Use it or lose it (or freeze it!). Photo
courtesy KingArthurFlour.com.

As a rule of thumb, whole wheat flour will go rancid sooner than white enriched flour. That’s because whole grains contain the whole kernel, which in turn contains the germ. The germ contains fat (oil)—and as we all know, fat goes rancid.

So you may have some extra time with white flour, but keep an eye on the date of your whole grain flours and other whole-grain products like grits.

For longevity, you can store any type of flour in the refrigerator—or better yet, in the freezer, for up to two years. But plan ahead: Refrigerated or frozen flour must come to room temperature before it’s used.

• What are whole grain flours? See our article on whole grain cereals and the benefits of whole grain foods.

Created by a team of parents, including a physician’s assistant, Gudernoobs are made in four flavors. The small, individually wrapped chews include Awesome Apple Cider, Big Time Brownie, Outrageous Oatmeal Banana and Perfect Peanut Butter.

Billed as “the original un-candy,”* each flavor has only five or six simple, healthy ingredients, like bananas, dates, flax, oatmeal, raisins and vanilla. There is no added sugar, artificial flavors, dyes, high-fructose corn syrup or preservatives. The product is all-natural and vegan.

*NOTE to hypesters and sloganeers: What is an original un-candy, i.e., non-candy? Fruit, grain, and anything that isn’t candy is un-candy. The original “sweet” was the date, which grew in the Middle East millennia before the word “candy” was formed; along with honey. The word “candy” is derived from the Persian “qandi,“ for sugar (also note the Sanskrit “kha??aka?,” sugar candy). The first qandi were fruits and nuts rolled in honey.

The name may be wacky, but kids will love
it. Photo by Katharine Pollak | THE NIBBLE.

Gudernoobs are available at select retailers or online by visiting WooHooFoods.com.

More Healthy, Sweet Snacks

This product and company name reminds us of our personal favorite “healthy snack,” Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food, a NIBBLE Top Pick Of The Week. Created by Laura Trice, M.D., the products are superb. But if she hadn’t sent them to us, we’d never have bought them off the shelf.

We don’t want to eat “junk food,” wholesome or not. (What’s wrong with “Laura’s Healthy Sweets?”) Nevertheless, we encourage you to check out these cholesterol free, vegan and (in some varieties) gluten-free snacks. The Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food line is certified kosher (although a Jewish grandmother might not approve of the name, either).

Don’t wrap them up and stash them away—you’ll forget them and end up tossing them out weeks later. What a sad waste of cheese!

Instead, plan some recipes to use them ASAP. Our favorites:

• Fondue
• Cheese omelets
• “Mixed grill” grilled cheese sandwiches
• Queso asado (baked cheese, but you can microwave it), a dip for tortilla chips

Don’t hesitate to mix up the cheese styles and flavors—some of the tastiest fondues are blends of four or five different cheeses.

Turn those cheese scraps into a fondue,
cheese omelet or other favorite. Photo
courtesy Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

Find more of our favorite cheese recipes.

Kick it with citrus liqueur (photo © Kudayta).
Kudayta.com.

Yesterday we presented home-brewed iced tea. Today, we have iced tea with a kick.

Instead of adding a squeeze of lemon to your iced tea, try lemon liqueur (such as Limoncello) or orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier, GranGala, Triple Sec, etc.).

You can even find lime liqueur. Lluvia de Estrellas Lime Liqueur with Tequila would taste terrific with the iced tea (though higher proof!). A visit to a large liquor store (or an online search) will yield other brands.

Want some heat?

Try Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur.

June is National Iced Tea Month. June 10th is National iced tea Day.
 
Preparation

Start by mixing a teaspoon of liqueur into an 8-ounce glass of tea; add more to taste. The sweetness of the liqueur offsets the need for sugar or honey and lets you enjoy the elegant nuances of the drink.

But those who need things sweeter can add a bit of simple syrup, superfine sugar, agave or honey.

While you can create a tea-based cocktail by using an entire shot of liqueur, using a smaller amount creates an enhanced iced tea rather than an alcoholic drink.

Add a slice of fresh lemon, orange, or lime liqueur to garnish.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

We bought our first smoked olive oil several years ago. It was imported from Spain and was a very special product. But the world (or at least, the neighborhood) was not yet ready for smoked olive oil. It was discontinued by the store where we purchased it.

Brenda Chatelain and Al Hartman, the couple who produce smoked olive oil under the brand, The Smoked Olive, had never heard of smoked olive oil. It was a sui generis idea in the middle of the night for Al, a food industry veteran who worked for four years to perfect the smoking process.

Made from local extra virgin olive oil (the Chatelain-Hartmans are located in Santa Rosa, California, the county seat of Sonoma County), it’s the only smoked olive oil in the U.S. The production process is so complex and unique that they have a patent pending.

There are three varieties of The Smoked Olive: Napa, Sonoma and Santa Fe (with added chile heat), with more on the way. So, what would you do with a bottle?

Smoked olive oil adds a smoky touch to your
favorite everyday foods. Photo by Tanya F. | IST.

• See how we used the oils in the full review. The bottles would be great Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts, house gifts for people who love to cook, as well as the appropriate little something to bring to your next barbecue.
• Find more of our favorite olive oils, and learn all about olive oil, in our Oils & Vinegars section.