Native Foods Blog

All Hail Trail Mix

by Chef Kendall Huff

Native Foods Cafe

 

We have all enjoyed this treat one time or another. As an afternoon snack, while camping or backpacking, whatever the case may be.  And I’m sure we all have our favorites or recipes for success. But did you know, in New Zealand (pictured below) and Australia, they call this energy booster scroggin or schmogle?  It’s true.

 

 

And Girl Scouts and hikers call trail mix “gorp," which originally was an acronym for "Good Old Raisins & Peanuts"...  

 

Here are a few of my favorite gorps.

 

 

 

Better Than Roasted Island Magic Mix is raw, organic, Non- GMO, vegan, gluten free and kosher.  What more could you ask for? Oh. Delicious and nutritious…DONE!  The Island Magic consists of whole, raw Brazil nuts, cashews, mangos, papaya and pineapple.

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, national trail mix day

 

Enjoy Life already makes my favorite chocolate chips so I’m a fan from the get go, but check out these 2 different kinds of trail mixes.  The Beach blast consists of sunflower seeds, pineapples, pumpkin seeds, cranberries and apricots. And the Mountain Mambo is made with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, raisins, dried apples, chocolate chips and cranberries, for those sweet tooth’s out there. It is camping season here in the Midwest. I suggest they be packed first!

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, national trail mix day

 

Nativas Trail Mix is an antioxidant super food that can be found at your local health food store. One flavor consists of Gobi berries, mulberries, and golden berry. And the other has all that plus cashews and cacao nibs.

 

Or friends, make your own. If you’re like me and want to be in total control of your sugars, oils and salts, make your own trail mix. All you have to do is pick out your goodies and mix them together.

 

Some suggested ingredients:

 

Nuts (peanuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews)

Baked Soy Beans

Dried Fruits (tart cherries, apricots, apples, pineapples, dried blueberries)

Granola

Seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower)

Ginger crystals

Shredded Coconut

Hemp Seeds

 

 

This is my scroggin recipe.  Please give it a whirl.

 

Pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, tart dry cherries (no oil or added sugar), sunflower seeds, raw almonds and pecans. And sometimes, I toss in some fresh blueberries. Hey, why not!

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, national trail mix day, trail mix recipe

A Toast to Vegan Marshmallows

by Holladay Allen

Native Foods Cafe

 

Happy Toasted Marshmallow Day!  How are you going to celebrate?  Perhaps by turning on your gas range and fire-roasting some vegan marshmallows.  "What?!" you exclaim in astonishment.... "Marshmallows aren't vegan!?"  Sad but true... most commercial marshmallows are not vegan.

According to the ol' Wiki-master: Marshmallow is a confection that, in its modern form, typically consists of sugar, corn syrup, water, gelatin that has been softened in hot water, dextrose, vanilla flavorings, and sometimes coloring, whipped to a spongy consistency. Some marshmallow recipes call for eggs. This confection is the modern version of a medicinal confection made from Althaea officinalis, the marshmallow plant.^[1]

 

But wait just a second before you get all up in arms and do something you'll regret...  there are some very, very, wonderfully fantastic vegan marshmallow alternatives out there... just waiting for you to roast them and make them into rice krispy treats and spread their fluffffffff onto peanut butter and cookies.... or whatever else you like to do with marshmallows.

 

So let's hear it for our faves:

 

Dandies from Chicago Vegan Foods:  Delicious and the perfect size for roasting as the outside gets nice and crispy while the inside gets all gooey.  Plus the people that work here are like some of the coolest ever.  Did you read the interview we did with them?

Sweet and Sara Marshmallows:  Large and fluffy and they come in a variety of flavors, which is rad.  And they even make pre-packaged s'mores for y'all.  The only downside is they are a bit large for roasting.  So I cut them in half.... and all is good.

Ricemellow Marshmallow Creme:  Delicious marshmallow goo that you can spoon directly into your mouth, or spread between your toes... I mean on toast.  You can't really roast this stuff, at least I have never tried... but you can add it to all sorts of fun things!

PS. Vegan Essentials sells all of these online for easy ordering in your pj's.

And there are lots of recipes out there on the internerd for making your own vegan marshmallows, so get to it.  I would be happy to test out your finished product.

