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Cream cheese is a great butter substitute -- Add a dollop to tomato soup, mashed or baked potatoes. If you're worried about the calories, just use low-fat.  Try some in my corn dish.  Click here to get the recipe.

Have you heard of kohlrabi? -- Most folks haven't.  This produce is rarely featured in stores, but it's a wonderful vegetable.  The best time to look for kohlrabi is in late spring, summer or fall at your local farmers' market.  A member of the cabbage family, kohlrabi is shaped like a bulb (see photos below) with long stems that look like alien antennas. It grows in two colors--light green or deep purple.  The vegetable tastes similar to broccoli stems with a hint of sweetness.  Just remove the stems, cut up the kohlrabi and eat it raw, sautéed or steamed.

                 
                                                        Kohlrabi

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Chef Lauren Von Der Pool, Vegan/Raw Food Cuisine Expert
Special Exotic Fruit Series Part 1:  Dragon fruit aka Pitaya -- It's beautiful and good for you!  I love this exotic produce, and it's nutritional value is out of this world.  The tropical fruit (pictured below) is rich in fiber (so it's a great laxative) and vitamin C.  Dragon fruit also reportedly helps treat diabetes and high blood pressure.  This produce looks intimidating, but it's really easy to eat.  Just cut it in half, scoop out the sweet fleshy interior (the black seeds are edible) and eat it raw.  I like it by itself, in salads or smoothies. 

       
                       Whole dragon fruit                               Dragon fruit fleshy interior  
                  Photo courtesy of Angela N                       Photo courtesy of Whologwhy

Learn more about Von Der Pool's exotic vegan and raw food cuisine at vonderpoolgourmet.com. 



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