Nothing corny about loving this

 

Corny – Southeast Texas is rice country, but I also have a long love affair with corn. When I “found” a box of Jiffy cornbread mix in the pantry, a corn pudding became the basis of a friend’s birthday meal. I used Green yogurt for sour cream and we all loved the tang. My latest discovery is corn cobs done up in a West Bend air fryer drawer. I simply can’t get over how easy this is. You can flavor with Cajun, Mexican or Italian spices, and go from there. It’s crunchy and sweet and I can’t get enough. So here’s a tip: When I first realized how mayo-heavy Mexican street corn can be, I balked. I found that a smear of mayo from those packets we all collect will cover many mini cobs for a little flavor that goes a long way. Then pop them in the air fryer.

 

Once Again – Once Again just came out with sunflower or PB graham cracker sandwiches that are great for break time, breakfast or with, one reviewer’s pick, wine. The PB is simply the best I’ve had and I would not be surprised if the sunflower version was even better, as it is “different.” But this line with the racoon mascot will open up your eyes to various nut butters. www.oanb.com

 

                            Keep Going First Aid -  The Pepper family is making safety cool with stylish first aid kits with rainbows, playground and sports aesthetics. In addition to this wrist-band, zipper bag simply feeling good to grasp, imagine the confidence of knowing it’s jam-packed with animal character bandages, packets of balm, burn gel and antibiotic plus little tools. So this goes in cars, diaper and sports bags and bathrooms to help with little boo boos. Getting a scraped knee when I was a kid seemed like a mini doctor visit. We didn’t have cool packs of just-what-you-need-when-you-need it that were so darned cute. I think kids will be happy knowing a Keep Going product is within reach. Check out www.keepgoingfirstaid.com to survey this impressive selection. Totally giftable, too.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie headed into all the flavors of February. Did someone say chocolate? darraghcastillo@cloud.com

Season for seasonings: consolidate those spices

 

                

                                    Got a little bit of nutmeg and a few cloves? Mix ‘em up and create your own pumpkin spice mix, chai tea flavoring or something to make that chili warm you up. I have “Frankenstein” blends in the pantry that are forever undergoing changes. Fall’s a good time to make a clean sweep. That leads right into your Culinary Thrill Seeking Pumpkin Update of the week:

 

Everyone Loves Pumpkin

                             This week’s Pumpkin Update is chapter 9 of “The Complete Autumn & Winter Cookbook.” Even the Mayans experimented with a seed dip, according to this 400-plus page book covering everything from soup (intensely flavored Moroccan lentil harira) to nuts (spiced pecans with rum glaze as a hostess gift).  The Everyone Loves Pumpkin chapter includes Slow-Cooker Creamy Pumpkin-Chai Soup, Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Wedges, Chicken with Pumpkin Seed Sauce and Pumpkin Pecan Cookies. I love the “Why This Recipe Works” boxes with each recipe. Maybe you were concerned that the Ancho Chile Liqueur you are steeping for a week wouldn’t work, but they’ll tell you why it will.  Go now and assemble your winter squashes, hearty greens, fruits and ginger. It’s time to make gourmet comfort food for your autumn and winter kitchen.

 

My deal with popcorn

Salty-n- Sandy is for people who have made the choice to enjoy popcorn,  but can’t decide between addictive savory or seductive sweet. A tub of  this Johnson’s Popcorn arrived as a product sample and the rep contacted me to make sure I got it. I told her I was about to travel, thus indulge, then I’d have to wait a while and plan on a popcorn dinner. She gave me an ‘lol’ then realized I was serious. This tub of “World Famous Quality Caramel Corn since 1940” trademarked concoction contained 27 servings. Through careful rationing I was able to enjoy this for dinner, two lunch snacks and one breakfast. Then there was the Cheddar Corn variety with artisan cheese. Same story. It was a popcorn week and I was happy. I also had orange fingers. Worth it. These Ocean City, N.J. folks obviously know what they’re doing. The paired tub with mixed flavors kept integrity of crunchy and soft and when the cheese stood alone it was another joy. I know there are others like me who plan ahead for popcorn. Do this with 26 of your closest friends. Or, my way. More amazing flavors await at  www.johnsonspopcorn.com

The Racoon is into Tahini

Creamy Tahini (Only Sesame Seeds) could be your thing, and now  Creamy Tahini with Lemon is mine. The attentive folk and mascot racoon of Once Again nut butters sent out these creations for fall cooking, including a suggestion to drizzle over baked squash or bake into breads. How organic does that sound? I need to mention this cooking thing now, so you’ll be planning the pumpkin spice season. But much of my jars are being diminished now with just the benefit of a slice of green apple to get it to my mouth. I love that they have a space on the label for you record the date the jar was opened. Keepin’ it fresh. Onceagainnutbutter.com has ideas and info on goodies such as packets of sesame seed butter to toss in your lunch.

