Fall Foodie Finds

I love trying new food products (real food, not junk), and so far this Fall I have come across a few.

I read about black garlic in one of the food magazines that I subscribe to.  I never thought I'd come across it in my city.

This stuff is tender, and melts in your mouth like roasted garlic.  It has been fermented and aged, and it has a more mellow flavour than regular garlic - sweeter, almost reminiscent of molasses.  I used it in garlic mashed potatoes this weekend, but am interested in trying it in an Asian recipe, as suggested on the package.

I didn't notice a big difference from regular garlic when I used it in the potatoes, however I only used one clove because I didn't know what to expect.  Normally I would use a lot more garlic than that, so I will try a recipe with more next time.

I love kale, and kale chips are not new; in fact, I made some of my own about a year and a half ago.  The problem is most kale chips I've had in the past, including those that I made, were "meh'.  These chips that I found at my local organic grocery store are the exact opposite.  They are addictive and full of flavour, just like potato chips.

 

I will definitely buy another bag when these are gone.

Because I am a HUGE coconut fan, I was excited to recently stumble upon coconut spread.  

I had never heard of such a thing before last week.  The ingredient list is short and natural with only coconut meat, coconut sweetener and coconut milk.

 

And ... if you aren't aware of the health benefits of coconut, Google 'em or read my post on coconut oil for a brief overview.  I believe that coconuts are miracle foods (much like all fruits, veggies and nuts, but perhaps even more so).  

I couldn't wait to try this spread so I busted into it ...

Yeah, I open jars by hitting them with the end of a butter knife first.   

What do you do?

Unfortunately I found this spread a little too sweet for my tastes, and more "fruity" than "coconuty" if that makes sense to anyone other than myself.  Although I probably wouldn't use this as a spread on toast or crackers, I do think it would be good in oatmeal. 

Another Fall foodie find - dry roasted black beans!

 

These taste very similar to peanuts, although they are much healthier (Google peanut toxicity if you are ever bored :-))

The highlights - In 1/4 cup they have 16g protein, 6g fiber, and 20% recommend daily Iron.

 

And on the topic of Fall finds ...

 

 

The leaves keep finding their way to the ground.  I thought I was done raking!  Seven garbage bags later, and I guess I'll have to go out and do it all again. 

Have you come across any new food products lately?  Have you ever heard of/tried black garlic? Dry roasted black beans?  Coconut spread?