The Real Food Journal
Robin Asbell is your experienced guide to cooking and eating healthfully, sustainably, and deliciously. Her cookbooks, articles and blog are valuable resources for anyone interested in the good life with good food.
Sweet Corn Gnocchi on Twin Cities Live
It's end of Summer Sweetcorn time- the perfect time to make this delicious sweetcorn dish. Check out my Cooking Demonstration on the ever-popular Twin Cities Live. Watch me make a delicious Sweet Corn Gnocchi with Basil on Twin Cities Live! Sweet Corn Gnocchi
Summery Whole Grain Salads on TCL!
If your go-to salad in summer is a potato or pasta salad, you need to try a whole grain salad. Light but hearty, these salads are easy to make and keep well, with none of the sogginess of a pasta salad that’s been around for more than a day!
Farmers Markets of Minneapolis New Product Roundup
One of the great joys of a Minnesota summer is the Farmer’s Market culture. Sure, they have markets in every state. But here, we only have a few intense months of summery abandon, and strolling the market is one of the summer rituals we just can’t miss. Buying locally grown produce supports local farmers and keeps our local foodshed thriving. Shopping at the many small businesses that sell unique products at the markets supports our homegrown entrepreneurs. Everything is grown and made with so much heart, you really can’t go wrong.
Watch Me Make Rice Paper Rolls on TCL!
I was a guest chef on Twin Cities Live, demonstrating two fun recipes for Salad Rolls- stuffing healthy salads into rice wrappers for light and easy finger food. Hosts Ben Lieber and Leah McLean enjoyed learing how to moisten and roll their own salad rolls.
Need Fast Protein? Prep These Tofu-Chorizo Burritos
As the author of Vegan Meal Prep, I’m always looking for new ways to make food that holds well and tastes great when reheated. This plant-based Breakfast Burrito is one I’ve been making for a while, tinkering with the recipe to get it right. With a blend of crumbled tofu and prepared vegan chorizo, it’s got the protein you need to stay full all morning, and plenty of satisfying Mexican-inspired flavors. Make a batch of Hi-Pro Breakfast Burritos and you can refrigerate them for up to 4 days, or freeze for a month or two.
I Ate a Bug at Owamni, the Best Restaurant in the USA
Come along to Owamni, named Best restaurant by the James Beard Association, and learn more about indigenous food by eating a plant-forward meal. And maybe a bug.
Salsas from Rancho La Puerta on TCL!
One of the many delicious foods served at RLP is the delicious salsa, served and breakfast and lunch to spoon over everything from eggs to soups. My favorites are the Salsa Macha, Three Chile Salsa, and Salsa Mexicana. I was thrilled when I asked Chef Reyna Venergas to share the recipes for a segment on Twin Cities Live, and she happily complied.
What is a Quince? Try This Lovely, Easy Compote
Every winter, alongside the persimmons and pomegranates, you’ll see these rather lumpy, pear-shaped fruits called quinces. If you aren’t familiar with them, you might even buy one, take it home, and wait for it to ripen, or take a bite. The hard, tannic fruit will come as a shocking surprise, and you might well toss the quince in the trash, never to buy one again. That would be a real shame, since the true character of this unique fruit is only revealed wwhen you simmer it for a good bit, and the fruit softens and releases an enticing perfume.
Sweet Roasted Roots Top a Hearty Salad
‘Tis the season to roast things. Turn that oven on to warm up and get cozy, and as long as it’s on, roast up a mess of vegetables. For a fun take on salad, try this Roasted Roots and Quinoa Salad, on a bed of spinach, and topped with a tangy Pomegranate vinaigrette. The sweet, earthy roots are beautiful to behold, and meltingly tender to bite.
Roasted Squash and Pear Salad, For the Holidays
I know, everybody looks forward to their holiday faves, whatever they may be. Sometimes, the table gets crowded with heavy comfort food, with a token vegetable just to keep it legal. Don’t forget the salad! A Roasted Squash and Pear Salad with Tart Cherry Vinaigrette is the perfect holiday salad. Your diners will get palate fatigue from all those salty, rich foods, and need a bite of something light and crunchy. Even if they are saving room for pie, they will be drawn to this colorful salad, full of snap and drizzled with a tangy dressing.
Breakfast Prep: Pumpkin Oat Bake
We all need a little help in the mornings, don’t we? That’s when a little breakfast prep comes in handy. This oat-nut and seed breakfast is baked in a pie pan, so you can cut a slice in the morning, and warm it in the microwave or saute pan. Instead of a bowl of oatmeal, you’ve got something solid, and laced with pumpkin, apples and spices. A topping of sauteed apples finishes it off, and if you choose to add a dollop of yogurt or a splash of maple, the more the merrier.
Vegan Thanksgiving to Share
Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday, a time to gather with friends and family and share a meal. There’s no reason that vegans and turkey lovers and everybody in-between can’t enjoy a spread of Vegan Thanksgiving food. Serve these plant-based dishes, and everyone will be able to have a sample of something delicious. Dinner conversation is up to you!
