Food Reviews

Why I Always Have Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Herbs on Hand (and a Few Favorite Ways to Use Them)

October 22, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Fried Eggs, Sautéed Vegetables, Ground Beef, and Parsley

While I LOVE growing my own herbs for use in cooking, sometimes I’ve harvested one to the nub or simply don’t have enough of the one I need on hand to use. That’s when these lightly dried Gourmet Garden herbs come to the rescue. Just a note, this isn’t a paid for post or anything remotely like that – it’s just me raving about something I love and know you will too!

I have, in the past, bought those inexpensive dried herbs in the supermarket – you know, the ones in the plastic containers that hang above produce? I honestly have never been completely happy with these herbs. I have no idea what happens to the herbs in the process of getting into our supermarkets, but they sure do lose their flavor along the way.

That’s why, last winter, when I wanted some basil for my favorite Italian vegetable beef soup, I grabbed a Gourmet Garden tub of basil. It cost a bit more but, by gosh, my soups are worth it! As soon as I took off the lid, I knew I had made the best decision.

Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Parsley

These herbs somehow look, smell, and (most importantly) taste like you just got them out of your own herb garden. Since that time, I have used every single herb they offer. Heck, I buy the parsley and basil ones every time I’m in the store – I use them that often.

Basil: The basil one is delicious in soups, pasta salads, and sauces. I also use it very often as an appetizer – I slice fresh mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and roll up slices of rosciutto, salami, and/or pepperoni. I drizzle everything with Rachael Ray Balsamic Vinegar Reduction (Amazon link… also found in most grocery stores – it’s the absolute best on the market). Then I top it all off with a sprinkling of the Gourmet Garden chopped basil. Delicious!

Parsley: I use this one on and with just about everything – especially potatoes and eggs. You don’t realize just how much parsley brings to the party until you send it an invitation. It’s healthy, adds a bright wonderful flavor to just about everything, and… come on, let’s be honest… looks marvelously high brow!

A quick and easy meal (one of those that you almost always have the ingredients for and comes together super fast) is pictured here – simply make your ground beef patties (seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder). When they’re through, set aside and keep warm. Sauté asparagus, bell pepper, and onion in the juices from the beef…. season with salt and set aside with the meat. Add your eggs and cook them either sunny side up or over easy. Unless your meat was particularly fatty (and do they even make them anymore!?), you’ll need to add a little butter, olive oil, or bacon grease to the pan before the eggs.

Gotta say…. I LOVE one-skillet meals!

Fried Eggs, Sautéed Vegetables, Ground Beef, and Parsley

The BEST Bacon is Made in the Oven-Baked Bacon (Here’s How)

April 26, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Oven-Baked Bacon

It’s already been established on the food blog that I’m a huge Rachael Ray fan. If she makes it, I buy it and use it. If she tapes it, I watch it and watch it. When I saw her bake bacon in the oven on an episode, I immediately bought her baking sheet (with a rack) and couldn’t wait to test the results.

The Rachael Ray Bacon Baking Sheet with Rack QUICKLY became one of my favorite things in the kitchen. How much did I love it? Well, I ordered a second one immediately.

I’ve used it most often for baking bacon but it is also ideal for roasting vegetables and, of course, the baking sheet itself can be used for anything, simply remove the rack.

The Best Oven-Baked Bacon

The basics (please read below for the whys and hows): Place your bacon onto the pan. Place into a cold oven and THEN turn on the heat to 400 degrees. Cook for 20 minutes.

Bacon in the oven simply tastes better and I have to admit, I was surprised just how much better. I also love that it doesn’t curl up – especially useful for breakfast wraps, crispy homemade bacon bits for salads, and BLTs.

(Continued below the goodness….)

