We are smack in the heart of asparagus season. Whether you like your asparagus spears thick or thin, there are infinite ways to prepare these springtime icons. These recipes look like some of the best:

• Asparagus Soup with Curry & Crème Fraîche (Mourad Lahlou of Aziza Restaurant)
• Asparagus Flan (Orangette)
• Lemony Risotto Croquettes with Slivered Snow Peas, Asparagus, and Leeks (Splendid Table)
• Asparagus Frittata (Simply Recipes)
• Asparagus Chili Tortilla (delicious:days)
• Spring Vegetables in a Herb Nage (Nordjus)
• Spring Panzanella (Napastyle)
• Roast Asparagus Parmesan with Steamed Morels Recipe (Sylvain Portay)

Comments (11) | April 9 - 1:34 PM

category: Lists, Recipes

Make a pledge to try a new carrot recipe each week this spring, they're healthy, vibrant, and deliciously filling. We'll leave you with one shopping tip (look for spring carrots with their bushy green tops still attached) and a list of carrot inspiration to get things kicked off...

- There's a stockpile of inspired carrot recipes at the Mariquita Farm website. You'll find Glazed Carrots With Pistachios and Thyme, Carrot Yogurt Soup, Carrot Milkshake, Cardamom Carrots, and Carrots in Beer.

- Orangette serves up a simple French-style Carrot Salad

- Vibrant Carrot Dip at Cook & Eat

- Spring Salad with Arborio Rice Cakes, Roasted Baby Carrots, White Asparagus & Fava Beans from Amy Murray of Venus Restaurant

- Carrot Apricot Muffins via Culinate

- Dipping into the Nordjus archives we discover Summer Vegetables in a Herb Nage - the name says summer, but the ingredients are oh-so-springy.

Mollie Katzen's Carrot-Cashew Curry

- Brussels Sprouts with Carrots via Whole Foods

- Napa Cabbage & Carrots with Rice Wine-Oyster Sauce via Eating Well

- Young Carrot Salad with Shaved Sheep’s Milk Cheese via Vegetarian Times

- Carrot And Leek Ragout With Green Peas And Mint via CookThink

- Carrot-Wheat Berry Salad with Cumin and Raisins

- Bashed Neeps and Carrots via Delia. See if you can figure out what a neep or a swede is.

Comments (1) | March 25 - 10:51 PM

category: Lists, Recipes

The landscape of American fast food is looking up. Dotted across the country at roadside exits and on bustling city street corners the classic grub-on-the-go is getting a mighty makeover. Here are a few drive-thrus we’re digging –

Burgerville – Fresh. Local. Sustainable.

You can't help but appreciate that this pacific-northwest chain aims to “serve with love.” Plus, Burgerville has partnered with local farmers and producers to source their ingredients in an environmentally responsible way that results in fresh, seasonal food.

A local-centric menu sticks to mainly to the classics, but has a few items that caught our eye, including the Tillamook cheeseburger, north pacific halibut fish sandwich, wild smoked salmon and hazelnut salad, Yukon Gold waffle fries, Walla Walla sweet onion rings, and Oregon hazelnut milkshakes made with real ice cream. Also, for vegetarians the tasty Rogue River smoky blue cheese salad is sure to hit the spot.

Where? Many locations throughout Oregon and Washington.

Zen Burger — Good for You. Good for the Planet.

For busy Manhattanites, a quick stop at Zen Burger means filling up on “wholesome natural vegetarian foods that have the look, feel, texture, and taste of meats.” They stuff their buns with faux-beef, -chicken and -tuna, all made without any animal products and for $1 more you can add organic American cheese. You’ll find the usual breakfast egg sandwich, French fries, and milkshakes all with an organic twist. Organic soup, chili, and salads are followed up with warm whole-wheat chocolate chip, granola, or peanut butter cookies. We also love that 90% of their take-out containers are biodegradable and/or compostable and that the store is built from mostly recycled materials with energy-saving lights.

Where? 465 Lexington Avenue. New York, NY 10017

(World’s Most) Local Burger

Lawrence, Kansas is home to Local Burger, a healthy fast-food restaurant that Bon Appetit named one of the top ten eco-friendly restaurants in the country. They cater to everyone from the committed carnivore to the vigilant vegetarian and even those needing gluten-free options. With a selection of both updated classics and innovative dishes they have a sparkling fresh take on what it means to eat on the run. Passionately dedicated to sourcing their foods locally, organically, and sustainably, care is taken in every dish, like the grass-fed beef, elk, or house made veggie burgers. Sides include the “progressive potato” fries, quinoa-millet pilaf, and the hijiki studded “We’re Not in Kansas Anymore" salad. Shakes have been replaced with refreshing smoothies and for a sweet ending you’ll find honey-peanut butter balls and allergy-friendly brownies. We also love that a local library card gets you 10% off on Saturdays.

