New This Month: June 2013

Kodiak Cakes

If you’re a “breakfast for dinner” kind of person, then next time you make pancakes be sure to have Kodiak Cakes on hand. This Buttermilk & Honey Flapjack and Waffle Mix is packed with good for you ingredients like whole grain wheat flour, whole grain oat flour, and dry honey; by just adding water, you’ll get a light and fluffy pancake or waffle that pairs perfectly with fried eggs and bacon.

The Big O

While visiting St. Louis, Missouri, I knew I had to taste a cocktail made with a locally made ginger liqueur called The Big O. While at dinner at Farmhaus, the bartender made me a specialized drink using the ginger liqueur, basil infused vodka, and topped it with prosecco and I fell in love. We then met the kind makers of The Big O, Bill and Kathy while having dinner at Niche and they gifted us a bottle of their precious liqueur. I’ve splashed it in seltzer, shaked it into margaritas, and stirred it into champagne – all great ideas! The flavor is natural ginger with warm spices, which pairs well with fruits in cocktails.

Zulka Sugar

Tasting Zulka sugar is seriously like tasting real sugar cane. I know, because in the Dominican Republic, a major producer of sugar cane, I’ve consumed my fair share of it in its natural state. And just as natural is Zulka Morena® Pure Sugar Cane Sugar, non-GMO and with naturally occuring caramel color tones in the granules. Unlike the typical granulated sugar that’s been striped to it’s core and is stark white, Zulka Morena®’s natural color isn’t just nice to look at but imparts great flavor to baked goods, my morning coffee, and savory dishes. On my list to make are Gotta Get Baked’s Banana Chocolate Chip Bread, The Cooking Actress’s Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies, and  The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen’s Caramel Sauce, all made with Zulka!

 Q Tonic

“Most sodas are lousy. Designed from unpronounceable ingredients by multinational corporations, sweetened beyond recognition with high fructose corn syrup, and packaged in generic containers, the typical soda is an afterthought that adds nothing to the drinking experience.” – says their website. And I agree. Q Drinks, the brand behind these tonics make some of the best sodas and tonics I’ve ever tasted and I tasted the grapefruit, orange, and lemon tonics and they blew me out of the water. My favorite? Q Grapefruit! It’s made with a mix of real grapefruits grown in Florida, Italian lemons, Mexican tangerines, and key limes – the combination of citrus fruits balances out the natural tartness. The addition of fresh apples and organic cane sugar add a touch of needed sweetness.

Velo Coffee Roasters

A micro-roaster in Tennessee, “velo” stands for bicycle in French and that’s their core, in my eyes. These guys deliver most of their coffee by bicycle, connecting them with the city, its neighbors, and markets. They specialize in small batch, specialized coffees and share their passion through an almost encyclopedia like tab of information on their website where you can view educational videos on coffee roasting. Thanks to MistoBox, I had the opportunity to taste a coffee from El Salvador, produced by El Aguacatal. A lusciously creamy blend with citrus notes, it was the perfect afternoon pick me up!

Pompeian Oils

Rarely do we steer away from my love of Chilean and Californian olive oils, but recently received a couple of bottles of Pompeian Oils and have used up the entire bottle of OlivExtra Premium Mediterranean Blend. We enjoyed how the combination of grapeseed, olive, and canola oil made for a smooth blend, adaptable to any recipe. Pompeian Oils also hosted a contest and my friend Heather of Farmgirl Gourmet won with her Mustard Crusted Chicken over Quinoa & Roasted Pumpkin Salad! Here’s more information from their website:

OlivExtra Premium Mediterranean Blend: A healthy blend of grapeseed oil, extra virgin olive oil and canola oil, OlivExtra Premium Mediterranean Blend represents key components of the Mediterranean Diet. Containing an ideal ratio of Omega 3 / Omega 6 (1 to 5), this blend is an all-purpose oil, ideal for everything from frying to salads. 

Check out the past “New This Month” sections:

January 2013, February 2013, March 2013, April 2013, and May 2013.

Disclaimer for New This Month: Some products were sent as samples, other products I personally purchase. Anything on here, I recommend 110%. A combination of flavors, company ethics, and customer service are what get products on this list. If you make or represent an awesome product you think I’d be interested in, email me (marnely at gmail dot com).