Chef LaLa's Product Review
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Chef LaLa
Chef LaLa is a celebrity chef, author, TV host, certified nutritionist, consultant and spokeswoman. Due to her upbringing as a third-generation restaurateur and daughter of Mexican immigrants, LaLa grew up in the kitchens of her family’s California-based eateries and inherited her father’s talents at the stove.
Chef LaLa is on watch for new products for the Hispanic food & beverage industry and offers weekly reviews here on Comida News.
For more information, or to promote your product, contact: editor@comidanews.com.
TJ Beer
Tijuana beer offers the complex and subtle tastes of Mexico
With so many options to choose from these days, selecting a good beer can be quite a task. What is most important to remember is that you should always stick with what you like. Very much like wine, it all depends on people'sindividual taste buds. What are the flavors that you relish the most? Do you prefer heavy or light beer? Do you enjoy fruity aftertastes? Do you like dark or light? Once you figure out what you like, making a choice will not be as hard.
Recently, I came across a brand of beer that is sure to satisfy even the most demanding palates. Offering three different options, I had a difficult time deciding which beer I like best. The Tijuana Guera I would pair with food, the Tijuana Morena I would pair with appetizers – particularly spicy ones, and the the Tijuana light is full of flavor, without all the calories, as well as not so filling, so I can enjoy as a “social drinking” beer.
Tijuana beer is a complex beer in the sense that you can taste the complexity of the layers of flavors (i.e. chocolate notes in the Tijuana Morena), as well as the richness that perfectly brewed beer offers and the refreshing cooling of a cold beverage. TJ Beer, or Cerveza Tijuana, is the product of a keen interest and appreciation for the art of brewing. As a child, TJ Beer founder Jose Antonio Gónzalez watched his father work in the business of sales and distribution of beer throughout Mexico, and it was from this early stage that he developed his dream of working in the beer industry. In the year 2000, Jose's dream came true and he established the T.J brewery just outside the heart of historic Tijuana. Since then, this master brewer has dedicated his life to producing beer that is highly unique in flavor and that is sure to excite the senses.
The blended Mexican brewing recipe with a Czech twist that is found in every T.J. beer is something worth experimenting. With each sip, not only does one encounter all of the wonderful elements that result in the aroma, body and taste of this excellent beer, but also the distinct taste of Mexico. Even if you already own a favorite beer, this will be a great way to savor new tastes andflavors. T.J. Beers also offers something for everybody, with options likeTijuana Guera, Tijuana Morena, and Tijuana Light. For more information visit: www.tjbeer.com.
Baken-ets Fried Pork Rinds
These might sound unhealthy, but for the customer who needs their crispy, salty snack, here's are a good option to chips or fries.
Chicharrónes, the pork rind type, is the skin of the pork after it has been seasoned and deep fried turning them into crispy, flavorful puffs. In Mexico they are eaten as a snack, appetizer or in a “guisado” with sauce served in a taco or burrito. In Latin America they are eaten alone as a snack, with cachapas, as a stuffing in arepas or pupusas, or as the meat portion of various stews and soups.
When used as a snack food, chunks of cured pork skins are deep-fried and puffed into light, irregular curls, and often seasoned with chili pepper or barbecue flavoring. While visiting my grandparents in Mexico, I grew up eating chicharrónes flavored with lime and bottled chile. But back at home, years ago it was difficult to find a commercially available version of chicharrónes, with the exception of Baken-etz Fried Pork Skins from Frito-Lay. And perhaps Frito-Lay produced this product because pork rinds are popular from Europe to Australia to the Philippines and in the U.S. (especially the south). But for me it represented what I knew as “Mexico’s flavors”.
Fast forward years later, the corner neighborhood store offers many chicharrón options. I sit here with a bag of Baken-etz Hot and Spicy Flavored Fried Pork skins, enjoying the lip-smacking spice and the crispy non-greasy surface. Consistently scrumptious, available “everywhere”, I tend to prefer them over chips. Restaurants can serve them with salsa instead of chips (a healthier alternative to some chips, higher in protein, lower in fat, saturated fat and calories). Although higher in sodium than chips, these savory munchies can be a great hit for bartenders to serve at the counter. The Mercado that I go to even offers a special combo pack with a lime included!