Where? 714 Vermont Street. Lawrence, Kansas 66044

Still hungry? Check out the many other quick bites that caught our eye –

VG Burgers
Mixt Greens
O’Naturals
Lettuce Eatery
Pizza Fusion
Organic To Go
Pret a Manger
Chix
Native Foods
Veggie Bite

Comments (2) | March 20 - 8:26 PM

category: Lists, Menus, Studies + Trends

Just in time for St. Patrick's day we've put together a collection of some fantastic green recipes - dark leafy green to be exact. It seems we can't be reminded often enough about the powerful role that these veggies play in a healthy diet. Packed with calcium, folic acid, iron, potassium, vitamins A, C, and K - they are one of nature's multivitamins. And we love them all, from spinach to kale to chard, but sometimes it takes an inspirational recipe to get us back in the kitchen eating our greens and more than a few of those we've listed below do the trick.

- mess o’ greens
- simple collard greens
- greek kale salad
- braised greens tacos
- spicy black eyed peas with collard greens
- dal with collard greens
- greek-style chickpeas with greens and tomatoes
- Deborah Madison’s chard and saffron tart
- braised winter greens with chickpeas, onions, and garlic
- middle eastern greens soup
- sauteed turnip greens with chile flakes and mustard
- kale 101 (video)
- tuscan kale and beans on toasted bread
- beautiful bulgar and spinach pilaf
- simplest spinach with nutmeg butter
- winter greens with goat cheese on pain poilâne
- cashew chard “burrito”
- edamame salad with baby beets and greens
- artichoke heart & spinach gratin

This year, instead of your favorite leprechaun sweatshirt or four-leaf clover necktie, how about simply celebrating the luck of the Irish with a great green leafy meal?

Comments (3) | March 16 - 9:23 PM

category: Lists, Vegan / Veg

Citrus is just what we need to shake off the heavy, dark days of winter. Lately we’ve been tucking juicy segments of orange here, squeezing limes there, and scattering lemon zest — well — everywhere. These fruits provide the Spring cleaning we need after months of hearty, warm, stick to your-ribs fare. True, not everyone is seeing the brisker months melt away like us Californians, but no matter where you are, Spring is just around the corner, and the recipes below will help usher it in.

On the nutrition front, while we are in full support of your apple-a-day habit, you might want to think about adding a piece of citrus fruit to your regimen as well. A range of powerful antioxidant phytochemicals, like polyphenols, lycopene, and flavonoids make these sprightly fruits great for cancer prevention. Rich in fiber, vitamin C, beta-carotene, folic acid, and potassium you’ll get serious bang for your bite, weather you want to fight the common cold, reduce inflammation or your risk for heart disease, or just pack your kids lunch.

Are you over the everyday orange? Lemons lost their luster? Then check out this great list of the many citrus fruit varieties there are to choose from.

Citrus:
- butternut squash kasha salad with citrus vinaigrette and spicy almonds
- new ambrosia
- citrus curry lentil soup
- arugala salad with whole citrus vinaigrette

Lemons:
- whole-wheat spaghetti with fresh ricotta and lemon zest
- meyer lemon risotto
- gremolata
- lemon verbena & honey granita

Oranges:
- orange pine nut buckwheat pancakes
- peanut, orange and carrot salad
- pan-grilled polenta with blood orange and basil relish
- orange & date bars
- bergamot orange salmon

Tangelos, tangerines, clementines, & kumquats:
- tangelo-coriander brown rice pilaf
- tangerine salt
- honey tangerines and kumquats with walnuts and shaved celery
- clementine yogurt compote
- kiwi kumquat salad with key lime syrup

Pomelos & grapefruits:
- gingered pineapple and grapefruit salsa
- pomelo salad
- fennel, olive & pink grapefruit salad

Limes
- snap pea salad with radish, & lime
- cilantro lime brown rice
- watermelon with lime juice & zest
- miso-lime pesto

Zesty products:
- orange blossom honey flute
- blood orange chocolate truffles
- Elizabeth W citrus vervain room fragrance
- o olive oil citrus oils
- Microplane premium zester
- oma lemon squeezer
- organic dwarf meyer lemon tree

Comments (0) | February 26 - 8:07 AM

category: Lists, Recipes

These days it seems that energy bars are occupying nearly the same amount of grocery store real estate as the floor-to-ceiling cereal aisle. Lengthy shelves are weighed down with an increasing stock of bars that offer everything from the protein equivalent of a t-bone steak and so-called lunchbox-friendly bars for kids, to those claiming the same great taste as a candy bar.

