PASSED HORS D'OEUVRES

In this new and ongoing segment, I’ll be sharing with you some of my recent food related experiences.  These can range anywhere from food and beverage products, to gadgets, to cooking implements, to places, and to people.  In today’s launch edition, I’m sharing with you a number of taste experiences, and a new food market opening.  New product tastes are always enjoyable, since they create new culinary possibilities, and who doesn’t love a grand opening of a new food market in the neighborhood.  Hope you enjoy!

TASTES

~ Tame Tea and Tisane ~

(Image from www.billiemakesahome.info)

Higher Tea Company ~ English Breakfast Tea, Earl Grey Tea, and Raspberry & Rosehip Tea…These certified organic loose leaf teas and one herbal tisane were a slightly different taste take than what I’ve been accustomed to enjoying.  While each tea was enjoyable, my favorite was the English Breakfast Tea, which was a blend of Ceylon, Indian and China Black Teas; the blend was full-bodied and had a clean taste to it; it also doesn’t need anything added to it, like sugar, lemon, or cream, to make it a better brew.  The Earl Grey Tea was a blend of Ceylon Black Tea, Bergamot Oil, and Orange Peel.  Traditionally, this tea only contains Bergamot Oil; this particular blend also included Orange Peel, which diminished the traditional flavor of the Bergamot Oil.  The Raspberry & Rosehip Tea wasn’t what I expected.  It was a blend of Spearmint, Lemongrass, Orange Peel, Peppermint, Rosehips, Raspberries, and Cinnamon.  The overall taste was grassy, and the taste aspects of Rosehips and Raspberries weren’t noticeable.  I also had an opportunity to use the tea sachets; this allows for a DIY tea bag, which eliminates the need for an infuser, and also makes cleanup easier.  http://higher-tea.com

Wild Hibiscus Flower Company ~ Wild Hibiscus Flower Co. ~ Heart-Tee Hibiscus Tea, Wild

Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup, and Hibiscus Flower Extract…I made a delightful and intensely rich ruby red tisane brew using the Tea, Syrup, and Extract.  To further intensify the natural sweetness of the Syrup and Extract, I made a few brews also using Honey Ridge Farms ~ Honey Ridge Farms ~ Organic Honey Crème Clover and Organic Honey Crème Spiced.  Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and minerals.  My Take: Both of the Organic Honey Crème flavors complemented the naturally tart and fruitiness of the brew; the Crème Spiced blend includes aspects of Cinnamon, Clove, and Nutmeg.  A slice of lemon, or even a splash of lemon juice added to the brew increased the flavor profile.  For a taste change, make your brew using apple cider, a cinnamon stick, and a few cloves. This amps up the flavor profile.  And while cold and flu season still lingers, a nice hot cup of this brew will help soothe your sore and irritated throat…the honey, Vitamin C, and some added lemon, are a nice natural way to calm that cold; make sure to inhale the steaming vapors to help with sinus congestion.  You can also go to my Facebook Blog Page, Terry’s Second Helpings and find my recipe for this delicious brew; (January 18, 2016) TODAY’S TASTY TIP…Hibiscus Tea…http://www.wildhibiscus.com  http://www.honeyridgefarms.com

~ On the Boozy Side ~

(Image from www.urbantastebud.com)

Sonoma Cider ~ The Washboard Sarsaparilla Vanilla Cider…If you need a break from beer, this is the perfect libation for you.  And while I found it to be a bit boozy for my taste, I was hoping for more of a “sweeter” side of the taste experience; the vanilla wasn’t noticeable at all.  My Take: I do recommend that you try using it as an addition to your home crafted chili; it’s a great complement to beef, bison, or turkey.  It’s also equally at home when added to your homemade barbecue sauce or glaze and slathered on beef, pork, lamb, or salmon.  For the mix, add a bit of honey, or brown sugar, garlic, onion, and hot mustard, along with a bottle of Sonoma Cider; mix thoroughly, and you’ve got the perfect glaze to dress your culinary work of art.  http://sonomacider.com/about/