Doña Maria Nopalitos
The most popular and trusted name in mole is undeniably Doña Maria
In 1945, Doña María began selling her own special mole recipe to restaurants in her hometown of San Luis Potosi. So, when I saw ‘nopalitos” under the Doña Maria brand, I had to check and see if Grupo Herdez had once again achieved bottling a superior product. Yes, I know, mole made with chilies, nuts, spices, chocolate and seasonings is a lot more complex, but let’s face it, at times the most simple of ingredients are the easiest to mess up in the bottling process. Have you ever had overcooked slimy, mushy nopalitos? If so, then you know what I am talking about!
Nopales (“nopalitos” when cut) are the tender pads of the plant, also called prickly pear in the U.S., and are eaten as a green vegetable in Mexico. The best young shoots are packed fresh, pickled or preserved. Doña Maria nopales are seasoned naturally with onions, serrano peppers and cilantro, creating a fresh, homemade flavor. They are firm, tasty, genuinely good and best of all, easy to use! The nopalitos are sliced for convenience, lending to a variety of dishes. Raw nopales can be difficult to find for foodservice depending on your location. Also, nopales have large and fine thorns (a total workers comp nightmare). Just rinse these nopalites and that’s it.
The use of Nopalitos has its origins in the Roman Catholic observance of serving meatless dishes during Lent, but now they are part of everyday cooking, adding a delicious and authentic Mexican flair to salads, as vegetables in soup or with cheese in a tortilla. My favorite is nopalitos and eggs for breakfast. Because of the firm filling texture, vegetarians can use nopales as a delicious meat alternative in many dishes, such as casseroles.
Various studies have demonstrated nopales' ability to affect blood glucose (diabetes) and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol). They are also low in fat and high in calcium and vitamin A. With everything healthy being in demand, add Doña Maria Nopales to your supermarket shelf under “healthy items”, or your restaurant menu as a “good for you” option, or to your dinner tonight.
Doña Maria Nopalitos are available in 30oz. and 15oz. jars. For more information visit: www.herdeztraditions.com.
A bit of Central America in America
Frijoles Ducal is a Central American staple that's become well-known in the U.S.
Consistently over the years, food has been a way for people to remain connected to their origin, roots and homeland. Even though some us stand miles and miles away from the place that watched us grow, we alleviate some of our nostalgia by preparing our favorite homemade dishes that not only please the palate, but also take us back to all those childhood memories and family moments we so proudly cherish.
Since the end of the 1960's, Industrias Alimenticias Kerns y CIA from Guatemala, have provided Latinos living in the United States with a little taste of home through one of their delicious products, Frijoles Ducal. However, this is no coincidence. Up to this day, beans continue to be the number one food staple throughout Latin America and makeup part of the daily diet of Latinos.
This was a fact engineer Juan Dávila could not ignore and did not take for granted. He realized the importance of incorporating a product like this to the market in order to help facilitate the newly fast paced lives of mothers and home makers throughout the U.S. He understood that although the process of preparing beans for them and their families was something a lot of women embraced and actually enjoyed, their life styles here were not the same, and for many the process became too time consuming. That is why he offered them the practical, tasty option of already made red or black beans, "that were boiled, and then sautéed and turned over several times, hence the name of frijoles volteados." Ducal's refried beans are prepared Guatemalan style, which is different from the way it is prepared in Mexico. They are creamier almost paste like.
My favorite is the frijoles rojos volteados con sabor a chorizo (red beans cooked “volteados” with chorizo flavors). I add a bit of chicken stock and use the beans as a sauce underneath my featured item such as empanadas, meat or chicken. The beautiful rust color adds a nice contrast to a white plate and if spooned on with a little flair can add beautiful design to your dish and at the same time taste amazing with a creamy consistency that is ideal for scooping or dipping into.
Gladly there is not the unpleasant “metal” flavor that canned food can sometimes acquire. The truth is that nothing compares to the actual freshness and taste of homemade beans, but if time is not on our side as it normally isn't, Frijoles Ducal provides families and foodservice professionals with the next best traditional-tasting option.
Sweet and spicy - OMG Good!
A chocolate entrepreneur delivers the magical combination of chili pepper and chocolate into an irresistible truffle
When Daryl Galindo found himself out of work as an operations manager of a chocolate manufacturing plant in 2005, he stumbled onto entrepreneurship. While hosting a wine tasting for friends in their home, Daryl made some truffles to pair with red wine –everyone went crazy and requested he make some more, available for purchase. In the interim, Daryl’s daughter Ashley was busy studying at the Le Cordon Bleu school, perfecting her skill at baking, which she had been doing since she could reach the kitchen counter. The result was the beginning of D’s Delights, gourmet chocolates and desserts “made from the heart” that are OMG good!
