It is time to put away heavy stews and sauces: Summer calls for brighter, bolder flavors than Winter, and seasonal condiments that glaze, dollop and dress without weighing you down! We’re going beyond BBQ (although if you want to discover some of our favorite BBQ sauces, you can read our cross-country BBQ tasting blog here), and present CMB’s 7 Perfect for Summer Condiments. Whether you a spice-hound, a mayo connoisseur, or a sweet tooth, there’s something for everyone in our top picks.
Take Your Hamburger and Fries Up A Notch
Katchkie Farm Tomato Jam $7.50 For really fresh off-the-vine tomato potency, Tomato Jam packs a powerful punch! It can be used in lieu (or in addition to) fresh tomato on a BLT or added to gazpacho, and adds sun-ripened sweetness. You can feel great purchasing Katchkie Farm products: a portion of their sales goes to supporting The Sylvia Center, where children learn about food and nutrition through hands-on cooking experiences.
Kozlick’s Triple Crunch Mustard $8.50 Would you guess that Canada grows 90% of the world’s mustard? It’s true! Trust the majority and try the prepared mustard made with not one type of mustard seed, but three. This is not a creamy Dijon, but textured with small pearly bites and searing pungency. Not for the faint of heart, but for heat-seekers and sinus-clearers!
Sir Kensington’s Classic Mayonnaise $8.95 Don’t turn up your nose at the European tradition of dipping fries in mayonnaise: Sir Kensington’s non-GMO certified mayo, made from organic, cage-free eggs, is creamy without being heavy and a light-handed dip imparts a nice tangy zing!
Mediterranean Inspired Condiments
Divina Olive Bruschetta $5.95Â This all-natural tapenade is a blend of salty olives, sweet peppers and briny capers! Serve as- is with a rustic slice of bread or toss with pasta for a quick and easy meal.
Mina Mild Harissa $8.50 Harissa, and to an extent, Moroccan cuisine, is still a flavor-profile catching on in the States, but as people discover this juicy red bell pepper and red chilli pepper dip, they become devotees! Perfect with pita, crudité, or a topping for scrambled eggs, it also makes a delicious full meal served over couscous or a tagine.
Condiments with Asian Fusion Flavor
The Bay Tree Hot Sweet Chilli Sauce $7.95 Most meals in the summer are no-fuss, and sauces can pull double-duty in the same meal: as a dip and as a glaze or marinade. The not too hot, not too sweet Asian-inspired flavor also makes a great addition to pot-stickers steaming in water (and doesn’t need to be drained away, but can make its own broth when diluted).
Secret Aardvark Drunken Garlic Black Bean Sauce $5.95 This is a nice alternative to soy sauce: the whiskey-base has some smoky notes and the garlic brings a subtle heat without a high sodium intake. Serve over cold noodles or stir fry, or as the bottle instructs “USE YOUR IMAGINATION!”
Do you have a favorite Summer condiment staple? Let us know in the comments below, and we will see you soon at the store!
