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 Experiment with fruit
Do you love cranberry relish at Thanksgiving? Have you explored the
possibilities of fruit as a condiment all year-round? Fruit options
abound throughout summer and can add a splash of flavorful
creativity to any meal when used as a condiment. A fruit-and-nut
relish can be a great complement to chicken, turkey or even fish.
Sweet citrus like pineapple or mandarin orange enhances the flavor
of saltier meats like pork and ham. Peaches, pears and even apples
can add a whole new depth of flavor to beef dishes. Fruit can act as
a condiment when presented as a relish or simply sliced and served
fresh as a side dish.
Add a pickle punch
Over the last few years, pickling has gained popularity with people
having fun trying new flavor combinations. Just like wine brings out
the flavors in food, pickles can brighten or revamp the taste of any
meal. From sweet and refreshing to spicy, experimenting with pickle
varieties is a great way to expand your taste experiences. The good
news is you can now explore the trend without having to put in the
work. Try Farmer's Garden by Vlasic, a new line of home-style
pickles conveniently found at Wal-Mart and major supermarkets. Much
like the homemade variety, these pickles have no artificial colors
or flavors and no corn syrup, allowing the natural, pure flavors of
the pickling process to shine. And, don't forget the most perfect
pairing -- a great pickle and the right sandwich.
Sweeten the pot
Fruit isn't the only sweet condiment that can complement summer
meals. You may have brushed honey on ham or enjoyed mole sauce made
with chocolate in the past, but both sweet treats can actually act
as a topping for other dishes too. When used as ingredients for
sauces or relishes, honey and chocolate both add natural sweetness
to a dish. They can be equally versatile for meats or vegetables.
Spice up your sauces
Ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard and sour cream are all common
condiments for summer meals. But even these tried-and-true dressings
can step up the flavor of a meal when you try exotic variations on
these standard themes. Try replacing plain sour cream with "crema
agria," a Latin variation that blends sour cream and buttermilk.
Ketchup takes on a whole new persona when infused with chili or
chipotle peppers. Mayo goes from mild to wild with the addition of
flavors such as sun-dried tomato, chive or even champagne. Mustard
can be sweet or spicy, depending on the type you choose. You can
find a plethora of ethnic varieties to enhance virtually any dish.
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Go ethnic
From Greek tzatziki to Indian tikka masala, ethnic sauces offer the
opportunity to explore new flavors in exciting ways. You might know
tzatziki sauce as the dressing that gives gyros their unique flavor,
and tikka masala as a perfect simmering sauce for chicken. But both
sauces can be used in creative ways, such as a dip for raw veggies.
Other ethnic options to try include hoisin sauce (a combination of
soy sauce, peanut paste and other ingredients), and tahini sauce
(made from sesame seed paste).
This summer, why not try some condiment creativity to spice up your
meals? Your taste buds -- not to mention your guests -- will thank you
for it. Here's a creative recipe to get you started:
Jicama Taco
Ingredients:
6 slices jicama, very thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh salsa or pico de gallo
3 Vlasic Farmer's Garden Deli Style Half, sliced into strips
Lettuce, shredded
1 teaspoon chipotle pepper powder
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Slice jicama and place in a bowl of water to soak for about 15
minutes. Remove the jicama from the water and dry lightly with a
paper towel. Season with salt, pepper and chipotle powder. Place
sliced pickle, lettuce and pico de gallon on the jicama round and
gently fold the sides to resemble a taco. Secure with a skewer or
toothpick. Enjoy!
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