Specialty Oils, Vinegars & Spice Seasonings

[val2525]

That's what the bottle said, so I did.

[val2525]

OK, didn't refrigerate the second bottle of the TJ's honey thyme basalmic vinegarette. Much better. Still a little too bland for me but it's good to have on hand for days when I need dressing but am running high on sodium (it has no sodium).

Bought Benissimo Spicy Sriracha Oil from Walmart, very good and reasonable price. Also bought some Tsang Mongolian Fire Oil - OMG. Awesome stuff. It's cottonseed and sesame oil infused with chiles, garlic, onion and ginger. Excellent. And if you want to tone it down just a wee bit, blend it with a little plain oil, or like I did tonight, some basil oil. I think I found the Mongolian Fire Oil at Albertson's. The basil oil brand I bought is La Tourangelle, which is sunflower oil and basil.

Bought some red chili oil too, it was kinda nasty TBH. Not nearly as good as what Il Vicino uses. I may have to make my own. The red chili was the only one I could find after looking at 3 stores, and it was soy oil with "chili flavoring". Bleah and burned really quickly (low heat point). I can do better, I think.

Experimenting cooking with flavored oils is turning out to be very fun!

[val2525]

padaek.com/make-garlic-ginger-shallot-oil/

I may have to make this. Or a variation of it.

Speaking of making infused oils, what would I google to find the bottles to store oil in? Oil bottle?

[Shirley U Geste]

Start with oil bottles and you should find a lot and go from there.

I prefer glass ones. Anything plastic gets gunky after awhile.

[57roses]

5 oz glass bottles eBay

[57roses]

Sorry, I didn't notice the shipping price when I suggested the bottes.
Amazon has them for $17. prime. shipping included

[57roses]

6 bottles on eBay

[val2525]

Jan 7, 2017 22:39:23 GMT Shirley U Geste said:

Start with oil bottles and you should find a lot and go from there.

I prefer glass ones. Anything plastic gets gunky after awhile.

I was just reading up on storing oil and every site said don't use plastic, it leeches things from the oil. Said don't use metal either. Glass is the way to go.

[val2525]

www.houseoftsang.com/products/mongolian-fire-oil/

REALLY good stuff.

[val2525]

Blueberry balsamic vinegar? Sounds yummy!

mybrands.com/Brands/Benissimo

[Shirley U Geste]

Isn't it fun trying new flavors and playing with combinations of things?

[val2525]

It's a blast! But I'm spending waaaaay toooooooo much time and money in the grocery store! I may add an extra day to my next PHX trip, just to hit grocery stores there and stock up on stuff that I can't get here.

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2017 22:31:48 GMT val2525 said:

padaek.com/make-garlic-ginger-shallot-oil/

I may have to make this. Or a variation of it.

Speaking of making infused oils, what would I google to find the bottles to store oil in? Oil bottle?

Cruet?

[Shirley U Geste]

Val thanks for recommending the Mongolian Fire Oil, that stuff is wonderful.

I sprinkled it on scrambled eggs and it was perfect for jazzing them up.

[val2525]

Does your WM have the sriracha oil? That stuff is awesome too! Just a step below the fire oil. Great when you want a little heat and bite but not as strong as the fire oil.

[Shirley U Geste]

I haven't checked for that one yet. I got the Mongolian at Albertsons.

[kritter]

Jan 13, 2017 15:39:34 GMT val2525 said:

Does your WM have the sriracha oil? That stuff is awesome too! Just a step below the fire oil. Great when you want a little heat and bite but not as strong as the fire oil.

I saw the Sriracha oil at my Walmart yesterday but not the Mongolian.  They had one other one but I can't think of what it was.

I didn't get it because I don't know what I would do with it.  I am so cooking clueless.

[val2525]

Spray the sriracha on anything you put in the air fryer, instead of plain oil. Fry in it, instead of olive or canola or whatever oil you usually use. Really good to put a little in the pan instead of butter and scramble your eggs. Toss plain tuna with diced cherry tomatoes, green onions and a little of the oil (instead of mayo). Sometimes I add a little balsamic vinegar to add some sweet to the peppery.

[Shirley U Geste]

We will turn you into a cook eventually Kritter!

You might as well give in now. 

[val2525]

So far, I've only seen the Mongolian Fire Oil at Albertsons.

[kritter]

Fry in it, instead of olive or canola or whatever oil you usually use. Really good to put a little in the pan instead of butter and scramble your eggs.

Right, like either one of those is an option that is even remotely likely to occur.

[val2525]

Then you'll have to settle for spritzing it on whatever you put in the air fryer

[val2525]

Using it to brown turkey cutlets in is really good.

[kritter]

I need to get a spritzer.

Maybe a spritzer can be one of the prizes on the next scavenger hunt. 

Hopefully, staytuned doesn't want a spritzer.

[val2525]

SA TJ's discontinued the Honey Thyme Vinegarette I like their Balsamic Vinegarette better, but kept the Honey Thyme on hand for days I needed a zero-sodium salad dressing. Dang Trader Joe's. Time to write the corporate office.

[betabutton]

Trader Joe's stores can only order regionally. I found this out after visiting a friend in LA and enjoying a salsa. Came back to the Midwest and looked for it in my local TJ with no joy. I asked the manager and he told me that he can only order items available in the Midwest warehousing center but he could put in a request for something not currently available here. Sometimes they do actually discontinue items but it would be worth asking your local manager if it is available elsewhere and request it.

[SA]

Mar 2, 2017 1:25:22 GMT val2525 said:

SA TJ's discontinued the Honey Thyme Vinegarette I like their Balsamic Vinegarette better, but kept the Honey Thyme on hand for days I needed a zero-sodium salad dressing. Dang Trader Joe's. Time to write the corporate office.

WHAT?  Really?  I have 2 unopened bottles in my cabinet so I'm safe for a little bit.  At least it will hold me over until the next best thing comes along.

ETA: No, wait.  I have ONE bottle.  I used one bottle at the party I catered for.

[val2525]

Mar 2, 2017 4:29:00 GMT betabutton said:

Trader Joe's stores can only order regionally. I found this out after visiting a friend in LA and enjoying a salsa. Came back to the Midwest and looked for it in my local TJ with no joy. I asked the manager and he told me that he can only order items available in the Midwest warehousing center but he could put in a request for something not currently available here. Sometimes they do actually discontinue items but it would be worth asking your local manager if it is available elsewhere and request it.

From what the stock lady said, I don't think my store can get it anymore. She said she wasn't happy about it either since it was her fave, and she didn't know yet what they'd be replacing it with. I might see if the other store in town has any left tomorrow and buy some if they do. I'll ask the manager, though, next time I'm in my store. Can't hurt. Thanks!

Hmnn. Wonder if that means your store won't have the no salt added fire roasted salsa? For no added salt, it's quite good.

[SA]

I think I might check mine today. And buy ALL of them. And wait a month. Then list them on eBay for $1million each.

[val2525]

Penzeys Florida Pepper and California Pepper mixes are both really good! They're even better when you use both together!

www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/california-style-seasoned-pepper/c-24/p-43/pd-s

www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/florida-seasoned-pepper/c-24/p-165/pd-s