Oats on the go, regional pies, quick comfort and mayo in everything

 

 

A food writer once proclaimed “Tell me where your grandmother came from and I can tell you how many kinds of pie you serve for Thanksgiving. In the Midwest, two pies is the norm: pumpkin and mince. In the East, add cranberry pie. Sothern favorites are sweet potato and pecan. In colonial times it was thought “penurious and incorrect to offer company fewer than three kinds of pie” is the tale, recounted in “Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience.” Melanie Kirkpatrick’s book discusses how it was – and wasn’t  - from 1621 to 2021.  I plan a dedication to the giving thanks focus of this holiday, and I’d like some of each of these pies, please. I confess, I had not heard of cranberry pie and I’d love to try some.

 

Oats on the go

With anticipation of sampling many pies this season, I aim to dine healthfully whenever possible. Let me share a mid-day fueling tip. If I make an instant oatmeal serving in a metal to-go container, it is warm-ish enough to enjoy with nuts and cranberries, or perhaps cinnamon and honey. It’s a satisfying substitute for the coffee cake my mother’s friends may have enjoyed in the ‘70s.

 

One-Hour Comfort

            Rough day? Have a Prosperity Sandwich. Panang Curry with Shrimp could spice you up quickly. There’s even time for pillowy scrambled eggs in Xihongshi Chao Jidan. America’s Test Kitchen books thoroughly explain how you create photo-worthy meals and include “Why This Recipe Works” that tell us why we’re about to be rewarded for our efforts. Words like “crunchewy,” nostalgic and hearty and offerings such as cheeseburger mac and green gumbo make up worlds of flavor in “One-Hour Comfort: Quick, Cozy, Modern Dishes for All Your Cravings.” We are alike the world over – judging from the chapter called Carbs – and comfort is a global crave. I didn’t note pumpkin in this book but sweet potato stew with peanuts makes me feel orange and warm all over. There are comfort desserts, too. 

 

For all my pescatarian friends

“Veggies & Fish” Inspired New Recipes for Plant-Forward Pescatarian Cooking” is from Bart Van Olphen, author of “The Tinned Fish Cookbook.” Photographs and graphic art will inspire readers to crave even single radishes. Wait until single ingredients come together in Pasta Al Forno with Kale & Mushrooms. If the phrase “plant-forward” intimidated you, gather ingredients for Gin & Tonic Salmon, which goes with Cucumber & Fennel Salad. Navy beans, lentils and potatoes are some bases for all things that come from the waters.

A reason I’d never have thought to pair raw beets with boquerones and Manchego is that I’d never heard of the second ingredient. Marinated raw anchovy filets are the NO. 1 tapas dish in Spain, it says. I have experienced the salty cheese. Maybe those rhyming about green eggs and ham would try this book’s Spinach Pancakes with Cream Cheese, Avocado & Smoked Salmon. I would. A textured cover makes the book a pleasure to hold and read.

 

 

Ketchup Mayo?

                                    Go ahead and scoff. A little mayo may go a long way, but it can go a long way hidden into your chocolate cupcakes or be the star of your roasted chicken. “The Mayonnaise Cookbook: 50 Savory and Sweet Recipes Starring the World’s Best Condiment.” Erin Isaac is sincere, but I think hot sauce is the world’s best condiment. But go ahead, have fun with your mayo. Around Southeast Texas, mayo obviously goes in Cajun remoulade and stuffed eggs, but Issac is ready to surprise you. I’d eat anything on any page of this book. Here’s a simple one: Ketchup Mayo. Mix a quarter cup of mayo with the same amount of ketchup. Add a dash of garlic powder and another dash of Worcestershire sauce. You’ve got something different for your fries or hot dogs. I’d be even more inclined to try this next one:

 

Wasabi Mayo goes with fish and so much more:

½ cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon wasabi paste

1 tablespoon light soy sauce

1 tablespoon agave nectar

Juice of one half lemon

Zest of 1 lemon

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who would love to try your cranberry pie and mayo/chocolate cakes. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

 

 

