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  • Post #241 - October 22nd, 2020, 7:55 pm
    Post #241 - October 22nd, 2020, 7:55 pm Post #241 - October 22nd, 2020, 7:55 pm
    Because life is too busy to always make broth from scratch, I have long relied on Better than Bouillon pastes, starting with roasted chicken and roasted beef. I think discovered lobster base and then mushroom base. Most recent discovery (as so often happens) was on the "about to outdate" rack at a considerable discount -- Chili Base. This is not a substitute for making good chili, or even buying good chili, but this is a remarkable way to salvage something that needs serious help -- such as a rice and veg casserole that had been in the freezer for too long and tasted like, well, freezer. Couple of tablespoons of Chili Base and a cup of water, and suddenly, I had a remarkably good chili stew.

    So a useful "first-aid" item to keep on hand for culinary emergencies.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #242 - October 23rd, 2020, 7:35 pm
    Post #242 - October 23rd, 2020, 7:35 pm Post #242 - October 23rd, 2020, 7:35 pm
    And it occurs to me that the "first aid" option mentioned above fits nicely into the topic of Cathy2's recent Culinary Historians offering on avoiding food waste. No matter how freezer-burned a dish is, this chili base will make it tasty -- so less waste. :)
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #243 - January 19th, 2021, 4:25 pm
    Post #243 - January 19th, 2021, 4:25 pm Post #243 - January 19th, 2021, 4:25 pm
    Image

    I've been really enjoying this Ning Chi Chili Sauce. It does deliver the promised heat with a nice mala finish and a good deal of beaniness. Thicker and more viscous than a chili oil, though it certainly does contain chili oil.

    We picked this up on our first trip to 88 Marketplace and on a recent trip they were out of stock. I hope they are able to restock. A friend tells me that Ning Chi is a very popular brand in Taiwan.
    "I live on good soup, not on fine words." -Moliere
  • Post #244 - January 21st, 2021, 8:04 am
    Post #244 - January 21st, 2021, 8:04 am Post #244 - January 21st, 2021, 8:04 am
    Cynthia wrote:Because life is too busy to always make broth from scratch, I have long relied on Better than Bouillon pastes, starting with roasted chicken and roasted beef. I think discovered lobster base and then mushroom base. Most recent discovery (as so often happens) was on the "about to outdate" rack at a considerable discount -- Chili Base. This is not a substitute for making good chili, or even buying good chili, but this is a remarkable way to salvage something that needs serious help -- such as a rice and veg casserole that had been in the freezer for too long and tasted like, well, freezer. Couple of tablespoons of Chili Base and a cup of water, and suddenly, I had a remarkably good chili stew.

    So a useful "first-aid" item to keep on hand for culinary emergencies.

    Which store, please?
  • Post #245 - January 21st, 2021, 2:50 pm
    Post #245 - January 21st, 2021, 2:50 pm Post #245 - January 21st, 2021, 2:50 pm
    jilter wrote:Which store, please?


    I got this one at Mariano's, but I've seen and/or bought Better than Bouillon at several stores -- Woodman's, Valli Produce, and others. I'd say check with any decent store near where you live -- and there is always online (both for purchase and "where to buy").
    https://www.betterthanbouillon.com/
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #246 - January 21st, 2021, 8:57 pm
    Post #246 - January 21st, 2021, 8:57 pm Post #246 - January 21st, 2021, 8:57 pm
    Costco has the organic big jars of the vegetable and chicken Better Than Bullion in store.
  • Post #247 - January 22nd, 2021, 11:10 pm
    Post #247 - January 22nd, 2021, 11:10 pm Post #247 - January 22nd, 2021, 11:10 pm
    The lobster Better than Bouillon is also worth keeping around.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #248 - January 23rd, 2021, 12:19 pm
    Post #248 - January 23rd, 2021, 12:19 pm Post #248 - January 23rd, 2021, 12:19 pm
    bw77 wrote:Image

    I've been really enjoying this Ning Chi Chili Sauce. It does deliver the promised heat with a nice mala finish and a good deal of beaniness. Thicker and more viscous than a chili oil, though it certainly does contain chili oil.

    We picked this up on our first trip to 88 Marketplace and on a recent trip they were out of stock. I hope they are able to restock. A friend tells me that Ning Chi is a very popular brand in Taiwan.