I first tried D’s Delights at a fundraiser and became an instant fan. I love the combination of chocolate and habanero chiles in their habanero dark almond cluster. The combination of hot chile peppers and chocolate dates back to when chiles were associated with cacao seeds and were found in the Cerén archaeological site in El Salvador. And almost three centuries after the Aztecs and Mayans served chocolate as a drink mixed with hot chili pepper, we continue to devour this magical combination in Moles, baked goods and truffles.
D’s Delights Dark and Milk chocolate truffles are available in port wine, hazelnut, zinfandel, pear, chocolate, champagne, raspberry, tequila lime, amaretto, coffee, orange and apple. Brittles are available in peanut, cashew, pistachio, almond, caramel nut corn, chocolate nut corn, dark habanero, peanut corn, and chipotle caramel peanut corn. Soft centers (pictured above) are available in Bordeaux, peanut butter, Irish vanilla, fudge, marshmallows, caramel, caramel pecan with chocolate and Chai spice truffle.
After sampling several products, I feel that the simple box packaging does not equate with the fine ingredients used to make these mouth- watering treats. Daryl acknowledges that his strength is in manufacturing and not marketing, and is currently exploring his design options. I do like that they provide a chocolate map with the box so that my husband does not have an excuse to bite each one “to see what’s inside”. The clear bag of Habanero Caramel nut corn begged me to be open – and I smile as at write and munch away, OMG good!
When asked about manufacturing for wholesale - I think it is a great dessert option for foodservice - he assured me that D’s Delight can service restaurants and catering companies. Retail chains have taken an interest and it won’t be long before D’s Delights becomes a household name. For more information, visit www.dschocolates.com.
Chile con limon: For fruits with spice and flavor
School administrators are signing deals with the likes of Via Nueva Foods in an effort to import the flavors of Latin America to the fruits and vegetables in the California schools.
According to a 2006 Federal Trade Commission report on food marketing to children, $1.6 billion was spent by 44 major food and beverage companies to promote products to children ages 2-17. What food marketers spent the least money on was marketing fruits and vegetables. The result is that, at most schools, the fruit and vegetable offerings exist but they rarely see takers.
When trying to appeal to a consumer group, what better way than to understand the flavor profiles to which they are accustomed? I grew up eating fruit with salt, chile and limón. And I do love those street vendors that slice, dice and serve it up, chilled in a plastic bag, mmmmm makes my mouth water. So I asked around to school kids of all ages and ethnicities, what if those fruit and vegetable items- an orange for example -had chile and lime sprinkled on it? I got an overwhelming 80%, “yes, I would love it”. After all, studies have shown that 3 out of 4 people like spicy foods.
Modesto City Schools and several Riverside schools have also taken those extra steps to understanding and servicing the cultural flavor profile needs of various school districts. School administrators find that the fruit seasonings encourage healthy eating among the school children that like a little “bite” in their fruit. As a result they purchase Via Nueva Foods’ Chile con Limon by the case.
When I asked president of Via Nueva Foods, John Reynoso, how he feels about promoting the consumption of fruits in schools he said “our seasonings are in line with the direction that the country is taking to promote and encourage healthy eating”.
Obesity puts people at high risk of diabetes, and also contributes to the development of heart disease. Physical activity and good nutrition can prevent these chronic diseases. People are looking for healthy options without losing the flavor.
Restaurants offer cucumbers and jicama sprinkled with Chile con Limon or Pico de Gallo instead of fried tortilla chips. And supermarkets looking to nab some of the business from the street vendors display cut fruit cups sprinkled with Chile con Limon.
For more information on Via Nueva Foods, Purveyors of Mexican Seasonings - seasonings using unique blends of herbs and spices, visit www.vianueva.com.
Using a “Sweet Kiss” or a “Beautiful Rose” to break the glass ceiling
Creative names to sell a package can often be the key to success!
