I used Garlic & Herb dip mix to create flavorful garlic bread, while I used the Sun Dried Tomato Basil dip mix to create bread similar to bruschetta.

Garlic Bread and Bruschetta were easy to make using the Garlic and Herb Dip mix and the Sun Dried Tomato Basil Dip mix. The ingredients needed included warm water, butter, olive oil and a fresh loaf of Italian Bread.

I prepared both spreads at the same time. To start, I added 2 Tablespoons of warm water to ¼ cup of the Garlic & Herb dip mix and stirred until well combined. In a separate dish, I added  a ½ cup of warm water to 5 Tablespoons of Sun Dried Tomato & Basil Dip Mix. While both mixtures were rehydrating (about 5 minutes) I preheated my oven to 350 degrees F, sliced my Italian bread and lined a baking sheet with parchment paper.

When the 5 minutes were up, I added I cup of softened butter (or margarine) to the garlic & herb mix and stirred until the butter and herb mix were well combined. To the tomato basil mixture I added ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil and stirred until well combined.

Next, I spread garlic butter over half of my Italian Bread slices. On the remaining bread slices I spread a generous amount of the tomato basil mixture.

I popped the baking tray into my preheated oven for 10 minutes. The aromas that filled my house were amazing. Warm garlic, sweet tomato and a slight hint of basil could be inhaled. I must say I was eager to try the breads as soon as the 10 minute baking period was up. Both breads tasted as delicious as they smelled. The garlic bread was slightly crunchy on the outside, but was soft and warm in the middle and had just the right amount of delicious buttery garlic flavor. It would be perfect for enjoying with any pasta dish that is served with tomato sauce.

The bruschetta bread reminded me of a simplified version of pizza. Again the bread was slightly crunchy around the edges but warm and soft in the middle with the taste of sweet tomato and basil on top. The recipe suggests topping the bread with some mozzarella or parmesan cheese before baking, and I think that would make this bread even more tasty, especially if serving as an appetizer.

Both of these spreads have the potential to be put to use on many other foods besides bread. I actually melted the leftover garlic butter and poured it over small red potatoes to make a side dish of garlic and herb potatoes. I think the tomato and basil spread would make a delicious pizza sauce. Spread it over your favorite pre-made or homemade crust and top it with your favorite toppings. You could also use it to spread over a cooked chicken breast. Top with cheese and serve over pasta for a simple chicken parmesan.

Both would also make delicious dips when prepared according to package directions. The dips can be served with fresh sliced vegetables, crackers or whatever you please.

Overall I highly recommend both of these mixes. They are easy to prepare, can be used to create a number of different dips/appetizers/meals, and are not expensive.

I would love to hear how you’ve put dip mixes to use in your kitchen in fun and unique ways. Feel free to email me your recipes at info@discoverbulk.com.

Hot chocolate has evolved over the years to include specialty flavors and fancy toppings, making this classic beverage more of a dessert than a simple sipper. This rings true for the complete line of hot chocolate mixes that I sampled for today’s blog. The complete line includes five flavors of hot chocolate mix. There is the standard hot chocolate as well as a no sugar added variety of the standard mix. There is also a Dark Hot Chocolate Mix, a White Hot Chocolate Mix and a French Vanilla Hot Chocolate Mix.

All of the mixes have the same recipe. Simply mix 1/3 cup of mix with 8 ounces of hot water to create a mug full of hot chocolate. Simple enough. No complaints there! The flavor of each mix is what makes them unique. In order to make my pictures pretty, I arranged my tasting order based on color, so White Hot Chocolate, you’re up first!

The White Hot Chocolate mix dissolved very easily in the water while mixing. It had a sweet aroma that reminded me of a cappuccino or latte or some fancy coffee shop beverage (I’m not a coffee/coffee hybrid drinker, can you tell?). This hot chocolate had a very creamy texture and to me tasted as if it had a hint of caramel mixed in. This would be perfect for turning into a dessert beverage. Add some whipped cream and drizzled caramel on top and ta-da! Dessert! As I previously noted, I feel as if it tasted more like a cappuccino vs. a type of hot chocolate, but I definitely enjoyed it and would drink it again.

The French Vanilla Hot Chocolate mix also dissolved very easily in the water while mixing. The aroma reminded me of a rich piece of chocolate and it also had a very creamy texture. To me this hot chocolate tasted like white chocolate baking chips, which is how I imagined the White Hot Chocolate should have tasted. This had a strong vanilla note, but was lacking a hint of milk chocolate taste that I felt should be present in something that is labeled as Hot Chocolate. Again, I thought this beverage tasted great and I would definitely drink it again, I’m just not sure that it tasted like hot chocolate to me. As with the other mix, this could easily be turned into a dessert by adding a dollop of marshmallow crème.

