Etcetera

Secret Foods Finishing Sauces

In only one year, Calgary’s Secret Foods’ creamy, tahinibased dipping and drizzling sauces are available in more than 300 stores across Western Canada, and it’s because they’re so good! An homage to creator, Anna Jane Daklala’s Lebanese heritage and her parents, both Smoked Paprika and Lemon Herb flavours are made with water, tahini, lemon juice, EVOO, salt and garlic, and each with their own individual blend of spices and herbs – no dairy, eggs, sugar, gluten, or nuts! 245 mL $9-10 at all good grocery stores.

Park Distillery Cocktail Club

Banff’s Park Distillery have launched their brand new Cocktail Club curated subscription boxes and it’s like opening a treasure chest when you receive it… 3 bottles of spirits plus a little 50 mL mini, step by step creative cocktail and food recipes, and beautiful barware all await inside. We made the both the food and drink recipes, and they’re delicious! Every four months, in March, July, and November, they ship for free and you get a 10 percent discount from their online store too. $169 at parkdistillery.com.

Fleischmann’s Bread Booster

Whether you’re a seasoned bread-baker or amateur enthusiast, you’ll likely be excited by this new bread booster from yeast specialists Fleischmann’s – just 1½ teaspoons added to every cup of flour in your recipe produces dough that is not only easier to knead, but turns out moist and fluffy, we’re super impressed. It stays fresh longer too! We tried recipes for pizza, ciabatta, focaccia, and rolls, from their website, bakegood.ca, with terrific results each time. $5-$7, widely available in most Alberta grocery stores.

Tim Hortons Ice Cream

Already a beloved staple for many Canadians, Tim Hortons is branching out, and kicking off some products that perhaps aren’t as easy to enjoy in the car. Made with 100 percent Canadian dairy, and launching with five flavours of ice cream including some familiar to the timbit and coffee crowd - like Double Chocolate Donut, Birthday Cake Timbits, and Apple Fritter. While Fruit Explosion (the favourite of our tasting group) and Salted Caramel Iced Capp are fun takes for sure. Widely available at most grocers.

Good Enough: A Cookbook

These days we all might need a little gentle encouraging or support, and why shouldn’t it be available in the kitchen or at mealtimes too? Our perspective is always about good, manageable recipes that taste good, but with recipes like Sticky Toffee Cookies (p.193), Here and Now Jalapeño and Honey Biscuits (p.143) or Miso Salmon Taco Bowl (p.74), Good Enough has a solid approach that just might make eating well a little less stressful. By Leanne Brown, Workman Publishing Co, $25.

Blender Bites

Voted 2022 Organic Beverage Product of the Year Canada, Blender Bites were developed in Vancouver by Chelsie Hodge to simplify your smoothies - and she achieved it! Just add water to the frozen superfood pucks and blend or shake, and you’re ready to go. Non-GMO, allergen- and sugar-free, they include organic fruits, greens, and essential plant-based vitamins and minerals. Choose green d-tox, power berry, or vita smoothie. 6-serving bags around $15, widely available, blenderbites.com.