If I said to you “Sweet Kiss” or “Beautiful Rose” what would come to mind? In a time when we are inundated with product choices, sometimes consumers rely on creative names and packaging to make their decisions - this holds especially true with wine. Vinum, cantus, amor—wine, song, love. Trademark words for Ceja Vineyards and the Ceja Family, third generation winegrowers in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
Ceja Vineyards, a wine production company, was founded in 1999. One of the principals, President Amelia Morán Ceja, is the first Mexican-American woman to be president of a wine production company. Under her leadership, Inc. Magazine selected Ceja Vineyards “Entrepreneur of the Year 2004” (one of seven) and Ceja Vineyards was named “Best New Winery” in 2002 by over 90 of the world’s most prestigious wine writers. Ceja vineyards case production has increased from 750 cases to 10,000 cases per year and Ceja wines are offered at some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the United States such as the French Laundry, Gotham Bar and Grill, Le Cirque, The Carnelian Room, Mustards Grill, Madre’s, Scala’s Bistro and Frontera Grill.
Amelia’s contributions to the wine industry were recognized on March 15, 2005, when she was named "Woman of the Year" by the California Legislature. “Amelia is a great role model for the next generation of Latinos,” said Senator Wesley Chesbro. “She has not only broken the glass ceiling in a very competitive business but has earned respect throughout the wine industry.”
Ceja wines are available online at www.cejavineyards.com . Enjoy with family, friends and your favorite dishes. Salud!
Treat me like a princess that can handle the heat!
Imagine if you could be in complete control of your schedule, your income and your life. Imagine planning your workday around what’s important to you, not worrying about job security and loving what you do – live the American Dream.
That is what happened in the case of Lilliam Melgar, successful member of the Princess House family. She was born in El Salvador, almost 2,500 miles away from America, but came to the U.S. and let her motto of “trabajo, trabajo, trabajo” and her humanitarian spirit help pave the way to her success.
Princess House offers superior-quality cookware, serveware and decorative pieces. For the kitchen, they provide a large variety of Stainless Steel cookware that includes small saucepans and skillets, casseroles, large stockpots, roasters, and dutch ovens. I own a huge stockpot that I use to cook everything - from tamales to pasta - when my huge family comes to visit.
In Lilliam’s words, “success in life comes from helping others succeed”. Determined to prove this, she joined Princesss House without a Hispanic network or business materials in her Spanish language, so she decided to translate the materials herself and soon Lilliam was unstoppable. Up at 5 a.m. every morning she would begin her day of knocking on doors and speaking to everyone, everywhere. She left no stone unturned. Thirty-four years later her team has made over $304 million in total team sales. Today, nearly 70% of Princess Consultants are Latinas – thanks, in part, to Lilliam’s efforts, but also supported by a fully integrated multi-cultural company.
And for those of you who like to say, “they don’t make things like they used to”, visit the Princess House website to read more about why Princess House Stainless Steel can stand the heat.
Princess House products are not sold in stores, but may be purchased at home parties or through a network of independent consultants. For more information, visit www.princesshouse.com.
Melissa’s Specialty Cuisine
They are organic, online and on the move up – check them out!
Over twenty years ago El Paso, Texas native Joe Hernandez and his wife, Sharon founded World Variety Produce, Inc. with a small, dedicated group of family and friends. The couple named the company’s first brand after their young daughter, Melissa.
Melissa’s is well-known for extensive specialty lines like its Latin and Asian produce, organic produce, exotic fruits and variety squash. Also, in response to increased consumer demand for vegetarian and organic meal solutions, Melissa’s introduced a soy line of products consisting of a group of all natural, vegetarian products for health-conscious consumers. Melissa’s is a certified organic produce distributor certified under CCOF (USDA). Melissa’s is also an active participant in HACCP, a well-known food safety program overseen by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) to ensure quality food safety at the facility.
Melissa’s has done an impressive job with their website www.melissasfarmfreshproduce.com. They have a product catalog with categories such as Latin Latitudes, Asian Elements, Small and Tender, Vital Veggies, Potato and Onion Bin, The Herb Basket, Select Squashes, Fresh Cut, Delicately Dried (yes, chiles too), Exotic and Tropic, Flavor Fresh Fruits Organic Vegetables and Organic Fruits.
If you are looking to introduce a new product to your supermarket or restaurant and would like a detailed description, a month-by-month chart of what’s in season and how products are best prepared, select the item from the catalog on their website and it will easily bring up the information.
I also like that they post a weekly market update with recalls, product quality notes and field reports that outline limitations in the market because of weather, etc.
