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You are here: Home / Food / Melissa’s Produce Food Demo: Laura Bashar and Her New Cookbook

Melissa’s Produce Food Demo: Laura Bashar and Her New Cookbook

August 21, 2018 By Donna Biroczky 1 Comment

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If you’re a foodie who likes to cook healthy meals for the fam, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Melissa’s Produce. Based out of Los Angeles, they operate in a 280,000 square-foot building that is home to their office, warehouse complex and CCOF/QAI Certified Organic Packing Facility. I was invited last week for my first visit, where my eyes got big at the spread that was laid out before us! More on the food later though.

Melissa’s Produce had set up a foodie and blogger demo, hosting cookbook author Laura Bashar to speak with us on camp cooking hacks and tricks and to eat a big meal consisting of recipes from her new book, the Camp & Cabin Cookbook. Published by Countryman Press, it is 100 recipes to prepare wherever you go, using your favorite Dutch oven and other camping equipment. I had been excited at the idea of going but after I arrived, I was really amazed — we had been warned to come hungry, and now I understand why!

The event started with the buffet of delicious and pretty foods, such as Artichoke Quinoa-Stuffed Mushrooms, three kinds of street corn (Mexican, Moroccan and Thai), Hatch Chile Verde with chicken (and a taco bar), shrimp, Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookies, Peach and Blueberry Cobbler with Chai Topping, and more! The above photo includes a menu for full reference of all the yum.

My favorite of the corn varieties was the Mexican corn. All were delicious, and the color of each of them made for such a pretty plate. (I’ll be honest — the reason you don’t see a picture of my plate is because it was literally piled so high, there were foods on top of each other. Don’t judge, I was hungry and it all smelled so good!)

melissa's produce food demo

That Hatch Chile salsa had a long line! I may have gone back to get seconds of it with the avocados and tortillas. Don’t shy away from it even if you don’t have any chicken — dipping just a rolled-up tortilla into the salsa was so good even.

melissa's produce food demo

The whole table, in fact, was one long array of colors and textures. That Balsamic Kabob Salad in the back there?

melissa's produce food demo

Beautiful, right? I loved the mix of the roasted peppers with the zucchini and purple onions, and the balsamic glaze was the perfect touch. I’m going to be making this one again at home as part of our family dinner. Laura taught us a lot of ways to utilize our Dutch ovens more effectively while camping, such as stacking them and using the lid to warm tortillas, amongst other things. Perhaps my favorite tip was to use an oil pan as your fire pit, starting the coals with a chimney, then setting the Dutch oven atop the heated coals. No muss, no fuss, and you can do it anywhere, even while tailgating! This trick is going to allow me to more easily use my favorite camping recipes in my newly renovated backyard, where we have a nice gas grill, a smoker and a pizza oven.

The Camp & Cabin cookbook even tells you how many briquets to put underneath the oven and on top to maintain proper temperatures! This is an area where I’ve often failed, burning things too crispy on the outer edges or releasing too much heat while I check to see if it’s cooking. I won’t have to do that now. I will confess that I came home and went straight to Amazon…after hugging the dogs..to order a cast iron lid lifter. When we camped in Kern, we made a dump cake but we didn’t have anything to lift the lid off the Dutch oven without tilting it. This meant that one person got a bite of the cake that had charcoal in it. Guess who it ended up being? Yes, me…never again though! My lid lifter came the next day, and all I still need to get is that oil pan.

soyrizo

I love chorizo, but I don’t eat a lot of meat these days. Melissa’s new Soyrizo is a great alternative — it’s not vegan, but it is a meat-free substitute and I’m really excited about that! The above meatloaf had a good spicy flavor and a meat loaf consistency that I haven’t had in many years now. I think I could change my family’s opinion about meatloaf with this recipe.

melissa's produce food demo

I also went back for seconds of these Artichoke and Quinoa Stuffed Mushrooms. The top had a bit of a crisp while the inside was soft and tasty. We love artichokes and I can see us making this for our monthly dinner party, where four couples rotate houses. The host and hostess provide the main entrees and the rest of us bring apps and sides. They’d love this!

melissa's produce food demo

You can order The Camp & Cabin Cookbook on Amazon, along with whatever else you need to complete your cooking equipment collection. I’m sending the husband to the store this weekend to get our oil pan, so we are ready for any Labor Day barbecue needs. It’s still going to be very hot here in the Inland Empire area of Southern California, but we won’t let that stop us from entertaining and gathering with our friends. Get out the outdoor games — bocce ball, yard dice and more — and maybe make an adult beverage and we’re ready for some fun!

