Oh
sure the Mason jar salads look beautiful. But are they practical? Everybody’s
talking about the layered Mason jar salads, with levels of red radish, dark
green spinach, purple onion.. whatever you like. What’s the best source for how
to really pack that Mason jar salad tight, with dressing on the bottom and
little air for it to settle?
How
about “Mason Jar Salads and More,” by Julia Mirabella. This illustrated book
will make you long for Sunday evenings, when you can pack your
spinach/radish/quinoa; or tortellini with basil pesto, cherry tomatoes and
mozzarella in beautiful jars for all next week. Or maybe those handy jars will
hold your smoothies, or fried rice or squash risotto. The main thing is, you
have a cure for “sad desk lunch.” I’m in. These recipes are clever and
unexpected. Blueberry and corn? Never would have thought of it. But I read this
book cover to cover and went in the kitchen to play with what I had.
Experimentation is, after all, encouraged. I layered tomato vinaigrette, then
canned fave beans, iceberg lettuce, some blueberries (why not?) and a boiled
egg. Two wide-mouth jars of this will go with me to work this week. Can’t wait
to fill more jars.
Update
on the above: Regarding the blueberries here, I chose poorly. The rest fared
well.
More
on Masons
Mason Jar
Cookie Company makes layered master pieces you must commit to
disassemble to create more masterpieces, like Berries ‘n Chocolate oatmeal
bake. Gosh, food looks so good in Mason jars that this company even puts their
pancake mixes in pouches that look like jars. This past weekend I whipped up
buttermilk chocolate chip as well as cranberry orange pancake mixes to
appreciative audiences. They turned out beautifully, and these are not things I
normally make well. Thank you MJCC.
Thumbs
up here. I regret that I ate so many pancakes I have to hold on sampling the
baked goods, but at least I get to look at the layers in the beautiful jar for
a while.
Other
temptations in the line are Chai Cappuccino, Salted Caramel, and Triple
Chocolate. Want yours vegan or dairy-free or gluten free? They can make it for
you.
now
available in gluten–free blends as well. Add your own fresh dairy and
eggs, or substitute. You can tricks). Available
in the Signature Glass Jars or Iconic Jar-Shaped Pouch OR customize
and design your own blend and even name it on the label. Its
like having your name linked to Mason. Go for it this holiday. It’s designer
gifts you can eat.
The
Protein Bakery
Blondies
with walnuts; cookies with peanut butter, chocolate chips and oatmeal; brownies
thick with goodness… I sampled some of these outrageously healthy options from
The Protein Bakery and then took a long walk. Boy, did I feel smug walking past
drive-thru windows and hearing people order calorie-laden breakfasts.
The
Protein Bakery, 20 W. 20th Street in New York City, has been around
10 years, baking dietary fiber into tasting treats and impressing the likes of
Oprah. Me, too, now. Here’s why makers say you ought to try them:
· High in muscle-building
protein
· All treats are
individually handmade in small batches
· High dietary fiber to
satisfy hunger
· No wheat flour, which
means very low in gluten
· Trans-fat free
Visit proteinbakery.com to learn more about why and
how they were developed, and how popping them in the microwave yields new
layers of enjoyment.
ddoiron@panews.com
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