So, sometimes companies send me products and I like them. Sometimes they send me products and I need to take an immediate nap to forget the aforementioned products even exist in this version of the universe. (I don’t get a nap, but I definitely need one.) And sometimes they send me products so terrifically marvelous that they become my new favorites and, instead of further compensation, I inform the companies that I’ll just go ahead and write about them for free, so deep and true is my love for samesuch products.
The third scenario happened last week. Twice.
(And yes, that was a disclaimer.)
Wild Garden’s marinades & pilafs
So, I’m of Middle Eastern descent. And- spoiler- I do not cook as well as my Mama. (Sorry, P.J.) But this big ol’ box of dinner-saving packets I just received will go a long way towards ensuring my ancestors need not pity my offspring.
I’m so in love. These all-natural marinades? They work quickly. Ten minutes quickly. (Which is good for, uh, those nights one forgets to defrost anything resembling dinner.) And the yummy- actually, divinely yummy- sides are microwave-ready in 90 seconds, slightly longer on stovetop.
There’s the Persian, full of garlic, sumac, and fennel. The Turkish, which includes a kebab recipe full of tomatoes, cumin, and garlic. But my favorite? Hands-down the Shawarma, which blends cardamom, cumin, and other traditional herbs- perfect on both chicken and steak, btw.
As for those pilafs: the Bulgur is a delicious tomato-based and spiced bulgur wheat. The Couscous (a.k.a Maftoul) combines chick peas and pearled couscous in an even tomato-ier (yes a word) sauce. And I’m crazy for the Rice & Lentils (Mujadara) with its Basmati rice, lentils, and caramelized onions. (90 seconds for caramelized onions, sigh.)
Here’s where I enjoyed them: Last Friday night, we picnicked on a concert venue lawn. I brought containers of both the Shawarma and the Rice & Lentils, a freshly baked (not by me) bag of Syrian pita pockets, and my very hungry family. It was a really, really good decision.
Here’s where you can get them: Chicagoland! They’re on the shelves at Mariano’s, Jewel-Osco, and Meijer. Elsewhere! Check ’em out online (for crazy good recipes!), on Facebook, and Twitter with the hashtag #WildGardenEats.
(Or at my place. All summer long. Because I’ve totally found my new signature dish.)
Chocolate.org’s dark chocolate truffles from Nicobella Organics
First off, chocolate.org. Where have you been all my life? (Or least the portion of my life that included internet access.) Unique chocolate confections, all across the board, and all handmade by local chocolate shops.
Secondly, Nicobella Organics is seriously a company I can get behind. Cruelty-free and dairy-free, philanthropic with their favorite animal organizations, organic (like for real real), all-natural (meaning zero flavors or additives), fair trade, and sustainable with their packaging and shipping processes. FSC certified! Bags and stickers made from rice paper and sustainable wild grass! Containers made from veggie-based fillers which can be dissolved or used again!
And third, their chocolate is really, really, really good. Like, Special Occasion, send-this-to-your-Mama good. We tried the Pure Cocoa Bliss Truffles (which retail for $13.50 for a box of 6) and man, they were wonderful. (P.J. enjoyed the two I let him have. The rest were mine, baby.) Smooth, rich, decadent, and so good you want to eat them sitting down at a table (as opposed to hunched over a kitchen sink, for example).
Here’s where I enjoyed them: At our second concert/picnic of the week! Sans children, though, because even though they’d dig on these truffles, I decided that these had a 34+ age restriction. (No regrets.)
I also enjoyed the last one over the kitchen sink. (No regrets.)
Here’s where you can get them: I dare you to visit chocolate.org and not get super hungry, scrolling through divine treats and beyond-fabulous gifts for the sugar-toothed blogger in your life.
Ahem.
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