Oven-Baked Bacon at 400 degrees for 20 Minutes

While I, of course, use my baking sheet with rack for cooking bacon in the oven, it isn’t a necessity. You can put your bacon directly on a foil-lined baking sheet and you’ll do just fine. I have experimented for months with oven-baked bacon (I love my life) and these are my tips of the trade:

Buy good bacon. The whole bacon is bacon premise is incorrect and when you try different brands you’ll see what I mean. Smithfield and Oscar Meyer are the two I buy the most frequently.
Don’t pre-heat the oven. I mean, you CAN, but putting the bacon into a cold oven, then turning on the heat, seems to cause the bacon to render its fat more slowly (which is a delicious thing) and more evenly, as in less instances of a slice of bacon that’s half crispy and half fatty.
Baking Times Vary. Not only do oven temperatures and personalities vary, people’s individual preferences vary too. My husband likes for his bacon to be crisp whereas I like for mine to bend if you hold him out like a diving board. Use 400 degrees and 20 minutes as a “guide,” not as an “absolute.” Use this approach, but check the bacon at the 15 minute mark – unless you like yours to bend even more than I do, it will not be ready to eat at this point, but you’ll get an idea of how much further you want to go.
Keep Time. When you discover your favorite time frame for baking the bacon just as you like, write it down and put it someplace you’ll ALWAYS know where it is. On the refrigerator, in a frequently-used recipe box, or tattooed on your arm – this is vital information, treat it as such!

Not even remotely and ad and I have not been paid to say anything (if only I were paid to talk, I’d talk all the way to the bank!), but I highly recommend this Oscar Mayer Naturally Hardwood Smoked bacon, pictured below. Extraordinary and worth the extra pennies.

I just realized I don’t have a category for bacon on the food blog. What kind of madness is this?! I’m about to take care of that irresponsible oversight…

Done.

Bee K’onscious Raw Montana Clover Honey… Spectacular!

July 20, 2020 By Joi Sigers

Sunflowers and Bee

Whenever I tell people I grow flowers primarily for the visitors they attract, “… hummingbirds, songbirds, butterflies, bees..,” they inevitably say, “Bees?! You WANT to attract bees?”

Absolutely! I love them with a passion. Not only do they serve a great purpose in life as we know it, they’re responsible for one of my favorite culinary loves in the world – honey!

I have been a honey fanatic since a very early age. Most kids would put syrup or jelly on their peanut butter sandwiches, but my favorite thing was honey. Honey and Peter Pan made a most excellent couple.

As an adult, I’ve found that cooking with honey makes just about everything tastes better. But here’s the thing… there’s almost always a thing, isn’t there??… not all honey is created equal. Some honey is so fantastic and out of this world that it makes other honey seem like sticky, slightly sweet thick water.

I have always, always known that, most of the time, you get what you pay for. The delightfully cheap honey in bear shaped plastic bottles will serve its purpose UNTIL you taste what honey is actually supposed to taste like. There’s truly no comparison and I was recently reminded of this.

Bee K’onscious Honey

I am often sent food, drinks, tea, coffee, and similar products to review on my food blog as well as my tea review blog, Crazy Tea Chick. Very often, the products I’m sent are so good, I regularly buy them as a result. I was recently sent a jar of Bee K’onscious Montana Raw Honey and will darn sure make certain I never run out of it!

Now, keep in mind, I am a lifelong devoted and fiercely dedicated honey lover. I’ve bought them all it seems – so when I tell you that this is the best honey I’ve ever had, you can rest assured it is extraordinary honey.

Here’s what Bee K’onscious Honey’s website says about the Montana Raw Clover Honey:

Montana Clover. Many consider clover honey to be the standard by which all other honeys are measured. The mild, sweet flavor like a sugary treat with hints of cinnamon and vanilla makes this a top favorite for honey lovers and not. The color ranges from white to light amber. The texture is thick and creamy with a very pleasant aroma. For any delicious treat add this to some yogurt or fresh bread with ricotta cheese. How about pancakes topped with berries and then lathered on top with a spoon full of honey? There are many folks that simply spread this on toast and say it tastes like a cinnamon roll.

Nailed it!

