Olio’s Lemon in White Balsamic
A good friend of mine turned me on to this really great balsamic. It’s so lemony and sweet that you forget that it’s a vinegar. It’s a great way to pump up a spring salad like my Wheat Berry Salad with Fruit and Nuts. I use this as a dressing – who needs oil? With only 30 calories a serving, it’s a great infusion into a risotto or pasta. I’m thinking it will make a great summer drink…that may be an upcoming Rooted Foodie recipe! This is a must for your pantry. And if you live in Lancaster County, you are in luck because it is just down the road in Lititz, PA. But no worries if you aren’t, you can purchase this along with their assortments of vinegars and oils online.
Trader Joe’s Tomatillo & Mango Salsa
If you have Trader Joe’s in your market, you are a lucky duck! When I lived in Richmond I had the pleasure of frequenting the store for unique items and of course the great deals on wine! Note to self: Make sure your next move includes a Trader Joes! Seriously, when I do get a chance to go, I pick up my favorites like this roasted tomatillo mango salsa. I added it as a last-minute topping for my Take Two Lentil Stew Tacos and it’s fantastic! Spicy and sweet at the same time, it gives some zip and tang against those warm taco seasonings. I love that it has minimal ingredients as you’ll find in a lot of salsas.
La Costena Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are always in my refrigerator. They add such a depth of flavor to stews, soups and tacos. You’ll find it in my Squash and Lentil Stew and Chipotle Bean Burger Chili. I like the La Costena brand which isn’t blazing hot. I had purchased another brand thinking they would be the same – not so much! It’s much easier to add more than to calm down an overheated dish! The seeds are where much of the heat resides so you can always remove them before chopping. They last a long time in the refrigerator and would make a nice addition to of smokiness to your next southwestern dish.
Trader Joe’s Bruschetta Topping
I came across this yummy condiment when shopping at TJ’s. This is a great topping for poultry, bread, pasta or spiralized noodles. I used it recently in my Bruschetta Zoodles recipe. With minimal oil and great flavors of garlic, basil and tomatoes, it’s a versatile pantry staple to have on hand to add to dishes or for a quick appetizer.