Sure you are an artist. Style your dinner. Global Grub What if you got a bouquet of onions, squash, olives, carrots, etc., and you could eat it? My husband and I accomplished another baking trick we didn’t know we had the skills to pull off. We made a Global Grub focaccia, adorned with veggies. Despite included tongs and suggestions for floral arrangements, birds and even a portrait that resembled our hometown girl Janis Joplin, we fashioned our add-on veggies another way. We went with onion and fava bean mandalas. www.globalgrub.com will get kits to your door so you can try your hand at tamales, sushi and more. It’s family fun for sure and kind of just what the world needs right now. Your Story. Well Told. When I heard that Well Told Design could “coordinate” your spot on the map - when the map is a wine glass, water bottle, coaster, flask, etc. – I had to go see. On the web you can design your coffee mug or what have you to reflect your fave college town, vacation spot or home town. Even little old us? My Port Arthur Mason Jar is clear with a white etched grid showing Gilham Circle and a shoreline. So cool. And I did feel the intended consumer pride. While the site illustrates this as a beverage glass, I put spices in there so I can see it on the pantry shelf every day. Go to www.welltolddesign.com and design something for the whole family, because everybody is somewhere. #WadFreeHappyDance If there’s gonna be tears over housework, it will be over the washing, drying, changing and folding bedsheets. It’s a challenge to achieve alone and triggers disagreements when a spouse is involved. That’s my house, anyway. Cindy Bray must know about this. She brings us Wad-Free for Bed Sheets, a plastic square with tabs so you hook up the corners before washing and drying. Now those sheets won’t get twisted. They dry faster. You save time, money, energy and sanity. I know I’m not alone. www.wadfree.com lets you help keep you and those you love from wadding up. Sea Bear Chowder “Warm the Body & Soothe the Soul” is on the SeaBear Smokehouse Smoked Salmon Chowder label. Down here, a message like that comes with gumbo. In the Pacific Northwest, a creamy seafood chowder hits the spot. It’s not more difficult than boiling water and stirring the contents of this package into milk to get a satisfying and memorable meal. You can hear the waters crashing into the shoreline as you enjoy this soul-southing bowl of flavor. www.seabear.com MYX Light Maybe the only thing you think you have in common with singer Nicki Minaj is that you both like wine. Great news for you. Her line of myx Moscato and sangrias has expanded to single-serve pink cans of light rose and turquoise cans of light chardonnay. They’re stylish to hold and bubbly refreshing to imbibe. These early harvest wines could make your holidays lighter. That desire is probably another thing we all have in common. Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie willing to try unusual flavors so you don’t have to. Share your experiences with her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

 

Better get a big stocking. There’s lots of stuffing options out there

Happy Holidays. Here’s the beginning of a gift guide. Remember, some of these can be for yourself. Let the games begin!

·        Tabletopics - Who is the funniest person you know? What is the best gift you have ever received? Which team do you root for? Enjoy a quote on one side and flip for stimulating questions. Even people you’ve known a long time will have some new stories stemming from these conversation starters. The clear box full of orange cards looks sleek on your table. www.tabletopics.com

·        Pando - This draw-the-card game has questions about how well you the players. Ask those assembled “What kind of dressing do I get on my salad?” “Did I ride in a limo to prom?” “Am I a good gift giver?” “Who would I consider my mentor?” Fun, trivial and deep-thinking questions are sure to make a great gathering memorable.  Now isn’t that better than the same old thing? www.playpando.com

 

·        Prato Botanico – Prickly pear for your eyes? Foodies listen up. Aloe vera, lemon, olive, orange, rosemary, sage, wheat and even tobacco are ingredients in this luxurious line from Italy that comes with wooden lids. You’ll want to enjoy your dabs a long time and enjoy the look of the bottles as well as the feel of your skin. I’m loving samples from this line with sustainable organics from the Southern Italian region of Salento. It soaks in and does the job. Hyaluronic action is included. Read about the Botanical Meadow experience at www.pratobotanico.com

·        NEFT - NEFT is called ultra premium vodka is packaged in a tin and aluminum barrel that looks just right in our Texas oil industry. The black barrel keeps your vodka colder, longer and it’s all about reducing carbon footprints. Another thing is, NEFT is designed to be consumed neat, with spring water filtered through slate and granite for 50 years beneath the Rhaetian Alps on the border of Austria and Switzerland. So it’s oxygen-rich. Honestly, that is super-cool info but you don’t need a bit of it to enjoy NEFT. I was happy to share it with you and very happy to sip some NEFT. I got a palate of caramel, citrus peel, wet stone, almond, anise and more go into that barrel. www.neftvodkaus.com

 

·        Fab Slabs - Cutting board? Sounds like work in the kitchen. Wooden snack board? Count me in. Put a 100 percent Australian antibacterial board to use in your kitchen with Fab Slabs USA’s beautiful pieces. When I opened the box, the wood smelled so good I kept it in my bedroom a few days just for the aroma. Now it is in practical use. Look on www.fabslabsusa.com to see how they are made, tests to show their durability and how to care for your board. Need to impress several people? Order an engraving. Camphor laurel is tough and the oils prevent bacteria. As a person who has spent several months sorting through my late mother’s extremely aged and battered kitchen gadgets, it is wonderful to have a Fab Slab in the house now. I cut onions and peppers daily, but I do have ideas of presenting one of those tempting charcuterie spreads on a Fab Slab.

 

·        Trailheads – You’ve got to look cool on your run even while you’re keeping warm. Try a running beanie that lets your ponytail come through a couple of ways. www.trailways.com has warm styles that cover your ears and that’s what drew me to it. I’ll be birding in warm style even though my hair is shorter. Foodies with longer locks can be styling as they run to the coffee shop. Efficient fashions for sporty men are also here.

