Avanti Peanut Yam Powerhouse Spread

Sometimes we need a simple, easy to make, homemade protein and flavor powerhouse comfort food combo that we can rely on for real taste and nutrition in the kitchen and on the go.  This three ingredient Avanti wonder has it all.  And it's easy to prepare.  All you need is an oven, a food processor, a paring knife & a rubber spatula.  Watch how to do it on the Avanti Natural Lifestyle Network YouTube channel at Fresh in the Avanti Kitchen YAM

This peanut butter yam spread is as flavorful as it is healthful

Read all about how to make and use this amazing spread on the Ron & Lisa Blog at Peanut Yam Powerhouse Spread.  

In a peanut shell, the recipe is as simple as this :: Just do it :: 

Yam Spread

1 med yam organic, washed and scrubbed.  Roasted at 400 for about an hour until tender. 

1 cup peanut butter

2 to 3 teaspoons fresh ginger.

Blend well, while yam is still hot.  Use a food processor or a potato masher.  

Serve your peanut butter yam & ginger spread w/ crackers, crudite or as an addition to smoothies

Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!

Eat, Live & Party Well

Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

Our successful restaurant Avanti Café was located on 17^th St in Costa Mesa from 2005 through 2014.  Follow us on social media to see what is new and in store for Avanti in our culinary futures.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy; you can Eat Well & Live Well

We are Whole Foods Experts  It’s time to take Avanti Natural to restaurant menus & kitchens everywhere.

Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!

www.avantinatural.com

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Avanti-Cafe/166822256677277?ref=hl

Twitter  https://twitter.com/AvantiNatural

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Easy Baked Egg Scramble

 Avanti baked scrambled organic eggs two ways, one w/ herbs and cheese and the other fully loaded

This another Avanti favorite open-ended recipe.  No specific amounts are required.  Make it once or twice and you’ll customize it as you like.  Watch Chef Mark Cleveland and filmmaker Ryan Adams in action making these organic egg delights on the Avanti Natural Network YouTube Channel.  Fresh in the Avanti Natural Kitchen Baked Scrambled Eggs

Organic eggs and veggies ready for the oven scramble

I prefer a well-seasoned cast iron pan.  You can use a ceramic, non-stick green pan too.  The regular non-stick pans work fine as well, but make sure there are no nicks or scratches.  And it’s kind of time to phase them out now that the ceramic ones are getting much better in quality and non stick function. 

Butter & evoo in a hot pan right out of the oven

How to oven scramble one egg perfectly. 

Organic egg scramble w/ veggies almost ready to plate

Put seasoned 6 inch cast iron skillet into the oven.  No need to preheat.  Set oven to 375.  When it reaches temp, let it stay in the hot oven for 15 mins.  Whisk egg w/ a fork or spoon.  I add my hot sauce to the uncooked egg.  Go plain, or just w/ salt, pepper, herbs, cheese, about 1 T each.  Add a small pat of butter, coconut oil, evoo or a combo to the hot pan, no more than a teaspoon or so will suffice.  Once melted put the egg mixture into the hot pan.  Back in the oven for 3 mins.  Stir once, and if it needs a bit more time put it back into the oven for a minute longer

Organic egg bake w/ herbs and cheese, ready to fold

For a full breakfast meal add rice, tofu, beans, veggies etc.  About 1 cup total.  For a delish Japanese favorite add some organic cooked chicken, a little soy sauce, sake, scallion and sesame seeds and serve over organic brown rice.  The more extras you add, the longer the overall cooking time.

And the art of the folded scramble w/ veggetables

You can serve these on a plate, or right out of the hot skillet.  Put a clean and classy kitchen towel over the handle to make sure no one grabs the hot pan. 

Folded herb and cheese scramble ready to plate

Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!

Eat, Live & Party Well

Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

Our successful restaurant Avanti Café was located on 17^th St in Costa Mesa from 2005 through 2014.  Follow us on social media to see what is new and in store for Avanti in our culinary futures.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy; you can Eat Well & Live Well

We are Whole Foods Experts  It’s time to take Avanti Natural to restaurant menus & kitchens everywhere.

Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!

www.avantinatural.com

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Avanti-Cafe/166822256677277?ref=hl

Twitter  https://twitter.com/AvantiNatural

Pinterest  http://www.pinterest.com/avantinatural/boards/

Instagram http://instagram.com/avantinatural

Avanti Dank Teriyaki

Avanti Dank Teriyaki medley on Blood Orange Honey Dijon dressed baby kale
w/ teriyaki tofu, haricot verts, carrots & whole garlic cloves. 

This all natural, dark and rich teriyaki is sweetened w/ dried fruit, 100% fruit juices, honey and molasses.  It's loaded w/ trinity roots, spices and healthy oils.  It keeps well in the fridge and freezes perfectly.  Use it on everything you cook in the kitchen and on the grill.  Brush it on for the last few mins of cooking for a lacquer glaze.  Share your culinary photos of your Avanti Dank Teriyaki plated dishes on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages all at AvantiNatural.  

Dank Teriyaki glazed carrots top a spicy miso broth vegetable soup

Amount	Measure	Ingredient	Prep Method
1	Cup	Pineapple juice
3	Cups	oj
2/3	Cup	Sweet marsala
10	Medium	Dried apricots
10	Medium	Dried prunes
1	Tablespoon	Barberries	Optional, sub dried tart cherries if desired

Directions:

Bring to a simmer covered, simmer for 10 mins.  Cool.  In a blender or Vitamix add all the ingredients below. 