And it's no surprise, energy bars are a great idea — in theory. They are a portable, non-perishable, quick-pick-me-up for after the gym or that 4 o’clock crash. However, many have a lot of added sugars, often more than a serving of ice cream. Others are loaded with ingredients that are anything but whole foods, for example this list came from the back of one popular bar:

chocolatey coating (sugar, fractionated palm kernel oil, cocoa, whey, nonfat milk, soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavor), trisource™ protein blend (whey protein isolate, calcium caseinate, soy protein isolate), glucose syrup, caramel (corn syrup, sugar, cream, water, fructose, palm oil, soy lecithin, salt, sodium phosphate, natural flavor, carrageenan), high oleic canola oil, maltodextrin, evaporated cane juice syrup, peanut flour, natural flavor, glycerin, peanut butter, soy crisps (soy protein isolate, tapioca starch, salt), soy lecithin, salt, almond butter.

We decided to taste our way through many of the bars made with just real food to see if there was anything we could get energized about. By real food, we are referring to those predominantly made with some combination of dried fruit (usually dates) and nuts and without any added sugars or proteins. We took no offense to a little lemon zest or vanilla here and there, but by and large, these were just tiny packages of good ol' trail mix bound together in one way or another.

We tasted bars from the following brands: Larabar, Larabar Jocolat, Clif Nectar, Smart Monkey, Think Organic, Ruth’s, ReBar, Go Raw, Vega, Raw Organic Food Bar, and Gertrude & Bronner’s Alpsnack.

With a total of 35 bars to taste, we anticipated highlighting the best bars from each popular flavor category, which included chocolate, cherry, apple/pecan, cranberry, apricot, and the more nut-centric ones. However, in the end, we didn’t find very many that tasted good enough for us to want to buy them again and most were not any better than a simple bag of our favorite GORP (Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts). In the end our tasting was not for nothing, aside from the energizing jolt we got from munching our way through all the offerings, there were a few that received our Mighty Foods “Taste Tested" stamp of approval.

Larabar had an impressive five bars in their main product line that we liked. The Cashew Cookie had good distribution of cashews and satisfying balanced taste. The Lemon Drop was zesty, refreshing, and bright. The Apple-Pie was apple-y delicious. And the Pistachio was very good, though not screaming of pistachio.

In the chocolate category we were almost left thinking that it’s just best to enjoy a good piece of dark chocolate when you’re having that cocoa craving and have one of these fruity bars when you need a snack on-the-go. However, Larabar Jocolat’s Chocolate Coffee was a pleasant surprise and had a brownie-like enjoyment with a nutty finish. We did note that unlike the other bars we liked, Larabars are not certified organic.

Clif Nectar’s Cinnamon Pecan had real flavor dimension and tasted of pears and autumn. Their Lemon, Vanilla, Cashew tasted much more of vanilla than lemon, but was really delicious and had a nice distribution of nuts.

Think Organic’s Cranberry Apple was more subtle than the others, but pleasantly so and had a smooth taste that was refreshingly not cloying.

We were also inspired by a few creative cooks who took matters into their own kitchens and made some simple homemade versions of these real food energy bars. Here are their recipes as well as a few simple trail mix-type snacks.

- homemade Larabar
- homemade Clif Nectar bar
- homemade trail mix
- homemade GORP

And if you're still not happy with the ones we've tasted and you aren't up to cooking your own, You Bar, allows you to custom design your own bar with lots of choices to choose from, then they send you a case of your monogrammed munchies.

Comments (2) | February 8 - 11:51 AM

category: Lists, New Products

Do a search for “Healthy Super Bowl Recipes” and you might encounter this suggestion, “...watch the game while running on your treadmill.” Doesn't sound like much fun, does it? Many of the recipes you'll find in this realm leave something to be desired as well. No worries - if you're looking for a few great, crowd-pleasing recipe ideas that will bring some superfoods to your Super Bowl, you're in luck, here's our list...

Chips
- oven-fried potato chips
- spiced or regular pita chips
- homemade wheat crackers

Dips
- guacamole
- heidi’s baked artichoke dip
- salsa verde
- best bottled salsa - organics score!

Super Salads
- winter fruit salad
- zippy coleslaw
- tricolor potato salad

Big 'Bowls'
- spicy heirloom bean chili with wholesome cornbread
- caribbean red beans and brown rice
- tamale pie
- tortilla soup

Finger Foods
- cheesy potato skins
- oven chili fries
- tofu tenders
- avocado & yogurt deviled eggs
- stove-top popcorn

Sugar 'Rush'
- chocolate chip brown rice crispy treats
- honey cheesecake squares
- chocolate agave ice cream
- grilled apples with cheese and honey

Thirst Quenchers
- lemon lime soda pop
- grapefruit and mint spritzer
- other natural spritzers

Whether it’s Patriots or Giants who take the prize on Sunday, these game-day goodies are a sure win — and probably better enjoyed from the comfort of your favorite couch, with great friends, than eaten while running on a treadmill.

