New Product Finds!

In previous posts, I have introduced you to some of my favorite new tailgating items this football season, including The Wonderbag.

I recently received the inaugural Mary’s Secret Ingredients box filled with several cool products I thought worth mentioning to you, Hungry Fans! I sought to try to put together a fun sports recipe with these items, but I thought perhaps best to just highlight some of the more exciting things that could contribute to your tailgating experience or sports watching party.

FalkSalt

Well done, Mary! I must say I am partial to this salt…’cause it’s got my name on it. That’s a good look! This salt lends a “burst” of lemon flavor to your dish. I suggest you try this with fish, chicken, or even pasta salad (assuming you top it with a Dijon or white balsamic vinaigrette).

Smoulder Spice Mix

This mix comes from South Africa and is imported by a store a block away from me here in NY in the famous Chelsea Market. I actually have some at home already and I can tell you from past use, this spice mix is a great add to your BBQ. The ingredients in this mix include smoked salt, smoked paprika, smoked garlic, and smoked black peppercorns. I have added it into my BBQ sauce for a smokier flavor and I have even sprinkled it onto wood chips on my grill to add extra smokiness and flavor to my BBQd meats.

Spinach Gourmet Dip Mix

Friends coming over to watch the game last minute and you don’t know what to serve? This dip mix is comprised of dehydrated spinach, onion and garlic (plus a few chemicals to keep it fresh — not my fav but good enough in a pinch). The instructions call for you to add 2 cups of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of mayo. If that’s in keeping with your diet, go for it. For me, that’s like taking something healthy (spinach) and then drowning it in heart-clogging lard. I say substitute 2% Greek Yogurt for the sour cream and just throw in 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil instead of the mayo. FAR better for you and still easily doable in a last-minute situation.

Mary’s box happened to feature a beautiful can of Harmonian extra virgin olive oil made from kalamata olives. This oil is straight off the boat from Greece (so you know it’s good)!

Calphalon Serrated Edge Spatula

This puppy’s pretty cool. It’s great for cooking chicken on the griddle and cutting it mid-cook. Or separating your diced onions a bit when you realize mid-sauté that you didn’t quite cut all the way through a couple pieces. I don’t recommend it for the grill but if you’re sticking to stove-top, this should make cooking certain things far easier.

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Mary’s Secret Ingredients Box is a limited edition culinary surprise box containing unique gourmet, artisanal ingredients along with small kitchen products.

Every season, a limited number of themed boxes will be filled with lovely surprises to inspire your cooking, delivered right to your door.

You can get yours here for $25.95. Your purchase helps support Feed The Children charity.