Bolognese Sauce - Epicure Selections

Tonight's Supper was a thick, rich Bolognese Sauce made with spices that I received from Epicure Selections.  I was so excited when I received a box of their products.  It was like Christmas in June.

Epicure Selections is a company based in Victoria on Vancouver Island.  I love buying and supporting Canadian products.  The Founder & President, Sylvie Rochette, is originally from Québec.  This working mother started creating her own spice blends to offer Canadian families a way to prepare quick, healthy, delicious meals after a long day at work. Soon her products where in high demand and she did founded Epicure Selections.  The company was recently awarded Business of the Year by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce.  This shows that when you have dedication, commitment and work hard you can fulfill your dreams.  What an example to follow.  I love stories of successful woman.

Epicure Selections offers not only spices but also dip, salsa, salad dressing mixes, peppers, jellies, chocolate, popcorn seasonings, cookware, recipe books just to name a few.  You can go to their website and browse their beautiful catalogue.

They even have a great section when you have access to a ton of recipes that featured their products.



Follow my blog to learn about new recipes using various Epicure products and my own product reviews.

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My Top 12 Collection: 3 Onion Dip Mix, Lemon Dilly Dip Mix, Cheese, Chives & Bacon Dip Mix, Herb & Garlic Dip Mix, Sun-dried Tomato & Herb Dip Mix, Pesto Artichoke Dip Mix, Guacamile Dip Mix, Cheese & Jalapeno Dip Mix, Red Pepper Jelly, Lemon Chiffon Fruit Dip Mix, Summer Berry Fruit Dip Mix


A mix of delicious seasonings & spices

Epicure Selections

A few weeks ago someone from Epicure Selections contacted me and asked if I'd like to join their team of consultant.   I jumped at the chance!   Epicure Selections is a Canadian, family owned and women run company based in my favourite city Victoria, BC!  They carry a wide variety of herb and dip mixes, spices, jellies, salts, baking stuff (chocolate, baking powder, dried fruit, etc), tea, cookware, etc. Definitely worth checking out!

They have so many different spice/herb blends.  I love adding them to pasta and vegetables. And their dip mixes are extremely addictive.  I've actually been using the Cheese Chives & Bacon Dip Mix in pasta and scrambled eggs too though (they use fake bacon) and some Red Garlic Sansel on roasted vegetables mmm.

My favourite thing about the Epicure Selections products is that they can instantly make an otherwise okay meal into something much yummier. It's so awesome to have these products on hand for when I'm feeling tired on a weeknight and want something easy but tasty. And a lot of their mixes don't contain salt (though some do so if this is something you're concerned about I'm sure you could contact them and ask). They also kindly sent me their cookbook but there are lots of recipes on their website too that give you ideas for how to use their products.

Contact me for more information or to place an order

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Beer Ribs - Perfect Father's Day Treat

June is the perfect month to celebrate the men in our lives - as fathers, husbands, brothers and sons.

It’s summertime at last, and you know what that means… it’s grilling season! With Father’s Day around the corner, this is the perfect time to talk about what Epicure means to the fantastic men in our lives.  Husbands, dads, brothers and sons – they all love Epicure, too! 

 

Treat Dad to succulently tender, barbecued ribs for Father’s Day. Made with a combo of beer, our Barbecue Sauce, Sesame Crunch Topper and Balsamic Vinegar, they’re dripping with lip-smacking goodness.

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Epicure's Sweet & Saucy Beer Ribs

From Epicure's Online Recipes

8 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours

Ingredients

• 1 --12 oz (355 ml) bottle of beer , (TIP choose a full-flavoured beer such as porter, coffee stout, or deep amber ale)
• 1 recipe (1 cup/250 ml) Epicure’s Quick Barbecue Sauce
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) soy sauce
• 1/4 cup Epicure’s Sesame Crunch Topper
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 Tbsp Epicure’s Balsamic Vinegar
• 3-4 racks baby back ribs, cut into small sections

Instructions

1. In Epicure’s 12-inch Eclipse^® Coated Professional Pan Frying Pan, stir beer with Barbecue Sauce, soy sauce, Sesame Crunch Topper, maple syrup and Balsamic Vinegar.

2. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring often.

3. Place ribs in a large casserole dish or roasting pan. Pour sauce over top, then turn to coat.

4. Cover pan tightly with foil, then bake in preheated 350° F (180° C) oven until fork tender,about 2 to 2½ hours.

5. Remove ribs, then carefully pour sauce back into Frying Pan. Skim excess fat from top of sauce. Bring to a boil, then simmer,stirring often, until sauce has thickened, about 8 minutes. If making ahead, refrigerate meat and sauce separately.

6. To serve, heat barbecue to medium-high. Lightly brush ribs with oil and barbecue, turning often, until lightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Reheat sauce, then serve on the side as a dipping sauce or generously slather over ribs.

Shop with me online at http://vanessamccarthy.myepicure.com/en-ca/shop.aspx

Per Serving : Calories 410, Fat 25 g (Saturated 9 g, Trans 0 g), Cholesterol 95 mg, Sodium 1250 mg, Carbohydrate 20 g (Fibre 1 g, Sugars 14 g), Protein 22 g.

Strawberries with Summer Berry Balsamic Vinegar

A light and elegant finishing touch to any meal.

Makes 4 servings

Cost Per Serving: 1.25

Ingredients

• 4 cups (1 L) strawberries, fresh or frozen, sliced
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Epicure's Summer Berry Fruit Dip Mix
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Epicure's Balsamic Vinegar

Instructions

1. Spoon strawberries into 4 serving dishes.

2. Dissolve Summer Berry Fruit Dip Mix in Balsamic Vinegar. Drizzle over strawberries and serve.

Just 1 cup (250 ml) of strawberries provides 140% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C! Plus, fruits with seeds contain more fibre.

Per Serving : 
Calories 60, Fat 0.5 g (Saturated 0 g, Trans 0 g), Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 4 mg, Carbohydrate 15 g (Fibre 3 g, Sugars 10 g), Protein 1 g.

 Tips: Serve with low-fat frozen yogurt.

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http://vanessamccarthy.myepicure.com/en-ca/shop.aspx

Extraordinary Cheese Dip

If you're Canadian, and you've ever been to an Epicure party, you've probably tried this hot dip. Since becoming an Epicure consultant myself, I've made this dip a lot... and it rarely leaves the house, hehe.  The blend of cheese and herbs in all it's melty goodness is irresistible.  Here's the smaller version that I make, that is only slightly different from the original.

 

 Extraordinary Cheese Dip

Extraordinary Cheese Dip
Adapted from Epicure Selections

1/2 block (1/2 cup) cream cheese - softened, regular or light
1/4 cup sour cream, regular or light
1/4 cup mayo, regular or light
1/4 cup grated sharp or old cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated mozzarella
1/2 tsp Epicure's Seasoning for Cheese, Chives & Bacon Dip
1/2 tsp Epicure's Lemon Dilly Dip Mix
1/2 tsp Epicure's 3 Onion Dip Mix

Mix all ingredients together well, by hand or in a food processor.  Scrape into a small oven-proof dish like Epicure's mini baker, and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

If you are outside of Canada, I'm sorry for the tease.  Perhaps a trip north this summer is in order?

Enjoy!  (and feel free to contact me any time if you have any questions about ordering Epicure products, hosting a tasting party or becoming a consultant yourself, I'd love to have you on my team!)

Shop with me online at
http://vanessamccarthy.myepicure.com/en-ca/shop.aspx