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Bee K’onscious Montana Raw Honey

I’ve used the Montana Raw Clover Honey the following ways and have been completely blown away each time…

Drizzled on freshly fried chicken tenders. Tossing a little red pepper flakes onto the honey makes a delicacy.
In smoothies to add a little guilt-free sweetness.
On gluten-free toast – either with cream cheese, ghee, or butter, it is a knock-out.
In tea… this honey is now an addiction for excellent evening tea!
On sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes (all potatoes, if we’re being honest) are a great passion of mine. I’ve always baked them, then added butter and a combination of brown sugar and cinnamon. The most recent time I made them, I also added B’konscious Honey – phenomenal! By adding the honey, I was able to add less brown sugar than I normally do. The honey provides the sweetness naturally.
One of my favorite ways: Each night, after supper, my husband and I have a small “dessert” that I schemed up a while back. It’s a good way to get good fat (healthy) and daily dark chocolate (healthy, healthy) – We take a small square of dark chocolate and spread some ghee on top, then top that with a little pink Himalayan salt. Lately, we’ve been adding a touch of Montana Raw Clover Honey and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go back to the other way! It adds so much extraordinary flavor that I look forward to the after-dinner treat pretty much all day.

Health Benefits of Honey

Honey has an impressive list of health benefits, but my favorite has to do with allergies. I suppose this is simply because I have the worst seasonal allergies in the world! I have noticed that, while I’ve been fiercely enjoying B’konscious honey, I have had to use my Benadryl (or as I call it, Liquid Zombie because it makes me feel like the walking dead!) far less often. Given that I use honey so often, something tells me that the benefits of honey are superior when the honey, itself, is superior.

Honey is also beneficial for great sleep as it promotes the release of serotonin. The body converts serotonin to melatonin, which regulates quality and duration of sleep. Maybe that’s why I’ve been sleeping so soundly lately. I’ve been entering a deeper sleep because my dreams have been pretty darn entertaining. Seriously, nothing out of Hollywood could even hope to compare.

Other Health Benefits of Honey From B’konscious Honey’s Website:

Anti Microbial: Honey is a natural antibiotic. Honey has been used for centuries to remove bacteria from cuts and burns.
Superfood: Honey contains many life sustaining substances – enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and water.
Boosts energy: With 17 grams of carbohydrates per serving, its unprocessed sugars enter the bloodstream quickly giving extra energy.

You can buy this exceptional honey directly from the B’konscious Honey website. You’ll find all of their gorgeous products, recipes, health benefits, and more.

Tate’s Bake Shop Gluten Free Coconut Crisp Cookies

May 11, 2020 By Joi Sigers

Tate’s Bake Shop Gluten Free Coconut Crisp Cookies

I haven’t been very active on the food blog (or any of my blogs for that matter!) lately. My computer crashed and crashed hard a while back and, on top of that, I have been so affected by the pandemic that (truth be told) I allowed everything to get me out of my regular routine. While my family, thanks be to God, hasn’t been personally touched by the Coronavirus, the fact that so many other families have been touched and often tormented by it has shaken me to my core. For better or worse, I am an insanely empathetic person and don’t just feel other’s pain.. I FEEL it.

I decided a few weeks ago to stop reading every news story and stop visiting personally (through social media) with every person who has suffered a loss. I made the decision to pray for them but not to read every single thing going on. It’s keeping me sane.

Ironic thing is, just when I made this decision and decide to get back into my normal routine – my computer checked out on me!

2020 has a real attitude, doesn’t it?

Back to “Normal”ish

If you’ve read my food blog before or know me, personally, you know that Cookie Monster is my spirit animal. I love cookies… I live for cookies. They’re one of my favorite things to bake and eat! So I decided to jump back into the food blog with a review of some extra, extra wonderful cookies I just discovered: Tate’s Bake Shop Gluten Free Coconut Crisp Cookies (link to the cookies on Amazon). I had never seen them on store shelves before, but recently saw them at my favorite grocery store in the “cheap” bin.

If I’d ever seen them before, there wouldn’t be any of them left to go in the bargain aisle – I’d have bought them all!

These cookies are absolutely outstanding. They have such a distinctive and delicious taste of coconut (one of my favorite flavors), while giving an extraordinary crunch – something, as a dunker, I appreciate in a cookie. While these cookies were (past tense, we ate them all) fantastic right out of the bag, they were Heavenly with coffee as well.

These cookies are available on Amazon (gluten-free as well as the original) and I couldn’t recommend them more highly. I just noticed that there is also a Tate’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip (Amazon link) cookie and I am pretty much beside myself.

This human Cookie Monster feels like it’s Christmas morning.

I hope and pray that you and your loved ones are well and safe. I’m thinking of you and praying for you. I hope you will, now – more than ever, find the things that bring you joy and embrace them every chance you get. For me, that’s family (including my cats!), cookies, and old movies.