Related link:
- Kalyn Denny's round-up of nutritious recipe choices for Super Bowl Sunday.

Comments (0) | January 31 - 10:28 PM

category: Lists, Superfoods

Popcorn has been a key part of the movie-going experience since the start of American cinema. In the heyday of old Hollywood, a trip to the silver screen was a special night out — shoes shined, hair coiffed, and a stop to the concession stand were all part of the experience.

“Let’s all go to the lobby. Let’s all go to the lobby. Let’s all go the lobby....and get ourselves a snack…”

For me, going to the movies still holds that Tinsel-town magic. I love the anticipation as the lights dim, the music floats in, and I dip my fingers into a big tub of crunchy, salty, satisfying buttered popcorn.

It’s just that the concession stand offerings are one part of the movie-going experience that don’t seem to have weathered the years so well. From cardboard trays of nachos to tongue-burning sour gummy candy there’s not a mighty food in sight, and frankly, the popcorn leaves much to be desired.

What’s the solution?

BYOP

Bring your own popcorn.

Sure criers pack their tissues and an extra sweater is a must for cold-bodies, but smart snackers go tupperware-in-tow. BYOP and chances are you’ll end up eating a much tastier treat and save you a few bucks too. Below are a few inspiring corn creations that’ll at least get you through this year's Oscar season...

- curried
- southwestern
- spicy 'wine inspired'
- diy microwave popcorn
- frenchified
- truffled
- brown butter, rosemary, & lemon
- kettle-style
- chili-spiced
- "world's greatest"

Like those flicks you can see time and time again without tire, classic buttered popcorn is always a good bet, but with such a wide array of easy, stove-top options, you could have a new munchie for every movie.

Comments (0) | January 28 - 11:12 PM

category: Lists, Recipes, Vegan / Veg, Whole Grains

Yes, it's true that no matter how mighty the food, for those hoping to have a baby, no one morsel or meal will guarantee a visit from the stork. However, a recent Harvard study, popularly called The Fertility Diet, has produced some compelling evidence that certain foods - such as certain beans, greens, and grains - strongly support fertility in women.* Truth be told, most of us could benefit by incorporating some these findings into our diet whether we are planning for a baby or not.

The one surprise may have been the recommendation to eat full-fat dairy. One way to think about this may be to use the whole foods rationale. Just as we benefit from eating grains all smartly dressed up in their bran and germ, or apples in their pretty fiber-rich skins, it may then stand to reason that many times nature packs real food, even milk, in the way that benefits us most.

So after reading about the Fertility Diet, you might be wondering how this new set of recommendations could translate to your own kitchen. Maybe you are simply looking for a delicious way to start the day? Or perhaps you're hosting a dinner party and want to stay true to your fertility-enhancing way of eating? Below we've provided a quick overview of some of the dietary recommendations. Those are followed by a roundup of globally inspired, fertility-friendly recipes.

• iron-rich foods: beans, dark leafy greens, seeds, blackstrap molasses
• folic acid-rich foods: beans, dark green vegetables, whole grains, citrus
• low-glycemic load carbohydrates: whole grains, most fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds, nuts
• protein from plant sources: quinoa, beans (eaten with whole grains) such as lentils, soybeans/tofu, garbanzo beans, as well as nuts, and seeds
• full-fat dairy: whole milk and yogurt, cheese, ice cream
• mono-unsaturated fats: olive oil, nuts, avocado, seeds

*Please note: “…these recommendations are aimed at preventing and reversing ovulatory infertility, which accounts for one quarter or more of all cases of infertility. They won't work for infertility due to physical impediments like blocked fallopian tubes.”

Start Your Baby-Making Engines
awesome almond buckwheat pancakes
breakfast quinoa with cranberries, toasted walnuts, and honey
cornmeal mush with blackstap molasses
greek yogurt breakfast - make sure to use whole milk yogurt

Mamma Mia!
pan-seared rosemary tofu served over buckwheat polenta
simple citrus salad with marinated avocado
olive oil ice cream

Bollywood Baby
mung dal with cashews and carrots served over brown rice pilaf
swiss chard and crisp shallot rolls with cilantro raita
honey sweetened shrikhand

Fertility Fiesta
pinto bean soup over brown rice with red chile and cheese with perfect guacamole
mexican coleslaw
whole-grain mexican wedding cookies

Good Fortune Grub
szechwan tofu triangles in triple pepper sauce served over very green rice
emerald sesame kale
green tea panna cotta

Red, White, and Baby
bean and rice "meat"loaf
creamed kale
maple baked apples with dried fruits and nuts

