IFWTWA BlogsProduct Reviews

We are happy to post product reviews related to food wine and travel. We are fortunate to experience many products in our experiences and like to share our thoughts.

ZSweet Product Review and Recipe

Sunday, July 31st, 2011 — posted by Maralyn D. Hill

ZSweet is Well Worth Trying – It Works Without an After Taste

ZSweet Packets

On our recent IFWTWA Conference at Sea, I received a packet of ZSweet products to test and review. I tossed it in my suitcase to try once I got home. Except for stevia, I’ve not had much success with zero calorie sweeteners. However since ZSweet is all-natural, I was willing to give it a try.

First came reading the support material to discover this zero calorie, zero glycemic, Kosher, gluten-free, all natural alternative sweetener contains a blend of erythitol, stevia extract and natural flavors. The erythritol, which comes from honeycomb, is cultured from sugar and infused with S. rebaudiana leaf extract from the stevia plant.

For me personally, the stevia was a clincher that this may pass the palate test and it did, with flying colors.

ZSweet Powdered

For those who need to limit or avoid sugar, this is a terrific answer.

It is available in little packets that are equal to two teaspoons of sugar, an 8.5 ounce shaker container that is granulated, and an 8 ounce or 24 ounce powdered form that measures and sweetens like powdered sugar and suitable for baking.

For me, the powdered form is a huge bonus. Most of the substitutes do not measure the same. The ZSweet website has many delicious recipes.

Since apple season will soon be approaching, I’m including their apple pie recipe.

ZSweet Apple Pie Delight

ZSweet Apple Pie Delight

Servings 8 slices
Crust Ingredients
2 cups flour
2 tbsp ZSweet
1 tsp salt
6 oz unsalted butter
6 tbsp cold water

Filling Ingredients
6 cups Granny Smith apples, sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup ZSweet®
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp corn starch
5 spritzes butter spray

To prepare crust:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix together flour, ZSweet®, salt. Using a pastry
blender, cut in butter until mixture becomes crumbly (like cornmeal). Add ice water and mix with fingers until mixture forms a ball. Cover and set aside pastry until well chilled (about 30 mintues). Divide pastry into half and roll out between pieces of wax paper. Fit pastry into a 9″ pie pan and bake for approximately 7 minutes. Roll out remaining pastry dough and set aside.

To prepare filling:
Peel and cut apples evenly into 1/2 inch slices. Sprinkle lemon juice over the apple slices. Mix together ZSweet®, nutmeg, cinnamon, and corn starch, and combine with apple mixture. Pour apple mixture into the pie shell and spritz with butter spray. Use remaining pastry to form a lattice topping or cut a vented top crust. Protect edges of crust with foil to prevent over-browning. Bake approximately 40 minutes until crust is golden brown and apples are to desired softness (juices will bubble).

Nutrition Facts
Makes 10 servings, Serving size: 1 slice, Amount per serving, Calories 172.2, Total Carbs 44.5 g, Dietary Fiber 6.6 g, Sugars 9.9 g, Total Fat 2.3 g, Saturated Fat 1.3 g, Unsaturated Fat 1 g, Potassium 64.5 mg, Protein 2.8 g, Sodium 234.2 mg

ZSweet is distributed by the leading US Wholesale Distributor and can be ordered by any Whole Foods Market or Vitamin Shoppe location or other fine Natural Food retailer. However, if your Whole Foods Market does not have it, you can order online at www.zsweet.com or call 866-227-9338.

After you try it, let me know what you think.

Maralyn D Hill

Dodo Organics Truffle Products are Wonderful

Sunday, July 31st, 2011 — posted by Maralyn D. Hill

Dodo Organic Truffle & Porcino Mushroom Olive Oil photo M D Hill

When we were on the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association Conference at Sea, Dodo Organics Products sent us many wonderful sample products to test out.

I’ll have to admit the small samples of truffle oils were for our celebrity chef, Michelle Winner and me. Michelle and I had organized all of these gifts and they wanted to give us a treat.

In deed it was a treat. French Master Chef Herve Laurent was thrilled and treasured the product. His smile said it all. I didn’t try mine until I got home.

After these extensive trips with wonder food, and especially on Holland America, I just want soup when I get home. Now, even though I make soup from scratch, usually in these situations, we stick with some from the deli department of our local grocery story. So, after heating up the broccoli cheddar soup, I drizzled some of the Dodo Black Truffle Olive Oil Dressing, and it was absolutely delicious.