Stay positive and stay safe. We will get through this! ~ Joi

Tate’s Coconut Crisp Gluten-Free Cookies with Coffee

On The Go Edamame Tropical Fusion Snacks: Gluten-Free, Low in Sodium, and Delicious

February 13, 2019 By Joi Sigers

I recently received samples of a delicious new snack I know you’ll love as much as I do. These are On The Go Edamame Tropical Fusion Snacks. In addition to Tropical Fusion, these Edamame Fusion Snacks are also available in Berries Fusion and Goji Berry Fusion.

When I first heard about these snacks, I was completely intrigued. When I’m on the receiving end of snacks, gluten-free food, seasonings, etc., my emotions usually run the gamut from excited (when I just KNOW something will be delicious) to dubious (“How is this going to taste??“). However, this is the first time I can honestly say I was simply “intrigued.”

One of the reasons why is that I am the world’s biggest edamame fan. Seriously, I am addicted. I always have at least one bag of frozen edamame on hand – usually two. I love it popped in the microwave, salted, and set right in front of me….. and I really don’t like to share!

I also LOVE edamame in tossed salads and pasta salads. Delicious!

But… in a snack mix???

Like I said, it had me intrigued. Probably like the first time Popeye heard about Green Smoothies. Intrigued.

As soon as they came, I opened the box, quickly took pictures of the packets, and tore into one. Nevermind the fact that I was in the middle of cooking lunch – I had to know what they tasted like.

Suffice to say I nearly ruined my lunch by eating a packet at once.

Every single bite is delicious and nutritious.

I (obviously) love that they’re gluten-free – but that’s just one of the many things to love.

{Continued Below….}

Edamame Infusion Snacks Are…

Preservative Free
Gluten-Free (worth mentioning twice)
Sulfur Free
Good Sources of Protein
Good Sources of Iron
Good Source of Fiber
Perfect for Lunch Boxes or Backpacks
Ideal to keep in the desk door for snacking

Since I’m one of those people who has low blood sugar, I always keep a snack in my purse – just in case I find myself in need of something to eat before I drop to my knees. Carrying snacks in handbags, pockets, lunchboxes, or backpacks can be tricky. Chocolate melts, cookies crumble, granola bars… well, let’s be honest, sometimes I’d rather deal with dropping to my knees. Snacks such as this are always fresh and delicious. They won’t crumble, melt, or taste like cardboard doing an imitation of oatmeal.

I’m a huge fan of granola bars, could you tell?

Visit On The Go Snacks to learn more about their different snacks – this particular one is completely out of this world.

Where to Buy: You can find On The Go Edamame Fusion Snacks on Amazon. I’ve linked to the Tropical Fusion variety, but the others are there as well.

Review of Wonderful Pereg Spices: Thai Sweet Chili and Burger

October 15, 2018 By Joi Sigers

The thing that leaves most restaurant food lacking is a lack of seasoning – not enough flavor or “personality” in the food. I’d venture to guess that it’s the same with food that tastes so-so in kitchens all across the globe. Some people, it seems, are timid when it comes to trying different spices and seasonings and stick with the tried and true.

Now, let me rush in like an SEC running back to say that there are many foods that require very simple seasoning – in fact, some shine the brightest with just a little salt and pepper.

However, if we’re being honest, most dishes benefit from layers of delicious spices and seasoning. The trick can be trying to figure out how much of this or how many pinches of that will actually all come together in a tasteful manner.

That’s where seasoning blends like Pereg come in so handy. They have the test kitchens and the experts to sort things out for us. They even put them together to create magical blends that are ideal for whatever meal we’re whipping up: Thai Sweet Chili, Burger, Sumac, Za’atar, Jerusalem, Soup, Chicken, Shawarma, Morrocan, Sweet Red Pepper… (all of these and more can all be found on Amazon).

I was sent a couple of these creative and flavorful spices in exchange for telling you all about them. I received the Burger and Thai Sweet Chili – as for the others, I’ll be ordering them two by two (ark style) asap. I love trying cooking and eating different foods from regions around the world and am excited to use each of these spices.

The Burger spice is the one I tried first. It was a knock-out. We eat a lot of burgers in our house and this spice is going fast. It’s very flavorful and gives the burger layers of flavor.

