Snacks

Mini CriMini Mushroom Burgers

Some folks call the small sized burger a slider, some call them White Castle style, here at REAL we call them Mini Crimini Burgers. Regardless of what you call them, this recipe is simple with optimum results. We recommend 3 minis each as an entree or 2 each as a party appetizer for 12 friends. WARNING: After you taste these juicy mushroom burgers with sautéed onions you may want to make extra because they go fast. Garnish with your favorite burger sides.

1 cup Balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon REAL Tuscan Herbs (or Herbes de Provence)
1 teaspoon granulated garlic or 2 cloves of minced garlic
24 large crimini mushrooms (1.5″-2″ in diameter)
2 yellow onions chopped (about 2 cups)
1 Tablespoon olive oil (for sautéeing the onions)
24 REAL Gluten-Free Mini Burger Buns (split)

Dry clean the mushrooms by brushing them with a very soft brush (remove the stems, chop them into small pieces, reserving for use later in this recipe).

In a small bowl prepare the marinade, mixing together the Balsamic vinegar, herbs and garlic.

Place the mushrooms in a shallow dish, bowl or glass baking pan and pour half the marinade over them.

Preheat a cast iron grill-pan or frying pan over medium heat.

Place the mushrooms on the grill and cook until tender, brushing with the remaining marinade.

When they are done, place them back in the pan and keep warm in a low temp oven.

In the same pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the onions and the mushrooms deglazing the pan with the remaining marinade.

Assemble the Mini Crimini Burgers on the mini buns as you would any burger and garnish each with a teaspoon of the onion mushroom saute.

Baked Tofu Fries

A popular appetizer on some Asian menus is Fried Tofu. Tofu contains a good amount of fat and deep frying it in oil takes a healthy food and turns it into a not-so-healthy one. Here’s a great way to make Fried Tofu, without frying!

One package (15-16 ounces) of tofu.

Freeze the entire package of tofu. Once frozen, the package can be defrosted. Freezing and defrosting changes the texture of the tofu and makes it chewier.

When the tofu has defrosted, remove it from the package. With your hands, over the sink or over a bowl, gently press the block of tofu and squeeze out the water. The tofu can be wrapped in a towel to remove more water.

On a dry cutting board, cut the tofu into 1/2 to 1 inch wide sticks.

Preheat over to 400^oF. Take a large baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Place the tofu sticks the baking sheet. Do not overlap.

Cook for 15 minutes. Remove baking sheet and carefully turn tofu fries over. Return to the over and cook for another 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and place tofu fries on a serving dish. Serve hot with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Winter Salsa

After reading Tomatoland, we stay away from buying tomatoes that are not organic or are out of season. In the winter, we’ll make tomato salsa with organic, salt-free canned tomatoes.

1 can (15 ounce) diced or crushed salt-free, organic tomatoes
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
1/3 cup finely chopped scallions
juice from one lime
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

In a medium bowl toss all the ingredients together and mix well. Let set about 10 minutes. Serve with REAL Corn Chips.

Corn Chips

January 29th is National Corn Chip Day. Celebrate by making your own corn chips, free of oil and salt, with corn tortillas. So easy! Try them with our easy REAL Winter Salsa.

Corn tortillas – Read the ingredients! Corn tortillas should contain corn, of course and not much else. We purchase corn tortillas made of corn, water and lime, and they are salt-free. Watch out. Some popular corn tortillas contain things like Cellulose Gum (from cotton seeds and/or wood pulp), Sodium propionate, Propionic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sorbic acid, Fumaric acid, Dextrose, FD&C Yellow #5, Yellow #6 and Red #40.

Preheat oven to 350^oF.

On a cutting board, cut each tortilla into 8 triangles, by first cutting the circle into two equal semicircles, then cutting each piece into 4 triangles. Cut as many tortillas as desired. Lay the pieces out on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Cook for 10 minutes until chips are just starting to brown. Remove from oven. Chips are best served immediately, warm, with REAL Winter Salsa.

REAL Air Pop

Whether it is a summer blockbuster at the multiplex or a classic in your own living room, movies go better with popcorn! Try these oil-free, flavor-full popcorn recipes using a few simple plant-based ingredients and that old air popper you’ve got collecting dust in the back of your cupboard.

Cheddar Vegan Cheese Corn

1/2 cup popping corn kernels
2 Tablespoons white or yellow Miso
2 Tablespoons water
1/4 cup nutritional yeast mixed with 1 teaspoon tumeric

1. Mix the miso with the water.
2. Fill the reservoir provided by the manufacturer with the recommended amount of un-popped popping corn. Place a large stainless steel bowl under your air pop machine and turn it on. As soon as the corn has finished popping, pour the miso over the popped corn and with the machine still running toss with two wooden spoons under the hot air of the popper.
4. Once incorporated sprinkle the spiced nutritional yeast and continue tossing until it is fully coated.

Nacho Cheddar Vegan Cheese Corn

Follow the instructions above, but add these spice along with the turmeric to the nutritional yeast:
1 Teaspoon onion powder
1 Teaspoon Paprika
1/2 Teaspoon medium hot chile powder (more or less depending on if you like it spicy or mild)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.

Chocolate Pop Corn

1/2 cup popping corn kernels
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
1/8 cup organic cocoa powder
1/8 cup powdered sugar

1. Sift together cocoa powder and sugar.
2. Warm the maple syrup slightly.
3. Fill the reservoir provided by the manufacturer with the recommended amount of un-popped popping corn. Place a large stainless steel bowl under your air pop machine and turn it on. Once it is popped, pour the syrup over the popcorn and mix with the machine still running over the bowl as if you are tossing a salad.
4. Once it is incorporated, sprinkle the cocoa/powdered sugar mixture and continue tossing until all the popped corn is coated.

Licorice Pop Corn

1/2 cup popping corn kernels
1 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 Tablespoon Blackstrap molasses
1 teaspoon anise extract
2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon ground anise seeds (optional)

1. Mix together and warm slightly the maple syrup, molasses and anise extract.
2. In a small bowl mix together the powdered sugar and anise seeds.
3. Fill the reservoir provided by the manufacturer with the recommended amount of un-popped popping corn. Place a large stainless steel bowl under your air pop machine and turn it on. Once it is popped, pour the warmed syrup/molasses/anise extract mixture over the popcorn and mix with the machine still running over the bowl as if you are tossing a salad. Once it is incorporated, sprinkle the powdered sugar/anise seed mixture over the popped corn and continue tossing until all the popped corn is coated.

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Snacks

Mini CriMini Mushroom Burgers

Baked Tofu Fries

A popular appetizer on some Asian menus is Fried Tofu. Tofu contains a good amount of fat and deep frying it in oil takes a healthy food and turns it into a not-so-healthy one. Here’s a great way to make Fried Tofu, without frying!

Winter Salsa

After reading Tomatoland, we stay away from buying tomatoes that are not organic or are out of season. In the winter, we’ll make tomato salsa with organic, salt-free canned tomatoes.

Corn Chips

January 29th is National Corn Chip Day. Celebrate by making your own corn chips, free of oil and salt, with corn tortillas. So easy! Try them with our easy REAL Winter Salsa.

REAL Air Pop

Whether it is a summer blockbuster at the multiplex or a classic in your own living room, movies go better with popcorn! Try these oil-free, flavor-full popcorn recipes using a few simple plant-based ingredients and that old air popper you’ve got collecting dust in the back of your cupboard.

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