Often times the best “parties” start out small, cozy and casual and wind up with a larger than life ending because of the great company, sips and food! Here’s a menu that I have curated based on products I have tried at conventions, via samples and also trying a recipe (complete with my own tweaks)! Rather than go the beer and chips route, or a pitcher of margaritas, try this great wine that’s a slow sip but one that grows on you the more you taste it.
One of the first things people look for during the summer are light snacks. RW Garcia has you covered in more ways than one! With gluten-free, NON-GMO sourced ingredients and unusual flavors, these crackers make for great snacks out of the box or paired with cheeses or unusual dips (those are coming so hang tight!)
Founded in 1982 and based in San Jose, California, RW Garcia is a family-owned and operated artisan maker of high quality organic and all natural corn-based snacks. RW Garcia is committed to sourcing the finest ingredients available, and all of its products are made from stone ground non-GMO corn, contain no additives or preservatives, are verified non-GMO and are certified gluten free. RW Garcia operates manufacturing facilities in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Lincolnton, North Carolina, and its unique products can be found throughout North America, as well as in Europe and Australia
Family-owned-and-operated RW Garcia recently introduced an entirely new 3 Seed Cracker line that is unlike anything currently on the market. The line combines flaxseed, sesame seeds and chia seeds with flavors high in consumer demand. The gluten-free crackers are available in three varieties:
3 Seed Sweet Potato,
3 Seed Kale
3 Seed Harvest, a combination of pumpkin and blue corn crackers in one box—
I was lucky enough to try all these flavored crackers. They sent me boxes of them. They are crisp, tasty and very satisfying in texture and flavor. I love these crackers and I found them at Whole Foods as well as my local Ralph’s Market. Go buy these and you won’t be disappointed!
They go well with almost every cheese I could find, dips like guacamole and even better with unusual choices including the following “jams” that are a “sweet meets heat” that will pair perfectly with these crackers, the wine shown below and enhance the flavor of the burger I am featuring!
For more information about RW Garcia and its entire family of products, please visit www.RWGarcia.com.
Follow RW Garcia on these social channels:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWGarciaSnacks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rwgarciasnacks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rwgarciasnacks/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/rwgarciasnacks/
I ran into Diane’s Sweet Heat jams two years in a row at Natural Products Expo West. Talk about amazing flavors, these make any cheese and crackers and take them to the next level. You can cook with these jams by glazing meats and poultry. They make interesting additions to cocktails and pair neatly with other spirits and wines by providing an elegant yet spicy contrast in mouth feel and texture. They are not for the faint of taste buds!
Diane recommends pairing these jams with Humboldt County Cheeses which you can find at larger supermarkets, cheese stores and gourmet stores. The bleu cheeses and goat cheeses are remarkable– but you can use any cheese you have on hand to take the flavor profile up a couple of notches!
Blackberry Habanero Jam 10.5 oz.
This award winning jam features rich, full-bodied blackberries jazzed up with a habanero sizzle. Bold in flavor, an ideal glaze for pork and excellent poured over ribs.
Ingredients:
Red bell peppers, pure cane sugar, blackberries, apple cider vinegar, fruit pectin and habanero peppers.
Mango Habanero Jam 10.5 oz.
A fire-kissed confection that combines the light, honeyed flavor of ripe mango with a satisfying habanero afterglow. This jam makes an amazing seafood glaze, adding just the right zip to salmon, oysters or prawns.
Ingredients:
Red bell peppers, pure cane sugar, mangoes, apple cider vinegar, fruit pectin and habanero peppers.
Ripe peaches add the body to this luscious jam, accentuated with a spicy edge to add some crackle to your palate. A versatile flavor that pairs well with cheese and is delectable swirled into vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients:
Red bell peppers, pure cane sugar, peaches, apple cider vinegar, fruit pectin and habanero peppers.
Raspberry Habanero Jam 10.5 oz.
Fresh raspberries, habanero seared, result in a flavor both vivid and refreshing. A great glaze for poultry or pork – amazing shaken up into a homemade vinaigrette and drizzled over salad.
Ingredients:
Red bell peppers, pure cane sugar, raspberries, apple cider vinegar, fruit pectin and habanero peppers.
Each jam retails for $8.99 plus shipping/handling OR check Diane’s SweetHeat website for stores near you. PS: These make GREAT gifts for any time of year. I would suggest buying a couple and stashing them in your pantry for unexpected company!
Follow Diane’s Sweetheat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianessweetheat
Noble Vines
Noble Vines 667 Pinot Noir is a great wine for sipping in summer’s late afternoons.
The key words to describe this wine are smooth, rich and balanced. While some like it at room temperature, I like it chilled a bit to give it a bit more crisp flavor.
{Noble Vines} 667 Pinot Noir exhibits appealing aromas of black cherry, earth and a touch of vanilla. Plush tannins and balanced acidity support core flavors of ripe Bing cherry, bittersweet cocoa powder, and delicate hints of sage.
Enjoy on its own or with salmon, Veal Parmesan or grilled lamb.
VINTAGE: 2011
APPELLATION: Monterey, California
ALCOHOL: 13.5% by volume
TOTAL ACID: 0.52 g/100 ml
FINAL PH: 3.60
While the vintner suggests other pairings, this Turkey Shitake Mushroom Burger is tasty and pairs exceptionally well with the crackers, cheeses and wine!
TURKEY SHIITAKE BURGER (serve with Noble Vines 667 Pinot Noir)
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 lb onions, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
2 tbs olive oil
2 cup thinly sliced onions
1 lb shiitake mushrooms, very thinly sliced
3 tbs butter
5 cl garlic, finely chopped
2 lb ground turkey
2 tsp soy sauce
2 1/2 tsp ground pepper
6 oz gruyere, sliced
6 hamburger buns
¾ cup Dijon mustard
1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated
Method:
·In a bowl combine onions, sugar, salt and pepper and mix well. Heat the oil in a skillet, add onions and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently but not constantly, until onions begin to brown.
·Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until onions are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove lid, and continue cooking until golden brown. Set aside.
·Cook mushrooms in butter over medium heat until tender. Cool completely.
·In a large mixing bowl combine turkey, soy, pepper, cooled mushrooms and mix until well combined. Form into 6 patties and cook on a preheated grill about 5 minutes on each side. Place cheese on top just before removing from heat to allow it to begin melting.
·Transfer to a platter and top with onions.
·Toast buns on the grill and spread with mustard. Arrange patties on buns add lettuce, and serve.
While it’s still summer, spoil yourself a bit and try some of everything I have listed. You might find things that you really like and want to not only give as gifts but keep on hand in your homes for fun times and special events. I sure like them!!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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The crackers and jams are definitely my style. I think tiny bites that give a lot of flavor are the way to go. The mango habanero jam sounds like the chutney I just made..yum!
I tried all the crackers Pam and they totally rock. They are so great. I tried the jams at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim in March .. so great. I had too much stuff I was hauling around to buy 2 jars but I probably should buy the raspberry and the mango.
When I saw the mango, I thought of you. I think I referenced a chutney in the post!