CULINARY MÉLANGE ~ A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

Product testing and tasting continues in my home kitchen.  Following are the latest products tested and tasted in my culinary journey of discovery.  Any one of these items would make for the perfect gift…hostess, bridal shower, birthday, anniversary, housewarming, other special occasion, or even yourself!  Each of these featured companies are deeply committed to providing natural and organic products that support local farming, local fishing, sustainability, and balanced nutrition.

Fishpeople Seafood ~ Albacore Tuna Thai Coconut Lemongrass Entree, Dungeness Crab Bisque, and Alder Smoked Wild Salmon Chowder ~ Each of these three varieties weren’t what I expected, especially based on the package’s image.  While each one had a distinct, albeit too subtle, fish and seafood flavor, the contents were too watery; chunks of the fish or seafood and vegetables were almost nonexistent, which detracted from the potential of each variety.  One package even boasted that the quantity was sufficient to “Feed One Hungry Person”; at only seven ounces of mostly liquid, it was hardly a meal, but more like an appetizer course.  After that experience, for the remaining two varieties, I made angel hair pasta and added the package contents over the pasta to have a slightly more substantial meal.  Again, while the taste was reasonable, the fish and seafood components were disintegrated, and any presence of vegetables, nearly non-existent.  I wish the contents had been a bit more comparable to the package’s image, since the image was beautiful and visually inviting; I also would’ve preferred the flavor profile to be a bit creamier tasting, versus watery.  Sometimes in the manufacturing and packaging process, aspects like I experienced do occur, which is unfortunate.  In addition to the sustainable fish and seafood used in the recipes, natural and organic ingredients are also used.  I do support their mission of sustainability and the fact that their products are wild caught and harvested in the U.S.  The other favorable aspect of the products is that on the packaging, there is a code where a consumer can trace where in fact their fish/seafood was caught; unfortunately the three packages I received had this information so blurred that I wasn’t able to query their website for this important detail. http://fishpeopleseafood.com

Honey Ridge Farms ~ Honey Crème Lavender, Honey Crème Coconut, and Balsamic Honey Vinegar

Both of the Honey Crèmes are made with pure raw clover honey and natural flavors, and were without a doubt the most delicious honey products I’ve tasted in quite some time.  These Honey Crèmes are the perfect addition to fresh fruit, homemade fruit preserves, homemade fruit compote, peanut butter, cheeses, beverages, pancakes, crepes, French Toast, salad dressings, etc.  My Take:  Give your plain yogurt some oomph by adding a splash of pure vanilla extract and a dollop or two to either the Honey Crème Lavender or the Honey Crème Coconut.  I added the Honey Crème Lavender to Greek yogurt, plus a generous splash of pure vanilla extract; after mixing well, I used this as a topper to a slice of fresh baked blueberry pie.  I also made some Chia Seed Pudding and for my sweetener, used the Honey Crème Coconut; I also added some dessicated coconut flakes to accentuate the delicious flavor of coconut.  Balsamic Honey Vinegar ~ My Take: This sweet and tangy Honey Vinegar was a perfect add to EVOO to make the perfect basic vinaigrette for a simple salad of chopped Romaine lettuce, chopped onion, and diced Roma tomatoes; no other seasoning was needed to round out this delicious and light summer dinner meal.  I thoroughly enjoyed taste testing these delicious natural products.  https://honeyridgefarms.com

Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars ~ Fig, Raspberry, Blueberry, and Pomegranate ~ I’ve always loved figs, whether fresh or dried.  Made from the best ingredients nature has to offer, each of these Fig Bar varieties were satisfying and delicious.  Key ingredients include ancient grains (amaranth, teff, and sorghum), fig paste, brown rice syrup, dried cane syrup, rolled oats, flax seed, and date paste.  Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars are also Gluten-Free, non-GMO, dairy-free, cholesterol-free, and free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.  It’s no wonder why each of these Fig Bars hits all of the right sweet notes when it comes to healthy, delicious, and natural!  My Take:  Try crumbling them and adding to hot or cold cereal; they’re also delicious crumbled into some plain yogurt; each variety intensified the flavor profile; of course, enjoying them with a nice cup of coffee or hot tea was also spot-on.  https://naturesbakery.com

