Sips of the Season

Stash Tea Stash is a “little bag of crazy” according to this Portland, Oregon biz started in 1972. It’s crazy good on its own and www.stashtea.com has some ideas for those who like experimenting with Doublespice Chai, Mango Passionfruit, Asian Pear Harmony, Ginger Fire Chai, Sunny Orange Ginger, Wild Raspberry Hibiscus and Pomegranate Raspberry. I love how red teas look in a glass. I’ve tried them the mindful experience begins with the soft aroma that greets you when you tear open the outer pouch. Maybe you don’t need a recipe beyond hot water and bag of Stash. But I love to play. Be inspired with something like this: Citrus Hibiscus Sangria should include seasonal produce, such as blood oranges, apples and lemons, Candice young of From the Roots blog suggests. She uses a quart sized bag of Stash Wild Raspberry Iced Tea or 4 Wild Raspberry Hibiscus tea bags, 4 cups water, a half cup organic cane sugar, mint leaves, a liter of sparkling mineral water, a quart of 100 percent pure juice (try pomegranate, strawberry lemonade or cranberry) and your fruits and garnish such as grapes, berries, etc. Cucumbers & Roses “Botanicals” has a lovely ring to it. Back in the ‘70s this meant Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo. Then I got into herb gardening and loved the aromas, textures and flavors of culinary and healing plants. I never would have dreamed I’d be enjoying cucumbers and roses in adult beverages. Finlandia Botanical has made it happen. The Finnish are crafting infusions for “mindful sipping in casual get-togethers. Cucumber & Mint and Wildberry & Rose are 73 calories a serve with no artificial flavors or added sugars. Sparkling water, tonic or lemonade will add to your mindful sipping, as will The Garnish Lounge touches of dried rose petals, lime, etc. This is light and lovely and is sure to connect you to nature. www.finlandia.com Ranch Water Ginn Fizz is a new thing for RANCH20 Spirits that is among my favorites of this fizzy water trend. If you’ve seen the term, you can call Ranch Water a mxi of tequila, lime and soda water a “skinny Margarita” or the unofficial cocktail of West Texas. This brand has its version as well as Classic Marg, a Vodka Soda and the gin thing that’ll make you bubble with excitement. It’s a Texan thing and we’re proud like that. They’re boasting of “real” ingredients, great taste and no compromise. On the can, the H20 is written like the water symbol, and there’s a cattle brand like a flowing R. Now, get over to www.ranch20spirits.com and see if you can picture yourself like the cowboy-booted lady relaxing her legs out of her window. Since I’m quite sure she is of age and not driving, I’m imagining her cooling off after the head ranch hand has driven her around to survey her spread. Winewisk Wine is like music, they say, and we all like something different. Winewisk Aerator lets you taste before and after in your own glass experience levels of flavor and aroma. Swirl without judgement. The bonus is the slip of plastic is color coded, so you can keep up with your own serving. Clip it on the inside of your glass and you can swirl when you want to. These are the perks beyond smoother taste as you release your wine’s full flavor and aroma. Winewisk.com has more on this cool tool. I like that it slows you down and encourages you to use your senses. It does make a positive difference. www.winewisk.com Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie keeping hydrated. Let her know what you are enjoying this season via darraghcastillo@icloud.com

All the Olive

All the olive Awesome oil and amazing soap are just two reasons to indulge in TRE Olive, products, connected to the Calabria region of Southern Italy. Three (TRE) cousins started TRE Olive to prevent dilution. So you’re getting the real thing and these cousins are justifiably proud. I love the can and the flavor and the way it cooks my morning egg and drizzles over popcorn. They have candles, but on to the soap. A generous block of creamy, gentle soap is formed from “leftover” olive oil from the previous years’ harvest. You can even get it in a fig or rosemary scented bar. The box said a side effects include smooth Mediterranean skin that everyone will want to touch. Hey, I even enjoy touching this heavy chunk of pure soap. www.treolive.com

