By Lee Gross, Culinary Director and Chef at Organic Pharmer
After a cool and rainy August, the run-up to the first day of fall has been welcomingly warm and sunny. While eighty degrees and clear skies may still be beach weather, fall is definitely upon us. The days are getting shorter, the kids are back in school, and pumpkin spice is everywhere.
And at Organic Pharmer, we love the iconic blend of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and clove not only for its distinctive, seasonal flavor, but also for the anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties these powerful spices bring to our Food with Function.
In our Scarsdale commissary kitchen, Chef Tom and his team have been busy, bustting out the fall flavors for the launch of our new fall menu. This week marks the return of seasonal fan favorites, and the debut of exciting new favorites-to-be.
Making a comeback is our bistro-style French Lentil & Roasted Beet Salad with shaved fennel, toasted walnuts and our house-made almond “chevre”. Our Pharmer Harvest Salad is also back, and the hearty mix of pumpkin-spiced butternut, roasted chickpeas and tart dried cherries has been upgraded to royalty status, with the addition of our succulent and sustainable Ora King salmon.
Stop in for the sweetly-spiced Pumpkin Streusel Muffins that we’ll be pulling from our ovens this fall, and while you’re there, pick up a Falafel Wrap – now in our Grab & Go case so you can enjoy this delicious, protein-packed lunch on the go!
Fall also heralds the triumphant return of our Mushroom Piadini! This irresistible pressed sandwich of earthy mushrooms and smoky cashew cheese, folded into our handmade lavash is undeniably delicious, and still grilled hot and crisp to order.
And brand new for this season: A gorgeous herb, garlic and lemon-kissed assortment of Roasted Fall Vegetables, a rich and savory Mushroom & Walnut Pate and a totally tomato-free, anti-inflammatory Turkey, Bean & Quinoa Chili. Also featuring our certified organic and kosher poultry from Wise Organic Pastures is our new Tarragon Chicken Salad Wrap made with moist, lemon-poached chicken breast and accompanied by a tangy celery root slaw and lacto-fermented pickled vegetables.
For a sweet (but not too sweet!) treat, that packs real nutrition into a small bite, you gotta try our new Caramel Nutty Bar. Chock full of roasted pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts and cashews, enrobed in a rich caramel, on a tender-crisp shortbread crust. It’s just the kind of thing to help you ease into the season.
And, finally as the leaves go from green to golden you can curl up with our new Coconut Golden Milk. Forget about your pumpkin-spiced latte – this turmeric, cinnamon and ginger-spiked coconut brew tastes great warm or chilled – and uses those fall pumpkin spices to full, functional effect!