10	Cloves	Garlic
1	Cup	Fresh ginger	Peeled, rough dice
1	Large	Shallot
1	Medium	Orange	Peel AND juice
1	Cup	Soy sauce
1 ½	Teaspoons	Black pepper
1	Whole	Japanese chili	Dry or more to taste
2	Tablespoons	Toasted sesame oil
2	Tablespoons	evoo

Blend all of the above until smooth.  Return to the pan and add the following

2	Cups	Pineapple juice
1 ½	Cups	Water

Put the water in the vitamix and turn it on, to rinse out all the goodness from the jar.  Add that to the pot w/ the pineapple juice.  Bring to a simmer, adding in

2	Tablespoons	Molasses
¼	Cup	Honey

Stir to dissolve the sweeteners.  Taste, add a tablespoon more honey if desired. 

All to cool completely.  Store refrigerated.  This is best made several days in advance of your first use.  Allow the flavors to marry for the best tasting Dank Teriyaki

Dank Teriyaki tacos w/ tofu & haricot verts, pickled jalapeños, carrots & garlic

Thin a little teriyaki sauce w/ some sake, vermouth, white wine or apple juice and make roasted teriyaki garlic cloves.  About 30 mins in a 375 oven will do it.  

Here's what they look like heading for the oven, just need to add the sake.  

Give them a quick stir.  Now into that 375 oven for 30 mins.

And they look like this when they are tender, seasoned, dank and done.

More soup this time w/ extra HOT jalapeño & carrot pickles 

Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!

Eat, Live & Party Well

Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Mean

ing 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

Our successful restaurant Avanti Café was located on 17^th St in Costa Mesa from 2005 through 2014.  Follow us on social media to see what is new and in store for Avanti in our culinary futures.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy; you can Eat Well & Live Well

We are Whole Foods Experts  It’s time to take Avanti Natural to restaurant menus & kitchens everywhere.

Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!

www.avantinatural.com

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Avanti-Cafe/166822256677277?ref=hl

Twitter  https://twitter.com/AvantiNatural

Pinterest  http://www.pinterest.com/avantinatural/boards/

Instagram http://instagram.com/avantinatural

Roasted garlic & Avanti Dank Teriyaki tofu, zucchini & dandelion greens 

Popcorn Perfected

Crunchy & Delicious :: Bring on the movies

Every cook is at least part mad scientist.  And tinkering w/ popcorn methods is an obsession that can last a lifetime.  At this moment in time, I’m ready to say, that this recipe truly is tuned to perfection.  The results are crunchy, delicious and irresistible. 

Amount	Measure	Ingredient	Prep Method
2	Tablespoon	Coconut oil
2/3	Cup	Popcorn kernels	finest quality, organic

I use an induction burner w/ a heavy stainless steel 5 quart pot w/ a good fitting lid.  Put the coconut oil into the cold pot.  Top w/ the kernels.  Set the temp to 390 or 400 degrees depending on your unit.  Let ‘er rip.  The popcorn will take care of itself.

Made right, Popcorn is the perfect snack

Meanwhile in a small saucepan combine the following flavorings AND set the oven to 350

2	Tablespoons	Evoo*	Or favorite oil
1/3	Cup	Nutritional yeast
2	Tablespoons	Soy sauce	shoyu, tamari, namashoyu
3	Tablespoon	Strongly brewed green tea**
½	Teaspoon	Hot chili flakes	Optional
¼	Teaspoon	Black pepper	Optional

When the corn is fully popped, stir the flavorings into the pot.  Stir well.  Put the popcorn pot into the oven and turn it off.  When the pot is cool to the touch, your crunchy Popcorn Perfected is ready to devour. 

Who can resist Avanti Popcorn Perfected?

*A note on oils.  All Avanti fans know that we only use healthy lipids.  Consider avocado oil, grapeseed oil, rice bran oil, sunflower oil or organic butter.  Feel free to infuse your oil w/ flavors such as chili, rosemary, garlic, lemon and more.

**A note on tea.  I use brown rice green tea, Genmai Cha, for most of my cooking needs.  The puffed brown rice adds the most engaging nutty flavor to dishes.  Use about 1 Tablespoon of tea in ¾ cup of water for this recipe.  You’ll only need 3 T of the brewed tea, but once you taste this popcorn, you’ll likely make batch after batch.  And left over tea can be thinned out w/ a little hot water for a nice tea break, added to smoothies, added to soup, etc. 

Switch up your liquids.  This popcorn is scrumptious if you substitute 3 T of good bourbon, Scotch, sherry, brandy, flavored vodka or your favorite libation in place of the tea.  Make sure to use a low flame to heat the flavorings if you’re using booze since you don’t want to set the mix on fire.  

Avanti Popcorn Perfected is GlamourDish

Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!

Eat, Live & Party Well

Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

Our successful restaurant Avanti Café was located on 17^th St in Costa Mesa from 2005 through 2014.  Follow us on social media to see what is new and in store for Avanti in our culinary futures.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy; you can Eat Well & Live Well

We are Whole Foods Experts  It’s time to take Avanti Natural to restaurant menus & kitchens everywhere.

Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!

www.avantinatural.com

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Avanti-Cafe/166822256677277?ref=hl

Twitter  https://twitter.com/AvantiNatural

Pinterest  http://www.pinterest.com/avantinatural/boards/

Instagram http://instagram.com/avantinatural