SeaBear The thought of a bear nabbing a salmon and enjoying it as much as I do could be the closest I get to the Pacific Northwest. SeaBear Smokehouse of Anacortes, Washington is bringing the region to my table in a shelf stable sealed pouch that has origins with the family that started it all in 1957. Just like Jim LaBove’s Cotton’s Seafood family collected seafood from the marshes of Sabine Pass for restaurants, Tom Savidge and his wife, Marie built a backyard smokehouse and sold to local taverns. Sure I enjoyed the beautiful, rich smoked salmon for a luxurious Meatless Monday dinner at table, but also I’d relished Idaho Trout Smoked steelhead in my car. If you’ve got to eat on the run, make it good. These pouches travel. Smoked fish is a holiday treat for me, and it’s very good to keep on our hurricane prep shelves. www.seabear.com Fit Pumpkin Update If dealing with a big old pumpkin is not how you want to get your seasonal flavor in, take a powder. Pumpkin Spice PBfit is the flavor you crave in the most convenient manner. This version of the original is a fragrant blend of peanuts, coconut palm sugar, spices and salt. Mix some powder with water for a low-fat, natural and gluten-free kick you can spread on a sandwich blend into a smoothie or bake into pancakes, etc. I’m a fan of this product which yields high flavor in a blend that has 90 percent less fat and about a third of the calories of regular peanut butter, when prepared as directed. It all begins with real roasted pressed peanuts and is seasonally perfect to top your oatmeal. I’m putting some in a shaker to keep it handy for the next two months of breakfast variations. Pumpkin all the way! www.betterbodyfoods.com To go with: So plants make your coffee, your creamer and your snack to go with. Super Power Bars are very delicious plant-based organic double dark chocolate brownie bars. They have a richness I don’t feel guilty about with 10 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and 1 gram of sugar. They actually taste like something you cut out of a pan, but they’re packaged to stash in your purse. These gluten-free babies from www.reset360.com are certified organic and Dr. Sara Gottfried puts her name on them. Un-Honey Is your Un-Honey a blonde? I love the copper, which is “chocolatey and carmelly” according to the label. That doesn’t go through spell check but it I’m gonna let it pass on warm toast. Try these beauties from The Single Origin Food. Co. in your coffee. Un-Honey is plant based so no bees were harmed in this so-like-honey-it-may-crystallize creation. “Cruelty Free and Still Killing It!!” is another boast on the label. Blonde comes from coconut, Amber has cane and Copper comes from dates. These are organic, unblended nectars. That’s why some of this heavenly sweetness reminds me of my dad drizzling some Steen’s cane syrup over hot French bread after a trip through Louisiana. This is a modern take on a classic that can go right into your coffee or on an appreciative breakfast side dish. www.thesofo.com Darragh Castillo is a Port Arthur area foodie ready to looking for holiday trends. Keep us all informed by sharing ideas with her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

National Coffee Day brewtastic

National Coffee Day is brewing Celebrate the beans, the brew, the tools and the “quiet time” when National Coffee Day rolls around on Sept. 29, 2021. Maybe you’ll abstain from coffee until this day so that your cup will taste extra good. Who am I kidding? Let’s get started now with these ideas: Coffee for dinner Some of us can’t get enough coffee, in any form. For about the price of one fancy cup out, get a Don Pablo Coffee Spice Grinder to season your meats, etc. You can see the coffee beans peeking out of the Bourbon Coffee, Pepper & Sea Salt grinder. It’s artistic. Grind some Adabo with the addition of chopped garlic, onion and oregano for something new. Because I’m so into heat, I favor the Organic Coffee Peppercorn & Red Pepper. There’s more. Suggested uses include beef, pork, chicken, seafood and French Fries. When I mention I’m trying these, people look a bit “confused” by the concept. One taste should convince them. www.donpablocoffee.com

