Although this post is sponsored by Nature’s Touch™ Frozen Foods, all opinions are my own.
Stephen Hawking remarked that “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” While this soundbite definition of intelligence makes the Aristotelian in me cringe, I must, however, admire the sentiment. To mimic Plato, I will simply remark that “To adapt to change is a quality of intelligence.”
Speaking in culinary terms, this ‘ability to adapt’ manifests itself most prominently in the changing of menus to match the seasons. Apart from certain dishes simply being more appetizing at certain times of the year, there is also a practical element to be considered – certain ingredients simply aren’t available at certain times, or at least not at their peak quality. However, if you’re like me, and since you’re here on Living the Gourmet I assume you are, then fresh and natural ingredients are a ‘key ingredient’ in your kitchen, and I simply cannot allow the weather to get in the way of a good meal. Therefore, you must “Be the change you desire,” as the maxim runs.
For example, I just recently prepared a dinner party for a friend of mine and her sister, and I wanted to put together a mango and wild blueberry parfait. Yes, I’m aware it’s the dead of winter, but what better dessert to follow a sirloin stir-fry topped with a Sweet and Spicy Orange Sauce than a mango and wild blueberry parfait? None, of course. I didn’t particularly care what time of year it happened to be, I needed to ‘Get a Taste of Adventure.’
Naturally, being ‘gourmet,’ one of the things I’ve had to learn how to do is keep my supply of quality ingredients stocked regardless of what may or may not be in season. So, for example, while making my supply run to ShopRite to pick up what I needed for the dinner party, I selected a few packages of Nature’s Touch organic frozen fruits and veggies – which are located in the freezer section of your local ShopRite’s produce department. Aside from being picked and packed at their peak for maximum taste and nutritional value, these products are also pesticide-free in addition to being organic, making them a great health-conscious choice and are also super convenient.
For today’s recipes, I selected Nature’s Touch Organic Broccoli, Nature's Touch Organic Kale, and of course the Nature’s Touch Pesticide-Free Mangoes as well as Nature's Touch Pesticide-Free Wild Blueberries.
First thing’s first, I started off by preparing the Sweet and Spicy Orange Sauce, which I put together with freshly grated ginger, garlic, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, orange marmalade, sesame oil, and cider vinegar in the quantities outlined below.
After that, I prepared the rice noodles, and cooked the sirloin as outlined. I then heated a large cast iron frying pan with olive oil and garlic, and sautéed that with the frozen kale for about three minutes, and then did the same for the broccoli.
Once that was done, I plated the rice noodles, and tossed them with the sautéed kale and broccoli florets, and then arranged the sirloin in strips across the top of the plated noodles to create an Instagram-worthy presentation, followed by a drizzle of the sweet and spicy orange sauce – and I was done. Speaking of a presentation worth sharing with your friends on Instagram, don’t forget to share your favorite recipes using Nature’s Touch frozen fruits or vegetables on Instagram for a chance to win a Foodie Trip Adventure of your choice to Chile, Belgium, or Canada to visit a farm where Nature’s Touch gets its supply from, along with other prizes such as a free NutriBullet® or grocery gift cards. For more info, check out www.NaturesTouchContest.com. You’ll have now until 5/31/17 to enter!
Ingredients
Instructions
[mpprecipe-recipe:1464]
Now, for dessert I started out with freshly whipped cream, and then layered this into parfait glasses with honey, chopped pecans, Nature’s Touch Pesticide-Free Mangoes and Wild Blueberries. For the parfait I left the fruit frozen, since it gives the whipped cream a nice texture – if you’ve ever had semifreddo, that’s a bit what this is like. Simple and delicious.
Mango and Wild Blueberry Parfait
- Yield: 4
Ingredients
- Fresh whipped cream
- Chopped Pecans
- Honey
- Nature’s Touch Pesticide-Free Mangoes
- Nature’s Touch Pesticide-Free Wild Blueberries
Instructions
- In a parfait glass alternate the whipped cream, chopped pecans, honey, mangoes and wild blueberries, to your hearts content.
Pick up all your Nature’s Touch frozen fruits and vegetables at ShopRite! What are some of your favorite year round recipes?
We would love to see what you create with Nature’s Touch products. Be sure to share your creations on Instagram and tag @NaturesTouchContest with hashtag #FlavorAdventure!
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Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Very delicious! Those beef slices are perfectly done.
Pam says
It all looks delicious! The beef stir-fry would definitely be a hit here! And your dessert looks luscious! Thanks for the recipes! Take care xoxo
Chiara says
a perfect meal for a sunday lunch with family, great idea Catherine ! have a nice weekend, un abbraccio !
Big Daddy Dave says
Catherine, We haven't done stir fry in a long time but this offering looks great! We may have to dig our our wok... Love the beef with all those tasty ingredients. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
allie says
I love using all the fresh ingredients even when it's still cold outside. The orange sauce with fresh ginger sounds wonderful and refreshing and the dessert parfait is the perfect ending to a beautiful meal. I can imagine that you and your friends thoroughly enjoyed every bite. Thinking of you and your family as we are on the cusp of spring and Easter. God bless you, friends. XO
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Love how simple this meal is!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
You are so right ~ and I've repeatedly heard that frozen food can often be more nutritious than the fresh alternative! Gorgeous meal!
Taylor Kiser says
This is a date-night-in worthy dinner! Everything looks so fresh and delicious!
sara | belly rumbles says
Your beef stir fry looks great, love that you have used orange, not something done every day with beef. It is handy to be able to pick up frozen veggies when needed, I will admit.
Sarah says
This looks and sounds so delicious! Love the idea of using orange marmalade in the sauce!
Luci's Morsels says
Why is this not on my table right now, so I can enjoy it?! This looks so good! I need to try it immediately. Yummy! Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Jenni says
Ooooh, this looks fantastic!! What a great meal~
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
That beef looks cooked to perfection! Love the orange and beef combo.
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
Two recipes for the price of one :)Both look incredibly delicious. I love stir fries.
Nicole Taggart says
that steak looks perfect. Perfect fake out take out meal
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
What a beautifully presented dinner…I'm sure your guests were thrilled. I agree with you that having frozen foods available to us is wonderful, we have so many more options for our meals.
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
This looks amazing! I always order/make Orange Chicken, but definitely going to be trying out this beef version instead next time!