Tag: Whole Foods
Eat Like a King
It’s not a descendant of royalty and there’s no ranch dressing involved, so what on earth is a King Ranch Casserole? After making it, eating it, and researching it, I’m still coming up short on conclusive answers.
Introduced to me through an upcoming article for Vegan Journal, Lauren Bernick‘s plant-based, oil-free, whole-foods version is likely a far cry from the original, but I’d venture to say that’s a good thing. Composed primarily of condensed cream soups, tortilla chips, and chicken, it was borne of an era before nutritional awareness. It’s true origins remain murky, but we can say with conviction that it came from post war 1950’s home cooks, when canned goods were all the rage. As for the name, less is certain. King Ranch was and still is one of the largest ranches in the United States, but no one there claims this creation as their own. There’s zero connection to be found between the ranch and the hot dish.
Not particularly regal and downright messy, in the best kind of way, the only royal decree here seems to be “thou shalt cover all things in cheese and cream.” Tossing out the dairy-laden canned soups and poultry scraps in favor of fresh, plant-based ingredients, what remains is a vibrant, deeply satisfying savory entree that hits all the right notes of cozy, comforting, and hearty, while staying firmly on the side of health-conscious. It’s the kind of meal you can prep ahead for a busy week, serve to unsuspecting omnivores, or curl up with on a blustery night.
My version is just a small variation from Lauren’s, but one I’ve come to make and serve repeatedly, with resounding success. Don’t expect a crown jewel, but do expect requests for second helpings.
Mi Casa Es Tu Casa De Luz
Peace and tranquility are not commodities that can be bought or sold. You won’t find them for sale at Casa de Luz, and yet they’re keystones to this legacy business. Food is central to the conversation, of course, but just beginning of the story.
In a city that pulses with live music, art, and activism, it can be hard to find a moment of stillness. However, just off the well-worn trails of Zilker Park, tucked among trees filtering dappled sunshine across the courtyard, Casa de Luz offers exactly that. It’s not just a place to eat, it’s a place to recharge.
With two welcoming locations in Austin, the long-loved original on Toomey Road and the newer East Austin outpost, Casa de Luz isn’t trying to keep up with trends. It moves to its own rhythm, which is intentionally slow and filled with purpose.
Food with Purpose
Meals at Casa de Luz are entirely plant-based, gluten-free, and organic, with many raw options for those who desire. The menu is different everyday, but I use the term “menu” loosely as the only choice is whether you want a full plate or just dessert. No buzzwords, no mock meats, just a single daily meal, rooted in the principals of macrobiotics, and served without pretension.
One plate might bring you tender black beans beside nutty brown rice, a bright tangle of sautéed greens, and a seasonal vegetable medley with a subtle miso-tahini sauce. If you’re lucky, you might get vegetable sushi, gorditas, or tamales. A fresh salad and warming soup accompanies each entree, along with endless glasses of hot kukicha or chilled hibiscus iced tea.
Everything is balanced, both in flavor and intention. No one ingredient overpowers another. Each part of the meal supports the whole. There is a quiet brilliance to that kind of cooking, lost in flashy Instagrammable spots seeking likes and clicks. It doesn’t beg for attention; it doesn’t ask for anything. It simply nourishes and allows you to be fully present.
A Space That Holds You
Casa de Luz cares about more than food. It’s a space designed to support wellness in every sense. The outdoor courtyard is shaded by tall trees, with winding paths and quiet corners perfect for reflection. Inside, the dining rooms are filled with natural light, wooden tables, and the gentle sounds of calm conversation or silence.
The East Austin location continues the legacy with the same attention to community and care. It’s not a carbon copy. It’s a reflection, adjusted gently for a different part of town, while staying true to its roots. Both spaces host yoga, healing arts, holistic practices, and a sense of openness that invites you to slow down and reconnect.
A Lasting Impression
What stays with you after visiting Casa de Luz isn’t just the food. It’s the way it made you feel, being grounded, cared for, and re-centered. It’s where I go when I’m feeling run down and need to be fed. No decisions to make, no ingredients to avoid. I always leave feeling better than when I arrived, even when in good spirits to begin with.
Austin is forever evolving but Casa de Luz remains steady. Not static, but grounded, like a tree with deep roots, offering shade, nourishment, and a quiet place to rest.
Casa de Luz Village
1701 Toomey Rd
Austin, TX 78704
Casa de Luz East
1915 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Austin, TX 78702
Marvelously Mundane
I can’t tell you a single thing I learned in my classes about Art History, but I can tell you in detail about where I went to lunch after. My forgetfulness is unsurprising, but the fact that I’ve dedicated so much brain space to a completely forgettable meal is genuinely infuriating. I’ll be the first to say that neither the eatery nor my order are or were special. Lemonade LA is like an expensive cafeteria for tech bros and hipsters that want to make healthier choices, short of bringing their own food to work. Assemble a tray of cold or hot options and be on your way.