Nostalgia It’s not everyone who can harken memories, create a business around them and deliver a good brew for another generation’s memories. “We’re a little Nostalgic,” is Taylor Fields’ message on the package. Fields put the feeling of a neighborhood café into brew bags for no-equipment, no-hassle flavor, Dunk twice and drink. This 100 percent roasted coffee smells so good. What would you expect after Fields partnered with world-class growers and producers for an award-winning roast. This is the perfect travel treat to take wherever you can get hot water. Here’s another Fields note: “We bring craft and care everywhere we go… from origin to cup.” I like the motto and I like the coffee. I tried “Memory Lane.” www.nostalgiacoffeeroasters.com Cool Coffee Clique If your coffee makes you laugh and be a little proud, comes with stylish branded gear, you’ll be good to go each morning with your cup. Cool Coffee Clique Pink and gold accent swag for the basic product, just good coffee. Dare you try Strong AF (AND FLAVORFUL) premium coffee? I’m glad I did. It’s sources from “the best coffee farms worldwide” and “roasted to perfection.” You’ll feel rich and bold and strong just smelling it. www.coolcoffeeclique.com nutpods Celebrate the sweet but not the sugar with a new line of sweet selections from notpods. I’d mentioned them recently and this new “almond+coconut” creamer comes out in little boxes of sweet crème, French vanilla and caramel. It’s all the way good and I tried it with nutpods coffee labeled “a little coffee for your creamer.” These are plant-based, dairy-free and soy-free splashes that will brighten your morning. www.nutpods.com NanoFoamer for latte art I was skeptical. Now I’m a believer. Subminimal NanoFoamer makes barista-quality microfoam milk for cappuccinos, etc. Just the basic tool, with a screened head about the circumference of a quarter, gets inserted into a cup of milk that churns it into a creation you can hear. Seriously, I hear those little bubbles and hold the cup up to my ear like a seashell for this sensation. It’s mindful. Change out screens and go for “thick.” The box calls it “stunning velvet textured milk” in just 20 seconds. I’ve also added cardamom and chocolate powders. Tag your coffee art on their social media. www.subminimal.com To go with: So plants make your coffee, your creamer and your snack to go with. Super Power Bars are very delicious plant-based organic double dark chocolate brownie bars. They have a richness I don’t feel guilty about with 10 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and 1 gram of sugar. They actually taste like something you cut out of a pan, but they’re packaged to stash in your purse. These gluten-free babies from www.reset360.com are certified organic and Dr. Sara Gottfried puts her name on them. Un-Honey Is your Un-Honey a blonde? I love the copper, which is “chocolatey and carmelly” according to the label. That doesn’t go through spell check but it I’m gonna let it pass on warm toast. Try these beauties from The Single Origin Food. Co. in your coffee. Un-Honey is plant based so no bees were harmed in this so-like-honey-it-may-crystallize creation. “Cruelty Free and Still Killing It!!” is another boast on the label. Blonde comes from coconut, Amber has cane and Copper comes from dates. These are organic, unblended nectars. That’s why some of this heavenly sweetness reminds me of my dad drizzling some Steen’s cane syrup over hot French bread after a trip through Louisiana. This is a modern take on a classic that can go right into your coffee or on an appreciative breakfast side dish. www.thesofo.com Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who understands the power of coffee. What’s your best coffee tip? Share with her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Oysters in the house My love affair with tinned smoked oysters goes back decades. They’re little more than a dollar a can, stack well in the pantry and pack a strong flavor and oil that makes me feel luxurious. My whole family loves them, yet I know they are not for everyone. Pair them with cream cheese for appetizers or, fold them into an omelet for a meal good enough to go with Champagne.

Cooking with Truffles: I recently got a honeysuckle eating demo. I’d been doing it wrong. Since then I’ve heard of honeysuckle jam, moonshine and beer. I just picked up the new book “Cooking with Truffles: A Chef’s Guide.” Guess what I find? A recipe for Honeysuckle Gelato with Vanilla and Black Winter Truffle Salt. Is cooking with them all new to you? Try growing them. Truffles are mastery and mystery say famers. Susi Gott Séguret writes this book that offers glimpses of maybe not so much how you already cook, but about how you’d like to live. Truffled Roasted Leg of Lamb with Herbs and Tagliatelle with Truffle Cream and Asparagus Points look and sound fancy, but they’re actually doable in the home kitchen. Need more simplicity? Simmer some Truffled Bone Marrow. Yabbaduu How can you enjoy chocolate so much without eating it that you’re likely to break out in smiles? Yabbaduu Face Balm comes with a song and a smell. A little pot of cream holds this happiness. Rub a little under and on your nose and breathe in the aroma of chocolate. There’s like 60 substances that goes into your thought process. This cocoa bean fragrance made me feel like I was at a chocolatier in Europe. I felt better just twisting the lid off and getting a whiff. We have the Germans to thank for this product. Chasteberry releases dopamine and endorphins. Monk’s Pepper sounds cool. Too bad you can’t smell this good stuff through your computer, but you can hear the peppy song at www.yabbaduu.com Andrew & Everett This brand offers clean label cheese that’s with selections including “aged over 90 days,” rustic thick cut, and “udderly the best.” If you’re into healthier choices at all you can tell makers like this are proud to discuss preservative and hormone-free products with fewer and better ingredients and “clean label” is part of this honesty and pride. Sharp White Cheddar, Mozzarella, Fiesta Blend and American Cheese have your faves covered in delicious form. Get this: grass-fed cows are raised on small, fourth-generation family-owned farms in America’s heartland and each farm has around only 15 heads of cattle. Milk is made into cheese within 48 hours. Don’t you want to visit these cows? Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie checking her supply of smoked oysters. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Lucky Stripes! Always a classic

Stripes always a classic Black and white stripes are time tested from French royalty to punk rockers. Even Beetlejuice wore them well. Over the years I’ve been gifted stripes. We listened to Adam Ant cassette tapes in my Dodge Dart Swinger all night in the ‘80s when a friend gave me a chic box purse. It’s still kind of a culinary lunch kit. Another friend passed a Neiman Marcus travel bag I can’t bear to toss. Now I colleague gave me a durable plastic striped pencil case that is sure to outlive me. Readers, I’ll bet you have some patterns/colors that make you all sentimental. Share your memories with me.

