Good Food Review: Tastefully Simple

I thought that instead of posting a recipe tonight I'd do a Good Food Review.  If you happen upon some food item that you just can't live without (or just think is good), feel free to write your own Good Food Review.

I don't know if any of you have heard of Tastefully Simple.  Its one of those network marketing kind of companies like Avon or Pampered Chef.  About a year or so ago I went to one of those T.S. parties where they let you sample a bunch of their food, they give you their blurb on how great their stuff is and how and why you want to join their team.  I went in with the only intent of supporting my friend...I came out with a tasty order that I just COULDN'T wait to receive!  So here's what I ordered (and it was ALL awesome!):

Bountiful Beer Bread Mix:  This bread is SO easy to make and so sweet and delicious!  You just add 12 oz. of beer, soda, or carbonated juice and 3 Tbsp of butter (which is optional).  We tried Sprite, 7-Up, and Root Beer, but our favorite by FAR was Sprite.  

Cinnamon Muffin Melt Mix:  The title says it all.  These just melt in your mouth.  They're yet another simple recipe (hence the name "Tastefully Simple" I guess)...simply add butter and water.  Last time I made these, every time I'd walk in the kitchen, there was another muffin missing and crumbs leading right to my little preschooler.

Pomegranate Chipotle Sauce:  This sauce is sweet, but has got a kick to it...not too big of one (my 5 year old ate it just fine), but just enough.  I followed their recipe for Pomegranate Chipotle Pork Roast.  You cover the roast in bacon strips and smother it in sauce.  I could have done without the bacon, but the sauce was wonderful.  In fact we added more to our plates and dipped the roast in it.

Creamy Wild Rice Soup:  So I'm not really sure if thats the name or not.  They only have this at certain times of they year, so I couldn't find it online, but it is so creamy and tasteful.  It is the perfect food for a cold evening.  Just wonderful!

And to save the best for last...Creamy Caramel Sauce:  Oh my goodness!  THIS IS SOOOO GOOD!  Many of you already know that I am somewhat of a caramel "cone sure."  I LOVE good caramel, so if I'm going to have some caramel, it had better be good!   This is GOOD caramel.  At the T.S. party a lady was saying that she would hide it in the back of the fridge so her family couldn't find it...she'd even tell them that it was gone so they wouldn't look for it...and she'd reward herself each day with a spoonful (yes, right from the jar).  I have to say I thought she was a little strange and I was very skeptical of trying it seeing that most people just aren't at the same caramel level as I am.  Yeah, I am SO glad I tried it.  I became one of those people who would reward myself with a spoonful.  I even temporarilly took to eating ice cream so that I could have some.  The sad thing was that my husband loved it just as much as I did, so one sad sad morning I woke up, opened the fridge and found an empty jar with a note from my husband saying "I'm SO sorry I ate your caramel, but it was SOO good and I just couldn't stop!  I'll buy you 2 more jars!  Love You!"  I'm still waiting for those jars.  If you don't try anything else, try this (but I hope you try the other stuff too)...it is heavenly!

So if you like what you've seen, you can check out Tastefully Simple's website and either order online or find a consultant near you (most likely there is a party being hosted near you, so you can go try the food before you buy).  

That's all for now, but stay tuned for more Good Food Reviews in the near future.

(photos courtesy of Tastefully Simple)

Julie R.

AG, CA