FOOD FINDS ~ PART TWO

Here’s my latest installment of food finds, experiences and adaptations.  Be sure to explore each brand’s website, especially those with recipe sections, to get ideas on how to ramp up your culinary talents, while enlivening your taste buds.  Enjoy!

~ Products, Taste Experiences and Adaptations ~

Activz Mixed Veggie Powder ~ This healthy Veggie Powder is a power-packed whole food powder that combines organic carrot juice powder, organic spinach powder, organic spinach juice powder, and organic kale powder.  This concentrated powder delivers freshness, natural sweetness, and tastes delicious; it’s also ideal for ramping up the vegetable content of smoothies, sauces, soups, stews, eggs, pizza toppings, etc.  My Taste Take ~ I enjoyed adding this to my plain Greek yogurt to make a fabulous tasting dip for fresh cut veggies and pita chips; this was the perfect add to my scratch marinara sauce, as its natural sweetness took the acidic edge from the tomatoes. http://store.foodforhealthinternational.com/Vegetable-Powders/

Bare Coconut Flakes ~ These Coconut Flakes were delicious; the fruit is baked and contains no trans fats or preservatives.  I tried three of their varieties, Simply Toasted Coconut Chips, Show Me the Honey Coconut Chips, and Sweet ‘n Heat Coconut Chips; these were a nice healthy snack right out of the bag.  My Taste Take ~ I also enjoyed them crushed in my yogurt, or as a topping to my cereal.  http://www.baresnacks.com

BLiS Gourmet Flavorings ~ I first experienced one of these quality products at a hands-on cooking demonstration and was hooked.  This line of gourmet products defines Chef Steve Stallard’s brand inspiration and his culinary passion ~ “Because Life is Short”, BliS.  The gourmet line includes a number of product categories of Maple Syrup, Hot Pepper Sauce, Fish Sauce, Sherry Vinegar, White Truffle Oil, Steelhead Roe, Sea Salt, Spice Rubs, and Albacore Tuna.  Of these, I had the opportunity to taste test Bourbon Barrel Matured Maple Syrup, Maple Sherry Vinegar, White Truffle Oil, Fish Sauce, and Hot Pepper Sauce.  My Taste Take ~ I found that a little of each went a long way to add just the right amount of “oomph” to the taste profile.  The Maple Syrup was great on pancakes and French Toast; a tiny drizzle on strips of bacon before baking added a real WOW to the taste of each strip; the Sherry Vinegar was a nice add to my honey-mustard vinaigrette; the Truffle Oil was fabulous drizzled over linguine with a bit of shaved Parm; the Fish Sauce and Hot Pepper Sauce imparted just the right amount of heightened flavor to my stir-fry.  There’s a noticeable taste difference to recipes that use ordinary, versus extraordinary products like these. http://blisgourmet.com

Colman’s Mustard ~ Over the years, I’ve tried a variety of prepared mustard products, including various brand names and even generic or store brands; each one had a mild pucker-y taste.  Growing up, I recall my mom using Colman’s Mustard Powder for some of her recipes.  Colman’s Mustard has been a venerable and iconic Original English brand since 1814.  When I re-acquainted myself with the taste of Colman’s Prepared Mustard, I couldn’t believe what a nice kick of heat and pungency it gave me; I definitely don’t remember this powerhouse of a taste from my childhood.  As with any flavoring or garnish, this product doesn’t need much to make its presence known.  My Taste Take ~ I enjoyed mixing the prepared variety with a bit of honey, brown sugar and ketchup to make my own version of a “barbecue” sauce and topping for my baked meatloaf; minus the ketchup, the prepared variety, along with brown sugar and clove powder makes a great topping for scored ham and imparts just the right amount of sweetness with the spiciness of the cloves; a basic mix of the prepared Mustard, EVOO and minced fresh herbs also increases the flavor of baked or grilled meats or fish; adding the Mustard Powder to vinaigrettes adds a depth of flavor, especially when brushed onto grilled meats or fish.  Compared to other brands I’ve tasted, Colman’s Mustard is superior. http://colmansusa.com

CoolBrew Cold-Brewed Coffee Concentrates ~ If you love coffee, but can’t tolerate the acidic level, this product is ideal for you.  The cold brewing process naturally removes acidity, and mellows the rich flavor of coffee.  Introduced in 1989, CoolBrew is the only company with this type of process.  The container has a built-in one-ounce measure for the perfect cup of coffee, hot or cold.  Since it’s concentrated, it’s also ideal to add as a flavoring.  Varieties tried included their Original, French Roast, Decaf, Mocha, Vanilla, Toasted Almond, Hazelnut, and Chocolate Almond.  My Taste Take ~ Aside from making the perfect cup of hot or iced coffee that’s full-bodied and rich, I enjoyed adding the concentrates to smoothies, yogurt, pudding, and alcoholic-based coffee drinks. http://www.coolbrew.com

