Bite of the Best

The names Planters and Mr. Peanut are once again synonymous with peanut butter, as parent company Kraft brings Planters Peanut Butter back after a multi-decade hiatus, seeking to cash in on the recent annual 5 to 6 percent growth in peanut butter consumption.

Available in both regular and crunchy.  A two-tablespoon serving contains 180 calories, 2.5 grams saturated fat (of 15 total) and is a good source of plant-based protein (8 grams), vitamins (D, niacin, folate) and minerals (phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and copper.

Emerald’s Breakfast on the go! Nuts Blends are pouches designed to contain both granola and nuts. Varieties include Breakfast, S’Mores, and Berry blends and include  cocoa-roast almonds in the S’Mores and glazed walnuts in both the Breakfast and Berry blends.

Kraft reintroduced Planters Peanut Butter after a multi-decade hiatus. Available Regular and Crunchy with a two-tablespoon serving containing 180 calories, 2.5 grams saturated fat and a good source of plant-based protein.

Kellogg’s Special K MultiGrain Oats & Honey Cereal — the tenth Special K variety — contains 100 calories, no saturated fat, 140 milligrams of sodium, 8 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fiber and 11 grams of whole grains per serving.

Barney Butter —a certified vegan almond butter — is all natural and gluten-free.  It is available smooth or crunch as a 10- or 16-ounce jar, and in 0.6-ounce Snack Packs. A 2 tablespoon serving contains 180 calories, 15 grams total fat, 1.5 grams saturated fat, 100 milligrams  sodium, 3 grams fiber and 6 grams protein. It’s also an excellent source of vitamin E and magnesium.

Seneca Farms now offers shelf-stable Oatmeal & Fruit cups that are ready to microwave (45 seconds) and eat.

Barbara’s Puffins Multigrain Cereal consists of whole oats, brown rice and corn, is gluten-free and contains no artificial ingredients. A 3/4-cup portion contains 110 calories, no fat, 6 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber.

Tabasco Buffalo Style Hot Sauce — from the makers of the original Tabasco Sauce — consists of four red pepper, vinegar, salt and garlic, and contains nine times the original’s sodium. Compared with the original Tabasco, the Tabasco Buffalo Style Hot Sauce is only 300 to 900 Scoville Heat Units compared to the original’s 2500 to 5000.

Treasures of Tuscany Extra Virgin Olive Oil  is Toscana I.G.P. denominated, obtained from olives of the Leccino and Frantoio species and has spicy and peppery notes and a bright green color.

Kellogg’s has changed the original Frosted Flakes for the third time in the past seven years in an attempt to improve nutritionals for a new product with Fiber and Less Sugar. With 25 percent less sugar than the original, this new Frosted Flakes also contains 1 gram more protein and 2 grams more fiber from soluble corn and oat fiber per serving.

Kashi introduced two new cereals — Berry Blossom and Golden Goodness — each with 5 grams fiber and a good sources of whole grains. The Berry Blossom consists of crispy whole-grain cereal squares, dried strawberry, blackberry, blueberry and raspberry powder. The Golden Goodness consists of whole-grain flakes and oat clusters.

Beanitos bean chips are made from beans plus whole-grain rice, fried in vegetable oil then seasoned with sea salt. The fat and salt puts them on a par calorie-, fat- and sodium-wise with other chips, meaning a 10-chip, 1-ounce portion contains about 140 calories, 7 grams fat and 150 milligrams sodium. The difference between Beanitos bean chips and regular potato chips is the ingredients: The Chipotle BBQ are made from black beans, the Cheddar Cheese from pinto and flax seeds, a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Beanitos are high in fiber (5 grams per 1-ounce serving of 10 chips), minerals (4 percent of the daily value of calcium and 6 percent irons), and protein (4 grams) while being gluten- and wheat-free.

Einkorn, the oldest cultivated wheat in the world, is now available as pasta from Italy under the Jovial label. It’s a whole grain, packed with more vitamins and minerals and fiber than regular durum, whole-wheat pasta, and twice durum’s antioxidant power, including as much lutein as a whole egg. What’s more, early studies suggest einkorn might be tolerable for celiac sufferers.  Jovial whole grain einkorn pasta is available in supermarkets nationwide and retails for $3.39 to $3.69 per 12-ounce box.

Bisquick was invented by a train chef to help him quickly whip up biscuits for late boarding passengers. Traditional Bisquick is a premixed baking product consisting of flour, shortening, salt and leavening originally intended for making biscuits. The new Bisquick Gluten Free Pancake and Baking Mix is not Bisquick in its traditional sense, as it’s missing the shortening. Instead it’s blend of rice flour, sugar and leavening. The Bisquick Gluten Free Pancake and Baking Mix is available in supermarkets nationwide, retailing for $4.49 per 16-oz box.

