MB (Marybeth) Mitcham holds undergraduate degrees in the biological and human development sciences, a MPH, and is near completion of her Ph.D. When not working as a public health professional or professor of biology, this ADK 46-R can be found climbing all over the anorthosite of the Adirondack High Peaks, writing odd things, or munching on eggplant bacon.
Fat-Free Banana Bread (Vegan)
I follow a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diet, and rarely bake treats for myself, because most baked goods have lots of ingredients that I simply won’t eat. This recipe for banana bread not only meets my dietary requirements, but also produces a dense, moist banana bread that is surprisingly delicious, considering the lack of oil, eggs, or most other ingredients normally found in banana bread recipes.
This comfort food recipe, courtesy of Cornell University Cooperative Extension’s Wild Harvest Table, is a fantastic way to showcase ground venison. Ground venison is a fantastic source of inexpensive, locally-sourced lean protein that is a staple in many North Country homes. If you do not have ground venison, you can easily substitute ground beef or turkey for equally delicious results!
Ingredients:
Farmhouse Apple Crisp
This has to be one of my favorite comfort food recipes of all times. When I was growing up, my mom would make apple crisp in a giant pan. As soon as the crisp came out of the oven, my sisters and I would descend on the hot pan like ravenous vultures, happily devouring every last crumb. Although this version won’t make the giant pan-sized apple crisp that my mom made, it will allow you to enjoy the exact same delicious apple crisp that my sisters and I did, and still do to this day. Enjoy!
I love yummy recipes that I can throw together very quickly on busy work nights. This one certainly meets that criteria! This simple vegan chili is easy to make, and comes together in only a few minutes, but is bursting with flavor, making it one of my favorites, especially during the colder months of the year.
Feel free to switch out different beans (I sometimes like to only use black beans or to use Jacob’s cattle beans), or to use fire roasted diced tomatoes.
This recipe is especially good paired with buttermilk biscuits or corn bread. Enjoy!
With the cooler temperatures, my mind (and stomach!) automatically turn to soup. Although I dearly love fresh tomatoes and fennel in salads, they are absolutely incredible when roasted along with leeks, and then pureed into a delicious, low-fat, and nutrient-rich soup. In fact, this soup is so good that I ate the entire first test batch in one sitting (yes. By myself. It really is that good!). The tomatoes are rich in the antioxidant lycopene, vitamin C, folate, and potassium. Leeks are a fantastic source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, iron, and manganese. Fennel also provides fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. Each of these components assist in facilitating overall healthy body functioning, including repair of cellular damage and supporting a healthy immune system, making this soup an excellent choice for an immune-boosting dish. Roasting the vegetables allows the sugars in them to caramelize, creating a lovely darker color and fabulous flavor that shines in this simple soup. Although you can lightly drizzle olive oil on your vegetables prior to roasting them, you do not need to. They will still caramelize beautifully!
Once you have eaten fresh, homemade applesauce, there is no going back to the sad, canned stuff! This recipe is simple, quick, and will make your kitchen smell incredible while it is cooking. Although you can use any type of apple, if you use apples that are bursting with flavor – especially ones picked fresh from your local orchard – then your applesauce will taste even better! If you would like to substitute stevia or another sugar substitute for the brown sugar, use one teaspoon of stevia for the 3 Tablespoons of brown sugar called for in this recipe. » Continue Reading.
Here is a kid-friendly recipe for oatmeal energy bites. They are full of protein, nutrients, and healthy fats, are easy for people of all ages – especially kids – to make, and are the perfect school, work, or any time snack.
Oatmeal Energy Bites
Servings: 20
Here is a recipe for blueberry refrigerator jam that does not require any additional pectin (which is hard to find in some regions right now). In addition to making a fantastic spread for snacks and sandwiches, it also is an amazing topper for ice cream or sorbet.Ingredients
Tomatoes are finally ripe, so here is a recipe for salsa fresca. Although it is delicious as-is, if it sits, covered in the refrigerator, for an hour or so before serving, the flavors have a chance to blend even better.
Salsa Fresca
Any type of salsa is delicious, but there is something incredible about salsa made from fresh ingredients, and not cooked or processed in any way.
If you like pesto, there is nothing quite like making and eating it fresh! Although you can substitute bottled minced garlic and shaker-can cheese for the garlic cloves and freshly grated cheese called for in the recipe, using fresh ingredients will make the flavors truly pop.
Ingredients:
For an old-fashioned twist on a blueberry dessert, try this delicious blueberry cake recipe, created and shared by a very dear family friend. The flavors of blueberry and lemon blend beautifully, making it a lovely addition to any summertime meal. You can top it with vanilla ice cream, more blueberries, or just enjoy it as is!
Ingredients:
I love cooking outdoors, and also love to experiment with recipes. This burger recipe produces juicy burgers, regardless of whether they are cooked on a wood, charcoal, or gas grill.
You can use any type of ground meat, but red meat seems to work best for this recipe. Place on buns of your choice, top with your favorite toppings, and enjoy.
I made these burgers using bison meat from Adirondack Buffalo Company, and used some of their amazing mustards to top the burgers (not in the picture). Located in North Hudson, they offer fantastic farm products to the North Country
Editor’s note: As more people are cooking and eating a home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County is sharing recipes that are easy to make and can be made with locally sourced ingredients.
This recipe for beef stew comes courtesy of the West Virginia University Extension Service’s Dining with Diabetes series.
Warmer weather means grilling time! Instead of sticking to traditional grilling foods like burgers or hot dogs, why not consider grilling one of my personal favorite foods, pizza.
This fantastic dish can be modified to suit a variety of dietary needs and preferences, and can be easily adjusted to be a healthy food choice. Cheese can be substituted with vegan cheese or left off entirely for vegans, vegetables and fruit can be used as toppings, and some traditionally unhealthy topping choices, such as pepperoni or sausage, can be swapped for healthier options such as turkey pepperoni or venison sausage. Even more appealing, though, is the taste. Nothing truly compares to the smoky and savory flavors that combine in a good grilled pizza.
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