 

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, toasted marshmallow day, vegan marshmallow

Less NaCl…

by Chef Kendall Huff

Native Foods Cafe

 

Salt has obviously been around for a very long period of time and is used all over the place.  Not only is it one of the basic human tastes, but salting is also an important method of food preservation. Salt is also essential for animal life, but in small quantities.

 

 

For our consumption, salt is produced in many different forms, like unfined aka sea salt. My favorite is Fleur de Sel. It’s a natural sea salt from the surface of evaporating brine in salt pans.

 

 

Refined salt (table salt) and iodized are the other kinds. It can also be found in different colors such as white, pale pink, light grey and even black.

 

Too much salt or too little salt in ones diet can lead to muscle cramps and dizziness. Long term high salt intake can result in stroke, high blood pressure and edema.

 

So lets chat about some other ideas for seasoning our foods then. There are many different ideas to play with to keep that sodium count down.

 

Squeeze or Zest of fresh lemon

-Digestive aid, immune booster, liver cleanser, Vitamin C and calcium

**Try Grilled Asparagus with fresh lemon juice and Nutritional Yeast

 

 

Ground Black Pepper or Red Pepper Flakes

-aids in digestion and relies in bloating

**Make Black Pepper Cashew Cheese or Sprinkle those flakes on your pizza

 

Chopped Fresh Ginger

-helps with motion sickness, reduces inflammation, relieves heartburn, cold and flu prevention, helps migraine

**Sautéed Bok Choy with minced ginger or Soba Noodles with ginger zest

 

Garlic Powder (not salt)

-Immune strengthener, reduce cholesterol

** Popcorn with Garlic Powder and Liquid Amino

 

 

Apple Cider Vinegar

-lower cholesterol and blood pressure

**Pickled veggies using ACV Dressing,  drizzle over steamed veggies or couscous

 

Hot Sauce- Sriracha

**It’s just the best thing ever! Put it in everything!

 

 

Fresh Herbs:

Cilantro

-Anti inflammatory, relieves stomach gas, reduces nausea, adds fiber

 

Rosemary

-Vitamin A, C, Folic acid and Iron

 

Oregano

-Vitamin K, Antioxidants, Minerals, Fiber and Omega-3’s

 

Basil-

-Blemish destroyer, stress stopper, and liver detoxer,

 

My personal favorite is the Umeboshi Plum or Plum paste. Yes it contains salt, but it allows me to keep on eye on my intake. For example, I eat ¼ of a plum in brown rice, it gives it just the right amount to spice.

 

                                                                               

 

 

                                                                              Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, less salt more herbs day

Pickled Brussel Sprouts!

by Holladay Allen

Native Foods Cafe

 

The geniuses at Paisley Farm in Ohio are pickling brussel sprouts, and lots of other veggies as well.  I picked up a jar a my local "European-style" grocer here in Chicago and I am smitten.  I love brussel sprouts and all things pickled, so naturally I freakin' love these things.  I recommend you get yourself a jar stat!

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, pickled brussel sprouts, Paisley Farm

Get Your Gazpacho

by Holladay Allen

Native Foods Cafe

 

You may have noticed that on those bright colored cards in the river rocks on each table at Native Foods Cafe, we feature some pretty delicious recipes... In July, we did a gazpacho, and it is so good, we think we need to share it with all our friends on the interweb!  Now, just note that it says not to over-puree, which I accidentally did on this particular batch as I was distracted by a friend doing distracting things and making me laugh... but it was still hella good!

 

Gigi’s Garden Gazpacho

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan recipe, vegan restaurant, gazpacho recipe

 

Gazpacho is the best summertime meal, because it is cool, savory, and satisfying.  And you can use all those fresh veggies from your garden.

 

4 large, tomatoes (the riper the better!)

1 hothouse cucumber, halved and seeded, but not peeled

2 red bell peppers, cored and seeded

1 small red onion, or half of a large

1 celery stalk

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 ½ cups low sodium tomato juice

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 TBSP salt & 1 tsp black pepper

¼ tsp cayenne

 

Roughly chop the all the veggies, except garlic.  In separate turns, place each veggie in food processor or blender and pulse until finely chopped, but not pureed.  Combine in a large bowl with the other ingredients, Mix well and chill. Garnish with lime wedges and fresh herbs from the garden.

