DRIVEN BY INGREDIENTS
We have an opinion on that—
Our motto for 2022 is: just say NO to mediocre food.
Here's my thought. I'm gonna get fat no matter what I eat. Overall, I am a healthy eater. I probably (well… I do) just eat too much. Plus I spend a lot of time in front of a screen. I'm kind of ok with it. I adjust every now and again, reset, so to speak. I'm doing it right now, and I can't wait to get started making my BIG veggie soup. Anyway, whatever I eat, I want to make sure it is tasty. I am not going to waste precious calorie consumption on something mediocre. My veggie soup will get drizzled with either French banyuls vinegar or a fruity olive oil, and it will be the good stuff.
What is mediocre? Well, it could be another person's flavorland, so there is that. Of course, we all have those foods we consume for the sake of nostalgia or those food unions that are flat-out weird (oh, please feel free to share those!) But for this conversation, mediocre is ordinary, inferior, forgettable. It also results in mindless eating we are all guilty of. With little to zero flavor that equals overeating, trying to get to a blissful triumph of the perfect bite and just not achieving it. So we look for more.
Let's tackle *cheese first like co-jack (ok, I know don't freak out in a melty nacho sort of way it can work) but not on a cheeseboard. Let's sub that out because here's the deal, a beautiful full flavor cheddar with rich caramel notes and a little crystalline crunch is something to savor. Notice what you are eating and take a minute to relish what exactly you are putting in your mouth. Starting from the first bite, notice the aroma, mouthfeel, and richness a specialty cheese offers. Move on to bite two; you may just add a dab of apricot preserves. Onward to bite three, pair that up with a crunch partner like a fig olive cracker, now we are talking. Another bite or two you're likely done, satisfied. Co-jack can't do that; there's just not enough flavor; even apricot jam can help co-jack. You just can't get no satisfaction.
It's the same story for everything. Vinegars, olive oils, jarred sauces, small-batch condiments, honey, grains and pastas, and… chocolate!
For me, it is about all about taste and calories, but there's also a cost factor to consider. I know the items I am promoting cost more, sometimes triple the price on Costco shelves. But, in the end a small batch, perhaps imported ingredient though costs more is tastier, you will end up using it up and most likely is better for you. Yes, you can get white balsamic at Trader Joe's for $3.95, or you can get it from Food Union for $19.95. However, there's a significant difference. Cheap "balsamic" is cheap white wine vinegar with added flavor and coloring. If I needed a cup for some sort of outlandish recipe, I would perhaps reach for the cheap stuff. Well, not white balsamic… but cheap dark balsamic? Sure I could do that. Just know there are added sugars and stuff.
*White Balsamic Vinegar is made with Trebbiano grapes, just like some traditional Balsamic vinegars. But white balsamic undergoes a different cooking and barrel-aging process. The key to true balsamic is to look for the words "grape must," "aged grape must," or "Mosto d'Uva" in the list of ingredients. White Balsamic is delicate, crisp with a touch of sweetness, and a clean aftertaste. It is simply gorgeous on seafood and fish. The light color is perfect for salads and deglazing pans juices. Splash on fresh stone fruits. At Food Union, we carry Accetaia Cattani. It is so delicate you could drink it.
These ingredients may cost more, but you will use less. This is because they have actual flavor and are far more enjoyable. Plus, they can stand alone. No need to add extra stuff. One and done and beautiful. We look for lovely small-batch items, sometimes imported, sometimes local and make them easily accessible, and your pantry will be the envy of all. When our food tastes good, we are satisfied and essentially eat less. Same for olive oils.
If you're simply using olive oils for cooking, you could opt for the cheaper variety of olive oil. Well, I can't. Now that I can get my hands on foodservice size decent olive oil, I go that route. You can get it too. Check out a couple of foodservice size items we have in our pantry. Partanna Olive Oil comes in a 3 liter tin for only $46.95; it is $56.99 on Amazon. It lasts a long time! I get it in for me and just mark it up to cover costs. I use Partanna for almost everything, But if you want olive oil to drizzle over fresh heirloom tomatoes, make your own vinaigrette or finish a dish, it's worth splurging for high-quality olive oil. My current favorite is Oleavia from Turkey. It's grassy but has a nice and peppery finish. My next soup rotation will be minestrone, which needs a drizzle of olive oil just before serving and some crusty bread! Pro tip: My friend Sharon Su makes the most amazing sourdough bread; check out Persimmon Bakery, ordering cycle starts any day now! I have 2 loaves cut in half in my freezer right now and I’ll be getting more!
Is it dessert time? Then it's *chocolate for most people. Sure, $8-15 a bar seems a little steep, I get it. There can be a time and a place for cheap, low-quality chocolate. Who doesn't snag a Snicker bar or Butterfinger from a kid's Halloween bag? But when you're looking to make a fantastic dessert or just a nibble to satisfy the craving, you need to choose the good stuff. Fancy chocolate is healthier, even the milk, with my favorite being dark milk. All the chocolate we carry is made with more cacao and less added sugar. The ingredient list will contain fewer items. No "milk solids" and "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil," which are often used to fluff up less-expensive chocolates. Trust me, you'll be able to taste the difference and be content with a square or two.
It's true, friends, mediocre food is everywhere! "Justice and bats ate blind, but your tastebuds don't have to be!" So let's get the good stuff in your fridge and pantry. It's time to gift yourself, your friends, and your family STUFF you really want to eat.
*note these links take you to the pantry section of Food Union. Not all options are listed because some are set aside for subscriptions or gift boxes. Which, hey! you are welcome to purchase!