    I recently picked up the chili with garlic product by this brand. And hoo boy, I am not learning my lesson. It is something fierce!
  • Post #249 - January 25th, 2021, 10:10 am
    Post #249 - January 25th, 2021, 10:10 am Post #249 - January 25th, 2021, 10:10 am
    Costco (the Kenosha one at least, probably others) has Rodelle's Dutch process cocoa for $3/25oz bag. Bought on a whim because it was cheap and I wanted to experiment more with dutched cocoa. Worked great in Ina Garten's Beatty Chocolate Cake. I made it in a bundt pan, when fresh competes well with Nothing Bundt Cake at a much lower cost.
  • Post #250 - February 4th, 2021, 2:52 pm
    Post #250 - February 4th, 2021, 2:52 pm Post #250 - February 4th, 2021, 2:52 pm
    Pleasant Ridge Reserve cheese at Costco $19.99/lb
    I didn't think Uplands made enough of that to have a big distributor.
    Haven't opened it yet. Looking forward to it.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #251 - February 13th, 2021, 9:27 pm
    Post #251 - February 13th, 2021, 9:27 pm Post #251 - February 13th, 2021, 9:27 pm
    Further on Better than Bouillon. I was at Woodman's today, and I think they have the largest selection of anywhere not online. Just about every grocery store has beef and chicken and maybe vegetable, but Woodman's has lobster, clam, mushroom, ham, and even vegetarian versions of chicken and beef. Plus the chili base. In fact, I think the only one that was missing was the one that is showing up on their website as "brand new" (caramelized onion -- can't wait for that one). (And if you need another reason to stop at Woodman's, I noticed today that they have pheasant and venison.)
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #252 - February 20th, 2021, 12:57 am
    Post #252 - February 20th, 2021, 12:57 am Post #252 - February 20th, 2021, 12:57 am
    For those who'd like to experiment with real Italian 00 flour without much of a commitment, Valli Produce has 1 kg bags on sale for 91 cents.
  • Post #253 - February 20th, 2021, 10:13 am
    Post #253 - February 20th, 2021, 10:13 am Post #253 - February 20th, 2021, 10:13 am
    JoelF wrote:Pleasant Ridge Reserve cheese at Costco $19.99/lb
    I didn't think Uplands made enough of that to have a big distributor.
    Haven't opened it yet. Looking forward to it.

    What a wonderful cheese. We had soup, fresh bread and a cheese board for dinner, and the PRR outclassed everything else we had: Manchego seemed dull, aged Gouda one-note, fresh mozz bland (but worked well as a palate cleanser and base for fig jam).

    It's like the best gruyere I've ever had, and then some.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #254 - March 21st, 2021, 4:09 pm
    Post #254 - March 21st, 2021, 4:09 pm Post #254 - March 21st, 2021, 4:09 pm
    bw77 wrote:I've been really enjoying this Ning Chi Chili Sauce. It does deliver the promised heat with a nice mala finish and a good deal of beaniness. Thicker and more viscous than a chili oil, though it certainly does contain chili oil.

    Just picked up a jar of Ning Chi at Richwell Market in Morton Grove, terrific, thank you for the recommendation. Also bought a jar of Chiu Chow style chili oil, darker, richer, not as sharp/bright, more earthy, also terrific. These go right next to Lao Gan Ma spicy chili crisp on my store bought chili oil lineup.

    In addition to Chinese grocery items Richwell has a small but mighty Chinese BBQ kiosk, where I bought lunch to go with the new chili oils.

    Image
    Image
    Image

    Chili Oil, count me a Fan!
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #255 - March 22nd, 2021, 1:44 pm
    Post #255 - March 22nd, 2021, 1:44 pm Post #255 - March 22nd, 2021, 1:44 pm
    Cynthia wrote:The lobster Better than Bouillon is also worth keeping around.

    hey, Cynthia: I haven't tried the lobster better than bouillon but I'm a huge fan of the organic chicken so I'm interested. I'm wondering if it tastes So strongly like lobster that it cannot be used as a fish stock or do you think it could be? thanks
  • Post #256 - March 22nd, 2021, 7:56 pm
    Post #256 - March 22nd, 2021, 7:56 pm Post #256 - March 22nd, 2021, 7:56 pm
    justjoan wrote:
    Cynthia wrote:The lobster Better than Bouillon is also worth keeping around.

