I'd Walk a Mile for .....

There are so many amazing condiments, spices and food products we can't live without. We'll make special trips into the city to obtain them or even mail-order them. If you're a foodie - you'll appreciate hearing about these. I hope you have some treasures of your own to share with us in the comments section below. We'll list the product name, approx price, where we buy it, what we use it for and why we think it's worth going the extra mile to obtain it.


PS. - Any product reviews below are only there because we truly believe in them. Yes - if you click the Amazon hot linked photos and purchase during that same visit on Amazon - our account may earn a whopping 25 cents per item - which will be donated to a charity we will vote on and announce later. 

1. In Search of Green loves Olivier Balsamic Vinegar (15.5 oz) $27 William Sonoma {only} - It's a delicious 25 year aged balsamic vinegar. Don't waste your time or money on supermarket brands. There are plenty of other balsamics equally as good as Olivier - some even better -  however they will cost twice as much or more. This one so far is the best value for your dollar. I use it mainly as my salad dressing either alone or with an excellent Extra Virgin Olive Oil - see below. Since big salads are our main meal many nights and we skip the meat or fish trying for more vegan meals - therefore I can justify spending $27 on the bottle.

2.In Search of Green loves - Villa Ravida Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 2 sizes the larger bottle is about $38 ish. Best price if you can find it is at a larger Wholefoods. Otherwise Amazon or William Sonoma or in the North End of Boston - Salumeria on Richmond St. carries it. It is divine and a bit expensive - and I'm a bit partial - (Okay I'm an olive oil snob} because I had the privilege of being in Sicily to attend a tasting for the "First Pressing" at the Ravida farm. I stayed with the family and took a cooking class there as well. Best use - to dip your bread in with dinner. Pour about 1 - 2 teaspoons in a little dish with a bit of sea salt and dip in warmed scali or ciabatta bread. Do NOT - I repeat Do NOT waste it by cooking with it. For cooking I use Wholefoods 365 EVOO. Also - perfect for that salad I mentioned above with the Olivier Balsamic vinegar.

3. In Search of Green loves - Vietnamese Cinnamon -2 oz. $4.95 King Arthur Flour Baking Co. They usually do not charge shipping or will often run specials on "Free shipping on spices." The smell is heavenly. I wouldn't use anything else. Of course it's used in any baking recipe calling for cinnamon - however - since I read how good cinnamon is for you - something to do with the blood ? - I try to sprinkle it in cereal, oatmeal and yogurt with fruit - and also on apple slices.

4. In Search of green loves -  Hatch Red Chili Powder - 8 oz for $5.95 or 16 oz for $7.95 - sold at The Chili Shop in Santa Fe which has an online store. It comes in  mild, medium and hot. I never would have known about this had I not wondered into the store once when in Santa Fe. Now I mail order it - though I'm always looking for an excuse to fly back. This will take your chili - many many notches above chili made with the supermarket spice called "Chili Powder". You'll be able to tell why just by smelling the Hatch powder. Since this is pure chili ground into powder with no other spices blended into it - you will need to add your own cumin, basil and oregano to compliment the Hatch powder in your chili.. The supermarket spice is a crappy blend of spices. I toast whole cumin seeds, dried oregano and dried basil in a dry cast iron skillet for about 3-5 minutes till the smell permeates the kitchen and add that to my pot of chili and hatch powder. Store the hatch powder in your freezer to last over a year.

5. CF loves - Paula Dean's House Seasoning. From her Savannah restaurant Lady and Sons. She uses this in many of her restaurant and other recipes. Simple and basic, and not offensive to those poor souls who consider the ultimate gourmet seasoning salt and possibly pepper.  Homemade version as follows: 1 cup salt (I use the finer grain for better flow when shaking out); 1/4 cup each garlic powder and black pepper. Mix well, put in sifting jars or any jar. I use cleaned baby food jars or such when I make batches of this and give them away to anyone around.

6.KK loves Dr. Pete's Praline Mustard Glaze - It can be mail ordered from Amazon for $6.99 plus shipping. Some specialty food shops carry it as well. Great baked in Corned Beef, a top Baked Brie with pecans and apple slices to dip into. Dr. Pete's website has many recipes.