Read my  "Different Shapes of Pasta" and "Pasta 411: Types and Uses for Pasta" posts on womensforum.com on Sally's Food for Thought blog.

 

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Sally's Recommendations

Aloha from Oregon 

The subtle flavors of fruits and berries or the robust flavor of garlic blended with the heat of Jalapeño, Habanero or Thai peppers make up these tart, sweet and hot jellies. Use as a meat or seafood glaze, spread with cream cheese on crackers, or use in recipes. These 33 "All Natural" products are perfect for any chef's pantry or gift baskets. Their seasonal pepper jelly called Christmas has two flavors (red and green) diagonally split in one jar. The flavors are 1/2 cranberry (red) and 1/2 jalapeño (green); also available are cranberry /jalapeño, for year round sales,  apricot/jalapeño, mango/plum ginger, pineapple/jalapeño, raspberry/jalapeño, and sweet onion/jalapeño split pepper jellies. For information, click here.  

MOONSTRUCK CHOCOLATE CO. 

Since 1993 Monstruck has been making handmade truffles in Portland, Oregon. Almost 20 years later they still handcraft each piece, using only the finest ingredients. They pair their own decadent chocolate with fresh flavors found in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, and then hand-decorate each piece with intricate care.  There is a new Honey Bee Truffle, Hiwa-kai Hawaiian Black Sea Caramels, Baseball Truffles, and a timely Election Collection, including Donkey and Elephant election collection truffles. For information, click here. 

Flavor It Pitcher from Primula 

Brew it, flavor it, or chill it in the new Flavor It Pitcher from Primula. Whether you're brewing hot or cold coffee or tea, infusing fresh fruit flavors into water, infusing mint or lavender into lemonade, or chilling mojitos for entertaining - Flavor It is an eco-friendly alternative to infused bottled beverages. The perfect pitcher, along with trend-forward accessories, makes beverage preparation easy. For information, click here.

 

RUFUS TEAGUE 

Rufus Teague sauces and rubs are made in Kansas City, Kansas and are gluten-free and 100% natural. BBQ sauce flavors include Honey Sweet, Touch O' Heat, and Blazin' Hot. Rub flavors include an original and spicy and steak sauces come in regular and spicy. Gift crates and T-shirts are also available. And the company website says, "Good sauce makes bad barbeque good and good barbeque gooder." For information, click here. 

The Dog Dicer  

The Dog Dicer is a simple, lightweight hot dog slicer, shaped to fit a single hot dog (regular or bun-length) that will cut the hot dog into 48 half-moon shaped bite sized pieces.  The Dog Dicer significantly reduces the risk of choking hazards and makes hot dogs safe for children to eat, all with one quick, simple motion.  To order, click here.

Dave's Gourmet

The Presidential election is upon us and Dave's Gourmet wants to see if a hot sauce can predict the outcome.  They are selling two sauces: the Barack Obama Adjustable Origin Hot Sauce and the Mitt Romney Adjustable Opinion Hot Sauce (profits go to Cancer research).  Every bottle sold is a vote for that candidate and there is a tracking poll on Dave's Gourmet's website at www.davesgourmet.com.

 

 

 

 

Traveling Matters   

If you are looking for a small group journey to Italy this Fall, 2012, Traveling Matters in the wine country of Sonoma, California is offering a special off-the-beaten-path itinerary which will include cooking classes, a chocolate course, wine education, artistic and historical walks. Their passion is traveling in a spirit of friendship and lasting memories and they carefully handcraft successful itineraries that make journeys unique and personal. For more than twenty years owner and certified international travel consultant Margarita Ramirez-Dalton has been writing, developing and organizing journeys throughout the world. For information: www.travelingmatters.com or call Margarita at 707-939-7638.

  

  

Silpoura

Silpoura is the original, patented, clip-on Silicone Spout for skillets, pans, bowls, and cans.  Use it to pour gravy and sauces, strain fruit salad, HOT or cold cooking oil, batter for pancakes, cupcakes, and muffins. Silpoura comes with its own detachable strainer for even more uses. It also doubles as a spoon rest and is made from food grade silicone so it will withstand cooking temperatures of up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For more information, click here.

 

XAN Confections

 

XAN Confections (pronounced Zan) offers Ladybug Truffles (15 flavors in milk or dark chocolate), Signature Chocolates (Belgium style with a French Touch), Jewels, a Vegan Gift Box, Almond Toffee, Saintly Sins, Childhood Favorites, and more.   Their newest Coco line includes: CocoBrain, CocoHeart, CocoWell, CocoPreggers and CocoPMS.  Made in Irvine, California, these chocolates are available in upscale grocery stores and use fine cacao with no fillers.  XAN ships worldwide with next day delivery throughout Southern California. For information, click here.    

       

 

Red Jacket 

 

Established in 1958 and produced in New York's Finger Lakes region, Red Jacket juices are all natural, unfiltered, 100% fruit juice and cold pressed.  You'll find 12 oz. plastic bottles of 100% apple juice blends including fuji, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry grape, blackcurrant, and light raspberry.  These drinks contain no sugar, no color, no flavorings and are never made from concentrates.  For information, click here.     

  

 

 

WILD THYMES  

       

Six BBQ sauces make up only part of this line of products: Mama's Original, Hot Mama, Smokin' Hot Mamacita, Mama's Whistin' Dixie, Mad Moroccan and Thai One On.  These products are 100% natural, kosher, without any artificial preservatives or additives, fat and cholesterol free and extremely low in calories, carbohydrates and sodium. Most of their offeringts are gluten free and are made on their farm in New York's Hudson Valley and are now being sold at premier specialty and natural food stores nationwide, through their mail order catalog and on their website.  Other products include cranberry sauces, chutneys, dipping sauces, marinades, salad refreshers and vinaigrettes. For information, click here.  

 

 

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