Crispy Green Crispy Fruit ~ If you’re looking for another healthy snack alternative, Crispy Fruit is an ideal product.  Each variety is made from only one ingredient, real fruit; each has been freeze dried without using any added sugars or preservatives.  The varieties I enjoyed included Tangerine, Banana, Apple, Mango, Asian Pear, Cantaloupe, and Pineapple.  Crispy Fruit is crunchy and fresh tasting, and a nice alternative to the fresh variety when not available; great for an add to a lunch pack.  My Taste Take ~ I crushed them and added to my yogurt and cereal; I also enjoyed munching on them right out of the bag; also ideal as a topping to puddings and ice cream. http://www.crispygreen.com

LoSalt Reduced Sodium Salt Alternative ~ Those on sodium restricted diets or who are taking medication for their high blood pressure, will love this Salt Alternative.  Many similar products are primarily made from potassium chloride, which leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.  LoSalt uses both potassium chloride (66%) and sodium chloride (33%); sodium chloride is “salt” and makes for a flavor that’s closer to salt.  LoSalt is available in two varieties, Original and Iodized. http://www.losalt.com/us/

Nielsen-Massey Pure Extracts and Flavorings ~ Nielsen-Massey has been the definitive product used by more chefs and cooks because of their superior quality and consistency since 1907; in a number of recent cooking demonstrations (observational and hands-on) I’ve attended (and written about), Nielsen-Massey was the only product of its type used by the chefs and instructors.  While there are many similar products available to home cooks, I’ve used a number of them over the years, the quality pales in comparison to Nielsen-Massey; the proof was also in the taste of the finished product.  I had the opportunity to taste test three of their superior extracts, including Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract, Pure Chocolate Extract, and Pure Coffee Extract.  My Taste Take ~ Pure Vanilla Extract is my go-to add whenever I make scratch pancakes, baked goods, smoothies, puddings, savory sauces, yogurt, etc.; both the Pure Chocolate Extract and Pure Coffee Extract were also delicious rich hints of flavor when added to these same items; using all three when added to hot or iced coffee, accentuates the richness of the beverage. Superior flavor.  http://nielsen-massey.com

Quest Protein Bars ~ These Bars are high in protein and fiber, low in carbs and sugar, and made from natural ingredients; they’re another ideal take-with snack for those on-the-go.  I tried their new Cookies & Cream, and a Variety Pack that included Banana Nut Muffin, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Ross, Coconut Cashew, Peanut Butter Supreme, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Brownie, Vanilla Almond Crunch, Apple Pie, Strawberry Cheesecake, White Chocolate Raspberry, and Double Chocolate Chunk.  My Taste Take ~ While I preferred eating these “as is”, they were just as tasty mixed in with my yogurt. http://www.questnutrition.com/protein-bars/

Sweet Earth Veggie Burgers ~ Although a carnivore, every now and then, I’ll go vegan for a day; that’s when I like trying Veggie Burgers.  Over the years, I’ve tried various brands and have enjoyed their taste.  I recently tried the Za’atar Veggie Burger, which is high in fiber and protein and had a nice meat-feel in the mouth; while I’m not a fan of cumin, I did find that by serving this variety along with a fresh salad and some steamed rice, all of these flavors paired well with this Veggie Burger variety. http://www.sweetearthfoods.com

~ In Closing ~

I’ve never been one to take to any dish whose taste was diminished by the predominance of one or more spices or flavorings; spices and flavorings should always be well-balanced and serve as a complement to a dish, rather than taste deterrent.

That being said, don’t let your food choices turn stale.  With so many different food-related items available, there’s no excuse not to be adventuresome.  By discovering some of these interesting food finds, you'll expand your culinary horizons. 

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to always celebrate yourself and your culinary curiosity.  Happy cooking…happy eating…happy drinking.

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN continues perfecting her passion for food and wine.  She has been covering culinary related for many years as it relates to wellness and a healthy lifestyle.  Her popular blog, Terry's Spa, Beauty and Wellness Go-To has featured formidable reviews of cookbooks, restaurants, wine and food, food prep and tools, chef interviews, and coverage of prestigious events such as the International Home+Housewares Show, the National Restaurant Show and the Sweets and Snacks Expo.  She has been published since the mid-1990s in both consumer and trade publications, and is regarded as an expert in spa, beauty, wellness, travel and lifestyle, and is frequently interviewed by publications for her expert content.  She has also presented at major industry conferences, and has served with distinction on numerous governing and advisory boards.  She has a background in strategic and qualitative management, consulting, and motivational speaking.  Her social media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Cision Seek or Shout, Plaxo, Red Room, Pinterest, and Tripatini.  For additional information, email her at terry.herman@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Introductory photo credit from bigstock.com; all other photo credits as represented by the specific brand.)