Bon Appetit Bébé
white bean and vegetable cassoulet with millet crust
frisee and endive salad with olive vinaigrette
frozen honey mousse

Mom-To-Be Munchies
pistachio and almond butter on whole grain graham crackers
kale crunch with greek almond yogurt dip
almond caramel corn

Comments (3) | January 16 - 2:38 PM

category: Lists, News, Recipes, Studies + Trends, Vegan / Veg, Whole Grains

One great gift idea that keeps on giving well into the new year is a subscription to an edible Of-the-Month-Club. If you are looking to venture beyond typical beer, wine, or books here are a few ideas we're particularly excited about:

Coffee of-the-Month
What you get: Citizen Bean will send out up to a year’s worth of fresh-roasted, sustainably grown, fair-trade coffee beans in 1 lb bags, all from different, small-batch, artisan roasters. The goodness doesn’t stop there either; Citizen Bean also has each roaster choose a charity that is then awarded a portion of the sales.
Cost: $79.99 (4 months, $20 shipping), $119.99 (6 months, $30 shipping), $199.99 (one year, $60 shipping)

Potato of-the-Month
What you get: Each month that you sign up, Maine’s organic Wood Prairie Farm, will send three unique potato varieties with descriptions and a recipe booklet.
Cost: $39.99-$299.00 (1 to 8 month subscriptions)

Garlic of-the-Month
What you get: Straight from Oregon’s organic Hood River Farm, where from September thru February garlic will arrive along with recipes, storage tips, and varietal information. Each month will include a new variety, such as Purple Stripe, Porcelain, Creole, and Artichoke.
Cost: $87 (includes shipping)

Green Tea of-the-Month
What you get: Twelve months of delicious Japanese green tea from O’Cha in Japan. Each package will include a different, anti-oxidant rich tea that should last three to four weeks, just long enough for the next package to arrive. In the warmer summer months, you can look forward to receiving varieties perfect for making iced tea.
Cost: $21.45 per month (includes shipping)

Honey of-the-Month
What you get: At North Carolina’s Spicewood Farm beekeepers Chris and N’ann offer several different monthly honey clubs, but we really like the Honey Lover's Monthly which sends you a full year’s worth of honey is wide range of tastes, nectar sources, and varieties. You’ll also receive a recipe booklet to help you enjoy your honey bounty.
Cost: $240 (plus shipping)

Comments (1) | December 2 - 5:30 PM

category: Gift Ideas, Lists

Summer is here with its sunshine, long days, and warm nights. It seems impossible, but we are nearly halfway through June, with the fourth of July just around the corner. This is the time of year everyone is on the hunt for great BBQ food ideas and recipes - here's a list of some we'd like to share.

BBQ Food Ideas

Before you put flame to food, you must be in the right frame of mind. MattBites lays out the ten commandments for us. Thank you Matt!

Serious Eats weighs in with grilling tips from Jame's Peterson's What's a Cook to Do? This is where you'll find the basics:

- How to Clean a Messy, Caked-On Grill
- How to Light a Fire for the Grill
- How to Keep Food from Sticking to the Grill
- Some good tips in the comments as well

And now that you're ready on those two fronts, all you're lacking are some good BBQ food ideas and recipes.

- Grilled Eggplant Burgers (link)
- Nava Atlas shares her Tofu and Potato Kebabs with Teriyaki Marinade
- Twice-grilled Stuffed zucchini (and other recipes)
- Star Chefs grilling primer & Steve Raichlen's Mushroom-rice Burgers
- Delicious Grilled Pizza with Yellow Squash, Mozzarella, and Lemon Thyme from Epicurious.

Comments (1) | June 11 - 11:00 PM

category: Lists, Recipes

For those of you with your hearts set on planting tomatoes this year, consider sourcing organic heirloom tomato seeds.

Abundant Life Seed Company offers many varieties of 100% certified organic vegetable seeds including a nice selection of certified organic heirloom tomato seeds. Use the left-hand list to easily browse through the photos and tomato descriptions.

Two Wings Farm will ship organic heirloom tomato seeds to Canadian readers. They have many wonderfully rare heirlooms available. The site provides nice descriptions of the different tomatoes, so you know what to expect at harvest time. Have a look at the deliciously rustic (endangered) Purple Calabash.

High Mowing Organic Seeds is another 100% certified organic seed catalog including a couple organic heirloom tomato seed types. The Ceylon tomato is a stunner, likewise for Pruden's Purple Tomato.

Turtle Tree Seed - Bio-dynamic, open-pollinated flower, vegetable and herb seeds. They offer a nice selection of heirloom tomato seeds, but it's bit frustrating because there are no corresponding photos.

Do you have a favorite organic heirloom tomato seed source?