Ahhh now to the original. The standard Hot Chocolate Mix delivered met all of my expectations. The mix was easy to dissolve just as the first two flavors. It had a classic hot chocolate aroma and had a classic hot chocolate taste—rich but not overpowering. The texture was not a creamy as the previous two flavors, but that didn’t take away from the overall flavor. This mix could easily be paired with mini marshmallows or topped with whipped cream.

For those of you who crave hot chocolate but need to be careful of your sugar intake, the No Sugar Added Hot Chocolate mix can easily satisfy your craving. The No Sugar Added variety had a flavor and texture much like the original hot chocolate, but obviously was less sweet than the original mix. The only complaint I had was that it was tough to get all of this mix to dissolve in the water. I made 2 cups of this mix to make sure it wasn’t an error on my part, but each time I was left with some clumps of mix in my hot chocolate. However, I was stirring my mix with a little red coffee straw, so that may have been the problem! Again, this mix would make a great choice for those of you who are monitoring your sugar intake or who simply desire a less sweet version of traditional hot chocolate.

Last, but not least I sampled the Dark Hot Chocolate Mix. I had high expectations for this mix because I am a huge fan of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate covered pretzels, dark chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate all by its lonesome… if it’s dark chocolate, I’m there. That being said, I absolutely loved this hot chocolate. The mix was easy to dissolve and it had a rich chocolate aroma and true dark chocolate taste. If you’re not familiar with dark chocolate you may find this mix to be slightly bitter in comparison to regular chocolate, but that’s a true characteristic of any dark chocolate product. This mix also had a pleasant aftertaste, leaving notes of chocolate on your tastebuds well after the sip was gone.

I’d recommend any of these mixes as a money-saving alternative to the name-brand pre-measured hot chocolate mix packs. They all have a quality taste and are easy to make and can be enjoyed as a simple beverage or turned into a delicious dessert. If you need some last minute Christmas gift ideas, these mixes would make the perfect gift for anyone on your list! Simply package the mix in a clear glass jar and adorn with some Christmas ribbon for a simple yet elegant gift. This mix can also be prepared and kept warm in a slow cooker/crock pot during your upcoming Christmas parties and gatherings. Keep a stock of Christmas mugs close by as well as a bowl of mini marshmallows and you have yourself a simple beverage that your guests will enjoy.

How do you like to dress up your hot chocolate? If you’ve got a creative idea I’d like to hear it! Feel free to post in the comments section below.

All of us here at Discover Bulk will be taking time over the next few weeks to enjoy the holidays with our families. We wish you all a blessed Christmas with your loved ones! We have a lot of new and exciting products to sample, so we’ll see you back here in 2013!

In case you’re unfamiliar with pesto, let me introduce you to this tasty Italian concoction. It can be made many ways, but the key ingredients include basil, quality parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts and garlic. It’s often used as a sauce for pasta but tastes delicious on a wide range of foods.

When I opened my package of pesto dip mix, I immediately noticed the scent of fresh basil. So far, so good. I prepared the dip by combining ¼ cup of the dry mix with 8 ounces of sour cream. Simply whisk those two ingredients together until smooth, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend together.

Once my 30 minutes were up, I was ready to dig in! I scooped up pesto dip on some fresh veggies as well as some fresh baked bread. And then I scooped up some more dip on more veggies and more bread. And then I might have done it again. MIGHT HAVE. Okay, I did. I couldn’t stop eating!

The fresh basil taste combined with a hint of parmesan paired perfectly with both the veggies and the bread. This dip would be perfect for enjoying as an ingredient in bruschetta or used as a pizza sauce when combined with your favorite crust and toppings. I also think this dip would be incredible as a filling for cherry tomatoes.

This mix can also be used to create a pesto sauce instead of dip. To do so, simply combine ¼ cup water, ¼ cup pesto mix, ¼ cup olive oil and 1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar in a small sauce pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring. Pour the sauce over pasta, rice, vegetables or whatever you desire.

The possibilities are truly endless with this one simple mix. It can be used to create a simple dip. It can be used to create simple appetizers. It can be used to create simple meals. Be creative! But notice the key word with this mix is SIMPLE. A product that is easy to use, tastes great and can be used in a number of ways is a winner in my book any day.

I highly encourage you to check out this dip mix immediately. And now is the perfect time to do so! With the holidays quickly approaching, this dip mix would be a key ingredient to have on hand to create a simple appetizer to take with you to your holiday gatherings. Your friends and family will enjoy it!