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan recipe, vegan restaurant, gazpacho recipe

New Vegan Handbags from Matt & Nat

by Native Foods Cafe

 

Matt & Nat has long been known for their stylish vegan handbags, so it is no surprise that their latest goods are absolutely... well... awesome, and their Outlet always has amazing deals!  

Our favorites right now are the Devo in Gray:

The Damon in Cognac:

And the Motown in Stone:

 

 

 

 

 

matt and nat, vegan handbag, vegan purse, vegan fashion, native foods cafe, native foods, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

Food Fight Number #2

by Chef Kendall Huff

Native Foods Cafe

 

I had the privilege once again to be a judge at another Chicagoland Whole Foods Food Fight & the contestants brought their “A” game.

 

Whole Foods Food Fight, Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

The three contests , all employees at the South Loop Whole Foods location, were fighting for a prized black Whole Foods Chef coat!

 

Whole Foods Food Fight, Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

First chef was Jeanelle Hayner, and she rocked out a peptita  crusted sweet potato fry with cilantro lime aioli. She used white miso to make the dipping sauce and it was delicious! Her dessert, was one of the the best sweets I’ve tasted in a long time. She created a Mango Coconut  tart with “honeyed” Macadamias. She made the crust out of cashew and almond butter. It reminded me of my favorite Macro bar. I’m pretty sure I ate this in 1.34 minutes.

 

Whole Foods Food Fight, Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

Next up is Stephen Mitsch. He works in the kitchen here at the South Loop Whole Foods.

 

Whole Foods Food Fight, Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

His appetizer was a Strawberry Spring Roll. It was stuffed with red cabbage, carrots and strawberries with a red wine vinegar sauce. So good! He then made a grilled romaine and mango sushi roll. His wasabi was made with coconut milk instead of water….PLEASE do this! You’ll love it.  And his dessert was a steamed Banana cake with sweet potato and raspberry puree. This screamed summer time!

 

Whole Foods Food Fight, Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant 

 

And the last contestetant was Laurette Stefani.

 

Whole Foods Food Fight, Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

 

She impressed me with every dish she put out. Her appetizer was a grilled corn and jicama salad.  She added some pickled carrots that were packed with an awesome clove and coriander flavor. And she added a purple cabbage reduction!  Her entrée was amazing! She called it Mextlapique Poblano. She made the juiciest seitan then wrapped it in a grilled poblano pepper. Her quinoa was cooked with coconut to perfection. Nice and fluffy! And to finish it, a rich and creamy mole sauce. My favorite dish of the night! The dessert was a Pineapple and mango custard that looked too pretty to eat…but you know I did!

 

Whole Foods Food Fight, Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

... and congrats to Jeanelle for her official Whole Foods Chef Coat!

 

 

 

 

 

Vegan Food for the Average Carnivore...Yahoo!

Native Foods: A Meaty Review of a
Restaurant Without Meat
 
Dylan Gallagher, Yahoo!
Contributor Network

Aug 16, 2012 "

So you enjoy a blood-dripping burger in one hand and a dog
slathered in mustard in the other. You tend to grill long, juicy sausages and
marinated chicken breasts on your Weber in the back yard on a summer day. Maybe
you're partial to that caked meat loaf your grandmother used to make, covered in
gravy and placed ever so delicately next to your mashed potatoes. If this is
you, there is a reasonable assumption that you'll ask yourself, "Why would
I ever eat at a vegan restaurant like Native Foods?"



I'm going to make another reasonable assumption and say that because you're
reading this, you've found yourself looking for a vegan restaurant to try, but
maybe you're too scared to ask your bros. There are plenty of reasons, however,
to take the dive and try eating vegan: You're searching for a healthier diet;
you're newfound love of bunnies and chickens has you hating the meat industry;
or maybe your vegan girlfriend is begging you to find some place to eat and
there's no way you'll get away with that Korean BBQ place again. Whatever the
reason, let me tell you the three reasons why you must try Native Foods.



1) Native Foods Is Good Food. My entire life, I have been a huge fan of
all different kinds of meat, cheese, desserts, vegetables, fruits. You name it,
I tend to enjoy it. Because of my schmorgesborg of food-related interests, I am
100 percent of the time willing to try something new. Good food is good food,
be it a juicy beef patty or a fruit salad.



