, perennial flowering plant in the genus Allium. The word garlic derives from Old English, garlēac, meaning: gar (spear) and leek, as a “spear-shaped leek.”

Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, Welsh onion, and Chinese onion. It is native to South Asia, Central Asia and northeastern Iran and has long been used as a seasoning worldwide, with a history of several thousand years of human consumption and use. Garlic is one of our most widely used, healthful and medicinal plants.

Garlic was known to ancient Egyptians and has been used as both a food flavoring and a Traditional Medicine. China produces about 75% of the world’s supply of garlic—yet you can grow it in your own garden! If garlic is planted at the proper time and depth, it can be grown as far north as Alaska. It stores well, and you can use it all winter long.

You can find whole-roasted garlic in fancy restaurants, which is easy to cook in your own kitchen. Roasting produces a milder flavor that you can pop right into your mouth. Here’s how to roast whole heads of garlic in the oven so you can eat warm, toasty cloves right from the bulb.

Roasting garlic changes the chemical makeup of the garlic so that it’s easier to digest. You can eat a lot more garlic if it is completely cooked. If you are sensitive to raw garlic, you may find that you can much more easily eat roasted garlic.

Ingredients: 1/more whole garlic bulbs • Extra virgin olive oil

Prep Time:      5 mins
Cook Time:     35 mins
Total Time:     40 mins
Servings:       4 (per bulb)

Instructions:

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. (A toaster oven works great for this.)
  • Peel and discard the papery outer layers of the bulb.
  • Leave the individual skins for each clove of garlic intact.
  • Using a sharp knife, cut 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the top of cloves. This exposes the individual cloves of garlic. Put garlic in a glass baking casserole dish with the cut side up, or use a muffin baking pan.
  • Drizzle a couple teaspoons of olive oil over each exposed head, using your fingers to rub the olive oil over all the cut, exposed garlic cloves.
  • Put the glass lid on your casserole dish. Bake at 400°F for 30–40 minutes, or until the cloves are lightly browned and feel soft when pressed.
  • Allow the garlic to cool enough so you can touch it without burning yourself. Use a cocktail fork or your fingers to squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins.

How to Use Whole Roasted Garlic:

Eat them as is—I love straight roasted garlic—you can eat the caramelized, roasted cloves directly out of the heads! You can mash them with a fork and use them for cooking.

For a sophisticated take on garlic bread, smear it on bread or toast. Add it with cloves to a cheese plate, or toss it into pasta. Mashed, roasted garlic is a delicious addition to salad dressings, sauces, and soups. Mix them with sour cream for a dip. And they’re wonderful for garlic mashed potatoes! The uses for whole roasted garlic are endless!

2023-12-27T13:30:06-07:00Recipes|

Tahini Dip & Holiday Halva!

Plus: Five Surprising Benefits of Tahini (GreenMenInfo)

Marlenea La Shomb, N.D., P.Tr.
Nov – Dec 2023 • Vol 4, No 7

Tahini Veggie Dip
Lemon-Tahini Recipe for Dips, Sauces or Salad Dressing • Oil Free!

Dunk your veggies in this awesomeness, drizzle it in your wraps, or pour it on your salad! Add extra water at the end until you reach desired consistency. Add the water 1 tbsp at a time. Can take an extra 1/2 cup to get it right. Blend all ingredients until smooth—and enjoy! (Keep leftovers for up to 7 days.)

  • 1–2 T. lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup water (see liquid options)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1 dash cayenne

Options:

  • Liquids (be creative!): Olive juice (green/ black), cilantro/ lime juice, mustard w/ pickle juice, sauerkraut juice, ume vinegar, garbanzo bean juice, steamed-veggie juice.
  • 1 t. pink Himalayan sea salt
  • 1 t. onion powder
  • Lemon juice w/ dill, basil/oregano, turmeric, lemon balm.
  • Blend mustard with maple syrup or honey

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Coconut/Tahini Halva!
Vegan • Gluten-Free • Grain-Free • Dairy-Free

Take your ingredients and throw them in the blender. Then pour them in a pan and chill. Can’t get much easier than that! I love that it keeps things on the raw side, since I usually make my tahini with sesame seeds.

