"Say "sour grapes" You can laugh and stare…read moreSay "sour grapes" But I don't care" (John Prine) A few weeks ago we visited the very cool Tomo's Japanese Mart in Wethersfield and bought some Asian noodle soups and soup mixes. One of the items that ended up in my cart was a pack of Mishima's instant Hot and Sour soup mix. My $4.79 bought me three individual foiled lined pouches, each with a single serving of Hot and Sour soup mix. The cooking directions were pretty straight forward - Empty the contents of one packet into a soup mug or small bowl. Stir in 2/3 cup boiling water and mix well (more or less according to taste). Let stand for one minute to allow vegetables (tofu, green onions and shiitake mushrooms) to re-hydrate. Now look, I had zero expectations that this small 30-calorie cup of instant soup would taste anything like the silky delicious H&S soup I order at every occasion in an Asian restaurant. However, I will say this had the spicy essence of H&S soup and was a little better than I expected. I supplemented mine with some sauteed mushrooms and shrimp from my freezer and made a decent lunch out of it. Mishima has a pretty nice variety of soups, seasonings, cocktail mixes, sauces, seaweeds, and snacks available through their website. If you live in an Asian food desert, Mishima looks like a pretty solid option.

Outside of Japan, I don't think furikake is as popular or well-known as it is in Hawaii, especially…read morewith our mix of cultures and cuisines. Eventually, the nation catches up to the 50th state's palate (can you say pokē, Spam musubi, and loco moco?) Furikake is a seasoning that is sprinkled on mainly rice and fish dishes, but has also made its way onto popcorn and into party mix. It's a blend of roasted sesame seeds, dried seaweed, salt, sugar and hydrolyzed soy protein (aka MSG). It's like a Japanese version of a dry rub, if you will. ON RICE: It's the staple in the 808 and goes with almost ever dish, and furikake is the most popular topping. Want to up the ante? My mom makes "koko rice" which is not only topped with furikake but also fukujinzuke (pickled daikon), and salted kombu (seaweed). Another popular take is ochazuke (rice, furikake, and hot tea), the perfect cold weather or under the weather dish. IN POPCORN: Say what?! Don't knock it until you try it! If you've ever gone to the movies in Hawaii, the concession stands always sell furikake and arare (mochi crunch). Buttered popcorn, furikake, arare, ditch the salt. You're welcome. ON FISH: A lot of eateries in Hawaii serve furikake-crusted fish. The added ocean-y flavors of the seaweed and salt make for a more delectable exterior than mac nuts, IMO. IN PARTY MIX: Leave it up to Hawaii to incorporate this Japanese seasoning into an American snack. And it works, for most people. I still prefer plain party mix without the seaweed flavor. THE COMPANY: Mishima Foods sells several versions of furikake, a demi glace sauce, snacks like wasabi peas, powdered soup mixes, and even arare. Their products are found easily in Hawaii as we have a large Asian population. OVERALL: The best-tasting furikake on the market!

Spicy is as spicy does. The number of times I've eaten spicy peppers is too high to count, but this…read moreI know: I. Love. Spicy. Hot. Peppers. When Shishito peppers hit the grocery stores I got a kick out serving them as appetizers and waiting for the 1 pepper to show up and sneak its spicy heat into the mouth of an unsuspecting guest. Most are mild in taste but there's usually always one spicy pepper in the bunch, surprise! I wonder if one could make a living as a Chili Concierge? Kind of like the ball monitor in grade school - that kid was a bouncy genius who could present you with a ball perfect for your playground event be it bounce, size, texture, grip, inflation amount - genius in his own time. I wonder whatever happened to that kid? Today a Chili Concierge could guide you on your spice journey. A chili to add a little sumpin' sumpin' to hot cocoa, one to warm your soul and kick up a casserole or one that says "say hello to my spicy friend, where's the milk?" This really doesn't have anything to do with Hatch chilies other than it's sort of related to the theme. Hatch chilies are a staple in my household today and have been since I was old enough to know I loved spicy hot salsa. Back then the reference to Hatch, New Mexico wasn't even in the vernacular. I grew up on Colorado chilies when bushels were harvested and roasting was popular beginning in August. It was always a scramble to find someone who was in the area and who wouldn't mind loading a bushel or two in their trunk for the ride home. A lot of chilies but we never ran out of family who was happy to take some home. My freezer has a healthy supply of the hot ones and portioned just right for a Hatch Green Chili stew or a Hatch Green Chili Cheeseburger. I'll toss 'em into biscuit batter, Mac n' Cheese or fold them into cream cheese for an epic Sunday toasted bagel. Can you say Hatch quesadilla and your mouth not water? I can't. Anyway, Frieda's has come through more than a few times for me, so it's appropriate to share my love for them. Have no idea about the restaurant so I have no opinion, but if they have Hatch chilies they must be doing at least one thing right. In packages, by the pound or 25, however you roll this is for sure: once that roasted aroma of a Hatch chile crosses your olfactory organ...or you're lucky enough to have tasted one, you'll be hooked for life.

They hate Murka because they hate our Frieda... umm…read more.. Owned by Frieda Kahlo and Friedo Pie. They make edamame and other snacks and ship out of California all over the country. They're not bad at all but they are not cheap and not nearly as fresh as if you got something from a local Farm - so it's not really my thing. Still a good company providing pretty decent products at premium prices.

I came across these wonderful pickled products in Bristol Farms in Santa Monica this weekend and…read moreabsolutely loved them! I got all three products (pickles, pickled eggs, and green tomatoes) for a BBQ for Easter, and everyone --- and I mean EVERYONE --- was crazy about them. It was a hit! They're seriously addicting! The little kick of spice was intoxicating, the pickles were fresh and crunchy, and we couldn't get enough. I should've bought more jars for the party. I checked out their website and found that they are a fairly new company and I think they only sell in certain locations--- but if in the SoCal area, DEFINITELY look at their website and track down a jar!!

