MY LATEST TASTINGS ~ VEGAN & ORGANIC

I’ve always enjoyed discovering and tasting new foods and then sharing my experiences with others.  In this latest round of taste tests, I’m including several delicious products from Field Roast Grain Meat Company and Queen Creek Olive Mill.  Field Roast Grain Meat Company offers vegan meat and dairy alternatives.  Queen Creek Olive Mill is a leading organic olive oil company offering a variety of olive-based products.

~ Field Roast Grain Meat Company ~

Hand-Formed Burgers and Coconut Herb Chao Slices ~ While I’m neither vegan nor vegetarian, I don’t mind eating a meat or cheese substitute product, provided the texture and taste are delicious.  Field Roast Grain Meat has managed to accomplish both of these criteria with these two delicious products.  The Burger, made from barley and seasoned perfectly with healthy things like carrots, mushrooms, onions, tomato paste, and spices was delicious and had a nice meaty texture and bite to it.  The Chao Slices, a traditional product made from soy bean curd, also included coconut oil, oregano, sesame oil, olive oil, and black pepper.  The taste was delicious and great as a snack with crackers; for cooking, it’s good to know that it melts like the real stuff.  For more information, visit http://fieldroast.com

My Take:  I pan seared the Burger in a small amount of EVOO, browning both sides; I then added a slice of the Chao and allowed the heat to melt it.  I then made my Yogurt & Chaat Masala sauce using one cup of plain yogurt and one-half teaspoon of the traditional Indian spice powder, Chaat Masala (from Indian As Apple Pie).  My delicious sauce increased the flavor profile of the Field Roast Cheese Burger I made.

 ~ Queen Creek Olive Mill Arizona ~

Organic Meyer Lemon Olive Oil ~ Queen Creek Olive Mill is Arizona’s only working olive farm and mill that is all about the olive…it’s products not only include extra virgin olive oils (EVOO), but it also includes tapenades, stuffed olives, balsamic vinegars, infused olive oils, specialty items, and home and body olive-based products.  I had the pleasure of experiencing their delicious organic Meyer Lemon EVOO, which is made with organic olives, natural extracted oils and flavors from Meyer Lemon.  The delicate sweetness of Meyer Lemon elevates the flavor profile of this artisan-crafted EVOO.  For more information, visit https://www.queencreekolivemill.com

My Take: Meyer Lemon Honey Vinaigrette.  This multi-purpose vinaigrette is versatile and goes great when used to dress a salad of fresh greens and other seasonal veggies, or mixed into plain yogurt and used as a dipping sauce, or used for marinades, or basting grilled items.  To the Queen Creek Olive Mill Meyer Lemon EVOO, I added a honey balsamic vinegar (e.g. Alessi Honey White Balsamic Vinegar or Honey Ridge Farms Honey Balsamic Vinegar), shallots, garlic, parsley, Himalayan salt, black pepper, honey, and water (for emulsification).  This will last for weeks, but it’s so delicious and versatile, you’ll use it up in no time flat.

~ Additional Resources ~

Alessi Honey White Balsamic Vinegar http://alessifoods.com

Honey Ridge Farms Balsamic Honey Vinegar https://honeyridgefarms.com

Indian As Apple Pie Chaat Masala http://www.indianasapplepie.com

~ In Closing ~

Be adventurous when it comes to trying new food products.  Be sure to take the time to fully explore each of these food websites.  Both websites offer a variety of tantalizing recipes that will definitely please your palate.

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to always celebrate yourself and your culinary curiosity.  Happy cooking…happy eating!

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN continues perfecting her passion for food and wine.  She has been covering culinary related for many years as it relates to wellness and a healthy lifestyle.  Her popular blog, Terry's Spa, Beauty and Wellness Go-To has featured formidable reviews of cookbooks, restaurants, wine and food, food prep and tools, chef interviews, and coverage of prestigious events such as the International Home+Housewares Show, the National Restaurant Show and the Sweets and Snacks Expo.  She has been published since the mid-1990s in both consumer and trade publications, and is regarded as an expert in spa, beauty, wellness, travel and lifestyle, and is frequently interviewed by publications for her expert content.  She has also presented at major industry conferences, and has served with distinction on numerous governing and advisory boards.  She has a background in strategic and qualitative management, consulting, and motivational speaking.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach also includes Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, “Terry’s Second Helpings”.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, email her at terry.herman@gmail.com.

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(Introductory photo from www.skinnykitchen.com; all other photo credits as represented by the specific brand.)