I always appreciate new ways to flavor dishes, and that’s why I accepted an offer to try Gourmet Garden cold-blended, stir-in pastes.
These pastes are 115-g. squeezable tubes of various herbs and spices, such as lemongrass, coriander and parsley. I found them locally at Metcalfe’s for $4.99.
The obvious benefits of these tubes are 1) convenience: instead of washing and chopping your herbs, you simply squeeze the herbs onto your dishes, and 2) lifespan: these tubes last up to four weeks in the fridge, so you don’t have to worry about your herbs wilting away.
I tried the basil and garlic pastes. The basil was fresh, and from the tube it tasted like basil pesto without the pine nuts and garlic. I enjoyed it on pizza, especially as the basil didn’t get charred compared to using basil leaves. I also squeezed some on fried eggs.
Meanwhile, it was nice not to have to chop up garlic. I mixed the garlic paste with melted butter and poured it over some tip sirloin steaks, loving the enhanced flavor. All in all, I really enjoyed using and eating the cold-blended pastes, and I look forward to using it in more dishes.
Gourmet Garden pastes have no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The company, which also makes lightly dried herbs, recommends using the pastes the same way you would use fresh herbs and spices, as much or as little to taste. Here’s a provided recipe for grilled vegetable sliders with chilli tomato relish.
Photos from Gourmet Garden
