April 2024 Health Hotline® Magazine Issue 81

April 2024 Health Hotline® Magazine Issue 81

Recipes

  • Simple Green Salad with Radishes and Creamy Mustard Dressing
  • Leek Gratin

Articles

  • Unlock Your Full Health Potential with the Power of Quercetin
  • Think Wisely - Earth Day
  • For The Love of Organics: Leeks
  • Is Cultivated “Meat” Really the Future of Food?
  • Earth Watch
 

Simple Green Salad with Radishes and Creamy Mustard Dressing

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Simple, delicious, and a beautiful way to splash into spring, this elegant salad highlights the freshest spring lettuces with the crunch of radishes and a creamy mustard dressing infused with garlic.

For the dressing
1 organic garlic clove, thinly sliced lengthwise
1 tablespoon organic lemon juice
1 tablespoon Natural Grocers® Brand Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tablespoon Natural Grocers Brand Organic Dijon or Spicy Brown Mustard
1⁄4 cup Natural Grocers Brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Raw and Unfiltered Clover Honey, (or sub Natural Grocers Brand Organic Grade A Dark Maple Syrup for vegan version)
1⁄4 teaspoon each Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Salt and Organic Ground Black Pepper
For the Salad
1 head organic butter lettuce, (or sub ~½ pound organic green leaf, red leaf, or romaine), washed, dried, and torn into bite-size pieces
  1/2 - 3/4 pound organic radishes (red, daikon, or watermelon), thinly sliced
  Add additional organic vegetables of your choice if desired, such as cucumber and avocado

1. Place the garlic, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. Set aside while you prepare the lettuce and radishes.

2. Gently toss the lettuce and radishes together in a large salad bowl.

3. Swirl the jar and then use a fork to remove the garlic slices. Add the remaining dressing ingredients, cap, and shake vigorously. Pour about 2/3 of the dressing over the lettuce and radishes and toss. Taste and add remaining dressing if needed, and season with extra salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately.

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Leek Gratin

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Never underestimate the power of the humble leek, especially when sweet and tender and topped with a savory, buttery crumble topping. This recipe is delicious comfort food and just a plain ol’ good side dish. Enhance your dining experience by serving this delightful recipe alongside our Maple Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs. The sweet and savory dance of leeks meets the smoky allure of bacon-wrapped perfection. Together, they create a symphony on your plate that's nothing short of magic.

2 pounds organic leeks (~2 large leeks)
2 tablespoons organic butter (or sub Natural Grocers® Brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for dairy-free and vegan versions)
1⁄4 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Salt
2 organic garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Thyme Leaf
3⁄4 cup organic heavy cream (or sub Natural Grocers Brand Organic Original Coconut Milk for dairy-free and vegan versions)
For the topping
1⁄4 cup + 2 tablespoons cassava, tapioca, or arrowroot flour
1⁄2 teaspoon each Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Salt and Organic Black Pepper
1 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Poultry Seasoning Blend
6 tablespoons organic butter (or sub Natural Grocers Brand Organic Plant Based Buttery Sticks for dairy-free or vegan versions)
3⁄4 cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Rolled Oats (or sub certified gluten-free rolled oats for gluten-free version)
1⁄4 cup + 2 tablespoons Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Pecan Pieces
1⁄2 cup grated or crumbled organic cheese (omit for dairy-free or vegan versions)

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. 

2. Clean leeks. Trim the root end of each leek and peel off a couple outer layers. Slice halfway through along the length of each leek. Rinse under running water and use your hands to separate the layers and rinse away any dirt. Slice the white and light green parts into ½-inch rounds, peeling off dark green parts as you go to reveal more light green layers.

3. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until leeks are soft and starting to brown a little.

4. Make the topping while the leeks are cooking. Mix the flour, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning in a large bowl. Cut the butter into the flour with a fork or your fingers (mashing the butter and flour together until crumbly), then add the oats, pecans, and cheese. Use a fork to mix all ingredients together.

5. Once the leeks are soft, add salt and garlic and cook one minute, stirring frequently. Add thyme and heavy cream and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

6. If your skillet is oven-proof, use it or add the leek mixture to a 9 x 9-inch baking dish/gratin dish and spread the topping evenly over the leeks.

7. Bake for 35 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is lightly browned. Serve hot.

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