{Continued Below….}

The Thai Sweet Chili is just as outstanding. I’ve used it with grilled fish, fried catfish (my obsession, pictured above), chicken, and shrimp. The first time I tasted fish with this seasoning, the first word that came to mind was, “exciting!”

Pretty hard to beat that, isn’t it??!!

{Wrapped up below….}

Visit Pereg’s official website for more information on their MANY wonderful products as well as recipes and find many of their items on Amazon.

Review: Absolutely Gluten Free Tahini Bars (Delicious!)

September 27, 2018 By Joi Sigers

Okay, I have a confession to make before I get to the review of these delicious snack bars. When I first received these bars to review on the food blog, I took SCADS of pictures. I took them in their packaging, I took them out of their packaging. I took them alongside coffee (amazingly delicious with coffee), I took them on snack trays.

I photographed them in my kitchen and I even photographed them beside my flower bed, where I loved to snack away while working with my beloved zinnias.

Now… understand… I regularly write reviews on the food blog (as well as my other blogs), so photographing products, e-mailing the pictures to myself, saving, and posting them are as old hat to me as putting ice in my tea glass.

And yet.

For the first time in my life, I lost 95 percent of the pictures I took! I’m sick about this because this is a wonderful snack and one of the foods I’ve been sent that I was the most excited about!

I’ve checked and rechecked ,my iPhone, my iPad, and my e-mail. Know what I came up with? TWO PICTURES – TWO, OUT OF PROBABLY THIRTY! And – it gets worse. The two I actually found? Basically the same picture – just different angles.

{Insert thirty screaming emojis right here.}

At any rate, I want to tell you all about these snack bars (the press release is published at the end of my review, so you can read even more about them).

The bars are available online (through Amazon) and come in these delicious varieties: Pistachio, Vanilla, and Cocoa Nibs. Being a chocoholic, I was completely prepared to favor the cocoa nibs like a favored child but the vanilla and pistachio bars said, “Not so fast, mom…” Each of the three are just phenomenal and (as is the case with my three beautiful daughters), I couldn’t pick a favorite if I had to.

Tahini Flavor

I will point this out, in complete fairness and full disclosure – you need to like the flavor of tahini to appreciate these snack bars. There is more tahini flavor in these little guys than in any hummus I ever made or met. Given the name, this isn’t much of a surprise, is it? The flavor of cocoa nibs, vanilla, and pistachio is evident in each of the three varieties, but make no mistake about it, tahini is the star of the show and she does not forget this fact.

{Review Continued Below… Beneath the second of the two remaining pics…. sigh}

While I feel absolutely SICK about the missing pictures, I do have to cut myself just a little bit of slack. One of my daughters was very, very sick this past summer and my mind was, understandably, elsewhere. She had chronic diarrhea, nausea, pain, and (since she was unable to eat) was losing weight at an alarming rate. After many doctors, procedures, and even a scope, it was determined that she had a horrible case of gastritis and needed weeks of medication and recovery. She spent nearly her entire summer sick and hurting while her mom (that’d be me) spent it worried sick.

I’m not using this as an excuse for the picture catastrophe (all I can figure is I e-mailed them to myself, deleted the pictures, and they never made it to my e-mail). I’m actually using this as a testimony to these bars. While Emily was recovering, the Tahini bars were often the one thing she could hold down – and they seemed to settle her stomach. I always attributed this to the simplicity of the product. They’re free of so many things that are difficult to digest and contain ingredients that are beautifully natural and easy to handle.

They, literally, were a God-send for her.

If they’re easy on someone’s digestive system that’s under complete attack, they must be as good as they’re cracked up to be!

After I tried these delicious gluten-free bars, I researched the Absolutely Gluten-Free band – completely determined to buy everything they make! I was delighted to see that they make a great selection of gluten-free foods – and, yes, I have every intention of trying them all!

I hope you’ll visit their website and find these bars (Pistachio, Vanilla, and Cocoa Nibs) on Amazon or in your local stores, if you can find where they’re carried. These would be IDEAL for after-school snacks or treats for the office desk, lunch box treats, and handbag. For a while there, I had one in my purse at all times!

