Matcha made in heaven, a reason to be bitter and books to get you thinking

Matcha Gelatin The two long forgotten packets of Knox Gelatin from my mom’s pantry beckoned me. Opening the fridge door to have the light shine on cool blocks of refreshment sounded like an afternoon delight. I didn’t have fruit or juice as suggested on the package, then my eye scanned a blue bottle of matcha green tea powder and it was Culinary Thrill Seeking time. I did the one cup hot, one cup cold deal with some powdered tea and honey mixed in. When I set it to chill, Runamok Maple’s Strawberry Rose Infused organic syrup looked to make the perfect “topping.” A drizzle over the formed gelatin presented itself like a very fancy, and pricy, bistro dessert for a few cents a serving. What a “cool” idea. More running amok: Go ahead and be bitter What if you saved a step making a simple syrup and maple came to save the day. Runamok must have a huge Vermont fan base with beautifully packaged and creatively named spread of syrups. It’s not as cold here in Texas, and we gravitate toward frozen ‘ritas. Yet we don’t mind sitting by a fire with friends with a “hint of smokiness.” Try it in a whiskey with the flavor of real orange essence. That’s the Maple Old Fashioned, one of several in their line of cocktail syrups. This bottle will help you elevate both your beverage and your creativity. Our gin friend will love experimenting with the “aroma of citrus atop an elixir of complex aromatics and a subtle maple base.” That’s from adding a dash of Orange Maple from the bitters collection. It’s a “fine addition to vodka and gin, but a particularly good friend to bourbon. The sweetness has a burst of several flavors that will make you ask for the bottle to peruse or ask your host to elaborate. Dried lemon and orange peel, dried juniper berries and angelica root flavor these bitters. Again, www.runamokmaple.com will show you the whole, enticing line. “Whole Person Integrative Eating” You may be consuming “foodish” substances instead of the fresh, real food your body deserves. Ditch the preservatives, slow down and enjoy, authors Deborah Kesten, M.P.H. and Larry Scherwitz, Ph.D., write in this book, offering “A Breakthrough Dietary Lifestyle to Treat the Root Causes of Overeating, Overweight and Obesity.” Easy to read and easy to follow advices includes the “raisin meditation,” where you pause to think the feel and flavor of your food and also appreciate how it got to you. What’s your best meal memory? Probably not a cold bite over the sink or a burger while stuck in traffic. The WPIE method asks us to enjoy food with family, collect relatives’ recipes, experiment with cultural traditions and even include your pets in dining time. Some of us don’t even know how to eat real food so recipes for wild spinach omelet, Thai basil rice, and fig fruit salad can help in a journey that should change us for the better. “Naked Grace” Lucas Kitchen is funny guy, and regrets he found that nekkid lady photo in the mystic woods behind his house. Humor, sincerity and conviction accent this book, subtitled “A Quest for Clarity in a World of Confusion.” Kitchen still looks young, but this story starts when he was a kid in East Texas and wanting to be strong about his religion. It’s a good Easter season read. He takes the question “What do I have to do to be saved?” and sets on a life’s journey to get it answered. If you’ve been involved in teen ministry and music, you’ll be familiar with some of his emotions. Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who wakes up ready for more Culinary Thrill Seeking. Reach her 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

Time to pack lunch. For grownups

  My metal lunch box was plaid, and left over from my sister’s school days. These days I see more fancy lunch bag options for adults, with built-in ice packs and such for salads. New design options come out each year, but I like my open-style insulated bag with handles, because sometimes I luck into bringing more delights home than I left with.
      When I overheard some gentlemen at McDonald's discussing how they also like an occasional can of sardines with crackers so they can soak up the oil with them, I  knew I wasn't alone. I recently did that with cheese crackers. It's easy to keep canned fish in the pantry and oysters are my favorite. 

                     

                      Here are some more ideas on what to put in your lunch bag this season:

             

             

                      Coffee syrup is a two-in one

                      Retired News editor Roger Cowles always told me that people who “really like” coffee don’t go in for all that flavored stuff. This was before Starbucks was on every corner. I’ll bet he still feels the same way.

                      But, would he enjoy Runamok Maple Vermont Organic’s new coffee infused syrup. Possibly, but he’s not getting mine. I tested a small sample bottle on breakfast toast and all three recipients, myself included, truly appreciated this flavor-packed indulgence. It’s two-in-one flavor of the sweetness and the coffee. Mix some into cream cheese and pack it with sweet or salty crackers for a coffee-break snack.

                      Marie’s gives flavorful control

                      Salad is good for your body and the some primo dressing makes it all worthwhile. Marie’s Market Reserve is a new line of smaller, tuck-in-your-tote, salad dressings that the label says are 50 calories a serving. I couldn’t pick a favorite from the Southwest Style Ranch, Carmelized Onion & Sesame Seed Dressing and Smoked Black Pepper Caesar Dressing. There’s a Mayer Lemon Basil and Wildflower Honey & Lime Vinaigrette as well. You’ve seen this brand in the refrigerated dressing area. Look for what’s new and low-cal. I suggest them as a dipping sauce for packable veggie wraps, too.

                      Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who packs a bag of goodies for lunch or… whatever. Share your lunch idea with her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com