Here is a list of questions and answers from visitors like you.
| I have 2 of your products that I can't find a freshness date "best before" on:
could you help me.
1. Green Olive Tapenade--on lid there is a number ending 505441. Is this product safe for consumption?
2. Garden herb dipping oil---I cannot find any date of any kind or any numbers on the bottle or label. Again, could you give me a freshness date on this product?
Need ASAP. Thank you.
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Dear Cindi, the code is on the lip of the jar and if there is not a "best by" date above it, you can read the code as following: the number right after the T is the year, the next two digits are month and the next two are the day that the product was made. Example: T7040506961, where 7 is year, 04 the month, 05 the date, 0696 the formula and 1 is the batch. Our tapenades usually have a shelf life of 18 months. After that time frame the flavors may change and although there is nothing that can harm you; because our products do not contain any preservatives; on rare occasions mildew may form on top of the lid. But, if you open the jar, smell it and it smells good, feel free to taste it. Just remember that certain flavors become more pungent over time. Thanks so much for the inquiry and please let me know if I can help further.
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| I need some recipes using your Blackberry with pear balsamic vinegar, particularly using salads and fruits, and meat marinades. Can you help me? |
Dear Nancy,
The best place to find delicious and easy-to-prepare recipes is on our website. Along the top of the page click on "recipe" and then choose "recipe finder". You can search by main ingredient, product or course. We are always adding new recipes, so be sure to check back in for updates. For a quick sauce using our blackberry vinegar, simmer in a saucepan until reduced by half, drizzle over grilled meats (pork tenderloin is fantastic) or even pound cake and fresh berries. I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any other questions or if I can help in any way. Happy Healthy Cooking!
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| Where does your Balsamic Vinegar come from? |
Our balsamic vinegar comes from Modena Italy where they have been making it since its origin over 800 years ago. The vinegar is stored in a succession of different types of woods barrels for many years which helps give it its sweet full body flavor. The longer the vinegar is in the wood barrels the sweeter and thicker it becomes as well as the more valuable it becomes. 2 ounces of a 20 year old balsamic can be as much as $150!!!! The balsamics we use in our products are aged an average of 4 years and are great for every day!
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| What is a tapenade? |
Traditionally, tapenade includes pureed or finely chopped black olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil. Originating in Southern France, tapenade is usually served with toast or to stuff fish filets. We have expanded this traditional dish to include most chopped, savory spreads and toppings for bread or crostini, which we commonly serve on a sliced baguette with the tapenade, a little cheese on top and placed under the broiler until the cheese melts. This is a quick easy appetizer. There are lots of other uses as well; tapenades are great to stuff in chicken breasts or pork chops, fabulous tossed with pasta, used in puff pastry tartlets, and as a spread on sandwiches.
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| I have a bunch of salmon, which of your products is good for salmon? |
Salmon is one of my most favorite foods. Here are the products that I just love to put on salmon: Barbecue Sauce with Horseradish and Maple, our Shanghai Marinade slathered right on the salmon just before taking off the grill or out of the oven, or marinate the salmon in our Korean Soy Ginger or Herb Marinade with Merlot. Salmon is also delicious smothered in our curry sauce on a bed of noodles. As far as our rubs, Asian Accents Rub, NV Meritage, Mediterranean Medley, Beef and Burger, Mystic Moroccan and the Spicy American Barbecue are all fabulous on Salmon.
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| Why do you add sulfites to your products? |
Our philosophy is “All Natural,” and we do not add any artificial preservatives. However, sulfites naturally occur in wine and vinegar. They occur in the processing of the wine and vinegar but are not added by us. Typically any product that has wine or vinegar in them will have sulfites naturally.
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| Does your Beef and Burger Rub contain meat? |
Actually, no meat is used in any of our rubs; they are just herb blends created for different meat, fish, poultry and vegetables. What you do is actually put the rubs directly on the meat or fish or you can make a paste with the herbs and rub on the meat or fish before cooking. I like to use olive oil.
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| Are capers a type of fish? |
The dictionary has this to say about capers:
Ca•per 2 (kā'pər) Pronunciation Key
n.
