If you’re looking to
be a board member, the Wine Institute Wine Advisory Board seems ripe. I found an
undated, but obviously old, little paper
giveaway book titled “Wine Cookery… The Easy Way*.” The asterisk goes to *Using
California Wines and The Convenience Foods.”
The cover includes a drawing of a wine bottle, instant mix, cans of tomatoes
and pears and yes, a TV dinner. It’s an artwork of a TV dinner with chicken and
what I’m guessing is potatoes and a pat of butter. I did think these kind of
cool in the ‘70s. Times have changed and I got a little ticked with some of the
recipes. They seem so different from what is considered “gourmet” today. Here’s
some ideas from the book:
The very
first recipe is Sherried Geen Pea Soup that includes a can of can of soup and a
can of clams. A party cheese spread starts with containers of already made
cheddar spread, grated orange rind, California dry Vermouth and small curd
cottage cheese. Yum? Maybe. But the Anchovy Wine Cheese Spread with cream
cheese, Sherry and green olives. I’d try it but I anticipate I wouldn’t like
it. How about Chicken Livers Saute with sherry or Beet and Apple Salad? I’m not
keeping the booklet.
Oatsome – I know people who get excited about oatmeal. I’m one of them now. The
thrill of overnight oats challenges me. What liquid can I use? How can I top
it? When’s breakfast? Oatsome has done this for me. Gluten-Free & Organic
Overnight Oats with Chia, Flax & Hemp are some kind of fun. You can make
something with the kids that has berries on top and looks like some kind of art
sold for big bucks from gourmet markets. You’re a rolled oats type? Oatsome has
your fiber here with a more traditional take. www.betterbodyfoods.com will get you thinking about nut butters, cinnamon and – dare I say it –
pumpkin spice.
Dip + Spread = YES – It was bad math that lead to great snacking. I’m heavy on the spices
so I didn’t even notice when I emptied a packet of Spicy Mexican Chorizo
inspired seasoning from Sauce Goddess. Typically dip mix goes into sour cream
or even cream cheese but I scanned and chose the avocado option for “health
reasons.” I then noticed the dip/spread mix was designed to make 2-3 batches.
No worries, I’d read that mixing it into hummus was also an option so I creamed
up a can of garbanzo beans and let that twirl right into the toasted cumin and
bright oregano flavors. It was both bean dip and guacamole, in a way. The family loved this with veggies and pita
triangles as dip. www.saucegoddess.com lets that creative flavor flow into garlic
and Moroccan packets, too. You’re gonna have fun with this goddess.
TRUE PRIMAL – Backstory: When hear the name of this company, maybe your
mind goes to tearing freshly-hunted meat with your teeth by the fire. Or
free-range gluten-free chicken soup. “Primal” means first, fundamental and
deliciously intentional to this brand. The line includes Southwest-Style
Chicken Soup with a nutritional label that is a joy to read. It’s an on-the-go
pouch of pleasure that took me back to a desert retreat. Going to www.trueprimal.com can convince you to “embrace
exercise, fresh air, sufficient sleep and stress reduction with nutrition to
achieve optimal health.
Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie willing to
dive into culinary history. darraghcastillo@icloud.com
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