Press Release:

NEW! SNACK BARS TAKE THE TAHINI CRAZE TO HEALTHY, DELICIOUS NEW HEIGHTS

Absolutely Gluten Free Introduces TahiniBAR, the Energy Bar Made From Sesame Seeds

Available in Three Exciting Varieties: Cocoa Nibs, Pistachio, and Vanilla

Absolutely Gluten Free, maker of all-natural crackers, flatbreads, and pizza that are both delicious and gluten-free, is taking on the energy bar category with the launch of TahiniBAR, a grab-and-go sesame seed snack that weighs in at only 100 calories. All varieties are certified OU Kosher and dairy-free.

TahiniBAR is leading the pack in many of today’s hottest food trends:

Demand for authentic Mediterranean food, particularly seed-based spreads like hummus and tahini, is on the rise in the United States, with even more growth in the forecast.

The market for healthy portable snacks has seen dynamic growth; bars are more widely available and consumed on a more casual basis than ever before.

The gluten-free movement continues to gain traction as shoppers become more mindful of diets that support health and wellness. In fact, more than 30% of Generation Z and Millennials say they are willing to pay a premium for gluten-free products.

Finally, consumers are expecting intriguing new textures and flavors, and they want to indulge in ingredients like fruits, nuts, and chocolate.

Sesame seeds are truly one of the most ancient foods on earth. In fact, sesame plants are the oldest known plant species to be grown primarily for their seeds (pods) and oils rather than for their leaves, fruit or vegetables.

Health Benefits – Sesame seeds are an excellent source of copper, manganese, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, molybdenum, and selenium. These translate into a variety of health benefits including cholesterol-lowering phytosterols, heart health, improved blood pressure, hormone balance, as well as cancer fighting and fat burning properties. Sesame also helps boost nutrient absorption and energy levels, too.

TahiniBAR satisfies all of these demands in a novel new format. Like tahini and its decadent dessert cousin, halvah, the energy bars are made from all-natural roasted sesame seeds. Sesame seeds help boost energy levels and are a good source of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, Calcium, Iron, Zinc and potassium. Much lower in calories than many other bars, this 100% gluten-free treat is available in three delectable varieties – Cocoa Nibs, Pistachio, and Vanilla – and sold in packs of 7 bars (4.4 oz.). The MSRP is $3.99 – $4.49 per 7- bar package.

Absolutely Gluten Free is headquartered in Bayonne, NJ, and currently has a line of gluten free flatbreads and crackers, Superseed Crunch, Blondies and cauliflower crusted pizza, among other items, available in stores nationwide. Follow them on FB and Twitter @AbsolutelyGF and online at www.absolutelygf.com.

Plush Puffs: Hand-Crafted Gourmet Marshmallows That Will Blow Your Mind!

March 30, 2018 By Joi Sigers

Have you ever heard of Plush Puffs Gourmet (Handcrafted) Marshmallows? If not, hold on to your smores, your summer is about to get deliciously exciting. These are unlike any marshmallows you’ve ever tasted or seen. These hand-crafted artisan marshmallows are packed with so much flavor you’d think you were eating an entire dessert. While they are excellent in hot chocolate and even coffee, I think they’re at their best either eaten right out of the box (especially the Toasted Coconut or Caramel Swirl marshmallows!), roasted over a campfire, or teamed up with graham crackers and chocolate for the world famous smores… something I wouldn’t venture into summer without.

Toasted Coconut Plush Puffs

My favorites are the Toasted Coconut and the Caramel Swirl. They’re out of this very world. Given that coconut is one of my personal culinary obsessions, it’s not surprising that this was the first one I tried. They’re just as delicious as you’d imagine – so soft and fun to eat!

Caramel Swirl Plush Puffs

I tasted the Caramel Swirl Plush Puffs and was as blown away by them as the coconut ones. My daughter, Brittany, is all about caramel, so I sent the rest of the box with her to work. About an hour later, she texted me and said, “OMG! THESE ARE ADDICTIVE!!!” – including all kinds of happy emojis.

Addictive is the perfect word for these little beauties.

