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Frozen vegetables often get a bad reputation for being mushy, lifeless and bland, and I rarely kept them in my freezer… until now. The frozen vegetables of my childhood left a lot to be desired, but the frozen foods of the 21st century are in a league of their own.
One brand I’ll always reach for is Stahlbush, instantly recognizable by their brown bags in the freezer aisle. Stahlbush is known for its sustainable farming and high-quality frozen vegetables and blends. After tasting this blend, I understand the hype. This is anything but your average frozen vegetable. It’s so much more.
Stahlbush Organic Farmhouse Blend
Price: $4.99 for an 10-ounce bag, exclusively at Whole Foods
Why I Love It: A hearty and nutritious side dish that tastes homemade, and can be added to (almost) anything.
Why I Love Stahlbush Organic Farmhouse Blend
Stahlbush Organic Farmhouse Blend is a mixture of black beans, brown rice, sweet corn, and red bell peppers. Most importantly, it tastes freshly made; you’d never guess it was frozen. I love that it isn’t packed with excess salt or sugar, giving it the illusion of a homemade dish. It tastes like something you’d get at an organic, vegan cafe, not a side dish from the freezer section.
Preparing this is simple, either on the stove or in the microwave. I opt for the stove, heating it with a splash of water or broth, and divvy it into bowls for a quick dinner.
Credit: Simply Recipes / Stahlbush
How To Use Stahlbush Organic Farmhouse Blend
The uses for this blend are endless and go way beyond a simple side dish. It is the perfect base for a Tex-Mex grain bowl, topped with grilled salmon, avocado, and salsa on a weeknight. I’ve added a frozen bag to my pot of chili to help bulk it up, and stirred leftovers into my tortilla soup. Even my husband stepped into the kitchen and rolled it into a breakfast burrito. My son ate it with his bare hands, but that’s a normal mealtime response at our table.
Recently, I used it as a base for a grain salad for a potluck, and everyone gushed, assuming I’d been working in the kitchen for hours to create a hearty, wholesome dish for us all to share.
I’ll be keeping a bag of this in the freezer for quick meal solutions, whether as the base of a plant-based bowl or as a hearty side, especially on busy days or when I need to meal-prep workweek lunches in a pinch. Next time I’m out of town, I’ll stock up so my husband has something nutritious to eat.
This blend will have a permanent home in my freezer, and it has inspired me to pick up the other frozen blends, too!
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Dining and Cooking