Party prep cocktails

Clean Plates Party Prep, Take I: Cocktails

By Jared Koch / May 17, 2012 /

In an age of celebrity mixologists, it’s daunting to host a party with cocktails. But it can be done, and more easily than you’d think! Serve eco-friendly, delicious drinks when you use these tips…

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DIY Sprouting Kits

By Jared Koch / May 17, 2012 /

Sprouting: It’s not just for hippies and raw foodists anymore. Growing your own sprouts is an easy, sustainable way to enjoy these nutritional powerhouses. Here’s how…

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Participatory exhibit to explore urban agriculture.

The Incredible, Edible Jenna Spevack: 8 Extraordinary Greens

By Jared Koch / May 15, 2012 /

Jenna Spevack is an artist with roots in permaculture certification and master composting whose current exhibit reflects on urban agriculture and the value of growing food in small spaces.

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Pick up your spring greens at the farmer's market this spring.

The Best of Spring’s Super Greens

By Jared Koch / May 10, 2012 /

Farmers markets across the country are bursting with artichokes, asparagus, arugula, watercress and spring onions. These vegetables cleanse and prepare our bodies for warmer temperatures…

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Chicken coop in a vacant lot in East New York.

The People’s Chickens: Squawking Soon in Cypress Hills

By Jared Koch / May 8, 2012 /

Faced with a lack of accessible fresh food, East New Yorkers are turning waste into compost: Cypress Hills residents are building Pollos del Pueblo, or The People’s Chickens…

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A small sit down talk with Jimmy Carbone of Jimmy's No. 43.

Table Talk: Jimmy Carbone of Jimmy’s No. 43

By Jared Koch / May 7, 2012 /

Jimmy Carbone knows his way around a kitchen, the greenmarket and especially the East Village. We dish with the chef…

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Healthy and natural breakfast, oatmeal and chocolate dragees in a bowl

Vigilant Eats Gets Vigilante with Oatmeal

By Jared Koch / April 30, 2012 /

Rise and shine! Whether it’s a healthy breakfast you’re in search of or just a wholesome snack, Vigilant Eats Superfood Oat-Based Cereal is fueling the food revolution in more ways than one…

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Interview with Eidnat Admony of Balboosta and her cookbook and food.

Chef Einat Admony of Balaboosta Talks Travel, Cookbooks and Israeli Soul

By Jared Koch / April 30, 2012 /

Chef Einat Admony of Balaboosta, her restaurant in NoLita, chats about drawing inspiration from her native Tel Aviv, her upcoming cookbook and why her chicken isn’t boring…

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Red label seafood is seen as unsustainable and will no longer be sold at Whole Foods.

It’s Getting Real at the Whole Foods Fish Counter: No More Red-Label Seafood

By Jared Koch / April 27, 2012 /

In celebration of Earth Day, Whole Foods Market made a big change at the fish counter: The stores no longer sell…

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Clean Plates interviews vegan chef Ann Gentry

Interview with Ann Gentry: This Vegan Chef Keeps it Real

By Jared Koch / April 26, 2012 /

Ann Gentry, founder of LA’s iconic organic vegan restaurant, Real Food Daily, dishes about the decision to give up meat, the importance of sustainable farming and what it’s like to be a vegan on the road…

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Gluten Free Carrot Cake Recipe by Clean Plates contributor Nick Oddo

Positively Delicious Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

By Jared Koch / April 25, 2012 /

Contributor Nick Oddo shared his delicious Gluten-Free Carrot Cake recipe: Serve it simple and unadorned or with a quick vanilla whipped cream frosting. Either way, the greatest ingredients are love and positive energy.

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Clean Plates talk with Neal Harden of Brooklyn vegan restaurant, M.O.B.

On Our Radar: Talking with Neal Harden of M.O.B.

By Jared Koch / April 20, 2012 /

Maimonide of Brooklyn’s executive chef Neal Harden talks about working with Cyril Aouizerate and Alain Senderens, the restaurant’s comic book and how brunch just got better for vegans…

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Franny's is a restaurant in Brooklyn that serves Italian food & pizza with locally sourced, organic ingredients.

A Conversation with Francine Stephens of Franny’s

By Jared Koch / April 18, 2012 /

We sit down with Francine Stephens to talk about her upcoming cookbook, new restaurant and the most underrated pizza at her Clean Plates-approved hotspot, Franny’s…

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New York Mouth is an artisanal gift service.

New York Mouth: Artisanal Local Food, Delivered

By Jared Koch / April 16, 2012 /

With the recent onslaught of artisanal products across the Empire State, New Yorkers can find just about any local foodstuff within the tri-state area. Enter New York Mouth, here to fill cupboards with homegrown goods.

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Sustainable and environmentally conscious cooking tips.

Earth-Friendly Cooking Tips

By Jared Koch / April 12, 2012 /

From the farmers market to the stove’s flame, the following tips are not only better for the environment but will make your cooking more delicious, cost-effective and healthier. Happy Earth Day!

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Rustic Roots Delivers Local Food with No Commitment

By Jared Koch / April 11, 2012 /

Move over Fresh Direct. There’s another organic and local food delivery service out there: Rustic Roots Delivery. The service not only offers a CSA program, it allows for one-time orders as well…

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Interview with Chef Andrew Kirschner about sustainability.

Interview with Seasonal Chef Andrew Kirschner

By Jared Koch / April 10, 2012 /

Andrew Kirschner of Next Iron Chef fame finally built his dream restaurant, Tar & Roses, in Santa Monica. We chat with him about sustainable sourcing, his L.A. roots and recent obsession with wood-fired ovens…

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Dye Easter Eggs with Natural Dyes

Nature’s Own Easter Egg Dyes

By Jared Koch / April 5, 2012 /

With natural dyes, potential alchemy can be found anywhere in the kitchen: coffee grounds, red cabbage, beets—find great instructions for vegetable and fruit-based dyes for Easter eggs.

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charoset

3 Tips for Healthier Charoset for Passover

By Jared Koch / April 5, 2012 /

The only sweet dish on the seder plate, charoset (or sometimes haroset) is a mix of fruits and nuts bound together by wine. Eastern European Ashkenazi families typically enjoy a mixture of apples and walnuts, while Sephardic Jews—with roots in the Mediterranean—favor a purée of dried figs, dates, pistachios and aromatic spices. Either way, we’ve rounded up a few tips for making this year’s charoset a bit healthier.

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Healthy Easter meal ideas.

Tips for a Healthy Vegetarian Easter

By Jared Koch / April 4, 2012 /

Enjoy this vegetarian Easter menu packed with nutritious ingredients like spring peas, asparagus, fresh herbs, squash, farro, spelt and organic dark chocolate…

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An interview with the founder of the Brooklyn Salsa Company.

Take The Lid Off: Brooklyn Salsa

By Jared Koch / April 3, 2012 /

Get the inside scoop on the “condimovement,” conscious methods and how to salsa power your suds. Seriously…

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Alternative matzohs for Passover

Better-for-You Matzoh

By Jared Koch / March 28, 2012 /

Make your own matzoh, or choose from the healthiest brands of matzoh available from websites and grocery stores around the country.

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Healthy Easter dinner recipe ideas and tips.

Tips for a Healthy Easter Dinner

By Jared Koch / March 28, 2012 /

Easter doesn’t have to mean candy comas and too much honey-glazed ham.

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Chai Mookie teas offer the highest quality ingredients in their teas.

Chai Mookie Spices Things Up, Healthfully

By Jared Koch / March 27, 2012 /

Chai fans, put Chai Mookie on your radar. The fledgling company offers a variety of chai teas featuring healthful and organic spices.

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