It’s a seed…it’s a berry…it’s…superfood! This is not just a nutrition marketing buzzword—we all know that some foods are more healthful for you than others, and it follows that some are, in fact, super for you. Superfoods can perform amazing feats for the betterment of humanity: reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improve odds against cancer and heart disease, prevent diabetes, fight depression and stave off dementia (mileage may vary). In more credible terms, these foods are at the very least nutrient-dense, high in fiber, minimally processed, and, the best part, super yummy. Standard superfood lists vary a bit, but the biggies stand firm: salmon, garlic, greens, berries, nuts, oats and beans. Here are some of the yummiest super finds around town.
Trail Miz Cookies
This fun market is full of affordable, up-to-the-minute foodstuffs: Every visit reveals new treasures. The trail mix cookies hit the scene as energy-dense power snacks dressed up as a yummy cookie. It’s a dense mass studded with dried fruits, nuts, oats and seeds (including the mighty chia seed, an ancient, high-protein Andean superfood) and hemp (THC-free), another high protein seed. They’re bound with butter, honey and brown sugar and are both crunchy and chewy. Kids and adults both love this healthy treat. $3.99. 8960 Hudson Road; 651.735.0269.
Honey Walnut Shrimp
Thanh Truc Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
Nuts and seeds contain the essence of new life, so of course they’re full of miracle nutrients. Walnuts are particularly rich in omega-3’s, alpha-linolenic acid, melatonin, copper, manganese and heart-shielding vitamin E. Walnuts kind of look like little brains, and may also protect the brain from onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons’s—hmmm, coincidence? Honey walnut shrimp feels like a treat, bathed in sweet sauce and lavished in nuts, the kind of treat that keeps on giving. This is both tasty and nourishing. $12.95. 2230 Eagle Creek Lane; 651.436.3431.
Klein's Reuben Sandwich
Some techniques riding the crest of the current trend wave are, in fact, old, like fermentation. Kombucha kim chi may be all the rage, but hey, good ol’ pickles and sauerkraut are fermented, too and have the same gut-boosting flora. Get a nice pile of the sour stuff on grilled marble rye, ask for high-protein and low-fat heart healthy turkey, and enjoy a classic Reuben sandwich at The Tavern Grill. The Russian dressing is made in-house. $11.50. 772 Bielenberg Drive; 651.578.3000.
Salmon Etna
You can get a hearty dose of precious Omega-3 fatty acids at Sole Mio in the spectacular salmon Etna: grilled Norwegian salmon from the frigid waters of the Balkan Sea is extra rich with it. This dish looks like its volcano namesake: a mound of fish topped with a cascading jumble of artichoke hearts, capers, spinach and a light, chopped fresh tomato sauce. Served with mixed sautéed vegetables, including the all-important cruciferous broccoli, this is as vibrant in nutrients as it looks on the plate. It’s as beautiful to behold as it is delectable to eat—such artistry must be good for your heart in more ways than one. $23.99. 1750 Weir Drive; 651.789.3220.
Salmon Etna is a colorful, healthy choice from Sole Mio Ristorante. Photo Courtesy of Sole Mio Ristorante.
Guacamole Dip
When it comes to superfoods, a re-education is in order. Conventional wisdom tells us that avocados are fattening—well, pshaw. While they are high in fat, it’s good fat, the kind that gives you shiny skin and hair and befriends your arteries. This creamy superfood is a weekly (if not daily!) requirement full of oleic acid, lutein, folate, monounsaturated fats and glutathione among them (consult Professor Google for details). Like with many powerful foods, a simple preparation using the highest quality raw material is best. Guacamole is a festive mash of the alligator pear, and Las Margaritas’ is as addictive as any. Get an order with a pile of corn chips and go to town. $3.99. 10150 Hudson Road; 651.340.3524.
Kadhai Tofu
Time to talk soy: yep, tofu is still here, and no, it won’t go away any time soon. But the clammy, pale slab of the 1970s has evolved into something not just palatable but pleasing. India Palace has some killer tofu preparations: try the kadhai tofu. A kadhai is a deep, flat-bottomed pan like a wok—think stir fry. The tofu is tossed with a special masala (spice mix), onions, tomatoes, ginger and bell peppers. Soy is supersonic stuff, packed with protein and astonishingly versatile—it will basically take on the flavors of whatever it’s cooked with. The masala includes the bright orange miracle root turmeric, prized for thousands of years in India as both a dye and a medicine with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties. The active ingredient is curcumin, which has a lively peppery, astringent quality. $11.95. 8362 Tamarack Village; 651.731.6300.
Pickled Beet Salad
Beets not only pack tons of flavor--they are also rich in nutrients and fiber, and can lower blood pressure due to their naturally-occuring nitrates. Cravings’ popular pickled beet salad features three different types of beets (red, golden and candy stripe), house-pickled and served with charred broccoli and toasted pumpkin seeds atop mixed greens. The salad’s tangy and sweet flavors are complemented by a bit of beet emulsion plus a creamy goat cheese dressing that makes this a satisfying, refreshing winter salad choice. $14/$7 half. 755 Bielenberg Drive; 651.528.6828.
Fresh Berry Tart
Blueberries are one of the stars of the superfood pantheon, the ringleader of anti-inflammatories. Get your flavonoids, phytochemicals and antioxidants here! And yes, superfoods can be dessert. Hit the jackpot at Sugarlove with a fresh berry tart: ringed with vitamin C-rich strawberries, a bulls-eye of sugared blueberries nestled in creamy custard. Fluted golden-edged crust, a pate brisee, is not too sweet, letting the berry flavor shine. Mini tart $6. 707 Bielenberg Drive; 651.340.1483.
