Ozganics Taste Test: Jams, salad dressings and simmer sauces

http://www.ozganics.com.au

Certified organic products

Thanks to Neil Sallaway (Sales Manager) and Anni Brownjohn (Director) from Ozganics for providing me a few product samples to taste from the Organic Expo & Green Show 2011. I first came across their stand at the Good Food & Wine Show 2011. I received some jams (pictured above), salad dressings and simmer sauces to try and will work my way through them and provide tasting notes below for each once finalised.

Ozganics jams - 13 Aug 2011

Orange marmalade, Strawberry spread, Fig spread

Orange marmalade

Tasting notes: Nice citrus taste and visible peel. Texture and consistency likable although noticed the fruit content is only 17.5% in total and wondered if it could be higher. Some extra peel for more texture would be welcomed. Probably my favourite out of the three jams sampled.

Strawberry spread

Tasting notes: Distinctive strawberry taste although consistency of jam is not as runny as others and seems more firm which I'm not a huge fan of. It could have more visible strawberry fruit texture for my liking and it tastes rather high in sugar and less fruity than other strawberry jams I've had. Has 33% fruit which is reasonable but there are jams with much higher fruit content, although not necessarily organic.

Fig spread

Tasting notes: Distinctive fig taste and good consistency in texture that's easy to spread. Only has 25% fruit so perhaps could be higher compared to other jams on the market.

Ozganics salad dressings

Salad dressings

STILL TO BE TASTE TESTED

Italian Dressing

Creamy Avocado Dressing

Creamy Caesar Dressing

Ozganics simmer sauces

Simmer Sauces

STILL TO BE TASTE TESTED

Lemon Chicken Simmer Sauce

Thai Red Curry Simmer Sauce

Spicy Lamb Tagine Simmer Sauce

Salad Dressing: My favourite combination in a bottle (27 June 2010)

Dressed to impress

I take my hat off to anyone that makes their own tasty salad dressing but for a lazy kitchen cook like myself I look for the tastiest salad dressing that comes in a bottle. My favourite dressing at the moment is combining about 2 parts Paul Newman's Own Creamy Caesar (58.9% total fats) with 1 part Kraft Balsamic Italian (100% fat free). The Balsamic Italian cuts through some of the heaviness of the very tasty Creamy Caesar while providing a bit of balsamic kick on the taste buds. Awesome with fresh and crunchy baby cos lettuce and anything else you care to dip in it.

Do you have any favourite recommendations to try from the shops or recipes to make my own?

Salad dressing: Paul Newman's Own Creamy Caesar combined with Kraft Balsamic Italian

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Chef Leong: American Style BBQ Pork Ribs marinated with Coca-Cola (28 Dec 2009)

Coca-Cola Pork Rib Marinade

A recent catchup with friends got us on the subject of BBQ ribs and how I love the very popular Hurricanes Grill pork ribs and their marinade. I've always dreamt of cooking such tasty ribs so with some helpful tips and encouragement including ideas for the marinade recipe with Coca-Cola of all things — my friend said 'trust me' — it was time to give it a go. The main ingredients for the marinade base is tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, garlic, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce and Coca-Cola plus anything else you think might work. So I added sea salt, Masterfoods Garlic Powder, Masterfoods Barbeque Smokey Seasoning, Lake George Winery Apple & Rosemary Caramelised Balsamic, McCormick Paprika, Cornwell's Apple Cider Vinegar and Capilano Honey.

I wish I had a BBQ but only have an oven griller. I cooked for about 40 minutes, basting-cooking-turning-basting etc with marinade about every 5-10 minutes so it would built up a nice layer of yummy coating. My Zeal basting brush I received in a Kris Kringle came in very handy for this task. The end result worked well and I enjoyed the tasty ribs with a healthy side salad to balance. Although my favourite salad dressing at the moment is combining Praise Balsamic with Paul Newman's Own Creamy Caesar (full fat versions) — guilty pleasures taste so good.

Ingredients for marinate

Ingredients for marinate with Coca-Cola

Marinate ready — smells so good!

Marinate your pork ribs for as long as possible — I only had 5 hours but would prefer overnight.

Marinated pork ribs under griller or BBQ if your lucky

Pork ribs cut and ready to eat with side salad, Chef Leong :-)

Left overs of a satisfied meat lover

Salad dressing: Whisk same quantities of Praise Balsamic and Paul Newman's Own Creamy Caesar