Hooked On Ponics Microgreens/Blackened Rockfish Bowls

Hooked On Ponics is a local microgreens business out of Waldport started by Matt and Lindsay Bales that’s unlike any other.

Matt and Lindsay started Hooked on Ponics with two goals in mind — feeding people healthy and nutritious food and helping encourage people to grow their own food. They believe that anyone can grow their own food, and having control over where our food comes from is more important now than ever. That is why their microgreens are distributed live in their growing trays, and never pre cut. Selling unharvested, live microgreens not only allows your microgreens to last longer and never be in need of refrigeration, but it also eliminates unnecessary waste associated with packaging.

Matt and Lindsay offer nutrient-packed microgreens in various varieties, always grown from non-gmo seeds that are loaded with vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as calcium, iron, fiber, antioxidants and so much more. They’re also doing it with nearly zero waste by utilizing reusable or compostable materials, offering microgreens that are not only great for our bodies, but also our planet.

Part of Hooked on Ponic’s near-zero waste approach comes from their tray exchange program. When you are finished with your tray, they will pick up the tray, including your clipped microgreens or coco coir that they’ll take back to their farm to use as compost. They’ll also pick up the jug they’ve provided with their hydroponic nutrient-based watering solution to keep your greens healthy and growing and exchange it all with your next order of fresh microgreens. This near-zero waste approach also keeps costs down for the customer as an added bonus.

Hooked On Ponics offers 10 by 10 or 10 by 20-inch trays for individual purchase or monthly subscription options, and they also offer free local delivery for their customers.

With this revolutionary business model, you would think Hooked On Ponics would be gearing up to take over the microgreens market, but that couldn’t be further from their goal. Matt and Lindsay Bales are so passionate about feeding people and helping people understand how to grow their own food that they would love to see others adopt their business model, even asking anyone who may be interested in starting a business just like Hooked On Ponics to reach out to them directly so they can teach anyone wanting to learn how to expand this business model as their own.

You might be thinking, what’s the catch here because encouraging others to copy their business seems too good to be true. But I personally know Matt and Lindsay Bales, and this is just who they are as people. They volunteer at local food pantries and held feed our local community, serve our local children in various programs, and are involved in so many other endeavors just to serve others around them. I’ll admit, even I was a little shocked that they’re actually encouraging others to copy this genius approach to selling microgreens, but knowing Matt and Lindsay, this really comes as no surprise because they truly are exceptional humans.

I purchased a monthly subscription of their Superfood Mix consisting of Rambo Purple Radish, Purple Vienna Kohlrabi, Purple Top White Globe Turnip, Georgia Southern Collards, and Waltham 29 Broccoli containing Vitamins A, C and K, calcium, folate, potassium, sulforaphane, fiber, antioxidants, anthocyanin. It adds a ton of additional nutrients to meals such as this Blackened Rockfish with Cilantro Lime Rice, as well as a delicate crunch to each savory bite. I, for one, am definitely hooked on Hooked On Ponics!

For more information on Hooked On Ponics or to place your order, visit www.hooked-on-ponics.com

Blackened Rockfish Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice and Microgreens and Avocado Lime Dreasing

Blacked Rockfish

Ingredients:

1 pound rockfish fillets 1/2 tablespoon paprika 1 teaspoons onion powder1 teaspoons garlic powder1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper1/8 teaspoon chipotle pepper1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves1/2 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon ground black pepperAvocado oil

Directions:

Combine blackened seasoning: paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chipotle pepper, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper.

Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of avocado oil (you can substitute with olive oil) over rockfish; gently rub into fish.

Sprinkle rockfish all over with blackened seasoning, on both sides

Bring a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of avocado oil then add rockfish and cook for 2-3 minutes per side depending on size of fillet. Remove from pan, serve immediately and enjoy!

Cilantro Lime Rice

Ingredients:

1 Tbs. butter 2 cloves garlic, minced1 cup basmati rice1/2 tsp salt2 cups water 1 lime, zested and juiced (about 2 tablespoons juice)1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro

Directions:

Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Set aside.

Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Add the rice and salt, and stir the rice for a minute, lightly toasting it.

Add the water, bring it to a rapid boil, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.

Remove the pot from heat, add the lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro. Gently fluff rice with a fork to combine.

Avocado Lime Dressing

Ingredients

1 ripe avocado 3 cloves garlic1 cup fresh cilantro leaves2 Tbs. fresh lime juiceZest from one lime 1 Tbs. avocado oil1/2 tsp. cumin Salt to taste 1/2 cup water

Directions:

Toss all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Serve over your Blackened Rockfish bowls and enjoy!

To assemble your Blackened Rockfish with Cilantro Lime Rice and Microgreens just toss in your favorite accompaniments! For this I used grilled corn, sliced avocado and fresh lime then topped with that delightful Avocado Lime Dressing.