In catering I often found myself in a bind with market availability limitations and quality – and Melissa’s always saves the day.
Melissa’s ships nationwide and is available at supermarkets everywhere, just look for the Melissa's® logo in cheerful red with a carrot standing in for the letter “i.”
Lulu's Dessert
If you're looking for a delicious low-calorie, sugar-free dessert, Lulu's Dessert has just the fix!
More and more, I find people want simple solutions and because today less time is spent on preparing meals, people are still searching for a balanced diet and new tastes. The food industry must meet consumer expectations by creating new products, especially for the ethnic markets, which are convenient in the portion, taste and price.
Maria De Lourdes (LuLu) Sobrino, who was honored in “Enterprising Women: 250 Years of American Business” as an innovator in the food manufacturing industry, founded a new dessert category: the first ready-to-eat gelatin. She began selling her products to mom-and-pop shop owners, many of whom had to be educated about the gelatin products which she says are reasonably priced, healthy and tasty. Lulu has since grown her business into a $12 million/year company called LuLu’s Dessert. As the founder and CEO she now admits, "at first I didn't know what I was doing, but I found my niche." And boy she did!
Lulu’s Dessert recently introduced Sugar Free Gelatin, a healthy, delicious, fun and best of all, sugar free snack. With a strong family history of diabetes, I am always looking for refreshing and tasty products that are good and good for you. My diabetic dad does not have to give up anything with this product - he said, “I’m so happy there is no funky after-taste”. Gelatin is very popular in Latin homes and parties – and with its fun jiggle it reminds so many of being a kid.
According to the National Restaurant Association, bite-sized desserts topped the list of this year's hottest new serving trends in a survey of more than 1,000 professional chefs. Restaurants can serve as a healthy alternative by dipping the bottom of the mold in warm water about 15 seconds. Place a plate, upside down, over the top of the mold and carefully flip over. Serve with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream (optional). Lulu’s Dessert Sugar Free Gelatin is easy to inventory and less waste with a long shelf life - around 180 days. It took five years to attain the quality, which the company is known for today.
With only 10 calories per serving, the 4.5oz, ready-to-eat cup of gelatin is available in single servings as well as packs of 6. The delicious snack comes in strawberry, lemon, orange or lime flavors and is fat and cholesterol free.
Look for Lulu’s Dessert Sugar Free Gelatin at your local supermarkets including Superior Warehouse, 99 Cents Stores, Ralph’s and Albertson’s. For more information visit www.lulusdessert.com.
EL YUCATECO
For your Cochinita Pibil, el Yucateco works best
Achiote originates from dried brick red seeds of the annatto tree and is used as a seasoning and to give food a deep red color. Achiote paste is ground seeds of the large and shady annatto tree that has an earthy flavor with a hint of iodine. The paste is used as a coloring agent to commercially color cheddar cheeses and butter, and is used in slow-cooked sauces and stews. It is a main ingredient in the Mexican spice mixture recado rojo, or "achiote paste” and is traditionally used as seasoning in the famous Yucatecan and Central American dishes, mainly those influenced by the Mayan culture. It is ideal to marinate or to prepare grilled or roasted beef, chicken and the most famous Cochinita Pibil.
The problem I found when purchasing Achiote paste is that there are some products that are not all natural. Artificial colors and fillers have been added to produce a less expensive product. But you know what they say…you get what you pay for. You can definitely tell the difference in color and flavor from the cheaper brands. The condiment Annatto or Achiote “El Yucateco”, is what you want. It is made with annatto seeds of excellent quality that are grown in the humid tropical weather of the Yucatan Peninsula in the southeast of Mexico.
I also found that a lot of recipes that are not Mexican, like Tandoori chicken from India, are now being prepared with achiote paste as an alternate natural red powder.
Not only is El Yucateco the brand most readily available in the marketplace, but one of the freshest and most authentic. El Yucateco Annatto or Achiote has two displays of products: the traditional paste and the newness liquid. There is no coloring added! El Yucateco is available in 3.5 oz. and 15 oz. boxes. For more information visit www.elyucateco.com.
Don’t tease me with “authentic”
It took some time to find a replacement to my mother’s horchata, but Juanita’s found a way
According to the dictionary, authentic means “not counterfeit or copied”. So when a product claims that it “delivers authentic tastes in a quick-to-prepare powdered mix” – it sounds like an oxymoron to me. So, I put it to the test.
