FarmMarket – The Vegan Rhino

September 16, 2018May 14, 2020

Minty Watermelon Citrus Spritzer

Enjoy this quick and easy way to start incorporating homemade juice into your routine. Rich in water, watermelon is a personal go-to when it comes to making healthy sips on the fly. Simply blend the sweet fleshy insides until you’re left with a slushy-like liquid and strain the pulp. What you do next with your fresh watermelon juice is up to you. But my favorite additions to make this refreshing beverage even more nutritious include citrus and herbs. Get the full recipe below for instant revitalization!

Ingredients

2 cups watermelon juice

1/4 cup lime juice, fresh

1/4 cup lemon juice, fresh

2 cups sparkling water

1 bunch mint

slices of lemon and lime

Ice

Directions

In blender on highest setting, blend cubed watermelon for around two minutes (if using Vitamix, use tamper to push fruit down).
Pour juice through small mesh strainer to remove pulp.
Pour into large pitcher, add lemon and lime juices, mint, and club soda or sparkling water and top with ice.

Chef’s tip: This drink goes great with a splash of champagne! If you’re celebrating something special, fill a glass a quarter of the way with champagne and finish it off with juice.

August 1, 2018May 14, 2020

Peach Jam

Are you getting tired of using butter on your toast each and every morning for breakfast? Taking some fresh peaches and mashing them up to create a fresh jam is super easy. Store bought food just is not cutting it anymore and this is a much better alternative to those varieties. Spread this peach jam on your toast and artisan sandwiches or wherever you’d like.

Yields 8 oz

Ingredients

8 medium peaches

1 cup Florida Crystals Organic Cane Sugar

1 small lemon, squeezed

Directions

Remove skin and mash peaches
In a saucepan, add sugar and lemon juice to mashed peaches.
Boil for 10 minutes- stirring frequently.
Cool and pour into mason jar.

July 25, 2018May 14, 2020

Deli-inspired Dill Pickles

Recreating your favorite sour pickles at home is easier than you think. Use the power of fermentation (like the pros do!) to turn regular cucumbers into crispy, flavorful pickles. Before you get started, gather a few mason jars (you’ll want to prep a big batch) with air-tight lids. The best part about pickling is that you can pickle pretty much anything. Feel free to toss a few bell pepper slices, onions, cauliflower florets or even cabbage into the jars. Serve these succulent dill pickles at your next picnic or barbecue—your guests will be thoroughly impressed! With these delicious dills sitting on your counter—or in your fridge—you’ll be saying good bye to store-bought varieties for good. Nothing beats the fresh flavors you get to create yourself!

Yields 16 pickles

Ingredients

2 large cucumbers

1 bunch fresh dill

4-6 cloves garlic, smashed

2 tsp. Spicely Organics Mustard Seed Whole Yellow Jar

2 tsp. Spicely Organics Black Peppercorns Tin

2 tsp. Spicely Organics Coriander Seeds Whole Jar

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1-1/2 cup water

Brine

1 1/2 cup Spectrum Organic White Distilled Vinegar
2 Tbsp. Sea Salt- Coarse
1 cup water

Directions

Wash cucumber and slice in half lengthwise. Take each half and cut into quarter slices.
Fill two 16-oz. mason jars with 1 tsp. mustard seed, black peppercorn, coriander and 2-4 garlic cloves each.
In each jar, add 5 sprigs dill and 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes. Place cucumber slices into jars so they fit evenly.
Fill jars with brine mixture. Seal lids tightly and set on counter for 3 days, or until desired pickle preference is met.
When ready, place jars in refrigerator (this stops the fermentation process). Store up to 3 months in refrigerator.

Chef’s tip: If you are looking to spice this up a bit, feel free to grab some small hot peppers of your choosing. Add 1 to each mason jar to reach desired heat.

July 17, 2018August 22, 2020

Bedner’s Fresh Farm Market

Looking for somewhere worthy of your time this weekend? Visit a farmers market! There’s nothing better than strolling a market lane by lane to browse the bounty of fresh fruits, veggies and unique homemade and locally made creations.

Every Saturday, my roommate, friend and I head to the notorious Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market in Boynton Beach, FL. The best part about this market is the ever-exciting U-pick; meaning you get to pick your own produce right from the vine, bush or tree!

Upon entering, I’m immediately overloaded with amazing fruit, breads, vegetables, herbs, wines, freshly squeezed orange juice and more. It’s tempting not to toss one of everything in my reusable grocery bags.

When I’m finally ready to check out, I often find myself pausing after I unload the cart because I have no idea what the grand total is going to be. It’s like a game! But when you purchase organic, local produce you don’t have to worry about the bill! When you shop at a farmers market, you’re essentially cutting out the middleman. You pay for your food at cost rather than marked up prices (think big-box retailers). Plus, nothing beats the level of freshness you get when you buy local—especially when you know the level of care being sowed in.

It’s also smart to always ask your local farmers if their produce is organic, what pesticides are used and if it’s Non-GMO. Like I always say, once you go farm, you’ll never go back!

If you would like to plan a visit to Bender’s Fresh Farm Market- click here.