Category: Product Reviews (Page 5 of 19)

      Football season = smoked meats time

      September 17, 2012 /

      One of my favorite things about football season is that while there is a chill in the air outside (for the most part, as even in Wisconsin we have some pretty warm weather through September) is that it’s a great time to break out the indoor smoker my wife bought me a few years ago. And while typically I make chicken wings in my Cameron Indoor Smoker, and occasionally ribs–the first two weeks of the season I went a tad healthier to honor the fact that I’m trying to lose weight.

      Last week it was chicken tenders–extremely easy as I put them in the smoker frozen, sprayed with cooking spray and sprinkled with salt, pepper and other spices. The cooking time is minimal compared to the low and slow time needed to “tenderize” wings and ribs. I am pretty sure the chicken smoked for about three hours and came out perfect, albeit maybe slightly overcooked before I finished the tenders on the grill. I mixed up some homemade ranch dip by mixing light mayo, light sour cream, a splash of vinegar, onion and garlic powder and salt and pepper. Perfection.

      Then yesterday I made a flank steak in the smoker. And it was made even more perfect by the fact that I was in Nashville this past weekend, and picked up some Loveless Cafe dry rub–an awesome sweet, spicy and savory blend to rub on meat before grilling or smoking it. I had the steak in the freezer, so also put that right in the smoker frozen and rubbed it generously with the spice mix. Then I smoked it for about four hours until tender and slapped it on the grill for about five minutes. Done deal: meat snacks! It’s like homemade jerky, but more like a combination of thick steak and jerky that is nicely smoked and seasoned.

      Food TV, Healthy, Ingredients, On the Grille, Product Reviews, Recipes, Tailgating, Your Kitchen

      Product review: Pizza Free Fat Free Pizza

      September 11, 2012 /

      So once again, I have found myself in need of losing a few pounds. Only this time, it’s doctor’s orders because of high blood pressure and being about 20-25 pounds overweight. I like South Beach because of how easy it is…i.e. you don’t really have to count calories or weigh food. But after the brutal two-week period in which you eat no carbs, you have to gradually add carbs back in. That’s hard if you like eating fruit, cereal, bread, pasta, rice and potatoes, even if it’s the healthy versions of those things. And your breath stinks during those two weeks as well. So this time, my wife talked me into doing Weight Watchers. She told me I did not have to go to meetings, but that even though it’s a pain to count points and log everything, you can eat anything you want. And I figured, why not? If Charles Barkley can do it, why not me?

      Luckily, someone told me about Pizza Free, a fat free pizza company in Ohio. I love pizza as much as anyone, but when I first heard this, I thought, “Fat Free is so 10 years ago!” But alas, since the single serving pies are just 6 points on Weight Watchers (a number listed proudly on the website), I had to try them. So we ordered the smallest quantity available, which was six pizzas, and they were $39.99 including shipping.
      But regardless, I was still extremely skeptical. Fat free cheese to me is like rubber, and since we live in Wisconsin now I was even more skeptical about that. But hey, the pizza is delicious, and the cheese isn’t flavorless rubber! You can’t overcook it or the crust and cheese will burn, but if you do it until the cheese just melts, it’s perfect. The tomato sauce has a nice flavor as well, not the processed flavor that dominates frozen pizza or Italian meals.

      Of course, Pizza Free does not taste like traditional pizza, but as healthy pizzas go, and especially THIS healthy, you absolutely can’t beat it. And not only is the cheese and crust fat free, but the whole 6 inch pie comes in at just 248 calories.

      Intrigued? I figured you might be. Check out www.pizzafree.com for more information.

      Chefs and Restaurants, Healthy, Product Reviews, Your Kitchen

      Product review: House Foods Tofu

      September 5, 2012 /

      I know, I know. A food blog geared toward guys talking about tofu? Well, I’m not the biggest fan of the stuff, but its health benefits, especially for weight loss, are real. So when the fine folks who represent House Foods Premium Tofu reached out, I thought I’d give tofu another chance. They touted the prospects of cutting tofu into chunks and grilling it, with House Foods extra firm variety really standing up to the grill, whereas that is not always the case with standard tofu. For you novices, keep in mind that tofu typically comes in the extra firm variety like that, or the softer versions which are more like scrambled eggs (and can be used as such) and can be used as a salad dressing or “cream” soup base.