Founded in 1946, Juanita’s Foods is one of the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of Mexican foods and the world’s largest manufacturer of Menudo – a popular Mexican stew. Now a third generation family-run business, it is their on-going commitment to innovate.
Authenticity and quality is what made me reach for that 14oz. can of Juanita’s Foods Horchata at the supermarket. Horchata is one of those things that can be time consuming to make – but oh so worth it. When I had my restaurant, I could never find a “quick mix” for horchata that didn’t have a soapy or perfume flavor, let alone an authentic taste. Also, I am of the belief that my mother makes one of the best homemade horchata’s I have ever tasted, she grinds the rice herself and adds just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar and milk.
So… Juanita’s had to provide something great for me to consider it authentic. And they delivered! It is not as creamy as my mom’s but I liked that because it was more refreshing that way. And if I did want it creamier I just added a bit of condensed milk. Another thing I enjoyed was that it is not overly sweet so that the flavors of the rice and cinnamon are not overshadowed by the sugar. Each can yields 9 servings. I had such a great time experimenting with my new find that I added a little rum to the mix and toasted to finding “quick to prepare” authentic.
Healthy note: Juanita’s Foods Horchata is great source of calcium, for more information visit: www.juanitasfoods.com.
Now you can turn up the heat!
PAM Professional allows the chefs to sear, sauté and stir-fry to their heart’s delight
Cooking spray is definitely one of my favorite must-haves in the kitchen – it saves me time cleaning and saves myself calories from fat. Traditionally in the kitchen, chefs and cooks use oil, shortening, lard, butter or other fats to prevent the food from sticking to the cookware. And although the brand I use, PAM, performed well with lower heat, the cooking spray would brown easily like butter does when I turn up the heat. One piece of chicken and that pan was done. This can be a real problem in the kitchen…especially in a professional restaurant, where demanding cooking techniques such as sautéing, roasting, stir-frying and searing meat at a high-heat are everyday practice.
Happily I did come across a new non-stick cooking solution - PAM Professional, specially formulated for high-heat cooking. It contains a patented oil blend that resists residue buildup on your cookware so cleanup is easy. Instead of a gummy mess it beads on the surface like water. The folks over at ConAgra Foods did a great job with the design of PAM Professional in a sleek shiny stainless steel industrial looking 5oz. bottle that even features a new nozzle and an ergonomically-shaped can that fits your hand more easily. PAM Professional does not influence the taste of the cuisine nor does it weigh down food with excess oil-- it lets the delicious natural flavors of the ingredients shine through. For more information visit: www.pam4you.com/pages/kitchentips/professional.jsp
Cheese Please!
I love cheese! So I set out to find out what is the best-selling Mexican type queso fresco in the country. The results are in – Ranchero Brand Queso Fresco from Cacique. According to IRI data, it outsells any other Queso Fresco of 12 oz size at least 5 to 1. What makes it so popular? The fine folks at Cacique believe it’s because this unique, moist, fresh cheese at once soothes and excites the palate. What excites me about Cacique’s Ranchero Brand Queso Fresco is that it is a healthier lower-in-fat alternative made from Grade A skim milk, the highest quality available milk by USDA standards. With less than half the fat of standard jack and cheddar cheese I use it for everything from steamed vegetables to enchiladas to making it a part of a fancy cheese platter. This versatile cheese heightens food with its elegant flavor. Truth be told I love slices of Ranchero Brand Queso Fresco in a french roll (bolillo) with jalapeños in escabeche. Simple and so delicious. For more information visit: www.caciqueusa.com.
Tapatío for on-the-go spice
Yes – I do carry it in my purse! It really is that small – and that good.
I am not a picky eater, but the food has to have flavor. I used to find myself in situations where I wished I had a little salsa to kick it up a notch or two…or ten. Bland is no fun - so I carry packets of Tapatío Salsa Picante (hot sauce) in my purse. I have been accused of insanity until they bite into their styrofoam chicken and ask me if I would not mind sharing my Tapatío.
I am not the only fan of these little 7-gram individual packets, which allowed the fast food restaurants to offer their customers Tapatío Hot Sauce in a portion control size. This lightweight package has been extremely popular by our military personnel abroad and Tapatío has been happy to support the troops by providing them with the flavor of home.