Be sure to stop back next week for the unveiling of my next Taste Test Tuesday product. Until then, happy eating!

Guacamole can be used as a dip for chips and as a creamy topping for quesadillas and nachos, all of which are fabulous foods for game day. If you’re intimidated by the thought of attempting to select a perfect avocado, let alone peeling it to make fresh guacamole, your local bulk food aisle can come to your rescue with one of their newest products: Guacamole Dip Mix. Guacamole dip mix is easy to prepare. You’ll need:
½ cup water
½ cup Natural Guacamole Dip Mix
½ cup Sour Cream
½ cup Mayonnaise

Start by mixing together the water and dip mix. Allow that to set for 3 minutes. Then add the sour cream and mayo and mix until well combined. If you’d like, add fresh diced tomatoes, onion, bell peppers and/or hot peppers to cater this dip to your tastes. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

I sampled my guacamole with tortilla chips. I enjoyed the true avocado flavor of the dip, as well as the creaminess from the sour cream and mayonnaise. I didn’t add any fresh vegetables to my dip, however I think I would have enjoyed the addition of tomatoes and onions. While I enjoyed the taste of the dip, the consistency wasn’t quite what I was expecting. The fresh guacamole that I’m used to is very thick and hearty, while this prepared dip was thin. I think it would be perfect for using on taco salads, but if you’d like to use it as a true chip or quesadilla dip I’d recommend adding some real avocado.

This mix can also be used to create a guacamole dressing for use on salads and pastas. All you need to do to create a dressing is to follow the original recipe, then add 2 Tablespoons each of Red Wine Vinegar, Water and Olive Oil and whisk until smooth.

Overall I would recommend this product for use as a dressing for taco salads and other Mexican dishes or for use in a pinch when fresh avocados are unavailable.

If you have any recipes that you think would taste great topped with this guacamole dip/dressing, be sure to send them my way via info@discoverbulk.com

Be sure to check back next week when I review the new and unique Pesto Dip Mix. Until then, happy eating!

Anything maple instantly makes me think of Fall, when the leaves are turning gorgeous colors, the air gets a bit chillier and pumpkins and apples make their way into every meal, drink and dessert around. This Maple Dip Mix deserves its spot in the Fall lineup because it has the perfect amount of sweetness to compliment fresh apples or a slice of pumpkin bread. But before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you how to make this magical dip.

First, you’ll need 8 ounces of cream cheese, 8 ounces of sour cream and 6 Tablespoons of Natural Maple Dip Mix. I recommend bringing your cream cheese to room temperature before beginning the mixing process in order to get a smooth consistency for your finished product. Simply mix all ingredients together. This can be done by hand or with a mixer. Using a mixer may give you a smoother consistency, but it’s not necessary. Once all of the ingredients are well combined, place the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Stir well before serving.

That’s it! Just like that I had delicious maple dip ready to be devoured. I decided to try the dip mix with some vanilla wafer cookies as well as with some fresh apple slices. However, I first tried a spoonful of the dip by itself to see what the flavor had to offer. I must be honest, maple dip didn’t sound all that delicious to me at first, but I was pleasantly surprised after my first taste.  It was slightly sweet and I could definitely taste a hint of maple, but it wasn’t overpowering. The cream cheese/sour cream mixture helped give the dip a cheesecake like taste. I thought the dip complimented the fresh apple, but it tasted especially delicious with the vanilla wafer cookies.

While this is great as a dip, I think I’d prefer to use it as a cream cheese icing spread over warm banana bread, pumpkin muffins or apple cake. This would also make the perfect filling for stuffed French Toast. I’m 99.9% sure this would also be delicious slathered on a warm breakfast bagel.

The package directions also note that this mix can be used to create your own maple syrup. In a small saucepan, simply combine 1 ½ cups warm water and 1 cup of Natural Maple Dip Mix. Blend together to dissolve all of the mix crystals and bring just about to a boil (do not boil). Remove from heat and serve over pancakes, waffles or stir into warm oatmeal.

This product is a winner in my book. Not only is it very, VERY easy to prepare, it has a delicious taste and can be very versatile (dip, icing, cheesecake, filling, syrup, etc). If you’re a fan of maple flavor or if you’re unsure if you’re a fan of maple flavored products, I recommend giving this dip a try, especially during these fabulous Fall days.

Thanks for reading this week. Check back next week for my review of another mix, this time for guacamole! Until then, happy eating!