      Anyway, I tried the firm variety, not extra firm, and used it cubed in a miso soup. I should preface this by saying that my doctor instructed me to lose some weight to help bring down my spiking blood pressure, so I’m doing Weight Watchers, which really has come a long way in being more guy-friendly. I mean, Charles Barkley does it, why can’t I? Anyway, this soup kicks ass–you fry some mushrooms in a bit of oil, add some broth along with sliced bok choy, and the tofu. And to make it more flavorful (and with some spice), I sliced some fresh jalapeno and put that in the soup. Delicious.

      But wait, this is about the tofu. Well, tofu is the type of food that absorbs flavors, but it’s usually the texture that separates good tofu from not-so-good. And House Foods is good–the firm is firm, and it doesn’t fall apart in soup. It has a nice texture that isn’t offensive. And hey, I’d use it again, and I probably will!

      Grocery stores, Healthy, Ingredients, Product Reviews, Your Kitchen

      Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival–fun and flavor for all

      August 28, 2012 /

      Chef JimThanks for the fine folks at Grassland Butter, I took my wife and 5-year old son to the Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival two weekends ago. We moved to Wisconsin two years ago and this was the first time we went to the fest. It also certainly won’t be the last time. The food was great, the rides were great for our thrill-loving boy, and the weather was perfect as well (75 and sunny).

      Chef JimGrassland was an official sponsor of the event, which meant their butter was the perfect companion to the sweet corn. We were amazed at the production line for the corn–as we waited with our tote, we watched the corn come out of the steamer in husks, after which we had to peel (ouch!) ourselves. Then we brought the corn to the butter table, where the fine folks rolled our corn in a gigantic block of Grassland butter, and then we made our way to the hanging salt shakers before gorging ourselves with the corn. Of course, it was peak season and the corn was delicious, but the Grassland butter really did take it to another level. My only regret was that I totally forgot about the grilled cheese sandwiches, which are also slathered with the butter and supposedly a fair favorite. Next year though!

      Chef JimBefore we ate, our son dragged us to pretty much every ride there was, and every weird haunted house “ride.” My wife had the pleasure of going on just about everything, while I skated by only going on the flying swings with him once. He had the best time, and that is always the most important thing.

      Chef JimSo, is it next August yet?

      fairs and festivals, Grocery stores, Ingredients, Product Reviews

      Product review: Sweet and Creamy Iced Coffee K-Cup packs

      August 10, 2012 /

      First off, let me say that I am thrilled to be a K-Cup Ambassador, having the opportunity to try new flavors of coffee in the Keurig brewing system. I used to be steadfast in my coffee drinking, that I would not drink anything other than “regular” flavor and that anything flavored amounted to “foo-foo.” But as you get older, you try new foods and drinks, and when I tried hazelnut coffee once, and it tasted like Cocoa Puffs, I was hooked and began to try different flavors. And so right on cue, the folks at Green Mountain Coffee have given me the opportunity to try their new K-Cup flavors each month.

      The first installment is the Original Donut Shop Sweet & Creamy Iced Coffee K-Cup packs, which come in two flavors–Regular and Nutty Hazelnut. They are both delicious, with the regular packing the punch of coffee while the hazelnut one was more like a coffee flavored creamy drink and nice Cocoa Puffs undertone. But the best part? Have you ever made iced coffee at home? It’s a royal pain, waiting for it to cool down before icing, which could take an hour or more. But with the Keurig, you put ice in a sturdy plastic cup (they generously supplied one with a cover and straw), and brew right over the ice. Of course, it melts most of it and you have to add more, but all you do is that, which takes a minute or so, and shake it up. You have to do this in order for the sweetness to permeate the drink. But that’s it. You have iced coffee in literally two minutes. And since we’ve had record temps, even here in Wisconsin, drinking hot coffee in the afternoon is not the best option. So the K-Cup gives me (and you!) the chance to enjoy easy iced coffee as the hot climate continues.

      For those of you unfamiliar with the Keurig, it is a home brewing system that allows you to make single cup servings of coffee. And if you have one and would like to order these Donut Shop iced coffee flavors, please visit www.BrewOverIce.com

      Ingredients, Product Reviews, Your Kitchen

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