THE NIBBLE BLOG: Products, Recipes & Trends In Specialty Foods


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TIP OF THE DAY: Make Your Own Hummus Flavor

What’s better than a healthy snack of hummus?

Our answer: Hummus that’s been garnished with something just as healthy, for additional layers of flavor.

That’s the latest good idea from Tribe Mediterranean Foods. Their newest line, Tribe With Toppings (formerly called Tribe Origins), offers a “topped” line of hummus in seven delicious varieties.

All-natural and extremely creamy (research showed that was what consumers wanted), the line uses Tribe’s Classic Hummus as a base.

We’ve purchased different hummus brands in some 20 different flavors, from artichoke and Kalamata olive to sundried tomato. The flavors are blended into the hummus.

We love them, but we equally love the festive look of Tribe With Toppings. There’s no reason you can’t combine the two concepts.

So grab some pita bread, lentil chips or a spoon, and dig in.

While we don’t know the secret Tribe With Toppings recipes, we tasted them, looked at the ingredients, and then made our own versions, patterning them after the Tribe flavors.

 
Prefer black olives to green olives? Then
customize your own topping for hummus.
Photo of Tribe With Toppings Olive Tapenade Hummus by Elvira Kalviste | THE NIBBLE.
 
Everything should be finely chopped, but otherwise, you have free rein to use chipotle, jalapeño, horseradish, lemon zest or whatever else grabs you. While Tribe With Toppings has a base of plain hummus, you can use flavored hummus to create your own innovative recipes. And remember: fresh herbs make everything taste better.

  • Cilantro Chimichurri Hummus. Make a blend of fresh parsley and cilantro in olive oil. Season with roasted garlic, dried garlic, onions, spices, lime juice and jalapeño.
  • Mediterranean Style Hummus. Top hummus with a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a dusting of paprika with herbs (try oregano and thyme plus fresh parsley).
  • Olive Tapenade Hummus. Tribe uses chopped green olives, but feel free to substitute black olives. Add roasted garlic, dried garlic and your favorite spices and herbs to a red bell pepper purée.
  • Roasted Vegetable Hummus. Try a base of tomato purée flavored with roasted garlic, diced carrots, diced red bell pepper and your favorite spices. Tribe doesn’t use onions, but you certainly can.
  • Savory Mushroom Hummus. Earthy mushroom flavors pair well with hummus. Finely dice the mushrooms, sauté lightly and combine with roasted garlic, dried roasted garlic, onion and spices. You can purée half of the mushrooms for a base, or simply sprinkle the combined ingredients atop the hummus.
  • Spicy Red Pepper Hummus. We made our home version with red pepper purée, using a jar of roasted red peppers/pimentos and red pepper flakes. Minced fresh parsley made it even perkier.
  • Zesty Spice & Garlic Hummus. Blend minced garlic and your favorite spices into tomato paste.
  •  
    You can also use hummus with toppings in a delicious hummus sandwich.

    Let us know what you create!
      

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    TIP OF THE DAY: Make A Fabulous Cocktail Glass Rimmer


    This drink rimmer uses neither sugar nor
    salt, just a touch of herbs. Photo
    courtesy Haru Restaurant.
      Several specialty food companies make cocktail glass rimmers that add color, flavor and festivity to the rim of the glass.

    Beyond cocktails, a glass rimmer can be used with almost any drink, from iced coffee to hot chocolate to milk.

    But why buy them, when it’s easy to make your own—and to customize the rimmer to each cocktail recipe?

    Depending on whether you’re making a rimmer for a sweet or savory drink, you can start with a base:

  • Base: Add sugar or sea salt to a plastic sandwich bag or quart bag. Try different textures, from superfine to coarse to sparkling options like sanding sugar, to see which effect you prefer.
  • Color: For color, you can use colored sanding sugar instead of regular sugar. Other cookie and cake decorations that work in rimmmers include confetti, crystal sugar, glitter, gold or silver flakes, jimmies and non-pareils. You can also make a simple colored sugar or salt by adding a drop of food coloring to the bag. Shake to infuse the color, then allow the mixture to dry. Spreading it on a paper towel or a plate will speed up the process.
  •  

  • Flavor, Sweet: Look at your spice rack and pick one to mix into your base: anise, cardamom (ground), cinnamon, clove, crystallized ginger (crushed), coconut (ground), ginger, nutmeg or other favorite. Add a half teaspoon per cup of sugar, then taste and add more if you prefer.
  • Flavor, Savory: Add a teaspoon or more of a complementary herb, dried or fresh-minced (the latter provides more vibrant flavor). We love chopped basil, celery salt, coriander, cumin, dill, herbes de Provence, paprika, pepper, rosemary, thyme and toasted sesame seed. Get more daring with spices such as chipotle and curry (try them with Bloody Marys and Martinis). You can also try citrus zest with both sweet and savory drinks, mixed with an herb or spice.
  • Creative Alternatives:
  • Use a base of crushed hard candies or cookies, instead of sugar. Add a spice for dimension. For a beautiful presentation, use edible flowers.

    Experiment with whatever appeals to you:

  • Dill and cracked pepper as a Bloody Mary glass rimmer
  • Lemon zest and basil as a Martini glass rimmer
  • Lime zest and sparkling sanding sugar as a Margarita glass rimmer
  • Cocoa drink mix and shaved chocolate on any chocolate cocktail
  • Crushed peppermint candies or ginger snaps for a holiday touch
  •  
    Share your favorite inspirations with us!