I didn’t get this mix from my local orchard but instead was able to find it with a wide array of other bulk goodies at my local bulk food store.

Preparation of this mix was simple. I made my cider according to package directions, which instructed me to mix 8 ounces of hot water with two heaping tablespoons of Spiced Cider Mix. After a few thorough stirs of the spoon I had created a mug of what looked and smelled like fresh apple cider. I could smell the sweet apple scent and a very faint hint of cinnamon. *Note: package directions also state that this mix can be prepared and then chilled if you prefer cold cider instead of hot cider.

I took a sip and my first thought was “ouch, that’s hot.”(guess the steam coming from the mug should have been my first clue). After I got past my temperature issues I noticed that the cider tasted exactly the way it smelled. The predominant taste was that of fresh sweet apples seasoned with a small hint of cinnamon. The taste is the way I remember apple cider to be (I confess, I haven’t had a mug of fresh apple cider in at least 5 years) however the texture is different. The cider that I remember enjoying had a slightly thick texture while the cider made with the mix had a watery consistency. Not that the consistency was bad, it’s simply different than fresh apple cider.

I think the spiced cider would make a great morning beverage in place of hot tea or coffee as a way to change things up during the Fall months. I also think this mix would be perfect for making in large batches for parties and get-togethers. You could keep the mix warm in a slow cooker and make it decorative by adding cinnamon sticks and thinly sliced apples. You could even top each individual mug with whipped cream and warm caramel for a delicious dessert-like beverage.

I also think this spiced cider would be delicious for making quick oatmeal. Instead of using water or milk, simply cook your oats in prepared spiced cider to give your oatmeal and instant flavor boost. Add fresh sliced apples and you have a healthy and tasty breakfast.

Thanks to the sweet taste and versatility of this mix, I’d say it’s a worthwhile product to enjoy not only in the Fall but year round.

Join me next week when I try another popular Fall product: Maple Dip Mix. Until then, enjoy the changing seasons!

-Lindy

Cereal has been my go-to breakfast (and occasional dinner) not because it’s easy (ok, well maybe in part because it’s easy), but because I love cereal. It’s crunchy, it’s filling and you get to slurp up the milk when you’re finished. The thought never crossed my mind that there is a world of other easy and delicious breakfast options available to me every day.

Enter Muesli (pronounced myoos-lee). Never heard of it? Yeah, me neither… until recently. Muesli is a warm breakfast cereal (think oatmeal) that has a number of varying ingredients to suit your tastes.  I sampled the All Natural Swiss Style Muesli which is made up of craisins, chopped dates, pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, flax seeds, raisins, oats and 7 grains.

The muesli was very easy to prepare. I placed a ½ cup of muesli and a ½ cup of hot water in a small saucepan. Let this mixture heat until it boils, then remove from heat, cover and let steam for 5-10 minutes. I let mine steam for 7 minutes and it was perfect.

The prepared mixture reminded me of thick and hearty oatmeal. I dug in and in my first bite I experienced some crunchiness from the almonds and pumpkin seeds as well as a hint of sweetness from the raisins, craisins and dates.

As I finished my bowl of muesli I noted two things. First, almonds and pumpkin seeds make a tasty addition to oatmeal-based cereals. Second, the bites I took that included dried fruit were just sweet enough for my liking, but if I happened to get a bite without a piece of dried fruit I felt like the sweetness was lacking.

That being said, honey, molasses, maple syrup or brown sugar can easily be added to this prepared dish to meet your sweetness expectations. I also think a sprinkle of cinnamon would help to add another delicious element to this dish. You can also add fresh fruit such as bananas, sliced apples or fresh blueberries to suit your tastes.

The cooking instructions note that prepared muesli can also be added to sweet breads or cakes. I’m thinking it would also make a delicious and healthy bar or cookie that would make an easy on-the-go breakfast option.

While I won’t be making muesli a permanent replacement for my beloved cold cereal, I would definitely eat this occasionally as my breakfast choice. It is very easy to prepare, kept me full until lunch time and is a reasonable price considering the quality ingredients that are included (almonds, seeds, dried fruit). On average, one pound of bulk muesli costs up to $3.00 less than competing national brands.

I would also recommend trying the Very Berry Antioxidant Muesli. I personally haven’t given it a taste yet, but the ingredients (rolled oats, raisins, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cranberries, dates, pistachios, Goji berries) sound like they’d be even more fulfilling than the Swiss Style version.

Have you tried Muesli before? If so, what is your favorite way to enjoy it? Let me know in the comments section below. Or, if you’ve baked with muesli before I’d love to hear some of your tested recipes.

