dailygrind

Black Bean Burgers: A Tasty and Nutritious Option for a Meatless Meal

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 18:20:27 GMT

With nearly every food you can think of, there is a point where too much of a good thing can start to be bad. With black beans, it is hard to hit this point! These tasty, nutritious legumes are a popular vegetarian and vegan alternative to traditional beef burgers and is a great option for people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, as well as those who have dietary restrictions or preferences.

They can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free, making them a versatile and inclusive choice for many people. Here are a few reasons why black bean burgers are considered good:

Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Black bean burgers are a great option for people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, as they provide a meat-free alternative to traditional beef burgers.

Versatile
Black bean burgers can be served on a bun, wrapped in lettuce, or added to a salad. They can also be topped with a variety of sauces, cheeses, and vegetables.

Nutritious and Delicious

Like other legumes, such as peanuts, peas, and lentils, black beans are prized for their high protein and fiber content and other nutrients like iron, magnesium, and folate. This makes them a healthy alternative to meat-based burgers, which can be high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Black bean burgers are also low in fat and cholesterol, making them a healthy choice.
Black bean burgers can be seasoned and prepared in a variety of ways, making them a flavorful and satisfying meal option

Black Bean Burgers can support healthy weight loss
Dietary fiber is commonly recognized as an important factor in weight loss and weight management by functioning as a “bulking agent” in the digestive system. High fiber foods increase the sense of fullness after eating and reduce appetite, making an individual feel fuller for longer, thereby lowering overall calorie intake.

Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like black beans decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, and overall lower weight.

You Should Eat More Avocado: 5 Reasons Why

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 23:16:42 GMT

Let's be real: we are in a love affair with avocados here at Main Street Daily Grind!

We love them on our Avocado Toast with Lox or Balsamic Glaze, on our Black Bean Burger Sandwiches and Avocado Burritos, stirred in smoothies, and added to our Garden Salads. The avocado is one of the most nutrient-dense foods available! They are among the richest in fiber, folate, potassium, vitamin E, and magnesium among all fruits and this nutrition profile makes it a worthy Superfood.

1. Avocados are sources of good-for-you fatty acids

This superfood is a high fat food with over half of its fat content coming from monounsaturated fat. While oils and fat may sound like something to shy away from in a healthy diet, the avocado’s nutrient richness comes from its healthy monounsaturated fat, which is one of its biggest Superfood health claims. Yes, there are healthy oils and fats and are known as “good” fats. They help with things like decreasing inflammation, assisting with weight control, and reducing the risk of heart disease. The only food that can be compared in monounsaturated fat content is the olive.

2. They are great for your blood sugar

Unlike other fruits, avocados don’t contain any sugar, and their healthy fats and fiber actually help to stabilize your blood sugar and insulin levels after a meal.

3. They are packed with potassium

Did you know an avocado has even more potassium than a banana? Yep, it’s true.

One avocado has 975 milligrams of potassium compared to the 487 milligrams in a banana. P otassium is also helpful for preserving muscles, fighting bloating, and supporting heart health! The potassium in this tasty fruit helps to counter sodium in your diet and reduce your blood pressure.

4. Avocados are a rich source of antioxidant and ani-inflammatory c0mpounds

In addition to vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and fiber, avocados are packed with vitamin C, vitamin E, and phenolic compounds. These substances have been shown to have significant antioxidant, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective activities.

5. Versatile and delicious ingredient

In addition to being highly nutritious, avocados can be used in a number of recipes, both sweet and savory. Eating avocados regularly may benefit health in several ways, including protecting against heart disease, improving overall diet quality, improving satiety, and promoting gut health.

Mac and cheese, America's ultimate comfort food, gets a delicious new spin!

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 15:53:34 GMT

You know it, you love it, and you’ve probably eaten it at every family get together.

Yep, we’re talking about Mac and Cheese.

Everyone makes their version of mac and cheese a little differently. Some bake it, some cook it on the stove top, and some pour it out of a box but however you make it, you know it’s going to be a delicious addition to your meal.