Check out Melissa’s Produce online and look at their wide variety of quality produce, spices and other cooking items, as well as baskets you can have shipped as gifts. I won a tropical fruit gift basket at the event and it was beautiful. My family and I dug into the unusual fruit items, things you see at farmer’s markets where they sell the other-than-ordinary options but aren’t always sure what to do with them or what they taste like. This basket was so much fun, exploring new things and taste-testing as a family! My favorite was the dragon fruit but the pear with a slightly licorice taste was a hit as well. It all was, and I can’t wait to try more! (The wine in the basket was also really good!) I also came home with this huge treasure trove of items!

melissa's produce food demo

I’d never tried all of the grape varieties I came home with: Jelly Drops, Candy Sweets, Champagne Grapes and three types of Moscato grapes. The boys ended up favoring the Jelly Drops the most, the husband the Moscato and me the Champagne. With so many people here that week, they didn’t last long! I put the champagne grapes in my homemade granola at breakfast, dropped some in wine (wow, be sure to eat them after) and sliced in half on top of toasted five-grain bread with a teeny bit of almond butter.

melissa's produce food demo

Those Hatch Chile Clean Snax with Chia & Flaxseed? I ate most of them straight out of the container. My boys ate the rest. I’m sure there are fancier ways to use them but when they’re this good, no need to embellish!

I attended the Pacific Wine & Food Classic on Sunday down at Newport Dunes. Melissa’s Produce was there, sharing some refreshing agua frescas and other treats under shady canopies. They were giving away some of their signature drawstring backpack totes, a bright orange color that folds up into a carrot shape. I still have my original bag from seeing them at a festival a few years back. If you’ve seen it, you’ll always remember the logo.

Thank you, Melissa’s Produce, for inviting me to attend this event for free, and for giving me so many cool things!

Whatever type of food lifestyle you follow, Melissa’s Produce can help, and keep an eye out here on the blog as I’m attending another event tomorrow for a different Melissa’s Produce food demo. The Camp & Cabin Cookbook sits on my shelf now awaiting our next camping trip or backyard party. Follow Laura Bashar on Twitter and Instagram for her beautiful food photography and food inspiration!

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I’m Donna, and I’m not a mommy blogger.
I’m a Marvel geek and creator of Dangerous Cupcake, a Southern California lifestyle blog dedicated to life after the kids grow up. As my four kids enter different stages of their lives, I get to do the same, having fun, loving Disney, watching Marvel, and not letting my age define anything. Phase 2 of life is pretty amazing. Join me in changing focus ands enjoying life during our next adventure, without totally starting over. However you do it, life is short, live a little dangerously.
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Brunch at The Benediction in Rowland Heights. Am Brunch at The Benediction in Rowland Heights. 

Amazing array of Eggs Benedict. Wide variety of specialty mimosas. This is the Lobster Benedict and Pear-Thyme 16 oz mimosa. Both were delicious. Side of fried green tomatoes, best I’ve had since Paula Deen’s restaurant in Savannah. 

Reservations suggested but not required. We waited maybe 10 minutes on a standby list. Masks required to get in. Temps checked. Tables distanced. Fabulous service. 

@thebenediction.la #rowlandheights #thebenedictionbytoast #thebenediction #breakfast #eggsbenedict #brunch #weekendbrunch #mimosas #mimosa #weekendfood #sundaybrunch #saturdaybrunch #brunching #mimosabrunch #lobster #friedgreentomatoes
Headed to Frank and Son early this morning. In lin Headed to Frank and Son early this morning. In line at 8:15am, doors opened at 9:00 and we walked right in (with a few hundred others). Masks on, socially distanced, one-way aisles, surrounded by fellow nerds. My new favorite place. (Disney, I love you, but you’re closed.) Found this amazing scepter that happens to light up. Loki gear is too hard to find, but now I have this sharp Asgardian weapon in my foyer...and while I just want to go around tapping peoples’ chests to see if their eyes turn black and they become my minions, I am also secure with this sharp weapon that just might really hurt someone. 

Kneel!

Thanks to @frankandsonshow in Rowland Heights for a wonderful morning! We found a bunch of @originalfunko Pops to fill gaps in our Avenger movie collection and a couple other surprises. I can’t wait to go back. 

Tips: go early. It had a line waiting outside when we left at 11:40am. Take cash, because a lot of places give a discount. If you see something you like, ask questions. Many vendors will hold it for you until you’re done if you pay for it. I saw negotiations happen. And have fun. It’s a bit overwhelming, as there is so much to look at. 

And now I am ready for the new Loki Disney Plus show in June!!

#loki #scepter #lokiscepter #godofmischief #marvel @marvel @marvelstudios @disneyplus #disneyplus #asgard #asgardian #idowhatiwant #ifitwaseasyeveryonewoulddoit #lokicosplay #lokisarmy #lokigodofmischief #lokiofjotunheim #lokifriggason #lokiofasgard #mindstone #infinitystones #infinitystone #marvelnerd #marvelavengers #avengers #kneel #kneelbeforeme
In 2020, we started our home renovation. We knew i In 2020, we started our home renovation. We knew it could be a challenge during the pandemic, but we’d been waiting and were ready. 

We started with new lighting throughout, adding additional outlets and power along the way, outside and in. What a difference it made! Then we moved on to the kitchen and its adjoining family/dining space, making it perfect for the family to eat in on the daily and for holiday meals and perfect for me to watch TV while prepping food or writing late at night. So many plans!