    hey, Cynthia: I haven't tried the lobster better than bouillon but I'm a huge fan of the organic chicken so I'm interested. I'm wondering if it tastes So strongly like lobster that it cannot be used as a fish stock or do you think it could be? thanks


    I haven't worked with fish stock, so I don't know how it compares. But they do use real lobster to make it, along with the shells, so it does have a pretty distinct lobster taste -- enough so that one can just add the paste to hot water, pour in a little whole milk, and feel like one is enjoying a nice lobster bisque.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #257 - March 22nd, 2021, 8:34 pm
    Post #257 - March 22nd, 2021, 8:34 pm Post #257 - March 22nd, 2021, 8:34 pm
    thanks, instant lobster bisque sounds pretty amazing.
  • Post #258 - March 26th, 2021, 11:52 am
    Post #258 - March 26th, 2021, 11:52 am Post #258 - March 26th, 2021, 11:52 am
    justjoan wrote:thanks, instant lobster bisque sounds pretty amazing.


    It's surprisingly good. And one can, of course, always upgrade to half-and-half. But I find whole milk to be enough. Make a mug full and sip while working. Easy, cheap luxury. :)
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #259 - March 26th, 2021, 12:02 pm
    Post #259 - March 26th, 2021, 12:02 pm Post #259 - March 26th, 2021, 12:02 pm
    Just discovered splendid Beef Smoked Sausage from Kiolbassa -- which is not a misspelling of a different sausage but actually the name of the San Antonio family that hand-craft these sausages. Yum. Really fine, smoky sausages in natural pork casings. I've now been to their website, and they have more than just this one sausage -- but the Beef Smoked Sausage was good enough that I don't need anything else.

    And since the package encourages letting them know what you think, I sent a note saying I loved their sausage, and they wrote back telling me how much it meant to them to hear from a satisfied customer, and they would be reading my note at their next company "huddle." So kind of a bonus -- enjoyed the sausage, but delighted to know that I encouraged someone at a small family business. :)

    I bought mine at Jewel, but when they responded to my note, they mentioned that Mariano's also carries their sausage.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #260 - March 26th, 2021, 4:18 pm
    Post #260 - March 26th, 2021, 4:18 pm Post #260 - March 26th, 2021, 4:18 pm
    Cynthia wrote:Just discovered splendid Beef Smoked Sausage from Kiolbassa

    Costco also carries that brand, in both standard and roasted garlic. They're bigger sausages than Jewel carries.

    A couple times, Costco has had events where they have a few other flavors including cheddar, but not in the last year.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #261 - March 26th, 2021, 10:41 pm
    Post #261 - March 26th, 2021, 10:41 pm Post #261 - March 26th, 2021, 10:41 pm
    JoelF wrote:
    Cynthia wrote:Just discovered splendid Beef Smoked Sausage from Kiolbassa

    Costco also carries that brand, in both standard and roasted garlic. They're bigger sausages than Jewel carries.

    A couple times, Costco has had events where they have a few other flavors including cheddar, but not in the last year.


    Thanks. I'll look for them next time I'm at Costco. That said, one reason I don't normally look at sausages at Costco is that the come in massively large packages, and living alone, it makes it hard to use it all up before it gets freezer burn. But roasted garlic sounds mighty tempting.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #262 - April 5th, 2021, 8:38 pm
    Post #262 - April 5th, 2021, 8:38 pm Post #262 - April 5th, 2021, 8:38 pm
    Trader Joe's Oven-Baked Cheese Bites with Black Truffles.

    Imported from Italy.

    Actually, what I discovered today is that not every bag is equally truffly. But still mighty tasty.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #263 - April 15th, 2021, 11:00 pm
    Post #263 - April 15th, 2021, 11:00 pm Post #263 - April 15th, 2021, 11:00 pm
    In my hunt for onion-free, garlic-free, added-MSG-free stock base, I bought big tubs of beef and chicken at GFS:
    Image
    Image

    5 lb will last me a seriously long time, so if anyone is interested in a sample or a supply, shoot me a message.
  • Post #264 - April 16th, 2021, 8:09 am
    Post #264 - April 16th, 2021, 8:09 am Post #264 - April 16th, 2021, 8:09 am
    tjr,

    Is it in a powder or paste form?