~ That Perfect Peanut Butter Goodness ~

(Image from www.foodsafetynews.com) 

Pic’s Peanut Butter ~ Creamy No Salt…I love peanut butter, and the more intense the peanut flavor,

the better.  Pic’s Peanut Butter is made in New Zealand, using only organic peanuts and then roasted.  The intense peanut butter flavor exceeded my expectation.  This brand also has a rich roasted flavor that enhances the taste of the peanut butter.  For me, the perfect peanut butter is one that can be relished right out of the jar, licked clean off the spoon!  Yes, indeed-y, Pic’s met that humble requirement.  The only downside was that I had to stir the contents because of the natural oil separation…these nuts are high in natural oleic oil, the good monounsaturated fatty acid (Omega-9).  My Take: In addition to savoring this Peanut Butter right out of the jar, I also loved adding it to my hot cereal, along with honey; the heat from the hot cereal liquefies the peanut butter and honey; try also adding a diced apple to the cereal as it’s cooking, or add a sliced banana, which will also get ooey gooey from the cereal’s heat, and then add some of the Peanut Butter…talk about a comforting and delicious breakfast!  http://picspeanutbutter.com/usa/

PLACES

~ Mariano’s Westmont ~

The tag for Mariano’s is “Shop Well. Eat Well. Live Well.”, and so far, it’s living up to that moniker since its grand opening earlier in March. With numerous food market options to choose from in a five to seven square mile area in Westmont, IL (a sleepy suburb in vibrant DuPage County), the town excitedly welcomed another Mariano’s store, the thirty-sixth such location in the greater Chicago-area.  The Mariano’s brand appeals to all demographics, especially because of their quality, value, service, and uniqueness. 

Mariano’s does everything in a big way…they stock tens of thousands of grocery staples items in addition to on-premises freshmade items, plus specialty in-store markets, and eateries…the Westmont location was a new-build and is an impressive nearly 74,000 s.f. market…it’s the town’s largest employer and job-creating engine with some 400 employees…it’s presence will definitely infuse the local economy with much-needed sales tax revenues…there’s also a massive parking lot, with over five hundred spots…its hours of operation are 6:00am until 10:00pm, a marketing strategy that gives them the operational edge over many of its competitors, who open anywhere from 7:00am to 9:00am (with some closing at 9:00pm)…longer hours means more potential for sales and satisfied customers.

In addition to grocery staple items and a sizeable wine and spirits section, the store also offers

specialty areas…Vero Coffee Bar, Made-to-Order Crepe Station, Smoothie Bar, Sweet Shoppe (Gelato, Fresh Popped Popcorn, plus Hand-Dipped Chocolates), Olive & Hummus Bar, Made-to-Order Guacamole Station, Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Bar, Cheese Shop, Oyster Bar, Bulk Foods, Floral, Soup & Salad Bar, Oki Sushi Bar, Todds BBQ, Pizza Oven, Nob’s Wine Bar, Bakery, Butcher Shop, Made-to-Grill Area, and Hot Food Station.

Mariano’s is also supportive of the health and well being of their customers.  Besides offering specialty sections on Organic and Gluten-Free foods, there are Staff Dieticians, plus a Pharmacy. Mariano’s prides itself on promoting healthy eating through better food choices, and their website’s “Wellness” section includes helpful nutritional information and tips in their “Health Key” and “Runners” section.

While I enjoy hitting all of the food markets in my area, I have to admit that this new Mariano’s is fast becoming my favorite.  The few times I’ve been there since it’s opening a few weeks ago, I keep finding something new to discover and enjoy; it’s been an adventure, which I’m enjoying very much.  http://www.marianos.com

~ In Closing ~

(Image from www.productionparadise.com)

Take some time to explore new tastes and new places.  Make it a habit…you never know what you might experience for the first time.

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.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach also 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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(Photo credits as indicated, or as represented by the specific brand; all images for Mariano's, credit FTP Edelman.)