Wild Hibiscus Flower Company ~ Wild Hibiscus Flowers In Rose Syrup, Hibiscus Flower Extract, and Heart-Tee Blue Tea ~ Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Rose Syrup ~ A deliciously decadent way to embellish your yogurt, puddings, cheese platters, specialty spreads, French Toast, crepes, pancakes, specialty drinks, etc.  My Take:  The Rose Syrup is made with the essential oil of two-dozen Bulgarian Roses and fifteen handpicked Hibiscus flowers.  This is the perfect addition to fresh made lemonade, puddings, wines, mixed drinks, etc.  My Take:  I topped my Chia Seed Pudding with this culinary treat.  I also added a generous amount to my pancakes and French toast, including the delectable and edible Hibiscus Flower. Hibiscus Flower Extract ~ My Take:  I added the delicious Flower Extract to my fresh made lemon water.  Not only did it add a subtle berry taste to the flavor profile, but it also gave the beverage a beautiful pinkish-berry tinge, and a subtle taste of sweetness from the natural cane sugar.  Heart-Tee Blue Tea ~ This beautiful tea is made from pure Butterfly Pea Flower, which gives it a brilliant sapphire blue color.  Each tea bag contains a concentration of the equivalent of 16 flowers.  The flavor is subtle, refreshing and thirst quenching, and pairs well with fresh lemon juice, and a sweetener like honey or agave.  My Take:  There’s no need to brew the delicate Butterfly Pea Flower Tea with hot water; just fill a mug or glass with cold water, then add one tea bag and place in refrigerator for several hours, or overnight; the longer the tea bag remains in the container to “cool-brew”, the deeper and richer the blue color becomes.  To my “cool-brew” Blue Tea, I added some lemon juice, several drops of the Hibiscus Flower Extract (which added a slight purple tinge to the liquid), and honey.  Little did I know I had basically created the traditional Thai welcome beverage known as "nom dok anchan".  I thoroughly enjoyed taste testing each of these quality natural products.  http://www.wildhibiscus.com

~ Beyond the Tastings ~

People’s Resource Center (PRC), Westmont, IL ~ This vibrant non-profit social services agency is a lifeline for in-need residents at the Westmont location (and also its Naperville location).  One of the main social services offered at each location is its food pantry; annually, PRC services the needs of nearly nine thousand food-insecure families, or over thirty-two thousand individuals; it is one of the DuPage County’s largest and busiest social services agencies for charitable outreach.  A great pairing with the Westmont location food pantry are the monthly cooking demonstrations offered to its clients.  Each demonstration is conducted by “Vacant To Vegetables Cooks”, a group of service-minded women that are passionate about healthy and nutritional cooking, charity, and community outreach.  Sessions emphasize healthier eating and cooking techniques, while utilizing what’s available in the food pantry, or seasonal from the garden; clients follow a cookbook as each recipe is explained and demonstrated, and then get a chance to taste each of the demonstration’s featured recipes.  Other services offered at both PRC locations include computer training classes, art classes, English language classes, a clothes closet, free books, counseling, inter-agency referrals, etc.  While most areas may have at least one food pantry, ongoing needs for volunteers, financial or food donations continue throughout the year.  I urge all of my readers to consider periodically cleaning out their home pantries of non-expired dried and canned food stuffs, and donating them to a local food pantry; consider donating a few hours a week at a food pantry, as well.  Another option is to sponsor a food drive at your place of work or worship and then present a food pantry with the collected items.  http://www.peoplesrc.org

~ In Closing ~

I’ve enjoyed taste testing these products, which are available at traditional brick and mortar retailers, as well as online retailers.  Be sure to check out each brand’s website and also their social media platforms to obtain additional information on each of these products and their entire line.

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

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, and Twitter.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, “Terry’s Second Helpings”.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, email her at terry.herman@gmail.com.

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