  • 2 T. coconut oil (melted)
  • 1/8–1/4 c. liquid sweetener of your choice (I use maple syrup.)
  • 1/2 c. seeds (raw or toasted) or 1/4 c. Tahini
  • 1/2–3/4 c. unsweetened, shredded coconut
  • 1–3 t. vanilla extract (or to taste)
  1. Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender or food processor and blend until smooth, scraping down sides as necessary.
  2. Pour into a glass pan lined with parchment paper and smooth.
  3. Freeze until solid (30–60 min.), then cut into squares & enjoy!
  4. Store in the fridge or freezer.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

5 Surprising Benefits of Tahini
Sayer Ji’s GreenMedInfo.com • GreenMedInfo Research Group

Tahini is a superstar in hummus, but that’s not its only claim to fame. It’s also a veritable superfood. Learn the secret behind tahini’s numerous health benefits.

Tahini, made from toasted, ground sesame seeds, is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant lignans, vitamins and minerals. Its rich, earthy and slightly nutty flavor is a mainstay in traditional hummus recipes, but both tahini and the sesame seeds from which it’s made have been enjoyed for hundreds of years.

Tahini is so versatile it can be mixed with lemon juice and salt and used as a dip for raw veggies. You can blend it with olive oil and apple cider vinegar to make a tasty salad dressing.

Or use it to make Tarator—a sauce that contains tahini, garlic, lemon juice and parsley that’s especially good with poultry and vegetables. You can feel great about enjoying tahini morning, noon and night, as it’s not only delicious—it’s incredibly good for you!

Tahini and the sesame seeds that it’s made from have more than 70 pharmacological actions, including antioxidant, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Here’s just a sampling of why tahini and sesame seeds are so good for you.

1) Lowers Blood Pressure & Improves Endothelial Function
Sesame seeds are known to have antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and appetite-controlling properties that may benefit heart health. In a study of 20 men, eating just 50 grams of tahini—about 3.5 tablespoons—led to a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate four hours later. Endothelial function, a “key regulator of vascular homeostasis,” also improved.

Previous research found that men with high blood pressure who consumed sesame oil with a meal daily for 60 days had significant improvement in the flow-mediated dilatation, a measure of endothelial function, after sesame oil consumption.

2) Relieves Pain & Bruising
Tahini contains a wealth of nutrients, including calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, antioxidants and vitamins B, C and E. It’s also composed of more than 50% sesame oil, which has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial effects. The antioxidants in sesame oil are beneficial for the skin.

“Actually, the natural antioxidants have the intrinsic capabilities to prevent lipid peroxidation, which is suggested to be closely related to aging, cell mutation, cancer and several other diseases,” according to scientists from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran. “Also, this substance is useful for the prevention of oxidative damage, cardiovascular diseases, and skin tumors.”

The team tested the topical use of sesame oil extracted from tahini on people with traumatic limb injuries. Pain severity, pain sensitivity and heaviness of the painful site all decreased with the sesame oil—significantly more so than in the placebo group. Plus, there were no adverse effects.

3) Helps with Knee Osteoarthritis
Sesame’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are also valuable for knee osteoarthritis. Fifty adults with the condition received either 40 grams of sesame seed (about 2.3 tablespoons) or 40 grams of placebo powder daily for two months, along with standard medical care. Those in the sesame group had a significant decrease in inflammatory markers, including malondialdehyde and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Another study compared topical sesame oil with diclofenac gel, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug, in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

4) Boosts Memory
When sesame seeds are roasted and pressed to extract the oil, the leftover material is sesame oil cake (SOC). While considered a byproduct, SOCs contain sesaminol glucoside and lignans, including sesamin, sesamolin and sesaminol. Animal studies have found that SOC protects against cognitive impairment, leading researchers to evaluate the effects of sesame oil cake extract (SOCE) on cognitive function in adults with memory impairment. After 12 weeks of SOCE intake, levels of amyloid-β, which is associated with cognitive decline, decreased significantly, while verbal memory abilities markedly improved.

5) Improves Rheumatoid Arthritis
Intrigued by sesame’s anti-inflammatory powers, a research team in Iran studied the effects of sesamin from sesame on rheumatoid arthritis, a disease characterized by inflammation. Patients received either a placebo or 200-milligram sesamin supplement daily for six weeks. The sesamin group had significant improvements in inflammatory markers, along with a reduction in tender joints and pain severity.

Posted on 10/2/23 by GreenMedInfo Research Group. Excerpts. For link to full article with all references, go here: GreenMedInfo.com.

