Vintage wine cookbook seems sketchy now

 

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

A world of flavors in new products.

Not everyone who sees it’s Hatch pepper season immediately thinks, “I have some Maple Craft Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup at home, and that would pair so well.” You see what you’re dealing with, here. I love so many things. The Southwestern flavor got some caramelized sweetness seared into them on my stove, and it was a winner. But hey, this little flask of flavor features drawings of both barrels and a maple leaf. The aged Vermont maple syrup has hints of smoke, fruit, oak and buttery vanilla. Makers suggest it to elevate your pancakes and bacon and my husband has confirmed it’s a natural win on French toast. Fans are also encouraged to use it as a dessert drizzle, marinade or in beverages, but Hatch peppers are not mentioned by name.

Mesa de Vida
Back in college Bennigan’s announced a new product we servers were to promote: Jerk Chicken. Say what? That was new. We got a paragraph full of background on this layered flavor profile and years later I got to experience it in Jamaica. This summer, I got a flashback with the Caribbean Mesa de Vida, Healthy Global Gourmet Cooking & Seasoning Sauces. One jar has flavored chicken, beans and rice for several servings. How easy was that? Their jars of easy “vacations in a jar” come in Creole, Smoky Latin, Mediterranean and North African, so you can travel the globe this year after all. Simmer, braise and roast or marinate, grill and glaze with sauces that go from instant pot to slow cooker. I’m pretty sure they’d mix into cream cheese for one of those spreads that we’re missing from potlucks. I love the versatility and inspiration that are part of this line. They are Whole30 approved and extremely low in sodium. My little brush with the islands was a much-needed experience.

Tidbits
It’s possible that a notice that there’s less than 2 calories per piece splashed across the Tidbits package is the first thing to catch your eye. These are little, tiny Meringues, which are on the extremely low-cal side and a personal crunchy favorite of mine. Tidbits come in Vanilla, Chocolate, Cappucino, Strawberry and many other flavors and I’m a very big fan. Make sure you seal the bag well so they stay crispy. And don’t let any concern about that be an excuse to eat the whole bag. That would be an easy temptation for these bites free of gluten, soy, sugar, lactose and cholesterol. They are from North, Texas. Oatsome To anyone else in your family, it’s chocolate milk.

Oatsome
Organic Oat Drink is whole grain, gluten and dairy free, also non-GMO. Keep going? It’s sooo good that I got a craving for some in the middle of the day. The box says you can mix it into shakes and smoothies. I usually go for embellishment, but Oatsome needs nothing, but a tall glass. Better Body Foods is who you can thank for winsome Oatsome, from BetterBody Foods from Utah. Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie experiencing the world in flavors. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com