Taste of Spring Re-Cap and Recipes

The Co-Op's "Taste of Spring" event was a success! Members and patrons gathered at the Ronald McDonald House on March 26 for an afternoon of food, fellowship, and music. The pictures below give just a taste of the fun we had.

Below, you'll also find recipes for two of the dishes featured at the event-- Diane Tarantini's Spiced Up Hummus and Susan Musick's "Best Yet Chocolate Pudding." Enjoy!

Spiced Up Hummus

(recipe from Diane Tarantini)

Ingredients:

• 1 can garbonzo beans, drained (reserve 1/4 cup liquid)
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 TBSP olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/4 tsp. ground star anise
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped

Directions:

Puree all ingredients (except extra bean liquid) until smooth. Add extra bean liquid (or water) if necessary, 1 tablespoon at a time. Add salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

Best Yet Chocolate Pudding

(recipe from Susan Musick)

"I call it this because it's the result of a series of experiments. My husband says he likes it as much as the pudding his mother made. It's low-fat, vegan, low-sodium, and has no refined sugar. And, in the words of Fannie Merritt Farmer (circa 1906), 'If you don't have a double boiler, improvise one.' "

Ingredients & Directions:

In the top of a double boiler, over cold water, mix together:

• 3 TBSP cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup cornstarch

In a pitcher, mix together:

• 2 cups unsweetened soy milk
• 3/8 to 1/2 cup agave, depending on how sweet you like it

Using a whisk, stir the liquid slowly into the dry mixture until it's smooth and lump-free.

Next, place the double-boiler over medium heat and boil the water. Stir pudding mixture constantly until the pudding is thick and satiny. Remove from heat.

Stir in 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Chill well. Yield: 4 servings

"A Taste of Spring" to take place on Saturday, March 26

Join all of your Co-Op friends for "A Taste of Spring" on Saturday, March 26 at the Ronald McDonald House from 2:00pm - 5:00pm.

The focus of this FREE event is to celebrate the arrival of Spring and the wonderful sense of community offered by Mountain People's Co-Op.

"A Taste of Spring" will feature...

• Fresh potluck food offerings, including Irish Soda Bread, vegan carrot dip, and much more
• A sampling of beverages for both adults and kids (don't forget your ID for the "adult" beverage samples)
• Live Celtic music
• Free portrait sketches
• Fantastic company :)

Bring a friend (or two...or three) and stop by the Ronald McDonald House on Saturday to help us ring in the new season (Click here for directions to the Ronald McDonald House).

Build a Breakfast of Champions at the Co-Op

Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day.

Luckily, The Mountain People's Co-Op offers everything you need to make a nutritious breakfast that will keep you energized and full all morning long. Best of all, the Co-Op caters to a variety of special diets: gluten-free, vegan, and lactose-intolerant friends are all welcome!

This week, consider switching up your breakfast routine to include some of the delicious, clean-eating foods available at the Co-Op:

• A variety of oatmeal, including gluten-free varieties, steel-cut oats, instant oats, and rolled oats
• Organic granolas
• Dried fruit
• All-natural nut butters
• Various dairy-free milks (almond, soy, hemp, etc.)
• Whole-grain and gluten-free breads
• Vegan "butter"
• Jams and fruit spreads
• Fakin' Bacon (vegetarian "bacon" made of seasoned tempeh)
• "Kid-Friendly" organic boxed cereals

Try the recipe below for vegan oatmeal...it just may give you a new reason to wake up early.

Loaded Vegan Oatmeal

(serves 1)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup almond milk (or non-dairy milk of your choice)
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 TBSP chopped, toasted walnuts (or, 1 TBSP of natural nut-butter)
• 1 - 2 tsp. ground flaxseed
• 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup chopped strawberries
• Optional: more milk

Directions:

Combine the oats and the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and cook until liquid has been absorbed and oatmeal reaches desired consistency--anywhere from 5 - 15 minutes (add more milk for a more liquid consistency). Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. Optional: Add more milk with remaining ingredients.