To really change it up, we decided to add a Butler’s Pantry to one wall, where there originally was nothing permanent. The design needed to incorporate our two wine fridges (one white, one red), our booze bottles, all our crystal and dishwater, and our bar equipment. I wanted two glass doors to display the pretty stuff and a hanging wine glass area...and a countertop to serve as a beverage area while entertaining. Easy, right?

The main kitchen layout stayed the same, but we gutted it entirely, removing all the aged oak cabinets and dark marble counters. Swinging the sledge that first time felt amazing! We chose Shaker-style cabinets in a slate grey, a stainless farmhouse double-sink and white quartz with grey marbling. To really maximize space, we turned a pony wall into a cookbook shelf with a matching counter, had a custom island built to stow my gear and provide more food prep area, and had a copper pot rack replated. I can’t forget the bench seat by the weird window that is extra storage and a great place to sit, with its new purple cushion. 

Then came a new dining set, a loveseat to complete the relaxing hangout nook, and a refaced fireplace. The blues of the backsplashes brighten up a once dark space, purple pops of color bring it all together, and we LOVE it in here!  Thanks to my son, the contractor, we have a unique area to entertain and spend time together. Stay tuned, more reno posts coming, as we’re doing the entire house!

#renovation #homerenovation #renovate #remodel #homeremodel #homedesign #homeredesign #kitchendesign #kitchenrenovation @Lowes #designyourhome #kitchenredesign #farmhousesink #shakerstyle #laminateflooring #newfloors
Did you watch Tom and Jerry as a kid? I did, and I Did you watch Tom and Jerry as a kid? I did, and I loved it! Who didn’t, right? I always rooted for Jerry the Mouse! It was a popular cartoon then and now, the infamous duo is back in a new movie hitting the big screen, and HBOMax, on February 26!

A fun hybrid of live-action and animation, the new Tom and Jerry has a stellar cast, including Chloe Grace Moritz, Michael Pena, Colin Jost, Bobby Cannavale, Jordan Bolger and more! Based in New York City, now we get to see something we never thought we’d see: Tom and Jerry have to WORK TOGETHER.

In preparation for the movie, Warner Bros. sent us this awesome box of goodies, including this smash cake, full of treats and surprises. We’re going to have movie night this weekend, where we’ll play the game and laugh together, but I’m most excited to introduce my granddaughter, Charlotte, to another cartoon I grew up with. I’m sure she’s going to love Tom and Jerry just as much as I do!

I’ll have a blog post up soon with a downloadable activity pack and links to some games to prep for the movie — or just to stay occupied on another weekend safe-at-home! I’ll also include some photos of what’s inside this massive cake! (And let me just say, the CAUTION tape on the outside of the box had the delivery man doing a double-take. “Should I just put this right here?” ...as he set it down OH so carefully!)

Thanks, Warner Bros.! Can’t wait to watch the movie and have fun with the goodies!

#TomandJerryMovie @TomandJerry #TomandJerry @hbomax @warnerbrosentertainment #warnerbros #familyfun #familymovie #movienight #familygamenight #gamenight #tomandjerrygame #cartoon #animation #hbomax #liveaction @wbpictures #liveactionmovie @boutiquepublicity
Since lockdown started, we realized just how much Since lockdown started, we realized just how much money we spend on takeout and restaurant food. I'll be honest -- I miss restaurants but at least this past year has pushed me back towards one of my favorite activities: making food for those I love. I may not be able to entertain like we used to (yet), but now that our kitchen renovation is complete, I have the space to experiment and get ready with some new recipes. I also can throw together simple food and healthier options, like this caprese salad. It's just about the easiest thing to make that can be a side dish or a meal in itself. 

I made this one using three different kinds of heirloom tomatoes from Melissa's Produce, fresh pre-sliced mozzarella and fresh basil, both picked up at our local grocer for just a few dollars, making this meal also inexpensive. Slice the tomatoes, layer them with the cheese and basil, and drizzle with your favorite type of balsamic vinegar. I used Bertolli balsamic glaze, which adds just a little tang to the salad. 

I used to order Caprese salads a lot when we'd got out. The crisp of the tomato, the creaminess of the cheese and the savory taste of the basil -- I may have made a smaller serving just for myself the next day. Healthier options don't have to be fancy, expensive or time-consuming. They also don't have to be super low-cal or small portions. Life is short, so eat good food, get some exercise and make new things.

#MelissasPartner @melissasproduce #salad #food #recipe #capresesalad #basil #freshtomatoes #heirloomtomatoes #tomatoes #freshproduce #freshbasil #saladrecipe #kitchenremodel #renovation #kitchendesign #instafoodie #foodiepics #foodie #foodphotos #foodpics #balsamicvinegar #balsamic #eathealthy #healthyfood #healthyfoodies #healthyfoodie
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#oranges #orangetree #orangetrees #sundayfunday #sundaymornings #sundayvibes #sunphoto #sundayphotography #garden #backyardgarden #backyarddesign #backyardgardening #backyardgoals #backyardoasis #backyardfun #backyardphotography #naturephotographer #growyourown #growyourownfood #growyourownfruit
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