 

·        Sport. Fitness. Wellness. CaniBrands promotes with these three words and the phrase “Feel Amazing.”  CBD is non-intoxicating and people of all ages are finding it effective for a variety of issues including stress, energy and sleep. Oils to focus and energize include caffeine and vitamins. That’s the boost and another is called mend. Fresh is for anxiety and Sleep… well, you know. There’s also a spray version. This line appears to be very trustworthy and leaders in sports science are endorsing it. Another “Darragh” likes this brand. Olympic swimmer Dara Torres endorses this brand as a sleep aid. These are working. See what others are saying at www.canibrandsglobal.com

·        Get personal – I’ve carried the same brass D keychain for years and now Bonds&Wonders has a delicate little glittery D for my neck. It’s an eye catcher and a conversation starter. May, the creator, has gathered raw gemstones, gold-filled necklaces, etc. to create custom necklaces to honor the wearer or recipient. How about stones to represent all the women in your family? Or wear names and messages. Take your time deciding at www.bondsandwonders.com

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who loves giving as much as receiving. Remember, a simple note or phone call during the holidays is its own gift. darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Challah challenge When my husband woke up, he didn’t know what challah was. By lunch he’d braided his own loaf in a couple’s baking project. We ate the whole, beautiful loaf, which is quite an accomplishment from a pair who fusses every time we attempt to fold sheets. I’m a non-baker and he’s a non-kitchen dweller. Imagine, Pereg made it desirable to knead their “Best for Challah Flour” into “magic challah.” The pillowy dough can be fashioned into chocolate babka, cinnamon buns, dinner rolls or laminated with butter for croissants. One thing at a time here, Pereg. I’m new at this, but hey, the loafs were perfect, so I can keep going. I love this company’s spice blends which include the perfect cinnamon, sesame seeds I’ve been sprinkling into peanut butter for snacks and, zahtar (the spice mix I discovered after Hurricane Harvey flooding. Everything But the Bagel with the best quality garlic, poppy seeds, onion, black and white and natural sesame seeds and comes in a shaker that you may decide to keep in your bag because you wouldn’t want a meal without it. Go to www.pereg-gourmet.com fresh spices that you’ll want to use on avocado, tomatoes, eggs and everything including the bagel.

Air fryer fun Zavor your food? Zavor Crunch Air Fryer oven sits on your countertop and has two shelves that have been a fried okra and chickepea producer for me. I’m new to the process and it produces my favorite food texture: Crunch. Zavor as a Facebook community so you can interact with users who are also using this brand of appliances to can tomatoes and make quick meals. This air fryer allows a cook to remove shelves and insert a rotisserie basket for a little whole chicken. www.zavoramerica.com connects you to this New Jersey company. Ten reasons to love your toaster oven Maybe you got a toaster oven, or an air fryer with a toaster oven function, for the holidays. Allow it to help you and not become a space-taker on the counter. America’s Test Kitchens have been toasting for you and released the book “Toaster Oven Perfection: A Smarter Way to Cook on a Smaller Scale. Pictures are beautiful, the ideas and flavors are so “now” and you get some sound logic on why it all works. I love that a Top 10 list is also like a table of contents to prove the point. Like this: 1. It cooks food with minimal mess, creating Lime and Chipotle and Ginger and Five-Spice meals. 2. It fries food without the fryer: Spicy Kimchi Oven-Fried Chicken Sandwiches 3. It puts dinner on the table faster: Roasted Boneless Short Rib 4. It makes a full dinner with one sheet: Spice-crusted Sirloin Steak with Asparagus and Lemon-Shallot Butter 5. It cooks bubbly casseroles with less fuss: No-Boil Baked Ziti 6. It takes breakfast beyond toast: One-Pan Breakfast 7. It’s your Satellite Oven: Roasted Broccoli with Olivs, Garlic, Oregano and Lemon 8. It helps you reduce waste: Thick-Cut Oven Fries 9. It’s perfect for entertaining: Baked Crostini with Onion Jam and Brie 10 It ensures every cookie is freshly baked: Make-Ahead Sugar Cookies (How about Coconut-Lime Sugar Cookies?) Pumpkin Spice Update Root beer? That’s a fall seasonal to me. But Hank’s Gourmet Beverages knows it’s a hip brand. Hence, seasonal sensations from this Philadelphia-based third-generation family business offers Pumpkin Spice Soda. I may like the Caramel Apple version even better. Wishniak Black Cherry Soda is in their base line. These are sweet with real sugar and very old school. They want you to notice their attractive seasonal packaging, but they’re obviously still focused on keeping what’s inside the bottle on target. Learn more at wwwhanksbeverages.net. Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie falling for the season. Let her know some of your holiday favorites at darraghcastillio@icloud.com.

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