Buzzwords like organic, local, and recyclable are everywhere. So when I saw that MorningStar recyclable coffee cans are printed with soy-based inks and filled with organic, locally roasted coffee, my interests were piqued. Owner and Minnesotan Jose Vido has also added innovative “one-way valves” to the cans to preserve maximum flavor (morningstarcoffee.com).
Flavor is in no short supply when it comes to locally made baked goods, either. Ellen Redmond and Pat and Casey Webber are baking up Ella’s Heavenly Hunks in St. Louis Park, and heavenly they are. These chewy cookie-like chunks are all-natural with health-conscious ingredients. Flavors include original oatmeal, oatmeal raisin, and oatmeal chocolate chip, and they’re a great energy boost to satisfy your sweet tooth (available at Lakewinds Natural Foods stores, ellasheavenlyhunks.com).
For a less sugar-fueled energy source, local author and chef Robin Asbell has created more than 100 gluten-free, low- and no-carb comfort-food recipes in her new cookbook, Gluten-Free Pasta. Follow recipes for homemade fresh pasta made with alternate flours along with recommendations for vegetable-based varieties and other noodle stand-ins. The Chinese beef and broccoli noodle dish is worth the price of the book alone (robinasbell.com).