Excellent spicy pickles with s punch. Not too much, just the right amount of ZIP…read more Looking at other products as these are awesome.

These are awesome oils and balsamic! Aged nicely and super flavorful!! I always have a couple in my…read morepantry! Love their balsamic's over fruits and salads!!!

I came across Dem' Nutz while visiting the 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival held at Barnes Park in…read moreMonterey Park. Their motto "Best Nutz You'll Have Today" was right on the money. They were indeed the best nuts I have ever eaten. So happy I found Dem' Nutz. They are a small family owned business. They do not have a store front. They primarily do events, festivals, etc kind of like a pop-up store. All their gourmet nuts, crack aka brittle, jerky, etc are hand made using all natural ingredients. One bite and I was in love! The owners, Gary and Dana, were super friendly and nice. They offered free samples of their most popular nuts and crack. I got to sample a good handful of them. OMG... Honey Glazed Pecans was the B*MB! Honey Glazed Walnuts, Dem' Crack Almond, and Spicy Garlic Pistachios were very good, too. They definitely elevated the nut to the next level. Amazing quality nuts with ultimate freshness and vibrant natural flavors. I almost ate the entire 6 oz bag in one sitting. I just didn't want to put the bag down. DARN GOOD NUTS SO ADDICTINGLY DELICIOUS! More please!! They offer their nuts in little 2 oz or big 6 oz bags. I ended up spending 100 big ones on ten 6 oz bags of various nuts. When I find something good, I don't go small... I go big! Pricing below on the day of my visit. Lil Sac Nutz: 1 bag = $5 3 bags = $14 5+ bags = $20 Big Sac Nutz: 1 bag = $13/ea 3+ bags = $11/ea 5+ bags = $10/ea They also offer Dem' Nutz Gift Set that comes with a customizable nut sack that you can put any name or phrase. You get all 3 flavors of their signature nuts (honey glazed walnuts, honey glazed pecans and spicy honey pecans) and a stress nutz to squeeze. I didn't inquire about this offering, but I will do so on my next visit. It would be a nice gift for family, friends, and co-workers. I missed their Dem' Island Juice because I was so focused on their nuts. I'll have to catch their juice next time. I can't wait to see Dem' Nutz again at the next event. I'm bringing some large bills to get some more of Dem' yummy Nutz. Thank you Dem' Nutz for sharing your home made nuts and crack with us. Keep doing what you do best at your delicious craft! If you see Dem' Nutz, make sure you drop by, sample their amazingly delicious nuts and crack, and take some home. It's a must! It will be the "Best Nutz You'll Have" that day. Trust me on this one!

I bought from this business just based on their name. As their name suggests, they make specialty…read moreflavored nut snacks from strawberry cashews, honey glazed pecans, spicy garlic pistachios, honey glazed walnuts, spicy honey pecans, garlic parmesan cashews, and almond crack. You can order any of these on their website but you can also visit them when they show up at various festivals and fairs in California and Arizona. When visiting them, you'll find other flavors other than the ones you find in their website. I got their honey glazed cheetos which is basically a bag of cheetos that are honey glazed with brown sugar, honey, butter, sesame, and salt. It was definitely a piquant flavor but cost me a pretty penny at $13.46 for a 3.5 oz bag. I think it's also cool that you can buy nut sacks from them and put your own text on it such as "Deez Nutz." Great stuff.

Love this brand's #SoyPudding!!!!! Apparently my mom and her friends use their beancurd and other…read moretofu to cook with. They pretty much own all the tofu stuff at the asian markets like 99 Ranch, Seafood Market etc... So this location is not a store. It's where they create and manufacture their tofu. I'm actually really looking forward to a possible future tofu tour?? So far I was told there isn't a tour open to "public" yet. Recently met the person who's family runs this company. Can't believe they make Soy Pudding too! And seriously I'm hooked!! In my industry, I would be called a super fan now......evangelizing to all my friends. You'd only know this brand if you shop in an asian community and cook. I shop at 99 Ranch sometimes, but I don't cook. Glad I came across them. I see their brand in my mom's kitchen. Pretty cool to meet the owners! Saw the office because I won soy pudding from a contest, and pick up was at their office. Parking: Sucks. Its located in East LA area with other manufacturers and warehouses. Its possible to find street parking on the main street or residential area. *Not open to public. Business/Manufacturing Site. **I'm rooting for future "public" tofu tours!!! It'd be super cool to see how tofu is made!! Maybe we get a taste too.....root for it!

Absolute junk. "AFC Original Soy Pudding"=JUNK. The texture is so disgusting I had to toss the…read morewhole thing away.

Service with a smile! Awesome donuts ! Thank you for the spoon! Nice people! Fresh donuts easy…read moreparking

Limited donuts and just the basics donuts and not very good. The last few times I came here I get a…read moremedium coffee and just taste like nothing at all. Also I am positive she reuses the creamers because I use the hazelnut and it taste like nothing with no flavor!!!! This like the 4th time! There are plenty of other donut places to buy food from and also this place is dirty and not very clean!!!!

I was going through so many vendors and I found Ansi Treats through Facebook! Not only are they…read morefriendly and quick to respond, they made everything stress free and easy for me! Booking process through instagram was easy. They are willing to change quantity for you. They came to set up earlier than me, but called me and asked me if they should wait or if there was a specific spot I wanted them to place the appetizers & charcuterie. They also were willing to place extra appetizers I bought and let me use their tables/display stands. Everyone love their setup! They come to setup and pick up! Their price is very fair and affordable compared to other places!