New Product Hits & Misses for February 26th, 2014

Let me start the review by telling you I'm not fond of white chocolate and back in 2004 since so many people were making white chocolate that didn't have any cacao the FDA regulated it so that it must have at least 20% cocoa butter, 14% milk solids and 3.5% milk fat to be called white chocolate now. The pieces of this bark look nothing like the picture and have far fewer cranberries and pistachios. The taste, unlike a dark chocolate is more creamy and sweet, almost like eating butter or oil.

$12.00   6.4 oz

Lindt & Sprungli USA Inc
www.lindt.com

These are perfect for a fancy dinner party or just a self indulgent snack. Each mini tart is just 50 calories and 2 1/2 grams of fat. The caramel cheesecake filling is extraordinary. The filo dough shell isn't as crispy as it should be, nor is it baked to the golden brown that you see on the front of the package. All you do is let them thaw and pop them in your mouth. Certified halal. No artificial colors or preservatives. Bake the shells a little longer please?

$8.99   6.2 oz

American Halal Company Inc
www.saffronroadfood.com

One of the biggest problems in getting people to eat more fish, and get the health benefits, is that people say they don't know how to cook fish. This could change all that. A recipe of extra virgin olive oil, garlic, sea salt, sugar and black pepper is already added to the filet. All you do is take this package, peel it open, put the fish with the seasonings already on it, into this parchment and bake. The instructions said to bake for 17 minutes but we had to cook it for an additional 7 minutes or so. The tilapia and the seasonings are perfect and each filet is 25 grams of protein. My one concern is that it also has 460 mg of sodium and it actually tastes a little too salty.

$8.99   9.2 oz

Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
855.805.4658
www.bumblebeesuperfresh.com

If you're looking for extra caffeine and don't want to go the route of an energy drink, this is for you. Almost 3 times the amount as regular tea - 140 mg of caffeine! It's a recipe of black tea, green tea extract, licorice and natural coconut flavor. The coconut is not overpowering and just adds a nice, delicate coconut flavor. Remember though, for those who might have a caffeine sensitivity, this is not for you.

$13.00   50 Tea Bags/2.8 oz

The Republic of Tea
800.298.4832
www.republicoftea.com

I never thought of hummus and horseradish complementing each other, but this recipe does exactly that. The horseradish flavor is perfect and doesn't overpower the hummus. I could see serving this by itself as a dip and even using is as a spread on chicken or fish. One ounce is just 50 calories, 135 mg of sodium and zero grams of sugars. My only complaint is - who prints the ingredients statements in white on a silver background?

$3.49   8 oz

Tribe Mediterranean Foods
www.tribehummus.com