Organic Dining: Pairing Flavor and Health

Brown rice plays a key role on a menu that’s both flavorful and healthful at French Meadow Bakery & Café in Minneapolis...

Brown rice plays a key role on a menu that’s both flavorful and healthful at French Meadow Bakery & Café in Minneapolis, a leading Twin Cities destination for organic dining.

French Meadow uses U.S.-grown short-grain brown rice in The Healing Plate ($9.99), which layers the brown rice with organic grilled tempeh, roasted squash and sautéed spinach and tops it with a drizzle of a sumptuous rich, dark balsamic reduction.

The use of flavorful and exotic specialty ingredients distinguishes French Meadow from the typical health food restaurant, according to general manager Andrew Cox. “We use a lot of fresh herbs, truffle oil, fresh saffron, aged balsamic vinaigrette and even wild mushrooms from foragers,” says Cox. Other menu mainstays are Chili and Organic Rice ($6.99) and sides of brown rice ($2.99).

The versatile grain also stars in Organic Brown Rice Bread, one of a line of certified organic loaves billed as “a meal in a slice of bread.” Adds Cox, “The quality of ingredients that we use is not typically found in this setting or at this price point.”