Dr. Praeger's Spinach Pancakes

Spinach pancakes sound so healthy... Too healthy to taste good? That was the question. I bought the box of pancakes a couple weeks back and they've been sitting in my freezer since then, waiting for a day I felt like eating "healthy". Today when I got home for lunch I was STARVING and I needed something fast, and what was quicker than throwing one of these pancakes in the microwave for 30 seconds?

I ended up making a toasted sandwich out of it, thinking that if it wasn't that tasty, at least the bread would cover up much of the flavor. Well, this box may have sat there for weeks, but it won't be there much longer. OH MY THEY WERE GOOD!!! Its not that I don't like the flavor of spinach per se but the seasonings in this pancake were great! I could distinctly taste garlic, onion, potato and just a hint of spinach.

One thing that I should warn about these pancakes is that they are pretty mushy which may be a turn off for some people. The pancake oozed out a little of the side after being toasted. I personally like that sort of consistency as it avoids the need for fatty spreads like butter. I did add a tiny bit of my soy mayonnaise for the flavor of it and a leaf of lettuce for the crunch.

According to Dr. Praeger's website, they also offer broccoli, sweet potato and plain potato pancakes. I am definitely planning to try them all! I found my box at Whole Foods but I've seen Dr. Praeger products at other stores as well, including Trader Joes.

Thai Kitchen Offers Healthy Fast Food

Ever had one of those days where you need something warm and comforting but you don't have the time or energy to cook it? Have I got a recommendation for you! Thai Kitchen sells little packages of instant rice noodle soup with all sorts of different flavors. Pictured here is the "Garlic and Vegetable" which is incredibly flavorful. Thai Kitchen offers: Garlic & Vegetables, Spring Onion, Lemongrass & Chili all which are dairy-free. If you can handle dairy, there is also Bangkok Curry and Thai Ginger.

To make these instant soups more healthful and filling, I usually add my own vegetables and protein. In this picture, I added shrimp along with broccoli, corn, bok choy and mushrooms. If you want to make it REALLY easy, just use all frozen vegetables! These meals really aren't that bad for you except for being a bit high in sodium. They are low in fat and if you add vegetables the way I do, really quite healthy!

Restaurant Review: Pracna on Main

Pracna on Main, apparently the oldest restaurant in Minneapolis, is where I enjoyed dinner tonight. I have frequented this place during the summer months when the outdoor patio is open. Its a great place to order a drink and stare out at the river or people watch. Tonight is the first time I visited Pracna for dinner.

They had several things listed on their menu that caught my interest: Teriyaki Salmon, Strawberry Chicken Salad with Poppyseed dressing and the Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich with Caper Mayo. When I pulled the waitress to the side to tell her about my intolerance for dairy, I asked if any of these dishes would pose a problem. She was very friendly and told me she'd check with the cook. She came back and told me that everything I had mentioned was dairy free, and the sides that came with the entrees also had dairy-free options.

I ended up ordering the teriyaki salmon with a side of baked potato and green beans in an asian marinade with sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Everything was delicious and I did not get any grief from the server about my requests. For the cheese-eating guests that may accompany you to such a restaurant, they've got fun sandwich options like "The 1890" which features turkey on rye with a cranberry cream cheese spread and swiss cheese.

Check out Pracna.

Trader Joe's Garlic Naan Bread

Homemade naan at a dining table in Mumbai is hard to top. Being married to an Indian man whose parents live there has given me the chance to experience such a meal. Whenever I come home after visiting, I have a hard time adjusting back to what America offers as far as Indian cuisine. There are several Indian restaurants in the Twin Cities area that offer vegan/vegetarian options but what if you want to eat Indian in the comforts of your own home? Look no further than Trader Joes!

Up until a few weeks ago, Trader Joes only offered the frozen naan option, which does have milk in it. Last week I found a new package of fresh naan in the bread section of the store and I was ecstatic to find the product free of dairy. There were a variety to choose from: plain, whole wheat, garlic and Tandoori Masala - I chose to go with garlic. As I was checking out, the cashier told me she was from the east coast and swore that this was the first naan she'd had in MN which came closest to "the real thing". My hopes were high!!!

I warmed my naan in the oven for a few minutes before trying it out with a bowl of Carrot Ginger soup (also from Trader Joes) and I've gotta tell you - I was satisfied!! There was JUST enough of a garlic flavor that I didn't have to add any butter (soy butter, of course) but mild enough that the scent didn't stay with me. The bread was so fresh and so soft! My only criticism is that the bread is a little thick for my liking, but that is personal taste. I often like bread a little crispy and maybe that would only take leaving it in the oven a bit longer... I definitely believe this naan is better than the frozen product.

My husband, the true tester of this product, was deeply satisfied. Since this meal, he has used the garlic naan as a pizza crust, just piling sauce and chicken strips and cheese on top of the bread and throwing it under the broiler for a few minutes. From the "Mmmm!" that followed his first bite, I assume it was as tasty as it smelled.