March 2024 Health Hotline® Magazine Issue 80

March 2024 Health Hotline® Magazine Issue 80

Recipes

  • Cashew Cream of Asparagus
  • Matcha Blondies

Articles

  • Maintain Your Healthiest Weight By Keeping Blood Sugar In Check
  • Think Wisely - Women-Owned Brands
  • For the Love of Organics: Asparagus
  • Build Your Natural First Aid Kit
  • Earth Watch
 

Cashew Cream of Asparagus Soup

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During these still-cool spring days, creamy soup is a wonderful way to enjoy asparagus. This recipe lightens it up a bit by using homemade cashew cream rather than heavy cream. For a deliciously silky-smooth soup, look for thinner stalks of asparagus.

3⁄4 cup Natural Grocers® Brand Bulk Cashew Pieces
1⁄2 cup filtered water
2 tablespoons Natural Grocers Brand Plant Based Buttery Spread or organic butter
1⁄2 medium organic yellow onion, diced
2 organic garlic cloves, minced
4 cups organic vegetable or chicken broth
1 bunch (~1 ¼ pounds) organic asparagus, woody ends removed and cut into half-inch pieces
1 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Dill Weed
  Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Salt and Organic Ground Black Pepper, to taste
Optional ingredients, for serving
  Natural Grocers Brand Organic Grated Parmesan Cheese
  organic sour cream
  Natural Grocers Brand Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon cooked and crumbled or bacon alternative crumbles
  Natural Grocers Brand Regenerative Organic Pasture-Raised Eggs, hard boiled
  crusty bread

1. Add the cashews to a small bowl and cover with water (about ¼-inch above the cashews) and set aside to soak.

2.Place a large pot over medium-high heat and add the plant-based butter; when it has melted and starts to foam, add the onion and sauté, stirring every minute or so, until the onion is translucent, 5-6 minutes.

3. Add the garlic to the pot and sauté until fragrant, another 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly. 

4. Add the broth and the asparagus and stir to combine, adjusting the heat to a simmer, and simmer for 20 minutes.

5. Five minutes before the simmering is done, drain and rinse the cashews, add them to a blender with half a cup of filtered water and the dill weed. Blend until smooth and creamy.

6. Add the cashew cream to the soup pot, stir to combine, and let simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Transfer to a blender or use an immersion blender to pulse-blend until you get a smooth consistency. Note: When blending hot liquids, fill the blender less than halfway full, remove the center piece in the blender top, leaving the hole open for steam to escape. Cover the hole with a clean folded dish towel. Start the blender on a low speed to prevent splashing and gradually increase to purée. Once puréed, carefully transfer into another soup pot, repeating until the entire soup is liquified.  

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with optional toppings and crusty bread if desired.

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Matcha Blondies

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Perfect for a not-too-sweet St. Patrick’s Day treat, this twist on a blondie uses matcha powder to add a healthy touch o’ green. They are quick and easy to whip up, with most of the time being hands-off.

1 1⁄3 cups gluten-free flour, Note: we used Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour.
1 teaspoon Natural Grocers® Brand Bulk Baking Powder
2 tablespoons organic matcha powder
1 stick unsalted organic butter, melted
1 cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Coconut Sugar
1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
1 Natural Grocers Brand Regenerative Organic Pasture-Raised Egg, room temperature
1 Natural Grocers Brand Regenerative Organic Pasture-Raised Egg yolk, room temperature
1⁄2 cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Fair Trade Bittersweet Chocolate Chips, divided

1. Preheat oven to 350° F and line a 9 x 9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and matcha in a large mixing bowl.

3. Stir together the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, egg, and egg yolk in a medium mixing bowl.

4. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, folding in until just mixed (the batter will be thick). Fold in ¼ cup of the chocolate chips.

5. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top.

6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and rest on a wire rack until completely cool, about one hour.

7. Cut into squares and enjoy! Store remaining bars in an airtight container on counter for up to three days.

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