    Is it shelf stable or you need to refrigerate? As much as I like Better than Boullion, I don't like keeping it in the refrigerator.

    Regards,
    Cathy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #265 - April 16th, 2021, 10:55 am
    Post #265 - April 16th, 2021, 10:55 am Post #265 - April 16th, 2021, 10:55 am
    Hi, Cathy, these are pastes. The label says "refrigerate for optimum flavor". I think I'll freeze some of the excess and transfer to smaller containers.
  • Post #266 - June 18th, 2021, 9:30 pm
    Post #266 - June 18th, 2021, 9:30 pm Post #266 - June 18th, 2021, 9:30 pm
    Just tried the newest Better Than Bouillon flavor -- caramelized onion. Really good.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #267 - June 26th, 2021, 10:47 pm
    Post #267 - June 26th, 2021, 10:47 pm Post #267 - June 26th, 2021, 10:47 pm
    Shopping with a friend today at Woodfield, discovered a new (to me) store called Rocket Fizz. It's hilarious good fun, with wall-to-wall candy and soda pop -- but not just any candy or pop -- insane flavors of soda pop (such as Lemon Meringue Pie, Buttered Sweet Corn, Peanut Butter and Jelly, or Bacon and Maple Syrup, plus some normal flavors, such as good brands of ginger beer) and candy from our childhoods -- Valomilk, Googoo clusters, Bun candy bars, Necco Wafers, Zagnut bars (wasn't there someone on LTH looking for Zagnut at some point?), Turkish Taffy (the kind you're supposed to smack on the counter to break up), Charleston Chew, Pop Rocks, Bit-O-Honey, and more, plus many candies from overseas (mostly England and Australia) and other currently popular candies: Ritter Sport, Toblerone, Heath Bars, M&Ms, and so on.

    Serious sensory overload in this place, with every inch filled with something sugary. But lots of fun, even if just for the trip down memory lane.
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #268 - August 8th, 2021, 7:59 pm
    Post #268 - August 8th, 2021, 7:59 pm Post #268 - August 8th, 2021, 7:59 pm
    I checked, and my most recent discovery was apparently only mentioned once about 15 years ago. So I feel it's okay to bring it up again -- especially since I didn't discover it until yesterday. Pepper Palace at Woodfield (and, apparently, other places) -- and entire store of products that utilize hot peppers. Heat levels are clearly marked, and there are plenty of mild options, for those of us not looking to die -- but also plenty of Reaper and Ghost labels. Pepper jelly, pepper marinades and BBQ sauce, pepper sauces and purées and dressings and a lot more. I picked up their Teriyaki sauce, which has a base of pineapple juice and a "mild" label. They have bottles of just about everything open for sampling, so you can explore before buying. If nothing else, I view this as being the ideal place for Christmas shopping for friends who do pursue pain .
    "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Ronald Reagan

    http://midwestmaize.wordpress.com
  • Post #269 - August 9th, 2021, 8:12 am
    Post #269 - August 9th, 2021, 8:12 am Post #269 - August 9th, 2021, 8:12 am
    Bought into the hype and picked up a couple of (expensive) bottles of De La Viuda hot sauce. It's made from chile de arbol peppers as a side project by one of the Jose Cuervo family members. She's a pretty savvy marketer as it's getting sales at premium pricing. The upside is that it's really delicious and has a nice depth with sweet notes popping through the peppery heat (but not too hot, my heat-averse wife was pleasantly surprised).
  • Post #270 - August 25th, 2021, 8:16 am
    Post #270 - August 25th, 2021, 8:16 am Post #270 - August 25th, 2021, 8:16 am
    New flavor of Bay's English Muffins: Brioche.
    No sir, I do not like it, I am not a fan.
    There's a peculiar aroma to these, particularly when toasted, of sugar, eggs, and... vanilla? Not positive about the vanilla - the ingredients list has "natural flavors" and "spices" listed. But it's off-putting. They're not soft and pillowy like brioche, they're just flavored english muffins.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang

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