Asantae Java an organic Arabica Coffee, hand picked, from Honduras is a high-oxidant coffee due to the Triple Patented Healthy Roast Process. Asantae Java is available in three roast varieties -
Breakfast Blend, Signature Roast, Signature Roast/Decaf. Each bag of Asantae Java retails for $20 and is available for purchase online.

Muir Glen 2010 Reserve Tomatoes were grown exclusively in Yolo County, California under certified organic practices. The tomatoes are hand-harvested at the peak of ripeness to guarantee quality and taste, going from vine to can in eight hours. The Meridian Ruby variety was chosen as the 2010 Muir Glen Reserve Tomato for its deep red color and flavor. Muir Glen Meridian Ruby is offered in two varieties: Meridian Ruby Diced Tomatoes and Meridian Ruby Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes. The fire roasted tomatoes are grilled and smoked over a proprietary blend of hardwoods to add a smoky depth. Muir Glen 2010 Reserve tomatoes are available for sale online through the company website

Cornaby is a family run raspberry farm (20 acres of berries) that uses their berries and other produce from local farmers to create designer fruit spreads. The Cornaby spreads are 70% fruit, low in sugar and gluten free. The fruit spreads are available throughout Utah, and nationwide through the Internet. Conrnaby’s spreadable fruit are available in a variety of flavors.

Dassant baking mixes, made with premium ingredients, are easy to make, versatile in recipe offering and have been around for over 30 years. The mixes are available in a variety of options including: beer bread, brownie mix, vanilla cake mix, vanilla scone, pumpkin bread, banana bread, gingerbread mix, pound cake mix, apple cake mix. Dassant baking mixes are available for sale online and through the Bite of the Best shop.

Cinnabon Cream of Wheat Instant Hot Cereal offers consumers the unmistakable aroma of Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls. Each serving packet has 100 calories, 0 grams of fat and is a source of Vitamin D, Calcium and Iron. Each box of Cinnabon Cream of Wheat Instant Hot Cereal includes ten 35g instant packets. The Cinnabon Cream of Wheat Instant Hot Cereal is currently available in the cereal aisle of select grocery stores nationwide.

The original Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce contains all-natural ingredients other than high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). One little teaspoon of that sauce adds 5 calories and 65 milligrams sodium to food. The new reduced sodium contains less than half the sodium or only 25 milligrams and is made with sugar rather than HFCS. The Thick Classic variety could be called Thick Classic Reduced Sodium since it contains half the sodium of the original plus xanthan gum as a thickener. The new sauces are available nationwide and retail for $3.09 per 10-ounce bottle.

McCormick has repackaged 16 of their seasoning blends under the Perfect Pinch label and added two new flavors. The new Mediterranean Herb Seasoning includes oregano, rosemary, garlic, thyme, chili pepper, paprika and salt; the Salt-Free Savory All Purpose contains those same ingredients plus onion, orange peel and lemon peel, minus the salt. The perfect pinch seasoning blends are available in supermarkets nationwide and retail for $2.79 per 2.25- to 2.3-oz bottle

General Mills Total Plus Omega-3s Honey Almond Flax cereal contains 100 percent of the U.S. government’s daily value of at least 11 vitamins and minerals. One serving also contains 16 grams of whole grains, or at least one of the three recommended daily servings, and 10 percent (160 milligrams) of the daily value of omega-3 ALA. The cereal is available in supermarkets nationwide and retails for $3.89 per 12-oz box.

King Arthur Flour’s gluten-free baking mixes are held to the same high standards for texture and taste as the traditional flour and baking mixes that built our 220-year reputation. They are the only major brand to be third-party certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization, with standards twice as stringent as those set by the Food and Drug Administration. In addition, they are produced in a dedicated allergen-free facility, guaranteed to be free of the top eight most common food allergens. The gluten-free mixes are also certified Kosher by the Chicago Rabbinical Council.

Lawry’s new Tuscan Sun-Dried Tomato and Szechuan Sweet & Sour BBQ marinades are sure to please even the most discerning taste buds. Just pour marinade over chicken, pork, beef or ribs. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Throw on the grill and allow these blends to help tenderize meats and seal in juices.

The Tuscan Sun-Dried Tomato marinade features minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers and a blend of herbs such as rosemary and oregano. The Szechuan Sweet & Sour BBQ marinade gives barbecued chicken, ribs or pork chops a sweet and sour flavor with just a touch of heat. This authentic marinade features Chinese five spice blend, ginger, sesame oil and red pepper.