1. A usually spiny Mediterranean shrub (Capparis spinosa) having white to pale lilac flowers and dehiscent fruits with reddish pulp.
2. A pickled flower bud of this plant, used as a pungent condiment in sauces, relishes, and various other dishes.
So a caper is not a type of fish, but rather a flower bud that is pickled originally from the Mediterranean. We use capers in our Garlic Parmesan Dipping Oil, Puttanesca Savory Tomato Sauce as well as our Mediterranean Kalamata Olive Tapenade. They are pickled in salt and vinegar and add a great flavor to all kinds of food.
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| How do you use rubs? |
There are tons of ways to use rubs. Traditionally, rubs were for grilling meats but they have come a long way. They are just herb blends created for different meats, fish, poultry and vegetables. What you do is actually put the rubs directly on the meat or fish or you can make a paste with the herbs and oil. I like to use olive oil. You can also use them as flavor enhancers. I use the Napa Valley Meritage in scrambled eggs with a little goat cheese, sprinkled on baked potatoes, pastas and veggies. They are also great in pasta and potato salads and in soups and sauces for added punch of flavor.
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| Do you use preservatives in your products? |
We are proud to say that all of our products are completely “All Natural” and do not contain any artificial preservatives.
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| Can I make any of the recipes in your cookbook if I don’t have all the products? |
We got so many requests for recipes using our products we decided to create a cookbook. Of course we would like you to use our products but you certainly can use the book with products that you have. For example, if the recipe calls for mustard, you can use any mustard that you have. If the recipe calls for dipping oil, use one that you have.
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| I smell vinegar in the Garlic Parmesan Dipping Oil, is it supposed to smell like that? |
Yes, in addition to olive oil, garlic, capers and parmesan cheese, for a twist we use Champagne Vinegar in our Garlic Parmesan Dipping Oil. Most dipping oils use Balsamic Vinegar, but with the cheese and the capers we wanted a little acid that wasn’t as sweet as Balsamic Vinegar.
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| What can I do with the Yucatan? |
Our Yucatan with Chiles & Citrus Marinade has some of my favorite flavors, lots of chile flavor with citrus. The Yucatan makes a perfect burrito, tamale and enchilada sauce right out of the jar. If you are making fajitas, cook your meat and veggies and then finish with enough Yucatan to cover and serve immediately. It is also delicious with crab and shrimp cocktails as opposed to traditional cocktail sauce. Or throw a pork shoulder in the crock pot, pour the Yucatan sauce over it and cook all day. When you get home, shred the pork and serve in fresh tortillas with a little chopped onion and cilantro for the best tacos you will ever have. And of course, if you prefer sandwiches, this makes a tasty pulled pork sandwich. If you want to make Chicken Tortilla soup, add the Yucatan to the chicken stock along with the chicken and the veggies for a flavor of old Mexico.
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| I have a bottle of the Herb Marinade with Merlot; do I use it for chicken, meat, fish? |
Yes all the above and more. Some of my personal favorites are leg of lamb and tri tip as well as chicken breasts and salmon. Also, toss the Herb Marinade with Merlot with some assorted fresh olives for a tasty treat!
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| How do I know when a product is no longer good? |
As long as you store the products as recommended on the label before opening and use by the “Best Use by Date” the products will be fine. Also, we recommend using the products within 30 days after opening. And FYI, since there are no artificial preservatives, mold may grow in the opened refrigerated products over time. If there is no mold, the products should be just fine.
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| What is the shelf life of … any of our products. |
All of our products are date coded with a “Best Use By Date.” We believe the product will be at its best until that date. Of course there is nothing in our products that can hurt you, but the oil does go rancid over time and the flavors will not be at their optimum level after the "Best Use By Date."
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| Should I refrigerate my dipping oil? |
We recommend that you store it in a cool dry place, and you can definitely refrigerate them if you wish. Just be aware that if you do put it in the fridge, it will get very cloudy (which is ok) and you will have to let the oil come to room temperature before using.