Comments (2) | June 11 - 5:25 PM

category: Eco-Kitchen, Lists

Have a look at this fascinating directory of Arabic uses of various herbs, spices, barks, and twigs. Many of the remedies and uses presented here are the result of a questionnaire circulated throughout the peninsula in early 2002 asking people to describe how they use various herbs, spices and other substances in natural healing. This covers everything from cucumber to camomile, turmeric to thyme.

"...Whether you are in Doha, Dubai, Manama, Salalah, Jiddah or an obscure country village, when you step into an herbal medicine shop or wander through the traditional suqs (markets), you will find vendors of herbs, spices, bark, twigs, rocks and salt intended for culinary, cosmetic or medicinal purposes." (Read more)

Comments (2) | October 23 - 3:54 PM

category: Lists, Superfoods

Thanks to a good friend hooking me up with a last minute ticket, I just got home from a tasting of prestigious California wines at the 2006 California Wine Experience. It's a Wine Spectator event where 198 wineries were pouring, the vast majority hailing from the Golden State (although a handful came from Oregon and Washington State). It was packed. Wall to wall people. I can only liken it to a rock concert for upscale wine fans with each tasting booth hosting its own mini-stage microcosm of groupies, fans, enthusiasts, and people just looking to get loaded and have a good time.

I came home with the Grand Tasting Guide - a listing of each of the wines being poured. I thought it might be helpful to list off the wines that described using organic grapes, bio-dynamic farming practices, or general sustainability for those of you looking for new wines to seek out.

Araujo Estate Wines
www.araujoestate.com
"...Four certified organics and biodynamic wines are produced at the Araujo Estate winter and caves; Cabernet Sauvignon, Altagracia, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc." Suggested retail price for the Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Eisele Vineyard 2003: $215.00

Cayuse Vineyards
www.cayusevineyards.com
"...At present Cayuse is the first and currently only biodynamic estate winery in Washington State." Suggested retail price for the Cayuse Syrah Walla Walla Valley Bionic Frog 2003: $65.00

Grgich Hills Cellar
www.grgich.com
"...With the perspective that great wines start in the vineyard, they now farm their 366 acres bio-dynamically and organically." Suggested retail price for the Grgich Hills Chardonnay Napa Valley 2004: $40.00

Marimar Estate
www.marimarestate.com
"...The winery's 60-acre organic Don Miguel Vineyard is located in the Russian River/Green Valley. An additional organic Pinot Noir vineyard, was planted in 2002 in the Freestone Valley of the Sonoma Coast." Suggested retail price of the Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Cristina Don Miguel Vineyard 2003: $47.00

Ponzi Vineyards
www.ponziwines.com
"...The family owns over 100 acres of certified sustainable vineyards in the Chehalem." Suggested retail price of the Ponzi Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Reserve 2004: $55.00

Quintessa
www.quintessa.com
"...Valeria Huneeus, in keeping with her vision as steward of the land, has guided Quintessa's evolution from sustainable farming in 1990 to a full conversion to biodynamic farming in 2005." Suggested price of the Quintessa Rutherford 2003: $120.00

Quixote Winery
www.quixotewinery.com
"...All grapes are sourced from the Doumani family's 27-acre organically-farmed Stags' Leap Ranch estate vineyard. The winery, which opens to the public by appointment for the first time in February 2007, is the only structure designed in the United States by Viennese artist-environmentalist Friedensreich Hundertwasser." Suggested retail price of the Quixote Petite Syrah Napa Valley 2003: $60.00

Tablas Creek Vineyard
www.tablascreek.com
"...They impoted selected French cuttings of Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah and Counoise and multiplied, grafted and planted their own vines, which they farm organically." The suggested retail price of the Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Paso Robles 2004: $45.00

Comments (1) | October 20 - 11:03 PM

category: Lists, Organic Wine / Beer

Prickly pears are the vibrant, edible, nutrient-packed fruit of the Prickly Pear cactus (nopales). I'm not really sure what their seasonality is in other regions, but I see the bright fruit (tunas) punctuating cacti along the side of Napa Valley roads around this time of year - so I thought I'd post some links.

Prickly Pear 101: You will typically encounter them in one of three colors. I go weak in the knees over the hot pink-magenta tunas which are sweeter than the yellow and white varieties. Once you've got a stash of them, you'll need to know how to deal with the prickly factor - here's a link to a tutorial on the Rancho Gordo blog demonstrating how a bit of strategic fire can solve that problem.