School Lunch in SF
When it first opened in downtown San Francisco, I was one of the first people in line. Anything to shake up the routine of schoolwork and endless commutes. Given the slim vegan options, I immediately lit upon the avocado and tomato salad. It’s every bit as boring as it sounds: avocado, tomato, pine nuts, and lime vinaigrette. Perhaps it was comforting at least in part because it was so unremarkable. Fresh, rich, and satisfying, every single time.
All-Purpose Avocados
It’s the kind of thing you absolutely do not need a recipe for, yet it can be a helpful reminder in times of need. Need something for an impromptu happy hour, pot luck, or unannounced dinner guest? It’s a salad, yes, but also a side dish, salsa, topping, and plant-based ceviche, if you’re feeling fancy.
Serving Suggestions
That’s to say, you can serve it with chips like a dip, or heaped on top of toast. Toss in chickpeas or diced tofu for protein, or add more veggies like sliced hearts of palm, steamed asparagus, or roasted broccoli. Toss with chilled pasta or leafy green to make it a bigger, complete meal. Double it for a crowd or halve it to eat two servings at once, because for all it can do, it can’t do everything, and doesn’t keep well.
The Basic Blueprint
Here’s your cheat sheet. I’ve improvised and simplified the original approach considerably over the years, so trust me when I say that you can’t mess it up. Juicy tomatoes tossed with buttery cubes of ripe avocado, doused in bright citrus will never do you wrong.
Healing With Charoset
Can we repair the world with charoset? Considering the lack of success we’ve seen with actual peace treaties and cease fire deals, I have to answer that question with a resounding, “no, obviously not.” However, the point of charoset, and Passover itself, draws more strength from symbolism and intention that concrete action. Every component of the Seder plate has a specific purpose, which is the start of any meaningful change, so maybe we’re closer to healing than we think.
What is Charoset?
Let’s back up a step. Charoset is classically made from chopped apples, walnuts, wine, and cinnamon. There are naturally many variations found throughout different cultures, with some adding dates, figs, or pomegranate seeds, just for starters. Sephardic Jews like theirs more like a paste or spread, while Ashkenazi Jews keep theirs coarse like a nutty fruit salsa. Regardless of the specifics, they’re all made to symbolize the mortar used by the Israelites during their enslavement in Egypt. It’s a reminder of the their hardships but also a means to balance the bitterness of maror (horseradish) as an act of resilience and the pursuit of justice against seemingly insurmountable suffering.
Tikkun Olam
In the midst of these trying times, I felt moved to make an even more meaningful, modern take on this essential staple. I’m calling this modern twist “Tikkun Charoset,” drawing from the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, a Hebrew phrase that means “repair the world.” Though it sounds radical, the concept has been a pillar of the community since at least the 1st millennium CE.
What Does This Have To Do With Charoset?
I’m glad you asked, dear reader! With each passing year, more optional symbols have been suggested to join the essentials on the seder plate, representing various social justice movements. I’d like to propose making them mandatory, front and center, by incorporating them right into the charoset.
- Oranges: For LGBTQIA equality
- Potatoes: To feed Ethiopian Jews and end starvation
- Chocolate or Cacao: For fair trade and the end of forced labor
- Banana: To shelter and nourish refugees
- Cashews: Supporting the troops, not the regime
The only additional unofficial amendments to the original set of symbols that I couldn’t find a way to incorporate were Miriam’s cup and acorns. Each piece of the puzzle has an inspiring origin story which I highly recommend you take a moment to read.
Healing With Charoset
Beyond what it represents, this unconventional foil to sweeten the bitterness of our affliction is simply a satisfying change of pace. Apples remain a constant at the foundation, forever reliable and accessible. Buttery sweet potatoes contrast with the crunch of toasted cashews, spiked with the bright citrus hit of orange juice and a hint of heady banana liqueur. Rich, earthy cacao nibs round out the experience with both substance and style. Though I have no illusions that it could actually fix all the world’s problems, I hope it might spread more awareness and that, at least, is a start.
Debunking The Detox
I’m vehemently against the entire concept of a detox. Our bodies are quite good at detoxifying themselves naturally, thank you very much. Even if there was some need for an assist, you’d better believe that a brief regime of liquefied vegetables wouldn’t be the cure. Despite that, I’m willing to make peace with the Green Detox Broth from The Soup Peddler on the grounds of improper naming.
It strikes me as one big mistake. For starters, it’s no mere broth, but a thick bowlful of hearty soup, given body from an abundance of pureed zucchini and broccoli. The only thing true about the moniker is that it’s green. Simple, soothing, and undeniably nutritious, I’m not mad at the savory brew itself. I’d just like to see the peer-reviewed studies that show its efficacy in cleansing.
Intoxicating Flavors
Whatever imagined impurities it’s meant to banish aside, the greatest asset of all is that The Soup Peddler has made this recipe available online. Though I refuse to call it by its original name, the basic concept is an essential staple here. I’ve made just a few small tweaks and offer additional options for adaptation, if you’re a detox deviant like me, too.