The hot sauce is named "Tapatío" (pronounced "Tah-pah-tee-o) which is the name given to people from Guadalajara, Jalisco, because the company's founders come from Guadalajara. This versatile, great tasting, medium heat, hot sauce is produced by a family owned business that has been around for over 36 years. Today many restaurants feature the best selling Mexican style hot sauce bottle. Tapatío is also available in 5 oz., 10 oz., 32 oz. and plastic gallon size containers that are very popular in the food service industry and is visible in amusement parks and sporting arenas. And on the healthy side of things, Tapatío contains no fat, no calories and no carbs. For more information visit: www.tapatiohotsauce.com/.
Metromint
The USA's flu epidemic continued to grow last week, with cases mounting in every state and practically everybody I know has a cold. I was one of them, man did I get it bad. And the doctor told me, “drink a lot of water”. My mother told me “drink mint tea”. Great! I’m a minty water balloon that can’t stop sneezing and coughing! Seriously though, is there a happy ending to this? Fortunately there is. I found a way to combine my doctor’s advice and my mother’s Mexican remedies – Metromint Water. It’s awesome. Metromint combines the essences of peppermint, spearmint, lemon, orange, cocoa bean and cherry to produce a family of waters with no sweeteners, no preservatives and no calories. This product is a great way to incorporate popular designer water with a little Latin heritage into your restaurant or market.
As a nutritionist I can tell you studies have shown mint stimulates the brain, while sending cooling sensations throughout the body. The natural menthol in Metromint freshens the breath and can clear congestion related to colds and allergies. Enjoyed before a meal, mint increases the flow of digestive juices. After dinner, it soothes the lining of the digestive tract.
Metromint Peppermint, Spearmint, Lemonmint, Orangemint, Chocolatemint and Cherrymint varieties ($1.39-$1.69 suggested retail) are available in stores nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Safeway and numerous other natural and specialty food outlets. To discover more about Metromint, including its affiliations, available stores and locations, visit www.metromint.com.
Knorr Sopa: a healthy and nutritious meal on the go
One of my favorite commercials of all time was done by Knorr Suiza bouillon. It starts with a guy at a restaurant and he orders a dish. When he tastes the dish prepared with Knorr Suiza, he goes to the kitchen saying "Mama? Mama?" Surely his mother must be in the kitchen if it tastes homemade. Simply brilliant!
Knorr Suiza is bouillon with the flavors of chicken, onion, parsley and spices that was and remains a must have item in our household. So on a recent trip to Tijuana, Baja, California, when I saw there was Knorr Sopa (soup) packets, I instantly grabbed a couple packets of each flavor for my 2-year-old son: sopa de fideos (vermicelli soup in tomato), sopa de letras (alphabet soup, how fun!), sopa de coditos (macaroni soup). All you need to do is add the soup envelope to four cups of water and 15 minutes later you might be looking for your mom in the kitchen and fighting your kids for a serving - because it's that good and they have indeed captured that wonderful homemade flavor.
Healthy note: Knorr Sopas are made with all natural ingredients without preservatives and fortified with vitamins. For more information visit www.knorr.com.
Summer's coming, enjoy la fruta sana
It's getting HOT! Summertime is rolling in and I always look for great products that will quench my thirst without all the extra calories. One of my most recent finds is f- Diaz - La fruta de Mexico. f-Diaz is a company that specializes in the industrialization of fruits produced in Mexico such as mango tamarindo, strawberry, guayaba, peach, apple, pineapple, mandarin and grape. The company also produces horchata (rice beverage) and jamaica (hibiscus flower) extract. They provide fruit to Mexican companies like Gerber, Jumex and Jugos del Valle, to name a few. Most recently they introduced fruit pulp concentrate in 1 liter and ½ liter bottles. Best of all there is no sugar added so the versatility of the product can extend far beyond just making a beverage or aguas frescas. You can make milk shakes, desserts, dressings, flans and sauces. And if you do opt to make an agua fresca you have full control of how sweet it will be or perhaps sweeten your beverage with a no-calorie sweetener. This product is also great for food service because you can cut down on labor by minimizing preparation time, there is no refrigeration needed, there is consistency in cost and flavor and, my favorite, it is easy to inventory – 1 liter makes 4 gallons of beverage. f - Diaz is available at Sam´s Club, Wal-Mart, Soriana, Gigante, Casa Ley, HEB, Fiesta, Food for Less and more. For more information visit www.f-diaz.com.mx.
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