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