 

                       Jim Stevenson on Birds

Sabine Woods could be the “crown jewel” of the Texas coast, noted birder Jim Stevenson writes in his latest book “Birds of the Gulf Coast.” A photographer and guide, Stevenson is always in the field for birds, and sometimes snakes. Want to know when to listen for that nasal “quok” or quark” from a Black-crowned night heron? Learn tricks of the parking lot killdeer to lure you from his eggs? Stevenson shares his hot tips. He’s  involved with the Galveston Ornithological Society and his photos help guide readers to best birding locations, safety, seasons and nature study. For your autographed copy, send your requested message and $30 to GOS, Rt. 1, Box 185C, Galveston, Texas, 77554.

 

Darragh Castillo is a Port Arthur area foodie who is also, apparently, a birder. Visit with her about both topics 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

Dreams Aren’t This Good has Port Neches Ties Is branding Dreams Aren’t This Good a tad arrogant? Is it “the most addicting salsa in the world” that makes me ask myself questions I can’t answer? I was attracted to Just Dance Jalapeno Salsa before I connected Matt Bennet, founder, to Port Neches. He dreamed the Mexican and Cajun spice blended into his youth could go New York City style, combine with energetic branding and hit the bigtime. First, it’s really, really good, with a kicking original another fave being Now or Never, the avocado pepper blend and Girls Girls Girls with blueberry and coconut. then the marketing is fantasy/funny and to top it off, you can wear the DATG fashion line and know you’re helping makers support good causes. No wonder it’s billed as “The World’s First Lifestyle Salsa Brand.” But wait, there’s over-the-top chips in the line, too. Bennett has ties to Bogalusa, La., the “super small town of Port Neches” that’s “pretty much almost Louisiana,” and LSU. He makes salsa. Give yourself a treat and go to dreamsarentthisgood.com to get the story better than I can tell you. I have to go cultivate my salsa lifestyle. * * * Inspired by DATG, I’ve woven an American Dream Theme into the following reports on holiday indulgences below: Cranberries go chutney I wouldn’t dream of holidays without cranberries and my family always went above the squeezed out of a can model. Mom made a tangy relish that makes a turkey feel naked without it. Circle B Ranch of Missouri came to my rescue now that Mom’s gone. They’re in the humane pork business, so it’s no wonder they suggest their fruit chutneys, such as Pear Ginger, served with their quality chops. But this is the season for Cranberry Apple Jalapeno Chutney and Cranberry Chutney to shine. Once my husband tasted one jar, he asked that all three be put out at each meal until they were done. Circlebranchpork.com will set you up with all this and more. Gluten-free bloody Mary mix anyone? Sparkle What’s a unicorn’s dream breakfast? Waffles or whatever, it would come topped with Runamok Maple’s limited Sparkle Syrup, glimmering with pearlescent mica, a mineral that will also create radiant cocktails. Eye-catching and creative flavors are this Vermont-based company’s specialty and they’re always packaged in memorable bottles. As the sun comes up, light is catching my Sugarmaker’s Cut filling my workspace with amber glow. Mini bottles of Markut Lime-Leaf Infused and Cinnamon + Vanilla Infused versions look like the big mama bottle’s babies. Runamokmaple.com offers gift ideas and recipes tap your creativity, so remember to gift yourself. Cashews can be “buttered” The humble peanut does not need my promotion. Americans are in love with peanut butter and I encourage them to expand their horizons with awareness that there are other nut butters. The cute little Once Again raccoon mascot knows it. A family’s “dream” business model has come to fruition here. The little rascal adorns bottles of Creamy Cashew butter, which also comes in an organic blend. Copper, folate, protein and fiber are some of the “shiny things” inside what is a super-creamy and rich experience. I already consider cashews one of the more “elite” nuts. Once Again is proud of their nut source and the product is has a similar but different mouth feel to peanut butter. I consider it a more special/subtle brunch thing, but hey, cashew butter can certainly glam up an everyday lunch. Of course onceagainnutbutter.com has the line’s many nut options and recipes, which include pumpkin pairings. My batch will probably go down by the spoonful, straight from the jar. Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie dreaming everyone can have the option of eating better and actually choosing that path. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com