Caramel Swirl Plush Puffs

The Plush Puff Story

Once upon a time (Halloween time that is) a young boy asked “hey Mom, let’s make pumpkin marshmallows today”. Mom said, “hmmm, that sounds interesting, let’s give it a go!”. Well, that Mom called another Mom (who both coincidentally already worked as chefs together) and they went to it. After many painstaking hours in the test kitchen and many “almost batches”, Plush Puffs were born! Much to our delight, a whole bunch of other flavors turned out beautifully, and finally a special flavor we added last fall Pumpkin Praline! From the first hit, Toasted Coconut to the Chocolate Chipetta, they have all been a labor of love. In fact, it is still hard to resist more than one taste test when the batches are being made. – Read More…

Peppi-Mint Plush Puffs Marshmallows

The Peppi-Mint Plush Puffs Marshmallows are especially pretty, aren’t they? They have a really strong peppermint flavor and, if you love peppermint, you’ll find them to be a beautiful match made in heaven! Like the two flavors above, these would also make wonderful smores and would be downright gorgeous roasted over a fire.

Mochaccino Plush Puffs

Last but certainly not least are the Mochaccino Plush Puffs. The minute you open the box (even before you open the bag), you know what you’re in for. The aroma reminds me of a coffee shop… something that I find especially exciting. These (along with the Toasted Coconut marshmallows) are my favorites for floating in hot chocolate. Both are unspeakably delicious!

Visit Plush Puffs Hand-Crafted Marshmallows for more information.

If You Don’t Like Ghee, It’s Only Because You Haven’t Had the BEST Ghee: Ancient Organics

January 4, 2018 By Joi Sigers

Ancient Organics Ghee

I have a couple of confessions to make.

When I first tried ghee, I thought it was horrifyingly bad. So bad that I was certain I’d never touch it again.
I am a complete and total Ghee addict.

So how did I get from bullet point number 1 to bullet point number 2? I tried a different ghee!

As someone who has to eat gluten-free, I read a lot of Paleo articles, use Paleo cookbooks, and stalk the Paleo crowd on social media. While I don’t follow the Paleo diet exclusively, I do incorporate it into my cooking and eating. Paleo cooking uses A LOT of ghee, so I figured it’d be worthwhile to simply try a different brand rather than completely throw ghee out the back door (something that my store-bought ghee had me tempted to do).

My husband ordered a jar of Ancient Organics Ghee on Amazon and, as soon as it came, we tested it out.

What a difference a label makes! Seriously, I cannot even begin to figure out how Ancient Organics Ghee gets it so deliciously right when other ghees get it so frightfully wrong.

Maybe the description below will give us a little insight…

Product Description from Ancient Organic’s Amazon Page:

Ancient Organics Ghee is a premium cooking oil celebrated for its taste, nutritional benefits, and medicinal qualities—it is unlike any other ghee on the market today. Our Ghee is hand-crafted over an open flame and made in small batches, ensuring you will always get the freshest Ghee. With an uncompromised commitment to quality and an obsessive attention to detail, we guarantee you won’t find a more pure, better tasting Ghee. Ghee is the complete distillation of butter— the end result of a long, slow, careful clarification process that removes all the moisture, lactose and casein, making it completely shelf stable AND a perfect choice for people who are lactose intolerant. The difference between Ghee and clarified butter lies in their flavor and shelf stability: Ghee is superior on both counts Ayurveda recognizes ghee as an essential part of a balanced diet and is considered to be the very best oil one can eat. It has been used for centuries as a digestive and elimination aid, for energy, sexual vitality, skin and eye health, as a lubricant for the joints and for alkalizing the blood. Comprised of full spectrum short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acids, Ghee contains Omega 3 and Omega 9 essential fatty acids along with vitamins A, D, E and K. Our Ghee is one of the highest natural sources of CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) because we use only the highest quality organic butter of pastured cows. Our golden Ghee has a delicious caramelized and nutty taste that will enhance the flavor of any culinary creation. It has one of the highest flash points (485ºF) and it is simply the best choice for high temperature cooking. Substitute our Ghee for olive oil, butter or vegetable oil in or on anything from soups, potatoes, rice and vegetables, with eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, smoothies or popcorn—the possibilities are truly endless. Try it—you will love it!

What is Ghee?

Ghee is a healthy alternative to cooking – far better than vegetable oil. Ayurveda, the ancient medical science of India, recognizes Ghee as a very important part of a healthy diet. It also considers ghee to be the best fat one can eat.

