Category Archives: New Products

The Verdict on New Foster Farms Oven Ready Chicken Entrees

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Foster Farms new Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Oven Ready Entree. Just add your own sides.

Foster Farms new Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Oven Ready Entree. Just add your own sides.

 

I admit I’m a skeptic when it comes to most packaged prepared foods.

I often don’t think they’re a time-saver.

Plus, the sodium levels are usually frighteningly through the roof.

Recently, I had a chance to sample the new Foster Farms Oven Ready Entrees, which feature chicken breasts that are already marinated. You just put the recyclable, oven-proof tray in the oven and they’re ready in about 30 minutes.

They come in four varieties: Chile Verde, Roasted Red Pepper, Zesty Thai and Honey Roasted Garlic.

What I most appreciated was the reasonable sodium level — 210 to 270 per serving, depending upon the variety. The entrees also have a moderate 120 to 130 calories per serving, though, it’s hard to tell exactly how much a serving constitutes as the nutrition label states “servings per container varied” because, of course, not all chicken breasts are exactly the same size. A publicist I checked with said that one package will serve 4 to 6. I think it’s more like 4 servings at most — or even 2 if you have very big eaters in the house.

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New Oakville Grocery Sammies, Santana Row To Welcome A New Restaurant, and More

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The new Cuban sandwich at Oakville Grocery. (Photo courtesy of the store.)

The new Cuban sandwich at Oakville Grocery. (Photo courtesy of the store.)

New Sandwiches Galore At Oakville Grocery

Oakville Grocery, the 130-year-old landmark Wine Country gourmet store has rolled out a delicious new sandwich menu created by Chef Jason Rose.

Look for the Oakville Muffaletta ($13), a ciabatta piled with Toscano salami, sopressata, ham, provolone, and pickled pepper relish; the Cuban ($13), a torpedo roll stuffed with slow-cooked pork shoulder, ham, yellow mustard, pickles, Swiss cheese, and aioli; and the Quinoa Falafel ($9.50), spinach lavash rolled up around spicy hummus, harissa Greek yogurt, grilled eggplant, cucumber and pickles.

Each day, a special tartine ($10) also is featured, along with a waffle sandwich ($7) of ham and Swiss cheese.

The muffaletta. (Photo courtesy of Oakville Grocery.)

The muffaletta. (Photo courtesy of Oakville Grocery.)

With two locations — the original in Oakville and the other in Healdsburg — it’s a perfect place to pick up a quick lunch after cycling or touring wineries.

Get Ready for a Taste of Brazil at Santana Row

Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse, will be opening in San Jose’s Santana Row in early 2014.

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Dip Into Yogurt Dips and A Food Gal Giveaway

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Red Lentil Curry Dip made with Greek yogurt.

Red Lentil Curry Dip made with Greek yogurt.

 

I have a love-hate relationship with dip.

I love the stuff.

But not what it does to my hips, if you know what I mean.

So, when I had a chance to try La Terra Fina dips lately, I was intrigued. Rather than sour cream, they’re made with Greek yogurt.

That means, a serving of two tablespoons weighs in at a respectable 30 to 70 calories, depending upon the variety.

The eight dips are all gluten-free, too.

The Balsamic Beet & White Bean Dip is fuchsia colored with chunks of red beets in it. It’s slightly sweet, but also tangy from balsamic vinegar.

The Caramelized Onion Dip had a sweet onion-y taste, though I think it needed a little more salt or tang to really make its flavors pop.

The Red Lentil Curry Dip, my favorite of the bunch, reminded me of curried deviled eggs. With its earthy, yet mild curry flavor, it would be fantastic as a sandwich spread, too.

The dips are available at Whole Foods and Smart & Final for $4.99 per 10-ounce tub.

New Greek yogurt dips.

New Greek yogurt dips.

CONTEST: One lucky Food Gal reader will win samples of the La Terra Fina Greek Yogurt Dips. Entries, limited to those in the continental United States, will be accepted through midnight PST July 20. Winner will be announced July 22.

How to win?

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In Praise of Petit Fours

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Petits fours that taste as good as they look.

Petits fours that taste as good as they look.

 

Like so many little girls before me, I grew up with a play kitchen set.

Like you’re surprised, right?

I guess enjoying good food and cooking it — even if only in my pretend world back then — has always been integral in my life.

So, it was with great pleasure that I spent many an afternoon cooking up a storm on my pint-sized stove after pulling out ingredients from my matching mini fridge, then cleaning up in my would-be sink that actually had running water. Well, if you remembered to fill the hidden reservoir.

I remember my parents even bought me “food” for my beloved kitchen. There was a plastic fried egg with strips of plastic bacon attached to it. A plastic golden-browned chicken with its drumsticks looking so plump and enticing. And a big pink ham that looked like you could practically carve it.

But what I would have given to have had these instead: Divine Delights petits fours.

Pretty pastel-hued and resembling the most precious little gifts, they’d make any little girl’s play kitchen a whole lot sweeter.

Of course, the best part is even if you missed out on enjoying these cute little confections as a tot, you can easily enjoy them now as an adult.

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Sharp As A Knife and A Food Gal Giveaway

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ProHold 13-piece knife set. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Cutlery)

ProHold 13-piece knife set. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Cutlery)

One of the best investments any home-cook can make is a great knife.

Sure, knives can cost a small fortune. But take care of them, and they will last you a lifetime.

The first time you use a knife that is sharp and fits your hand well will be a revelation. Slicing and chopping will feel miraculously effortless. I know when I plunked down some cold hard cash for my first really good knife, I practically screamed when I cut an onion for the first time. The blade went through it like nobody’s business.

Over the years, I’ve tried a couple Chicago Cutlery knives, in addition to other brands. This moderate-priced line delivers a lot for a modest amount of money. The stainless steel blades also come with a lifetime warranty.

So, if you don’t yet have a well-made set of knives in your kitchen, it’s high-time you went shopping for some. They truly will change the way you cook.

CONTEST: One lucky Food Gal reader will win a Chicago Cutlery 13-piece block set, a value of $69.99. The set includes an 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch bread knife, 5-inch utility knife, 5-inch partoku, a parer, a peeler, shears, a sharpening steel and 4 steak knives.

Entries, restricted to those in the continental United States, will be accepted through midnight PST July 6. Winner will be announced July 8.

How to win?

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