2023-12-27T13:30:10-07:00Recipes|

Watermelon Rind Pickles

Don’t Let That Rind Go to Waste!

Marlenea La Shomb
Sept – Oct 2023 • Vol 4, No 6

Did you know that cucumbers are in the watermelon family? And did you know that the watermelon rind is edible?

And not only that, it’s quite tasty, too! It’s crisp and hydrating with a mild flavor. It’s similar to cucumber in texture, and there are tons of great ways to use it—like coleslaw, tzatziki, and gazpacho, for example! And don’t forget watermelon rind salad.
These watermelon rind pickles are salty, briny, sour, crunchy, and a little spicy—the perfect condiment in my eyes. They are a delicious snack. We are calling this recipe watermelon rind “pickles,” but that’s just to show what they taste like; they are fermented, not pickled. The main difference between pickling and fermenting is the presence of probiotics (“good” bacteria) with fermentation. And here’s a recipe that does NOT use either vinegar or sugar:

Wash and dry the skin of the watermelon, and cut into quarters. Scrape out the pink (and eat!) the juicy fruit and clean the pink flesh off the rind as much as possible. A spoon is a great tool to scrape with. Use a potato peeler to peel away the green, tough, outer layer of the watermelon. Once you have prepped the rind, cut it into one-inch strips and chop into a size that accommodates your jar.

Pack a clean, wide-mouth, quart or pint canning jar with the rinds and snuggly fit in the cinnamon stick. Pour the brine over the rinds, submerging them completely. Cover the jar with a cheesecloth or other breathable cloth cover to keep dust or bugs from entering the ferment. Store at room temperature, ideally between 60º and 75ºF. Keep out of direct sunlight.

This is a 3-day ferment. Check on the ferment daily to make sure the brine remains over the rind. Once the fermentation is complete, store in an airtight glass jar (with the brine) and refrigerate.

Watermelon Rind Pickles

Yield: One pint. (Double the recipe for a quart jar.)

Ingredients:

  • Watermelon rind, peeled
  • One cinnamon stick. (OK to use powdered cinnamon.)

Brine:

  • 2 teaspoons pink Himalayan or Kosher salt.
  • 1 cup purified water (Note: Nothing will ferment in chlorinated water.)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground clove (optional).

If you want to try the sweeter, ginger-spiced version, here are the other ingredients you can add:

  • 3 1/2-inch slices fresh ginger
  • 1 star anise pod
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

For more variations on this recipe, including “sweet-spiced” and “savory garlic,” visit Fannetasticfood.com/fermented-watermelon-rind-pickles. (Image courtesy of this website.)

2023-12-27T13:30:14-07:00Recipes|

Vegan, Savory or Sweet, Spreads

Versatile, No-Cook & Nutritious

Marlenea La Shomb
July – August 2023 • Vol 4, No 5

Savory spreads are great on crackers, hors d’oeuvres, or piped into pasta shells. They are firm enough to be cubed to go into a salad or rice dish. They can be used in a stuffed potato, enchilada, or any lettuce wrap or nori roll.
The sweet version of this spread can go in the middle of muffins, on pancakes, rolled into crepes, mixed into a creamy fruit smoothie, or cubed and arranged on a fruit platter.

BASIC RECIPE
1 cup liquids + 1 cup solids + 1–3 teaspoons agar agar powder. Add the flavorings, herbs and spices. Put all ingredients in a Vitamix (turned on high) for 4–5 minutes. Pour into mold. Let set until cooled and firm. Unmold, garnish, and enjoy!

AGAR AGAR
Agar Agar is a whole-food, nutritious Red Sea algae that is used as a thickener. It is basically tasteless. It comes in bars, flakes, and powdered. For these recipes, I have used the powdered.

TIP: 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon.

Agar agar powder works great with fruit to make fruit glazes, sauces, jellies, or jams. By using 1, 2 or 3 teaspoons, you can determine how firm you would like it. One teaspoon is a soft gel, two teaspoons works for a jam, and three teaspoons is used for the above, firm recipe.