Mac and cheese actually has an interesting history behind it. The earliest recorded Mac and Cheese recipe dates all the way back to 1769 and most likely comes from Northern Europe. In America, we’ve been enjoying this staple thanks to Thomas Jefferson. After a trip to France, Jefferson just couldn’t part with all of the amazing pasta dishes in which he indulged. So, he brought back recipes (a version of Mac and Cheese included) to America to continue eating his favorite dishes. Today Mac and cheese is loved by both children and adults, and served at practically every occasion and festivity we all attend.

The secret to our delicious Housemade Mac 'n' Cheese is Smoked Gouda Cheese and other real and fresh ingredients! Our Smoked Gouda Mac 'n' Cheese with Parmesan Panko topping is so creamy, decadent and filled with smoky flavors! It's certainly is the boss of all Macaroni and cheese!

Give QUICHE a chance!

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 21:17:41 GMT

Quiche is a savory, open-faced pastry crust with a filling of savory custard with cheese, meat, seafood, and/or vegetables. Although quiche is known as a dish of classic French cuisine, the classic French Quiche actually originated in Germany, in the medieval kingdom of Lothringen, which was under German rule and renamed Lorraine when it came under French control – TADA!!! Quiche Lorraine.

Quiche became popular in England sometime after World War II, and then in the U.S. during the 1950’s. Fun Fact: During the 1900’s, quiche was often considered to be a food avoided by “real” men, as it often contained only small quantities of meat. While quiche may have fallen out of favor for a time, it again rose in popularity during the 1990s as it returned to its roots with a crispy crust and a composed filling. Today, one can find many varieties of quiche, from the original Quiche Lorraine, to broccoli, mushrooms, ham, sausage and/or seafood. Quiche can be served as an entrée, for lunch, breakfast or an evening snack.

We bake our individual quiche pies in small batches, using our original recipes with a variety of delicious flavors. Special orders for whole quiche are welcome. We invite you to stop at the Main Street Daily Grind and give our quiche a try, and discover the incredible flavors that have allowed this delicious dish to stand the test of time.

Best Milk Alternative for Coffee

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 18:19:30 GMT

Dairy-free milk has become extremely popular with vegans and omnivores alike, thanks to a growing interest in plant-based foods and alternatives. Dairy-alternative milks tend to have fewer calories, less fat, more water content for better hydration, and less protein (except Soy). Some are fortified with other vitamins and nutrients. Here are some great alternatives to dairy milk and the key factors that determine their compatibility with coffee.

1. Oat Milk
Oat milk has become one of the most popular dairy-free milks to use in coffee drinks. It's made from a combination of oats, water, and sometimes canola oil or rapeseed oil for emulsification. The result is surprisingly full-bodied dairy-free milk with a richness that rivals whole dairy milk.
Oat milk has a creamy taste that is similar to full-fat dairy milk in coffee. It has a smooth texture that blends easily, which explains why it is growing in popularity so rapidly.

2. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk has a thick and creamy texture and is quickly becoming a favorite dairy alternative for coffee drinkers. Coconut milk has a high fat content that plays well in coffee drinks, and many brands have a neutral taste with only a hint of coconut flavor. Canned coconut milk is much thicker and has a stronger coconut taste. Many assume that coconut milk has a strong, sweet flavor that only belongs in a tropical fruit drink. Coconut milk actually has a more subtle coconut flavor than other coconut products like shredded coconut. In coffee drinks that contain syrups or other flavorings, the light coconut taste is masked.

3. Soy Milk
Soy milk has been a popular option for many years. Soy milk has a smooth, creamy texture with a relatively neutral taste. Many brands do not leave any noticeable aftertaste. Of all the plant milks, soy milk is the most nutritionally similar to a low-fat cow’s milk.

