Noshtopia

Raising The Bar On Carrots: Roasted Purple Carrots On A Bed Of Arugula

As you know, we are done with baby carrots because it reminds me too much of dieting. Besides, whoever gets cartwheel excited over baby carrots?

Now, roasted purple carrots, here is something that will make your palate dance. Ok, maybe not Gangnam Style, but you'll definitely Instagram this.

Simply Seasonal: Quinoa, Beets, and Ramps Salad

Quinoa salads are a basic food for me because Quinoa is a great plant-based protein source, and it's gluten-free. Beets are kind of a polarizing food. At first bite, the experience is usually either, "Oh yum!" or "Oh yuck!" And beet juice makes everything look like a bloody mess, which for me is actually cool because I like to use the juice to make dishes a deep red color.

Gangster Gardener Food: Plant Nachos With Vegan Queso

 

 

This is how I throw down Mexican appies. That's right, it's plant nachos with soyrizo completely vegan and gluten-free inspired by Thug Kitchen's post about Roasted Strawberry Salad. Oh yes, that gooey melted cheese you see on the nachos is vegan. I call it Vegveeta because it kinda looks like and has the consistency of Velveeta minus all the artificial crap.

But before I get to the recipe....

Farmers Market Finds: Yes, Cauliflower Comes In Other Colors Besides White: Orange, Purple and Green

Doesn't cauliflower all of a sudden look more exciting in these cool colors? I especially dig the purple cauliflower because we all know how I love purple food. I saw these fun creatures at the farmers market in Moraga yesterday. Jazz up your platter with some colorful cauliflower!

Dinner Idea: Stir-fry Ground Turkey, Purple Kale, and Snap Peas

When I eat meat, turkey is usually my choice. This stir-fry coupled with Jasmine rice is one of my favorite everyday dinners. This dish is also gluten-free.

I found the vegetables at the farmers market. Purple kale is so fun!

 

Farmer's Market Find: Pretty Red and White Beans Among Cilantro and Garlic

Saw these pretty red and white beans at the SF Ferry Building farmers market. The beans sitting among the fresh cilantro and garlic inspires me to make some chili.

Farmers Market Find: Pretty Flowering Chives

 

One of the trends I've been noticing in the farmers markets in the Bay Area are flowering vegetables and herbs like blossoming purple kale.

 

This is flowering chives and I think they are so pretty, almost too pretty to eat. The flowers are a bit sweeter and really do make a salad not only tasty but again, pretty. Definitely use flowering chives as a garnish.

Happy Earth Day Curly Kale Salad With English Peas, Beets, Flowering Radishes and Purple Kale

Happy Earth Day 2013! And since Earth Day lands on a Meatless Monday this year, I went crazy at the farmers market this weekend and found some really cool stuff to make this purple kale salad. 

Farmers Market Find: Blossoming Purple Curly Kale

At the Moraga farmers market this weekend, I saw these most beautiful blossoming purple curly kale flowers and had to get some.

For A Paleo, Vegan, or Gluten-free Friendly Wrap or Taco Shell Idea: Savoy Cabbage Leaves

Next time you want to make paleo, vegan, or gluten-free friendly tacos or wraps consider using savoy cabbage leaves. Not only does savoy cabbage have a nice broad round shape like a tortilla, but the crinkly texture makes for some looking food.