Crunchy peas From TV’s “Ted Lasso” I learned “mushy peas” is a Northern England favorite. It’s not just for babies and seniors. It’s a nearly mandatory side for fish and chips in that region. Oregon is offering crunchy peas. Harvest Snaps is a lighter and healthier version of more traditional crisps. They look like green fries and I’ve crunched them with sandwiches for lunch on the go and even as an omelet side. Flavors beyond original include a touch of wasabi and Caesar. This bag does not over promise with phrases such as “deliciously baked crunch,” “fresh-picked goodness” and “light & creamy.” Huge green pea snack crisps are shown over a field of peas thriving in a mountainous region. Snaps are enlarged to show texture. It’s a lot of info on a bag to steer you to a lot of crunch inside. Strike! is different Designed for clean energy and backed by science, Strike! has a pleasant tropical – not chalky – taste. The 25 calories in this drink help to burn calories, increase strength and provide sustainable energy for peak performance, makers say. I’m not claiming I’ve been working that hard, but the Olympics brought out the dreams for us all. A little more working out will help us medal in good health. I like this drink and feel good about using it. It has: L-Citrulline: increases blood flow in the body, which improves endurance and reduces time to exhaustion. L-Theanine: provides clean energy that increases focus and concentration, leading to an optimal workout. Caffeine: decreases fatigue which reduces perception of effort. Rhodolia Rosea: improves aerobic exercise ability across the board by decreasing fatigue. L-Dopa: increases dopamine, which improves subjective well-being to help you push through longer. Rocky-Roo Once again, the Once Again racoon has tempted me with organic nut butters I can’t resist. New single serve options with sunflowers or almonds or peanuts come in little packets that make lunch easier and more fun. It’s also good for people who consider nut butters their weakness and can’t keep a spoon out of the jar. Portion control. New flavors in the line include a sweet maple almond butter and sunflower hemp butter. Rocky-Roo is the racoon. www.onceagainnutbutter.com Jarlsberg for us You know that law of attraction theory? Like attracts like? I got some Jarlsberg Cheese to share with my cheese-loving sister and it turns out she brought a big chunk of it all the way from Alabama to share with me. You don’t need to be able to pronounce charcuterie to love these boards of meat, cheese, etc. They’re everywhere and it’s fun to make your own. It’s a cool summer option with mildly-nutty and silky-smooth Jarlsberg® Cheese. We loved it for breakfast, snacks and afternoon appetizers. She didn’t take any home. The company has used a secret Norwegian recipe since 1056. Sure there are many warm ways to try it, but we simply enjoyed it in the quickest way possible. If you want a recipe, go to www.jarlsberg.com Back to Thousand Island Here’s what got me back on the Thousand Islands boat… Small swaps save calories, reads a wheel on the Walden Farms Italian Dressing label. Whatever they’ve swapped dresses my veggies in “culinary-inspired blends of herbs and spices” with a fat-free, sugar-free, dairy-free a gluten-free flavor with the calorie count reduced to 0. Go on… they have Thousand Island, too? That was my go-too as a kid and it is typically so rich I’ve avoided it. Now, I’m back on the islands. Raspberry Vinaigrette is a 0-calorie spark for when you want to add strawberries and almonds in there. Ranch? I’ve been drizzling this treat on to Taco Tuesday offerings that don’t even include greenery. If you need to inspire yourself or a loved-one to eat a salad, this line could do it. Find out more at www.waldenfarms.com Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie with a new head shot by local photographer Jerome Cabeen. For your own, reach him at https://www.facebook.com/WINDOWWORLDPhotography/ Darragh is at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Sips of the Season

Sips of the season I burned a few magnolia leaves for a fall scent in hopes of cooling down the weather. Worked for me. This column is devoted to sips of the season. Take a moment to enjoy that fall feeling. It doesn’t last too long around here.