SAVORY SPREAD RECIPE
LIQUIDS: 1 cup vegan milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or home-made sauerkraut juice, Japanese ume plum vinegar, or a vinegar of your choice.
SOLIDS: 1 cup nut flour, such as almond, macadamia, tiger nut flour (a root, not a nut, for those who don’t eat nuts), or 1 cup any white beans (use 2 teaspoons of agar agar with the flours and 3 teaspoons if using the beans).
Vitamix: Place your choice of liquids and solids into the Vitamix, with spices, herbs and flavorings added. Only a dash, because it easily picks up flavors! Suggested spices for the Savory Spread are: cayenne, sea salt, oregano, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast.
I use a meat or candy thermometer to measure temperature. Should be between 115º and 120º after Vitamixing.

SWEET SPREAD RECIPE
Sweet Spreads use the same process. 1 cup fruit juice + 1 cup fruit, agar agar, and a tablespoon of your favorite liquid sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave, coconut nectar)—or no sweetener at all.
Add flavoring or extracts of your choice: lemon, orange, vanilla, or almond. Follow the same steps as in the basic recipe; it’s very versatile. Enjoy creating your own variations!

2023-12-27T13:30:18-07:00Recipes|

Soothing Bedtime Golden Milk

with the Legendary Health Benefits of Turmeric & Ginger

Erin Clarke
March – April 2023 • Vol 4, No 3

An easy, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cold-fighting recipe for a golden-warm, vegan, turmeric latte that will help you sleep, improve your mood, and may even improve your memory. The natural-health benefits are many!

Ever since adding Getting a Great Night’s Sleep to my list of intentions, I’ve been putting more thought into how I spend the last 90 minutes before I climb into bed. And by “more,” I mean that I’ve actually been thinking about it, period. If you are looking for ways to relax, unwind, and improve your sleep—or if you simply like the idea of a warm, tasty beverage adding a little cozy to your evening—this Soothing Bedtime Golden Milk recipe has been a wonderful addition to my nighttime routine, and I can see it having a welcome spot in yours, too!

I’ve heard a lot about “golden milk” over the years, but I didn’t fully understand or appreciate its benefits. I’d seen enough recipes for it floating around the web to know it contained turmeric and ginger (the sources of its signature golden hue), but I didn’t connect it with sleep until I decided to get more serious about my own.

I’ve always thought the idea of a “nighttime routine” or “bedtime rituals” sounded either silly or reserved for someone far more in touch with their inner juju than me. Now that I’m paying more attention to how I spend my pre-bedtime hours, I realize that I DO have a bedtime routine: Checking my phone, finishing miscellaneous household tasks, and thinking about my to-do list for the next day—all kind of BORING! So, to improve on that, I now LOVE making myself a cup of this easy, Soothing Bedtime Golden Milk about an hour before bed.

In addition to soothing me to sleep, this bedtime ritual has also helped me appease my nightly craving for something sweet before bed. With this warm, golden elixir I find myself feeling completely satisfied and ready to “lay me down to sleep,” knowing that these healthful ingredients are working their magic for me all night long…

About the Ingredients

  • Almonds: Rich in magnesium, which promotes both sleeping and muscle relaxation. This golden milk recipes uses them in the form of almond butter and almond milk.
  • Honey: Allows tryptophan (of Thanksgiving turkey fame) to enter the brain more easily.
  • Ginger: Calms the stomach and promotes relaxation. Some studies suggest ginger can help reduce anxiety.
  • Turmeric: Aids digestion and has calming properties, which lead to sounder sleep. If you have aches and pains, golden milk for joints is a popular remedy, as it is anti-inflammatory too.
  • Cinnamon: Similar to turmeric and ginger, cinnamon also helps with digestion (and it’s a delicious pairing with the other ingredients).

NUTRITION
Serving: 12 oz
Calories: 129k cal
Carbohydrates: 16 g
Protein: 3 g
Fat: 5 g
Sodium: 181 mg
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 12 g

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
  • 2 teaspoons honey plus additional to taste (to make vegan, swap maple syrup)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons almond butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus additional for serving
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/8 teaspoon fresh-ground ginger
  • Optional additions: tiny pinch ground black pepper, ground cardamom, or ground cloves

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Combine the milk, honey, almond butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and any optional spices in a small saucepan.
  • Heat over medium until warmed through, whisking briskly so that the almond butter does not stick to the bottom and the spices incorporate. Do not let boil. Pour into a mug and sip deeply.

HOW TO STORE & REHEAT

  • To Store. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container such as a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, so I like to make a double or triple batch, then enjoy it several nights in a row.
  • To Reheat. Reheat on the stove, stirring to recombine the spices and almond butter.