After saying all that, Native Foods has made more than an impression on my
palate. It blew me away with how delicious and fresh everything was. My main
course (the portobello and sausage burger) included a large medley of
ingredients, meaning that my mouth was filled with a cacophony of flavors.
Visually, the food is prepared with great care. My eyes could not believe it
when my appetizer, a huge plate of nachos covered in vegan-cheese, guacamole,
and black beans, came out from the kitchen. At first, it looked too good to be
true. Had someone finally realized how to make vegan nachos taste like the
artery-stopping ones I was used to? When I finally dug into them, fingers first
of course, they tasted just like the cheese covered tortilla chips I would get
at that sleazy Mexican hole-in-the-wall downtown...you know the one I'm talking
about. The one with the bugs. Yeah, that one.

Native Foods Cafe Vegan Nachos


Well, at Native Foods, there were certainly no bugs. The restaurant itself was
kept extremely clean, and their decor was festive and exciting. The restaurant
is a pay-first sort of deal where you pick out your food, pay at the cashier,
and then they cook it fresh and bring it to your table. The time it took for
the food to come out after I placed the order was pretty short, so if you're
the type of person who doesn't like long waits, then you will definitely enjoy
it here.



I guess the biggest question you're asking right about now is this, "Sure
it tastes great, but does it taste like non-vegan food? Will I be satisfied
with a vegan burger?" My truthful answer is yes and no. Yes, the nachos
tasted just as good as any other nachos, but if you really like the taste of
cheese, you won't get it. My portobello sausage burger did have some similar
spices to what is put into sausage, but if you're looking for an actual
sausage, again, you won't get it. These foods are very, very close to the
actual tastes of meat, however, and if you keep an open mind and are willing to
try something new, I highly highly doubt that you will be disappointed. Native
Foods is finger-lickin good.


Native Foods Cafe Vegan Portobello Sausage Burger

2) Choices Are Catered Toward the Non-vegan. The main thing I think most
non-vegans will enjoy about this place is the pure number of selections that,
to be quite honest, don't seem like items that would be on a vegan menu. Sure,
Native Foods has the quinoa bowl or kale salad (if you're not from California,
you might not even know what these things are; I had no idea until about a year
ago, but then again, maybe I'm just not in the loop), but the menu is filled
with different kinds of burgers and sandwiches, sloppy appetizers like nachos
and chili cheese fries, and even a slew of completely vegan desserts that will
have you wondering how they could ever make it without butter. If I haven't
whetted your appetite so far, then maybe you might like their daily specials,
one for each day of the week, that include a free side. These sides are
comprised of an assortment of salads and fries (the sweet potato fries are
pretty amazing).



Okay, so if you're still not convinced, then listen up: they have a sizable
assortment of beers, fellas. That's right. Cold, out of the bottle and even
served in ice-chilled glasses. At the Native Foods I visited, their selection
was primarily Indian Pale Ales, so if you're not into them (and by God don't
call yourself a beer connoisseur if you're not!) then feel free to grab a
vegan, naturally brewed Root Beer and sit at the kiddy table -- that being said
this place is actually great for children! They also have several styles of
wine for you classier patrons that would be perfect for a date.



3) Health Factor. Native Foods is not only tasty delicious, it is
healthy for you. Sure, all those vegan "cheeses," "meats,"
and "creams" are full of fat, but their lack of cholesterol makes
them 10 times healthier for your heart than even the leanest burger from the
butcher. Did I feel full after consuming my entire meal? Yes. But as I was
stuffing my mouth with nachos and sweet, savory mushroom/sausage burgers, I had
the added bonus of knowing that my heart would not suffer from them.



One thing that for the past 50 years has been a ridiculous obsession is
dieting. Pills for this and that, specific ways to eat (like a grapefruit a day
and your fat will go away), and excessive exercise routines are all ways that
people try to increase their health. I'm no exception. It always feels great
when you slip off a few pounds. Why not do it a healthy, easy way and just have
a vegan meal every now and then? Native Foods is an excellent place to start.



So, if you're just curious, in need of a healthier meal, or being dragged in
chains, you should definitely check out Native Foods. They have locations in
California, Oregon, Colorado, and Illinois.