Brocolli Cheddar Soup with Black Truffle Oil photo: M D Hill

The next night, we tried the White Truffle Olive Oil Dressing on Corn Chowder and it was just as good. When I tried in on New England Clam Chowder, it did not work as well. For that, the Porcino Mushroom Olive Oil Dressing gave a nicer finish.

Now, I have drizzled these over over some fresh tomatoes, as well as on top of mac n’ cheese. Any way you try it, simply divine.

I also took a little taste of the Profumi Umbri Acadia Honey with White Truffles from Dodo Organics–Delicious. I have that closed tightly as I am trying to decide what it will pair with the best. Maybe a plain scone or multi-grain toast.

In any case, I’m sold on this product and will probably order some from their online store for hostess gifts.

Maralyn D Hill

Big Blend Magazine JustLuxe Spa Review Magazine NoraLyn Ltd.
Member: Society of Professional Journalists

RealSalt: Ancient All Natural Sea Salt

Thursday, July 21st, 2011 — posted by Brenda C. Hill

Real Salt photo by M D Hill

RealSalt is unrefined sea salt mined from ancient sea beds.

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Delicious. Oh how I enjoy reading the ingredients list of a new product, and finding only one!  Ingredients in Redmond’s award winning RealSalt: Ancient Sea Salt.
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For our team of culinary writers there is only one word that counts: taste. As international food judges, The Tandem Tasters, we know that one small detail can alter the outcome of an entire dish.
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I had fun experimenting by taking the RealSalt taste test. I sprinkled RealSalt on a fresh farm tomato. Intoxicating. I could barely stop to try the regular white salt. It was still good, but no comparison. I also had to use more for that savory sensation. Next I sprinkled the real stuff on a caramel. It was transformed to new flavor heights. Try a pinch of Realsalt on a perfectly poached egg.
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RealSalt is extracted from deep within the earth. It is crushed, screened and packaged without bleaching or refining. I enjoy the seeing the shades of pink flecks that represent more than 50 natural trace minerals.
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One of the real truths about salt is that we use too much of it. In June, 2011, The Wellness Center at The University of California recommended that we lower our sodium intake to 1,500 mg. I have learned that a few grains of RealSalt packs over double the flavor of ordinary salt.
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The easiest way to cut down, without sacrificing taste is to limit processed and packaged foods. I prefer to cook for myself with a few simple fresh ingredients, or choose a restaurant with a chef who knows and cares. 

French Master Chef Herve Laurent photo: M D Hill
Recently on an IFWTWA culinary tour of Seattle and Alaska, French Master Chef Herve Laurent prepared delicious Salmon in Holland America’s Culinary Kitchen. He only used RealSalt on his fish and in his sauces for maximum flavors. He highly recommended RealSalt to his interactive audience of food lovers. Herve is a chef who knows and cares.
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If Real Salt costs a few pennies more, by using less of it, you actually save money while promoting good health and amazing taste.
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For nutritional information or other questions contact:
Heber City, Utah 84032

Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where And What in the World

Review of Volcano Lemon Burst from IFWTWA Conference at Sea

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011 — posted by Brenda C. Hill
Making Lemonade from Volcano Lemon Burst 

Vocano Lemon Burst from Dream Foods - photo: B C Hill

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What a great product. Volcano Lemon Burst delivers a squirt of lemony flavor to brighten food and drinks. I am spoiled by having a lemon and lime tree on my property. When my trees are not blooming, I miss the taste of fresh lemons. I know there are substitutes, yet I know the difference.  Volcano is not made from concentrate.
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Thank you IFWTWA for discovering and sharing this organic lemon juice.
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When I first tried organic Volcano Lemon Burst, sprinkled on a shrimp, I know I had found something as good as my own fresh lemons. The shrimp tasted like freshly grated zest. Now I add a few drops to soups, salads, fish and cocktails.
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Tonight I made a refreshing summer drink for neighbors, my Volcano lemonade and vodka with a sprig of mint. They were certain I had used fresh picked or farm market lemons. I showed them the label and learned that Volcano Lemon Burst is imported from Italy. No wonder.
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For recipes visit www.dreamfoods.com
Phone: 1-877-9volcano

Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where And What in the World

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