New and Noteworthy

Trish and Brian Sierer, creators of Spiceburst's amazing line of all-natural sea-salt-and-herb blends, have added two new products to their savory roster. The latest in their line of salt blends is the Zathar Saltburst, flavored with Jordanian sumac, black sesame seeds, Aleppo peppers, marjoram, lime, and chipotle. This unusual blend adds a touch of spicy Middle Eastern flavors to any meal. I liberally sprinkled it on chicken before baking, which yielded a flavorful and crispy skin and gave a delicate spiciness to the meat. It was also great over fresh eggplant sautéed in olive oil and as a seasoning for couscous. I bet it'd be excellent mixed with yogurt as a salad dressing or dip.

The Rocket Sauce is a thick and herby sauce made with onions, scotch bonnet peppers, parsley, lime juice, vinegar, and lots of fresh herbs. The inspiration for this flavor combination came from a hot pepper sauce the Sierers discovered on a vacation in Barbados. Their version is spicy but not overly hot. They recommend it on baked chicken, on grilled chicken wings and shrimp, splashed on roasted new potatoes, drizzled on scrambled eggs or bratwurst, or even as a pasta topping. I found that its tangy flavor is wonderful in burgers (I seasoned the ground beef with it and then squeezed more sauce onto the toasted bun), and it elevated my beloved Tater Tots to gourmet status. It would be fabulous on hot dogs or on grilled steaks (like chimichurri), and I'm sure I'll come up with many other uses for its unique flavor. Because it comes in a plastic squeeze bottle, it is easy to dispense and safe to carry in a picnic basket. Spiceburst products are available at Grape Vine Market, Central Market, Fresh Plus Hyde Park, Breed & Company, Eastside Cafe, Farm to Market Grocery, and the Sunset Valley Farmers Market, or check out www.spiceburst.com for more info and direct purchase.