This post originally appeared on Well Plated and was published September 25, 2020. Republished with permission. Want more easy, healthy recipes? Get Well Plated’s Newsletter at WellPlated.com.

10 Benefits of Turmeric Golden Milk

  • Loaded with Antioxidants
  • May Reduce Inflammation
  • May Improve Memory
  • Curcumin May Improve Mood
  • May Protect Against Heart Disease
  • May Lower Blood Sugar Levels
  • May Reduce Cancer Risk
  • Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antifungal
  • Ginger & Turmeric Improve Digestion
  • Calcium & Vitamin D Make Stronger Bones

[HealthLine.com]

2023-02-27T10:15:12-07:00Recipes|

Muhammara

Syrian Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip & Spread

Janice Feuer-Haugen
November – December 2022 • Vol 4, No 1

Richly colored, crunchy textured, and bursting with flavor, Muhammara helps celebrate the holidays deliciously. Originating in Syria, Muhammara is undeniably a standout, whether on its own, as a dip for crudités or pita, or slathered on a sandwich. Deep-red Muhammara, which is Arabic for “reddened,” is a most healthy and delicious alternative to hummus—everyone’s previously favorite dip!

Based on an online search, I learned to pronounce this Syrian specialty as mu-ham-ma-ra. Although, you might prefer one of these other possibilities: mu-HUMM-a-ra, moo-hahm-MRAH, or mooah-MARA. 😁

Despite the number of pronunciations and recipes, the ingredients are mostly the same, though perhaps treated differently. The givens include red peppers (roasted or not), walnuts (toasted or not), pomegranate molasses, and Aleppo red pepper flakes. The variations include differing spices and quantities, as well as differing textures from coarsely chopped to smoothly puréed. Thus, it took a bit of research, tasting and refining to create today’s Muhammara recipe.

Read full article »

2022-10-31T08:34:20-06:00Recipes|

Vegan Snickerdoodles

Made with Pumpkin, Spice & Everything Nice

Janice Feuer-Haugen
September – October 2022 • Vol 3, No 123

Vegan, gluten- and dairy-free Snickerdoodles that look, taste and smell just like the Snickerdoodles we remember.

Until March of this year, it had been many years since my last Snickerdoodle cookie. Though, that first bite, even after so many years, quickly brought back memories of the taste, smell and texture of original Snickerdoodles. Yet, that cookie included olive oil and eggs, was both dairy and gluten-free, made with a small amount of puréed pumpkin and was round. Not a standard list of Snickerdoodle ingredients or look.

THE SEARCH WAS ON
The friend I was with at the time and I both agreed that we wanted to find and/or create a vegan Snickerdoodle recipe. Our search began once we saw the list of ingredients for those cookies. Surprisingly that pumpkin purée was the first ingredient, and almond flour made them gluten-free. However, we wanted a cookie without eggs or olive oil. I searched online for vegan Snickerdoodles with pumpkin, and found a promising recipe on the following blog, Wholesomelicious.com. Today’s recipe was inspired by and lightly adapted from that recipe.

Read full article »

2022-09-14T09:39:43-06:00Recipes|

French Green Lentil Salad with Tomatoes,

Cucumbers, Fresh Herbs, Kalamatas & Feta

Janice Feuer-Haugen
July – August 2022 • Vol 3, No 122

Clean flavors, crisp textures and colorful fresh vegetables make French Green Lentil Salad a great addition to summer menus. Crisp and colorful with summer’s juicy, ripe tomatoes and refreshing cucumbers. Clean and bright with the garden’s bounty of fresh parsley, mint, oregano and scallions. Healthy and wholesome with earthy, French-green, du Puy lentils. And all tossed together with a tangy Sherry-Mustard Vinaigrette. French Green Lentil Salad travels well, whether to work, a picnic, a potluck or to your patio table. This salad’s destined to become a summertime favorite.

French Green Lentils
French green lentils, provide the hearty and flavorful foundation for this main dish salad. These tiny, mottled, bluish-green lentils have a richer and earthier flavor than many other lentil varieties. Plus, they hold their texture and maintain their shape when cooked. Rather important attributes for a salad. They can easily be found in the bulk section of natural food markets

Read full article »

2022-09-14T09:39:46-06:00Recipes|
Go to Top