jilter wrote:

Cynthia wrote:Pickled cherry tomatoes at Garden Fresh. [...edited for brevity]

I'm guessing they'll be at multiple outlets of Garden Fresh, but the one I shop at is in Buffalo Grove.
Garden Fresh Market
770 S Buffalo Grove Rd
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
http://www.gardenfreshmarket.com/

Wow, I did not know there still a Garden Fresh. I do not leave my area much <grin.>
But I do miss certain items since the Highland Park store closed. Chief among them was the sauerkraut in a barrel.
Going to take a road trip. Thanks Cathy!

Depending on where you are, you might find that the Vernon Hills Garden Fresh is also accessible. Don't know if they have the pickled cherry tomatoes, but the Vernon Hills store is even bigger than the BG store.

Cynthia wrote:

jilter wrote:

Cynthia wrote:Pickled cherry tomatoes at Garden Fresh. [...edited for brevity]

I'm guessing they'll be at multiple outlets of Garden Fresh, but the one I shop at is in Buffalo Grove.
Garden Fresh Market
770 S Buffalo Grove Rd
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
http://www.gardenfreshmarket.com/

Wow, I did not know there still a Garden Fresh. I do not leave my area much <grin.>
But I do miss certain items since the Highland Park store closed. Chief among them was the sauerkraut in a barrel.
Going to take a road trip. Thanks Cathy!

Depending on where you are, you might find that the Vernon Hills Garden Fresh is also accessible. Don't know if they have the pickled cherry tomatoes, but the Vernon Hills store is even bigger than the BG store.

I will make a note of that, thank you.
I really miss the variety of kosher items GF used to carry in HP.
Thank you again!

Garden Fresh is actually in Mundelein rather than Vernon Hills.

wesuilmo wrote:Garden Fresh is actually in Mundelein rather than Vernon Hills.

400 Townline Rd.
Mundelein, IL 60060

Dave148 wrote:

wesuilmo wrote:Garden Fresh is actually in Mundelein rather than Vernon Hills.

400 Townline Rd.
Mundelein, IL 60060

Sorry. Not sure where the borders are "up north."

Not exactly a discovery because I've enjoyed Kerrygold products for years but someone recently gave me (I know, don't ask) a half-pound container of their Naturally Softer butter and oh my, it's delicious on toast . . .


Kerrygold Naturally Softer Butter

I typically use their unsalted butter but this stuff (lightly salted) is so good, I might start keeping it on-hand in addition to the unsalted. Wow!

=R=

The new Jewel-Osco grocery store in Hyde Park at Cottage Grove and 60th street offers ramen made to order, along with stir-fry and noodle bowls. I've tried the ramen on three separate visits and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality. You get a choice of tonkatsu, miso, or spicy miso broth. You then select a protein (beef, chicken, pork loin, and tofu), along with 6 toppings (i.e., corn, soft-boiled egg, bamboo, nori, cilantro, green onions, broccoli, bokchoy). Everything is made on the spot to order and nicely packaged. I've tried both the tonkatsu and spicy miso accompanied by pork. Noodles have a nice chew and have not been over-cooked. I spent about $12 which I felt was fair given the quality. This has become my go to spot on Hyde Park during my lunch breaks when i'm craving ramen.

Not so much a "must try" as a "good news if you need it" -- today at Aldi picked up a box of "Cauliflower Crackers." They're actually made with cauliflower flour -- among other things -- but are gluten free and pretty tasty. Interestingly, you can taste the cauliflower, even over the cheese in the version I bought. Very crunchy, though with a different crunch than a cracker made with wheat flour. But if you need to be gluten free, these might be a life saver -- and yet are tasty enough to not chase away your gluten-eating friends.

Louisa's Four-Cheese Toasted Ravioli, found among the frozen foods at Marianos in Vernon Hills. A few minutes in a toaster oven and the cheese inside gets nicely melted. Seasoned crumb crust. Dipped in marinara sauce, a delightful appetizer. So St. Louis; so Highwood. Brings back memories of my dad's favorite place in Highwood, My Favorite Inn.

p.s., I see the company is in St. Louis.

At Richwell Market in Morton Grove, I picked up a package of ChaCha Potato Cracker. Gluten Free and "extra crunchy" the package declares. I got the scallion flavor. These are wonderful crackers. This is not a case of, "oh, well, at least they're gluten free," but rather, "why didn't I buy all the flavors." They're small (about 1-inch square) and sold in long, thin packages. They really are extra crunchy -- and the inclusion of seaweed and sesame makes them just a little more exotic tasting than other crackers. But really delightful little crackers -- and a bonus if you do need gluten free.

While I got these at Richwell Market, I'd imagine they might be found at other largely Asian stores. That said, a quick search turned up a lot of online sites selling these, as well.

I was at Richwell MArket on Saturday to purchase egg rolls wrappers.

I began at the snack section looking for something I have found only in New Jersey: snack packets of peanuts and little dried fish.

I did find some Taiwanese Sesame Fish Chips made of fish chips, sesame seeds, sugar, maltose, msg, salt and 'sweetner.' Feathery light fish chips with a faint fish flavor. Relatively steep price for 20 grams (less than an ounce) at $1.99 or $2.99.

Distributor is Profusion Foods, Chicago, IL 60638.

***

The also offered ten small empanada like pastries filled with dried coconut and peanuts. I was going to take a pass until the woman said the golden words, "These are made for Chinese New Year." I am a sucker for seasonal foods I cannot try casually.

These empanadas were not especially sweet, though they smelled really nice. The label was hand written and had a sense it was made by a small enterprise.

None of these treats lasted more than 15 minutes once opened.

Regards,
CAthy2