Pumpkin Update Fall is a good time to check the dates on your spices as you root around for cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. I consolidated some spices to work up a chai tea blend and/or something to sprinkle on French toast for a pumpkin flavor. I didn’t want to waste a thing, so I added a little water to a nearly-empty ginger bottle and shook it up. I poured it into a pitcher of tea and got an extra zing. Stash Tea Stash is a “little bag of crazy” according to this Portland, Oregon biz started in 1972. It’s crazy good on its own and www.stashtea.com has some ideas for those who like experimenting with Doublespice Chai, Mango Passionfruit, Asian Pear Harmony, Ginger Fire Chai, Sunny Orange Ginger, Wild Raspberry Hibiscus and Pomegranate Raspberry. I love how red teas look in a glass. I’ve tried them the mindful experience begins with the soft aroma that greets you when you tear open the outer pouch. Maybe you don’t need a recipe beyond hot water and bag of Stash. But I love to play. Be inspired with something like this: Citrus Hibiscus Sangria should include seasonal produce, such as blood oranges, apples and lemons, Candice young of From the Roots blog suggests. She uses a quart sized bag of Stash Wild Raspberry Iced Tea or 4 Wild Raspberry Hibiscus tea bags, 4 cups water, a half cup organic cane sugar, mint leaves, a liter of sparkling mineral water, a quart of 100 percent pure juice (try pomegranate, strawberry lemonade or cranberry) and your fruits and garnish such as grapes, berries, etc. Cucumbers & Roses “Botanicals” has a lovely ring to it. Back in the ‘70s this meant Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo. Then I got into herb gardening and loved the aromas, textures and flavors of culinary and healing plants. I never would have dreamed I’d be enjoying cucumbers and roses in adult beverages. Finlandia Botanical has made it happen. The Finnish are crafting infusions for “mindful sipping in casual get-togethers. Cucumber & Mint and Wildberry & Rose are 73 calories a serve with no artificial flavors or added sugars. Sparkling water, tonic or lemonade will add to your mindful sipping, as will The Garnish Lounge touches of dried rose petals, lime, etc. This is light and lovely and is sure to connect you to nature. www.finlandia.com Ranch Water Ginn Fizz is a new thing for RANCH20 Spirits that is among my favorites of this fizzy water trend. If you’ve seen the term, you can call Ranch Water a mxi of tequila, lime and soda water a “skinny Margarita” or the unofficial cocktail of West Texas. This brand has its version as well as Classic Marg, a Vodka Soda and the gin thing that’ll make you bubble with excitement. It’s a Texan thing and we’re proud like that. They’re boasting of “real” ingredients, great taste and no compromise. On the can, the H20 is written like the water symbol, and there’s a cattle brand like a flowing R. Now, get over to www.ranch20spirits.com and see if you can picture yourself like the cowboy-booted lady relaxing her legs out of her window. Since I’m quite sure she is of age and not driving, I’m imagining her cooling off after the head ranch hand has driven her around to survey her spread. Winewisk Wine is like music, they say, and we all like something different. Winewisk Aerator lets you taste before and after in your own glass experience levels of flavor and aroma. Swirl without judgement. The bonus is the slip of plastic is color coded, so you can keep up with your own serving. Clip it on the inside of your glass and you can swirl when you want to. These are the perks beyond smoother taste as you release your wine’s full flavor and aroma. Winewisk.com has more on this cool tool. I like that it slows you down and encourages you to use your senses. It does make a positive difference. www.winewisk.com Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie keeping hydrated. Let her know what you are enjoying this season via darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Golfers need to eat!

Pumpkin Spice and other updates Obligitory Fall Flavor is actually the name of the Pumpkin Spice Doughp cookie dough (that you can bake if you want to). September is National Recovery Month and the creator of this dough called Doughp and pronounced “dope” has a back story she turned into a success. #Doughp4Hope is a national giving back campaign regarding mental health policies. Engage in in a conversation, over this thick and rich concoction made with “better” healthy ingredients. This announcement is part of the annual Culinary Thrill Seeking Pumpkin Spice Update. But please note that Avocado Brownie Vegan Brownie Batter is also a winner spread over sliced green apples. Yummy and healthy. That’s your “obligation” to flavor and better choices. They call it ‘legit” dough.

Truffles, peas and Jarlsberg Can’t stop thinking about Susi Gott Séguret’s “Cooking with Truffles: A Chef’s Guide” mentioned here recently? Combine her truffle passion with a hobby I’ve just heard about. Melfies. This is people taking selfies of themselves while foraging for mushrooms. I looked it up and it’s amazing photography. When rains made shrooms appear in my compost pile, I tried to get a melfie, but couldn’t contort myself just so. The truffle book is very beautiful. You can purchase it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1578268184 Jarlsberg In Norway, people once called this “extra” cheese. Jarlsberg Cheese is what you’re looking for today, so get to a computer and go to Jarlsberg.com to make any day more special. Harvest Snaps green pea snack crisps have a great bucolic label. The package says they are manufactured Calbee NA, LLC of Boardman, Or. I’m hearing headquarters are actually in Fairfield, California. I hope they eat them in all the states. www.harvestsnaps,com Darragh Doiron is a Port Area foodie who’s always got a eye out for new flavors. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com