    Also consider matching your cocktail snack to the rimmer. For example, with a dill rimmer, serve a dip flavored with dill or a complementary flavor like basil.

    Adding The Rimmer Mix To The Glass

    Place the rimmer on a flat plate next to a small bowl of water. Dip the rim of the glass into the water and then into the rimmer mix. Twist the glass against the mix to evenly coat the rim. Pour in the cocktail and serve.
      

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    NEWS: Recycling Nespresso Capsules

    We love our Nespresso espresso machine and the many different varieties and flavors of espresso it enables us to enjoy. (Espresso isn’t a type of bean, but a type of roast that can be applied to any bean. Drill down in our Espresso Glossary.)

    But some environmentally conscious espresso lovers have told us that they limit themselves to drinking one cup a day, because they can’t recycle the aluminum capsules.

    Now they can go “from brew to renew.”

    In response to consumer wishes, Nespresso has launched recycling programs in Arizona, California, Florida, New York and Texas. You can bring spent capsules to participating Sur La Table stores. Sur La Table, a big seller of Nespresso machines, will send them to a recycling center. The aluminum will be recycled and the coffee grounds will be composted.

    Learn more about the Nespresso recycling program.

     
    Nespresso’s extensive choices enable
    espresso lovers to try different origins and different flavors. Photo courtesy Nespresso.
     
    Learn more about coffee in our Gourmet Coffee Section.

      

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    TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: Popchips Healthy Potato Chips

      In 2007, we were one of the first to discover Popchips and make it a Top Pick Of The Week.

    Over the years, we’ve had many a potato chip, but none as guilt-free and delicious as Popchips. They have half the fat but all of the flavor. Super-crunchy, they’re fun as well as fabulous.

    Instead of frying potato slices to make chips, Popchips are made with proprietary process. The potatoes are cut into small pieces, then popped under heat and pressure—no fat.
    After the chips are popped, some fat is required for the seasonings to adhere. That’s why these delicious chips have half the fat of conventional chips. Compare one-inch servings:

  • Popchips: 23 chips, 120 calories
  • Lay’s Original Potato Chips: 15 chips, 160 calories
  • Lay’s Baked Potato Chips: 15 chips, 120 calories
     
    You get a lot more Popchips per serving!

  •  
    Popchips are available in eight flavors: Original Popchips, Barbeque Popchips, Cheddar Popchips, Jalapeño Popchips, Parmesan & Garlic Popchips, Salt & Pepper Popchips, Sea Salt & Vinegar Popchips and Sour Cream & Onion Popchips.

    Read the full review and TRY THEM! The line is gluten-free, non GMO and certified kosher, and is available at retailers nationwide.
    Potato Chip History

    The first potato chips were born in the U.S.A.—by accident, in the course of a “food fight” between a fussy restaurant patron and a cranky chef. Check out the story.

    What Are The Best Conventional Potato Chips?

    Our favorite conventional chips are the original Saratoga Chips, first made at the Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga Springs, New York.

    A few years ago, local entrepreneurs began to produce Saratoga Chips. Small, curly and elegant, they’re terrific for everything from snacking from the box to nibbling with a Martini.

    The company’s luscious dip mixes are also noteworthy. Packaged in a reproduction of the original chip box, Saratoga Chips are a great gift for the chip lover. Small, individual-portion size makes a great party favor or stocking stuffer.

      

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    TIP OF THE DAY: What Makes The Best Granola Cereal

    Many Americans start the day with a bowl of granola or a yogurt-granola combination, or carry bags of granola for a healthy snack on-the-go.

    With all the brands on the grocer’s shelf, what constitutes the best granola cereal?

    The best granola is a healthy granola. As with all foods, choose a brand that starts with the highest-quality natural ingredients, and scan the nutrition label for:

  • Fiber. Here’s your opportunity to start the day with fiber-rich whole grains. Breakfast granola should offer at least 25 grams of whole grains per serving, including 3 grams of fiber. The usual whole grain in granola is oats. The government recommends 48 grams of whole grains daily: See a list of whole grains.
  • Nutrition. Look at the nutrition label for calcium, magnesium and vitamin E. These nutrients will fuel you throughout the day.
  • Natural Sweeteners. Look for a naturally sweetened whole grain granola, which means agave, honey, maple syrup or molasses rather than refined sugar, corn syrup or HFCS.
  •  
    Read the nutrition label before buying
    granola. You want something healthy, like
    Bob’s Red Mill granola. Avoid granola that is
    as sweet as children’s cereals. Photo by
    Elvira Kaliste | THE NIBBLE.
     
    Make Your Own Granola

    Many pre-made granolas have unnecessary added ingredients, such as preservatives, and too much added sugar. Making a healthier granola at home is easy and cost effective: Most ingredients can be bought for significantly less in the bulk foods aisle of your grocery store. If you want to limit your gluten intake, you can find gluten-free oats. You can even give containers of your special blend as house gifts, special treats and stocking stuffers.

  • Use natural sweeteners like agave or honey.
  • Add your favorite type of nut, seed and dried fruit.
  • Toss in a handful of flax seeds for added fiber.
  •  
    Why Are Whole Grains So Important?
    Check out this article on whole grains. It may change your eating habits. It certainly changed ours!

    Find more of our favorite cereal brands, plus recipes.

      

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