Sheila's Favorites

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I have no new recipes this week. I was studying for an exam so I haven’t done much cooking with the exception of the Salmon Dill Chowder I mentioned earlier. It was delicious, but I think I am the only one that likes to bake bread and make soup in the heat of summer. I will save the recipe for the fall to share with you.

Since I have no new recipes, I thought I would do something different and share with you some of my favorite products. I don’t eat a lot of processed food, but like everyone else, I don’t make everything from scratch.

So here are my favorite products:

Red curry paste: Taste of Thai Red Curry Paste http://www.atasteofthai.com/index.php?page=product&action=viewcat&id=1

I have mentioned this before in my recipe for Mahi Mahi in Red Curry Sauce. This is a mild curry. I find the other brands too hot for my taste.

Crackers: Blue Diamond Nut Thins all flavors but Hazelnut is my favorite http://www.bluediamond.com/index.cfm?navid=34

Ok, this is my addiction. Most people snack on chips, I snack on Nut Thins. The only down side is trying not to eat the whole box at one sitting.

Bittersweet Chocolate Chips:Ghiradellhi 60% Cacao Chips http://www.ghirardelli.com/products/chips_bittersweet.aspx

Make Chocolate Chip Muffins to die for with these. They are also great in Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. They are not waxy like the popular brands. They are creamy and gooey when warm.

Green Tea: The Republic of Tea, Green Tea Honey Ginseng http://www.republicoftea.com/

My morning fix. You just have to try this.

Black Tea: Bigelow Vanilla Carmel
I drink this in the evening to help me relax.

Flavored water : Metromint Spearmint or Peppermint flavored water..http://www.metromint.com/

You will either love this water or hate it, but I find the mint very cooling and refreshing. The Lemonmint tastes like the water you clean your hands in so skip trying that flavor. I am not a fan of the Chocolatemint either

Peanuts: The Peanut Shop at Williamsburg http://www.thepeanutshop.com/category/27

These are the absolute best peanuts I have had. They aren’t greasy and they are crunchy.

Hazelenut spread: Nutella http://www.nutellausa.com/history.htm

My German friend Susanna got me started eating Nutella. Actually I have never bought a whole jar. I buy little 99 cent samples at World Market and that is enough of a treat for me. Spread on Carrs Crackers.

Cajun coffee and Beignets: Café du Monde http://shop.cafedumonde.com/originals.html

Well if you have been to New Orleans, you know Café Du Monde is the place to go for chicory coffee and beignets. You can order the coffee and mix and feel like you are in New Orleans at home.

Salad dressing : Newman’s Own Lighten up Low fat Sesame Ginger Dressing http://www.newmansown.com/product_detail.aspx?cat_id=7&prod_id=14

I usually make my own dressings but when I am in a hurry or need to bring a salad to a party, I use this dressing. It goes great with a simple salad of baby spinach, toasted slivered almonds, mandarin oranges and bean sprouts

Pretzels: Newman’s own salt and pepper pretzel rounds http://www.newmansownorganics.com/food_pretzels.html

I love the pepper in these. They pack a lot of flavor so you don’t feel like eating too many and the profits go to a great charity.

Cocktail Sauce: Golden Dipt Cajun Seafood Sauce.
http://www.thefind.com/gifts/browse-golden-dipt-sauce

A little spicy but not hot. Great with boiled shrimp or crab claws

Pierogies: Mrs. T’s Potato and Onion Pierogies http://www.pierogies.com/retail/products.asp?ProdID=2

These Pierogies make a great easy meal. You can sauce them many ways, but I boil them and then brown them with some sliced onion and a little butter and that’s it.

Vegetarian Italian Sausage: Boca brand but it is hard to find. Second choice, Tofurkey Italian Sausage with Sun Dried Tomatoes http://www.tofurky.com/products/sausages.htm

Boca brand tastes the most like real Italian Sausage to me, without all the fat. I use them to make Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches in soups and in a pizza quiche. Since I have had trouble finding boca sausage in Florida I have used Tofurkey. It’s great in soups, but I wouldn’t use it in Sausage sandwiches.

Feta cheese: Vigo brand http://www.vigo-alessi.com/products/itemView.php?id=177

You see Atheno brand a lot, but I find it dry and tasteless. This is closer to traditional feta that is kept in brine. It is slightly salty and creamy.

Swiss cheese light: Tine Jarlsberg Light http://www.tine.no/page?id=185&key=9099

This is the only light cheese that actually has a cheese, not a processed flavor. It is found in most groceries but can be expensive. I have found it at Wal Mart for a better price.

Favorite cat food: Ok just joking. Rusty put me up to it. His favorite is Venison and Pea but sometimes he prefers Lamb and Rice.

Favorite Chips: Garden of Eatin Sesame Blues http://www.gardenofeatin.com/products/product/1078.php

As I mentioned, I am not a chip eater, but if I was these would be my choice. Made with all natural ingredients and the sesame adds a nice nutty flavor.

Favorite cookie mix: Toll House Slice and Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies.

This is my favorite mix, only because I can slice one at a time, controlling my cookie addiction. They are really a bit too sweet but who cares when they come out of the oven hot and gooey and you don’t have dishes to do.

Favorite premixed Chili Powder: Gebhardts http://www.mildbills.com/p-105-gebhardt-chili-powder.aspx
The taste of Texas, what more can I say

Favorite Everyday Wines:
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon,Ravenswood Zinfandel

I would love to hear about some of your favorite ingredients. So feel free to share your favorites with us.