4. Almond Milk
Almond milk is one of the most popular nut milks in the dairy-free market. It comes in several flavors, and many manufacturers produce both sweetened and unsweetened varieties. Almond milk has a nutty flavor and is naturally high in vitamin E, a disease-fighting antioxidant. During processing, it’s commonly fortified with calcium and vitamin D. However, it’s not a good source of protein.

Lox and Bagel: Iconic Breakfast Sandwich

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 18:06:34 GMT

Lox and Bagels are not only an iconic breakfast pairing, but a direct reflection of how immigrants from different parts of the world have created dishes people now consider to be distinctly American.

So, what is Lox? Lox is so much more than just cured Salmon! It is smooth, buttery, flaky, delicately salty, and super healthy thanks to its Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and protein.

It might come as a surprise, but Lox wasn’t invented in America. Neither were Bagels. Lox originated in Scandinavia, where fishermen in Sweden perfected the art of preserving salmon in saltwater brine sometime in the 19th century. Bagels are much older! They were first spotted on the silk route in China, before being refined in Italy in the 14th century. Yet it was Jewish New Yorkers who first put them together, creating the sublime combination we know and love today. Bagels and lox are like salt and pepper — they practically belong together at the brunch table!

Today, there are five key ingredients; the lox and a bagel, cream cheese, sliced red onion, and a generous spoonful of capers. Other toppings may include tomatoes, cucumbers, jalapeno, lemon and even fried eggs! The cream cheese is spread on the bagel first, with the lox added on top, followed by the onion and the capers (and other toppings). As for the bagel itself, it can be plain, sesame seed, poppy seed, or whole wheat!

We have everything you need - red onion, capers, smoked salmon, cream cheese, bagels. We also like to add fresh sliced tomatoes to our Lox and Bagel and Avocado to our Lox and Avocado Toast, so come and treat yourself to one of the world’s best brunches!

You Should Eat More Soup: 5 Reasons Why

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 15:26:30 GMT

Whether you are sipping warm chicken broth or stirring beef and veggie stew on a snowy day, there’s something undeniably comforting about soup. So warm. So filling. So wholesome. Soup is so good for you and offer these five benefits:

1. Soups are nutritious

When soup is made from scratch, it retains whatever nutrients are in the ingredients. You’re getting all the goodness of bone stock (including collagen-packed gelatin) and veggie broth. Most soups meet your daily quota for veggies as well. Soup is a natural and healthy option that can be prepared in various ways; with vegetables, meat, chicken or even legumes and rice. The way soup is prepared helps preserve the nutritional value in the broth even after cooking, making it high in vitamins, minerals and proteins.

2. Soups are hydrating

During the winter chill, it’s not uncommon to drink less than you need. But while you may not be hot and sweaty, you still lose fluid through daily activities. Since soups are mostly liquid, they’re a great way to stay hydrated and full, and a high quantity of water in soup help nourish your body cells and keep your skin fresh.

3. Soups are loaded with healthy fibers

Some soups, high in fiber such as vegetable soup and legumes, help keep your digestive system healthy and prevent bloating and constipation.

Lentil soup contains 4-5 grams of fiber per serving (cup)
Vegetable soup contains 3-4 grams of fiber per serving (cup)

4. Soups might keep the sniffles away

Soups can help you stave off cold and flu, and they’re a great antidote for times when you are sick, too! Most soups are loaded with disease-fighting nutrients. In fact, chicken soup in particular can help prevent the common cold, especially if it is loaded with fresh garlic, onions, celery and carrots. (They all contain powerful immune-boosting chemicals.) A bonus: the hot liquid helps soothe a sore throat. Vegetable soup is a great way to boost your overall health and support your immune system. Take tomato soup, for instance. It’s brimming with disease-fighting antioxidants like flavonoids, lycopene, and vitamins C and E.

5. Soups can support healthy weight loss

Soups can be slimming because they give a sense of satisfaction and as a result help people eat less. They are filling, which could curb snack cravings. All that broth is like drinking a glass of water with your meal. It’s hydrating and satisfying. Warm, lovely, has a smooth taste and is easy to digest! Soups are rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that your body needs