Ghee is as easy to implement in your cooking and eating as it gets. Use it in place of olive oil, vegetable oil, or butter. Ancient Organics Ghee is so delicious we even have an after-dinner routine we’ve followed for over a year. We spread a little ghee on a small square of dark chocolate, then sprinkle Pink Himalayan Salt on top.

It is outrageously delicious. Trust me.

Eggs fried in ghee are also out of this world good. The high-temperature quality of ghee performs beautifully in sautes and stir fries.

I’ve even added a little ghee to soups and oatmeal and found that it gives a rich flavor that brings out the best in every other flavor.

Heck, it even takes popcorn up a couple of notches. Last summer I popped some popcorn for an afternoon baseball game. Instead of melting butter, which I’ve done for popcorn for 112 years, I reached for the ghee and melted a tablespoon of it. OMG. I have not used butter for popcorn since.

But here’s the thing – it has got to be Ancient Organics Ghee. Has. Got. To. Be. The rest I’ve tried are nowhere near as good. I can’t explain it but I can darn sure taste it. This particular brand occasionally runs out on Amazon (which tells you all you need to know about how great it is). Before we learned to stock up, we’d every now and then find “not available” or “In stock on… (insert later date)” on the Amazon page. This led to the need to order other brands and/or experiment with store-bought ghee.

Seriously – they don’t even taste like the same thing!

I hope you’ll try as soon as you can. You’re going to love it. If one size is temporarily sold out, buy the other size. If you get a “In stock on..” message, throw it in your cart and wait!

Yes, it’s costlier than some other ghees, but it is infinitely worth it.

Fun and Delicious: The Little Kernel Miniature Popcorn (Review + Delicious Recipe for Honey Peanut Butter Granola Bars)

November 13, 2017 By Joi Sigers

Have you seen -or heard of – The Little Kernel miniature popcorn? I hadn’t when I was first contacted to try it in exchange for a post on the food blog. But one look at the Little Kernel guy and I was hooked. That combined with the fact that I’m BEYOND obsessed with popcorn made me downright giddy at the prospect.

The Little Kernel is a better-for-you snack with a unique, hulless, “miniature kernel.” Popped in 100% pure olive oil, each popcorn is gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, kosher and certified whole grains.

My favorites were the Sweet & Salty Kettle and the Butter Flavored while my husband was wild about the Truffle Sea Salt. I have a funny relationship with Truffle salt – I like it for a few bites, then, I’m ready to move on.

If you love truffle salt as much as my husband does, however, this will become your new addiction.

As for me and my taste buds, we’re sticking with the Sweet & Salty and Butter Flavored. I’m intrigued by the other flavors available too – especially the White Cheddar and Pink Himalayan Salt. They both sound out of this world good.

Where to Buy The Little Kernel Miniature Popcorn:

The Little Kernel is on Amazon – something I love since I pretty much live on Amazon. It’s super-easy to just throw a bag or two or twelve in the cart along with whatever lovely little something caught my eye at the time. Just click the link (Amazon) and shop for the variety of Little Kernel you’re craving.

You can also order The Little Kernel Miniature popcorn from their website.

You are going to love this popcorn – it’s uncommonly delicious and just a lot of fun to eat.

One of my favorites, Sweet & Salty, stars in the great recipe below from @snacksalldayeveryday. Just be sure to order plenty of The Little Kernel to use in the recipe AND for popping directly into your mouth.

Trust me on this one.

Honey Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Recipe Credit: @snacksalldayeveryday

2 cups of rolled oats
3 1/2 cups The Little Kernel Sweet & Salty
1/2 cup puffed rice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
1. Combine all dry ingredients in one bowl (using about 1/2 cup of popcorn only).
2. In microwave, combine peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract and melt until smooth.
3. Combine this with dry ingredients and then line a dish with this mixture (tightly packed about 3/4 inch high).
4. Chill in fridge for 20 minutes.
5. Then combine remaining popcorn with honey and add this on as a second layer (tightly packed).
6. Chill for another 15 minutes or so, cut, drizzle with melted chocolate, and serve. No baking necessary.

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Honey Peanut Butter Granola Bars

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