Recommendations: Nuevo Native Nachos, Scorpion Burger, Twister Wrap,
Portobello Sausage Burger, Sweet Potato Fries, Carrot Cream Cheese Cupcakes

http://voices.yahoo.com/native-foods-meaty-review-restaurant-without-11646978.html?cat=5

 

In the Spotlight: Mikey Anderson

by Native Foods Cafe

 

Miky Anderson is an artist from Chicago who makes thes awesome stuffed creatures called Yarnies, has a slight obsession with pizza and peanut butter and is just a rad guy.  Here is the full interview from our Native News June edition... 

Where are you from?

 I am from the South Side of Chicago, just a few blocks away from Midway Airport.

What is your sign? 

 Aries.

What inspired you to start making stuffed creatures like the yarnies?

I started making stuffed creatures because I wanted to bring my little characters from my sketchbook to life! I thought it would be fun for someone to have a little piece of my imagination. I also look at some rad artist like; Shawnimals, Jon Knox, and Buff Monster for inspiration.

Do you have a favorite piece of art that you have created over the years?

My favorite piece of art I have created so far is a little watercolor painting I did of these pizza dudes having a pizza party!

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment in the world of art thus far?

My biggest accomplishment in the world of art is graduating from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago! With working mad hours and selling tons of YaRnIeS I paid my way through college.

If you were to come back as an animal what would you LIKE it to be?

 I would like to come back as a sloth so I could just chill all day!

If you were to come back as an animal what do you THINK it would be?  

My friends are convinced I would come back as a glowworm because I somewhat resemble this plush fisher price glowworm from the nineties.

Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names?

Well I stole my sister Chihuahua “Little Mama,” she’s pretty sassy too.  

What do you want to be when you “grow-up”?  

A cartoonist.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

 I always wanted to live in New York and I’m moving there this summer! My goal is to get the YaRnIeS in as many stores as I can there.

What is your favorite current menu item at Native Foods Café?

The chai tea is AMAZING! I literally could drink it everyday. Also, the “Very Voluptuous Veggie Pizza.”

What is your favorite dessert at NF?

The peanut butter parfait! I have a serious peanut butter addiction, which this satisfies.

Do you love pizza?  Favorite toppings?

I LOVE PIZZA! I just finished a whole series of YaRnIeS based off my love for pizza! My favorite topping is a mound of veggies!

What are your favorite bands? 

Bombay Bicycle Club, Animal Collective, Blink 182, Foals, and Phoenix.

What was your first concert ever?

Warped tour 2007. I was a total emo kid.

What do you do in your free time?

Hang out with friends, listen to music, run, and make art.

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant

 

Getting Romantical in August

by Chef Kendall Huff

Native Foods Cafe

 

August is Romance Month. Ooh la la!! Now, by definition, romance usually refers to love, emphasizing emotion over libido. It’s a pleasurable feeling from an emotional attraction to another person associated with love. Perhaps romance could be summed up in one awesome picture……

 

 

HA! I joke of course! Being romantic can come in all shapes and forms, and at any age of ones life. 

 

 

Perhaps a breakfast in bed, a nap together in the park,  having a candle-lit dinner, or even the little stuff like I miss you  notes left in your wallet or backpack.  It amazing me that with everything else going on in our world today, romance really never does die!  And with time and with that special person, it can only grow stronger and even more amazing!

So here are some sexy vegan foods to assist you in your travels on the Highway of Love...

 

- Asparagus- I know, odd right? This veggie has dated back as from as the 17^th century, and has been used to “stir up the lust in men and women”.

 

-Almonds- The aroma alone is said to arouse those passions inside. Almond bubble bathes or candles may do the trick!

 

-Avocados- There are A LOT of ideas/reasoning behind why this fruit is screaming sexy, but for this blog…We’ll leave that out! By I will say, the in Spain, they found avocados so sexy, that the Catholic priests prohibited their consumption! 

 

-Bananas- In Central America, they drink the sap for a natural aphrodisiac. And the Hindus leave a banana on the doorstep to indicate that a marriage is about to take place.

 

-Basil- It Italy, this fragrant herb is known as the love-token.

 

-Chocolate-  The chemical thing in chocolate is theobromine thing!! The “food of the gods” stimulates all sorts of parts in the body.

 

-Figs- This fruit was said to be Cleopatra’s favorite food!! And the ancient Greeks believed that figs were “more precious then gold”.

 

 

 

 

Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, love foods, aphrodisiac