Be sure to stop back next Tuesday for my new review. Up next on the list is a popular product for the Fall months: Spiced Cider Mix.

-Lindy

For today’s Taste Test Tuesday, I took my milk for a walk on the wild side and paired it with Strawberry Milk Mix. I used 2% milk, but the mix can be used with any type of milk. The only ingredients you need are 8 ounces of milk and 2 tablespoons of Strawberry Milk Mix. I have to confess that I didn’t follow the directions to make my glass of Strawberry Milk. I prefer to enjoy lightly flavored milk and often find that pre-made strawberry and chocolate milk that is sold in stores is too strong for my liking. That being said, I kept the mix measurement at 2 Tablespoons but mixed it into 16 ounces of milk.

I dropped the mix into my cold glass of milk and gave it a quick stir until all of the mix was dissolved. The mix gave the milk a pretty pastel pink color and a sweet strawberry scent.

I took a sip and my first thought was that the milk tasted like melted strawberry ice cream. You know, the soupy stuff that’s left at the bottom of your dish if you don’t eat your ice cream fast enough on a hot day. I took another sip and decided that I was correct in doubling the milk to mix ratio for my personal taste. The milk wasn’t overly sweet but still had enough strawberry flavor. Speaking of strawberry flavor, the strawberry you’ll taste in this mix is definitely an artificial flavor like you’d find in gelatin or candy. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just different than the subtly sweet taste you’d get from something made with real strawberries.

My personal opinion is that the strawberry milk was tasty, but I probably would only drink a small glass occasionally rather than make it an everyday addition to my diet. I think children would probably enjoy this more than an adult would, which means this mix can be a useful tool if you’re trying to get a child to drink more milk.

I’d also be interested to experiment with this mix in the kitchen. I enjoy baking and love creating desserts, so the wheels in my mind immediately thought about adding this mix to heavy whipping cream to create a strawberry crème to be used with fruits or as a topping for cakes, cupcakes or pound cake. I’m putting that experiment on my to-do list and will post an update should I stumble upon something delicious.

Strawberry milk mix passed the Taste Test Tuesday test because it is simple to make, has a pleasant taste and costs less than competing national brand products (more than $1.00 less per pound!). Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Stop back next Tuesday to check out my review of Swiss-Style Muesli, a breakfast cereal blend that I’ve been told is healthy AND tastes good. Until then, check out this video for a sneak peek about the basics of muesli.

-Lindy

Simply add the mix to the hot water and stir until all of the mix is dissolved.

And just like that I had a warm mug of Chai Tea ready to enjoy in less time than it took me to figure out how to spell Chai. Before taking my first sip, I stopped to take a quick sniff of my creation. If it smells good, it should be okay to drink, right?

Before I go any further, I must admit I’m not big on warm beverages. Hot tea, coffee, cappuccino and the like are not my particular cup of tea (who didn’t see that pun coming?). The first sniff was promising. It had a traditional herbal tea smell with a distinct scent of nutmeg. Since the tea passed the sniff test, I decided it was safe to take my first sip. And after my first sip I took a second sip. And a third. And a fourth…

I was pleasantly surprised! The first thing I noticed was the sweetness from the honey, however it wasn’t an overpowering sweetness. One of the benefits of this mix is that it’s made with real honey and that taste definitely shines through in the finished product. Next I noticed the nutmeg flavor. I’m not always a huge fan of nutmeg, however it was just the right amount to give this tea a pleasant taste. Immediately after the nutmeg I noticed a hint of cinnamon, which helps to give the tea a well-rounded and cozy flavor. Cinnamon makes me think of apples and pumpkin, which makes me think of fall, which is why this tea would be perfect to enjoy on a brisk morning. As I finished each sip, I could detect a traditional herbal tea flavor which complimented the previous spice and honey flavors.

I did not add any fancy garnishes to the finished product, however I think it would be the perfect mix to be used when entertaining breakfast, brunch or dinner guests. This mix can be made in larger quantities and be served with a ladle from a slow cooker, keeping the beverage warm and allowing your guests to serve themselves. I also think a mug of this tea would make a delicious after dinner drink by simply topping with a dollop of whipped cream.

Chai Tea with Honey Mix has passed the Taste Test Tuesday test with flying colors thanks to it’s sweet (but not too sweet!) taste, ease of preparation and ability to be created in single servings or party-sized batches.

Don’t forget to stop by every Tuesday for a new adventure in bulk foods! Products up for review this month include Strawberry Milk Mix, All Natural Swiss-Style Muesli and All Natural Maple Dip Mix. Catch you next week!

-Lindy