A few recipes for inspiration:

- Charlie Trotter & Roxanne Klein Prickly Pear and Pomegranate Smoothie (link)

- Juniper Ridge's Prickly Pear Margarita recipes (link)

- Prickly Pear Dressing (link)

- Prickly Pear Ice Cream (link)

- Prickly Pear Lemonade (link)

Photo: Steve Sando

Comments (1) | October 14 - 7:15 PM

category: Lists, Recipes, Superfoods, Vegan / Veg

Whether they are rosy-skinned and small, flecked with mottled shades of yellow and pink, or deep red and brooding, apples of all shapes, shades, and sizes are filling baskets and boxes at farmer's markets this time of year. In the spirit of the season we offer up a handful of apple-centric recipes that caught our attention. But before you dive in read what fruit detective David Karp had to say in an interview 10 years back about an apple tasting in which he sampled 44 varieties.

- Ferran Adria's Apple Caviar technique (link)
and his corresponding Apple Caviar recipe (link)

- Carol Peck's Green Tomato and Apple Chutney (link)

- Honey Roasted Applesauce on Napastyle (link)

- The Girl and the Fig's Butternut Squash Soup with Apple Compote Soup (link)

- Apple Chestnut Stuffing (link)

- Millennium's Apple Quince Cherry Strudel (link)

- Alice Water's Apple Tart (link)

Comments (1) | October 4 - 10:44 PM

category: Lists, Recipes

Summer markets are brimming with tomatoes this time of year - big and small, chubby and narrow - all beckoning from crates in a rainbow of warm colors. Here are ten different ways you can enjoy them.

David Kinch's- Corn-and-Tomato Parfait With Basil (link)

- Goat Cheese and Shallot Crostini with Mixed Cherry Tomatoes (link)

- Panzanella Bread Cups (link)

- Spicy Tomato Granita (link)

- Sliced Heirloom Tomatoes with Basil & Walnut Tabouleh (link)

- Grilled Fingerling Potato Salad with Corn and Cherry Tomatoes (link)

- Scallion & Black Pepper Crepes with Heirloom Tomatoes (link)

- Skillet-Fried Corn and Tomatoes (link)

- Yellow Tomato Gazpacho (link)

- Mariquita Farm Tomato Sauce Essay (link)

Also, don't miss the article that ran in the New York Times last week where Ann Noble (creator of the Wine Aroma Wheel) makes the jump to heirloom tomatoes.

Comments (0) | August 7 - 12:59 PM

category: Lists, Recipes, Superfoods, Vegan / Veg

If you've stayed away from Chowhound over the past few years it was probably for one of two reasons. 1) You're just not hardcore enough. 2) You just couldn't handle the crazy interface. Chowhound has been updated with a beautiful redesign. Here is a sampling of the great threads you might stumble on there:

- Green tea...who to order from next?

- What to do with pea tendrils:

- Healthy ways of seasoning/cooking brown rice:

- What to do with silken tofu:

- Hospital food - is anything being done?

- Farmer's Markets, rip off or worth it?

Comments (1) | June 27 - 8:49 AM

category: Lists, News

Amazon launched their grocery service last week, and while a good-sized chunck of their 10,000 item, non-perishable catalog is dedicated to processed foods they are also making an effort to build a robust offering of natural and organic products.

We suspect their list of overall offerings will grow rapidly and one interesting aspect of their strategy is when they carry a product, they seem to carry the entire line. For example, not only can you find your favorite Annie's All-natural Macaroni and Cheese, you can try the other 23 products available under that brand. Shipping is also reasonable. As the service develops we would like to see nutritional information and ingredients listed for every product, and we would love to see earth-friendly, natural house cleaning products available.

Favorite products on Amazon Grocery:

- A six-pack of Bear Naked Banana Nut Granola, try their oatmeal while you're at it.

- Annie's Homegrown Organic Whole Wheat Shells & Cheddar, 6-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)

- Alter Eco Sugar, Unrefined Ground Cane, other Alter Eco Products

- Sahale Snacks They use really interesting and delicious spice blends in their products.

- Kettle Valley Organic Fruit Strips, 60-packs.

- Bob's Red Mill Seeds

- Zhena's Gypsy Teas

- Clipper Teas

- Modern Organic Products (MOP), shampoo and body products.

- Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Cacao Nibs

- Nature's Path Optimum Power Hot Oatmeal

- Himalania Organic Goji Berries, 2 pack

- Zico Pure Coconut Water

Comments (1) | June 17 - 10:17 AM

category: Lists, New Products

Caravan of Dreams in New York City's East Village has a robust smoothie line-up - as well as a broad vegan, organic, live, kosher-centric menu. Have a look at the smoothies for inspiration:

Mixed Berry Smoothie
Berries, plantain, soy ice cream, and your choice of rice or soy milk.

Live Berry Smoothie
Your choice of apple or orange juice blended with plantain and berries.

Peanut Fudge Smoothie
Your choice of soy or rice milk, blended with organic peanut butter, soy ice cream and plantain.

Live Spirulina Supreme Shake
Fresh apple juice blended with plantain, berries and spirulina.

