Bear Naked Custom Granola

A few years back, it seemed like everyone was intent on sending me or giving me granola. There were samples at the farmer's market, samples in the mail, samples at the grocery store.

At first, I was like ... "Oooooh, granola." Then after a while, I was like, "Ewwww, granola." It's not that I disliked it. It was more that I was tired of it.

But ... it's been a while since I had any granola, so when the folks at Bear Naked offered me the opportunity to make my own granola blend, I figured I'd give it a try. I mean, if I was making a custom blend, it would have things I liked, right?

The custom blends start with three different bases. I chose the chocolate. Then you add three extra ingredients. I added bourbon flavor, little pretzels, and walnuts. the bourbon flavor is pretty unusual, right? But it's not the most unusual of the choices. There were some that were even more unusual, like beet powder or dried olives or oregano.

Then, once you've figured out ingredients, you choose a bear for the front of the canister, and a name for the mix that goes on the label.

And a short time later, the granola arrived at my door, with the canister inside a sturdy box. The bourbon was an interesting flavor. At first, I wasn't sure if I loved it, but the more I ate, the more I liked it. It really was a good mix, but if I order again, I'd probably do something completely different. Just because I can.

If you want to give it a try, you can get 10% off your order with the code READ039. I don't get anything for the referral. It's just a little extra for you. I'm nice like that.

Bear Naked also sells pre-made granola mixes. Maybe at your local store, but I found a whole lot of Bear Naked Granolas on Amazon. But you can only get the custom blends from their site.

Who's it for: People who want to create a custom granola blend without messing up the kitchen.

Pros: It's kind of fun. I liked the result.

Cons: It's not the cheapest granola on the market.

Wishes: I wish they listed the ingredients in the base mixes on the page where you choose them. You can look at the ingredients once the blend is made by looking at the nutrition label, but that's at the very end of the process.

Source: I received this from the manufacturer for the purpose of a review.

Sansaire Searing Kit

When I went to the housewares show last March, one of the things I wanted to get into my kitchen was the searing kit from Sansaire. Basically, it's a torch. But not a wimpy little torch that refills from the same canister you'd use for a cigarette lighter. This is a serious torch that runs off of a small propane tank, the size you'd use for a camping stove.

And, since it's designed for use with food, the torch tip is designed for searing foods rather than ... doing whatever else you'd do with a torch in the garage.

The first thing I used it for was ...

Not creme brulee.

I know that's probably one of the first things people think of when it comes to torching. Instead, I used it to blacken some red bell peppers so I could peel them. I love roasted red peppers, and it was fun using the torch rather than roasting the peppers on the stove top, which is a bit less precise.

While that was successful, the searing kit is meant for searing meats after cooking them via sous vide. So my next test was some pork chops.

The kit, by the way, includes a pan and rack that are really handy. If you're throwing flame around, you want to have a safe, fire-safe place to put the food on.

So, anyway, I got a nice browning on the outside of those pork chops and just a little char to get that smoky flavor you'd get from a grill or grill pan. It was really easy.

I still haven't used the torch for creme brulee. I'm not sure if I will, since I don't make a whole lot of creme brulee. But it's sure fun for other things. Marshmallows should fear me.

Who's it for: People who want a large kitchen torch.

Pros: Fire! Flame! Hot! Also, the replacement propane tanks are inexpensive and easy to find.

Cons: My dog barks when I use it. Seriously. It's weird.

Wishes: Can't think of any offhand.

Source: I received this from the manufacturer for the purpose of a review.

I Ate Jell-o and I Liked It

This is big news, folks. Big.

I've never (ever) been a fan of Jell-o gelatin. Not even when I was a kid. Maybe it was the trauma inflicted upon me by the aunt who made endless variations of Jell-o molds that were stunningly beautiful but all tasted of disappointment and weirdness.

Or maybe I just didn't like the flavors.

But that didn't stop me from saying I'd take sample of the Jell-o Simply Good gelatin and pudding mixes that are being made with no artificial flavors or colors. While I've never been fond of the gelatin, I've been known to use the pudding mix in ice cream, so I figured that I'd like that, at least.

But ... I figured I'd have to try the Jell-o at least once. For science, you know.

And here's the weird thing. I actually liked it. It made a nice, light snack.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa? Me, eating Jell-o, willingly?

What's the world coming to? Next thing you know, the Cubs will be playing in the World Series...

Oh. Wait.

So that's the big news. The less-shocking news is that I also tried the pudding. Chocolate first. Of course. And it seemed different, too, in a good way. Perhaps its the new flavorings.

So, there ya go. If you haven't tried the new Jell-o yet, maybe it's time to try again. I probably won't be making Jell-o molds that look like the Taj Mahal any time soon, but I'll be making Jell-o once in a while as snack.

Who's it for: People who like Jell-o or who haven't tried it recently and might want to try again.

Pros: Tastes better. Natural flavors and stuff.

Cons: Someone could still use it to make a horrible Jell-o mold.

Wishes: I really really really really hope they expand this line with more flavors.

Source: I received this from the manufacturer for the purpose of a review.