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| How long can I keep a tapenade or marinade in the fridge after it is opened? |
Basically as long as it tastes good. We suggest you store the products as recommended on the label before opening and use by the “Best Use by Date.” Also, we recommend using the products within 30 days after opening. And FYI, since there are no artificial preservatives, mold may grow in the opened jar in the refrigerator products over time. If there is no mold, the products should be just fine.
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| I am a vegetarian and am wondering if any of your products have meat in them? |
All of our products qualify as vegan (none of our products contain any meat, fish, fowl, or, any food derived from animals, as eggs or cheese, but rather all of our products are made from vegetables and fruit) except for our Garlic Parmesan Dipping Oil and our Artichoke with Parmesan, which contain cheese. Also, the Pan Asian Dipping Sauce and Dressing with Mint is made with a fish sauce.
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| Do you have a retail store? |
Not yet, but we are so excited to be opening a culinary center in the Spring of 2008. Not only will we have a beautiful retail store with a big gorgeous fireplace and our Made In Napa Valley products, we will also feature other hand selected items that we think are the best of the best to help people enjoy gourmet every day. There will be a viewing corridor to see first hand how some of our products are made, a tasting bar/café and a cooking school. Be sure to be on our email list to be keep up to date on the progress of the culinary center.
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| What is a simmer sauce? |
Simmer Sauces are versatile sauces that add lots of flavor with little work. Each jar provides a rich flavor base that only needs heating. You can literally open up a jar, heat up some of the sauce and serve with grilled meats, seafood and vegetables for a fun appetizer party. Or throw in a pork shoulder, turkey breast, or a beef roast into the crock pot along with some veggies and potatoes, pour in a jar of the sauce, slow cook all day and you have a yummy one dish dinner.
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| I am allergic to Gluten, which of your products are gluten free? |
The good news is that all of our Dessert Sauces, Dipping Oils, Balsamic Vinegars, Savory Sauces, Mustards, Tapenades, Savory Condiments and Rubs, except for our Asian Accents, are gluten free. In the Marinade category and Finishing Glaze category, all our products are gluten free except for the Herb Marinade with Merlot, Korean Beef, Shanghai, Thai Basil, Barbecue Sauce with Balsamic and the Steak Sauce with Peaches.
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| I am diabetic, what products are ok for me? |
I wanted to make sure that I answered this as accurately as possible and since I am not a doctor or a diabetic myself, I asked our Product Development Chef, Michael Garza for his advice.
"Most diabetics try to regulate their carbohydrate intake because their bodies can’t regulate the sugars, which carbs break down into, in their bloodstream. Depending on the type of diabetes, some have to take insulin to maintain the balance. So they look for foods with lower carb levels. Serving size plays a role because if there are 15 grams of carbs in a teaspoon of product and you consume a cup, you have a problem. From my personal experience living with a diabetic, when you approach 20 grams of carbs/serving you are entering the danger zone, but it is the overall diet, everything combined, that is important. Our nutritionals show amount of carbs per serving for all of our products. Mole and Calypso are probably the most problematic products as far as carbs, mostly because of serving size. Label wise, everything else looks pretty good."
So, everything except Mole & Calypso Simmer Sauces are low on carbs!
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| Are there any nuts in your products? |
The only product that contains nuts is our Cranberry Orange Scone; however nuts are used in some products we create for other companies so there are nuts in the facility.
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| Are your products Organic? |
No, our products are not organic, but they are all natural.
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| I am a vegetarian and am wondering what do you recommend for tofu? |
The beauty about tofu is that is absorbs whatever flavors you put with it. With that being said, we have lots of products that qualify as vegan that are great to use with tofu. One of my favorites is our Korean Soy Ginger Marinade in stir fry with veggies and tofu. Any of our rubs are fabulous on tofu as well. And remember, rubs are just herb and spice blends and there is no meat in them. Any of the savory tomato sauces are great with grilled or pan seared tofu for a protein alternative.
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| Is there any MSG in your products?
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Absolutely not, our products are all natural and do not contain any kind of preservatives.
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