Almond Butter Smoothie
Your choice of soy or rice milk, blended with organic almond butter, vegan ice cream and plantain.

Live Mango Smoothie
Coconut shake and mango.

Spirulina Supreme Shake
Apple juice blended with plantain, berries and spirulina.

Live Mocha Supreme
Fresh coconut shake blended with live almond butter, plantain, carob and flaxmeal.

Tropical Mango Delight
Soy ice cream blended with mango and your choice of soy or rice milk.

Live Pink Lady
Apples, oranges, mango, strawberry, and plantain.

Mamba Mocha Shake
Chocolate soy ice cream blended with a touch of espresso, mint, and soy milk.

Live Banini
Plantain, coconut, dates, and raw tahini.

Mary’s “Pretty in Pink” Smoothie
Strawberry soy ice cream blended with strawberries, mango, and soy milk.

Live Coco-Berry Smoothie
Young coconut, berries, plantain, orange, flaxmeal, and chia seeds.

You can add spirulina, flax seed, or chia seed as well.

Comments (0) | May 26 - 9:56 AM

category: Lists, Menus, Superfoods, Vegan / Veg

Books to check out:

- Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen

- Eat Here: Reclaiming Homegrown Pleasures in a Global Supermarket

- The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health

- Organics, Inc.: Natural Foods and How They Grew

- The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

- Marion Nestle's What to Eat

Comments (1) | April 6 - 1:26 PM

category: Lists, New Products

Erika, a member of the Clif bar research and development team posts about Clif kitchen favorites. A couple of the biggest hits include:

Yerba Mate: This was huge! We all ordered mate gourds and bombillas and sipped on it all day long. The guys from Guayaki Yerba Mate came over and we had a nice chat with them. Eventually, we got a lot of other people into drinking mate, and it is still pretty popular around the office.

Goji Berries: One of my personal favorites! I have always been a believer in the health benefits of gojis. They've been used for centuries in Tibetan Medicine and are one of the most potent sources of antioxidants. When I was doing some product development with them for Nectar (Lemon Vanilla Cashew), they became a huge hit in the kitchen. Someone had read that if you eat 7 per day, you would have everlasting happiness, so we all make sure to have our 7 gojis per day! I don't know if I buy the everlasting happiness bit, but I certainly believe that they are a good thing to snack on.

(See the entire list)

Comments (0) | March 19 - 2:46 PM

category: Lists, Superfoods

Time to learn your A to Z's with Nigel Slater. Over the past few weeks Nigel has taken us from Apples to Zaatar in four savvy and signature installments with umami, wasabi, fairtrade and farmers' markets in between.

Here are a few letters to get you started, followed by links into each of the four essays:

B is for berries, the scarlet and purple superfoods loaded with antioxidants and vitamins. Richly flavoured in their own right, berries make a sensually delightful dessert with a little sugar and grated orange zest and left over a low heat. Add a splash of Cassis as they cool for a heady dessert and eat warm with slices of hot, toasted panettone.

O is for organic. A force to be reckoned with, the organic shopper has probably done more than anyone else to change what is on the shelves of our shops and supermarkets. Demanding, enlightened, challenging and not afraid to spend money, organic shoppers have proved that it is the customers, not the supermarkets, who are in charge. The organic high street has come a long way from the lonely, wizened swede in the local health-food shop, and in some cases can now support entire stores devoted to chemical- and pesticide-free living. We demanded it, we got it. What we must do now is to encourage the business by putting our cash in its tills. Things can only get greener.

P is for pomegranate, the fruit of the moment. The fruit's deepest ruby red seeds, both sweet and tantalisingly sour, and its glowing juice have long been appreciated in the Arabic-speaking world, and now at last we have caught up. Scatter the glistening seeds over thick slices of baked aubergine, dressed with a splash of pomegranate molasses, lemon juice and yogurt. Or add the seeds to a salad of watercress and fresh mint, to sit aside chargrilled, garlic-scented lamb. Few things edible are as seductive to look at, but beware their juice - refreshing and vitamin-rich it may be, but it will stain impermeably everything it touches.

Y is also for yogurt. No self-respecting foodie would buy theirs sweetened and flavoured; only the natural live stuff, preferably made from goat's or sheep's milk, is considered now, fortified with acidophilus-bifidus and preferably with a Soil Association logo to boot. It is worth straining some, occasionally, through a muslin-lined sieve, then stirring into it a little very softly whipped double cream. A mean scattering of unrefined sugar and some wild strawberries and you have dessert close to heaven.

Nigel Slater's A-Z of modern eating in four installments:

A-E - Sunday January 8, 2006

F-L - Sunday January 15, 2006

M-R - Sunday January 22, 2006

S-Z - Sunday January 29, 2006

Comments (1) | February 2 - 2:15 PM

category: Lists