Green Onion Bundle from Dominick's

Item Purchased: Green Onion Bundle from Dominick's
Location Purchased: Dominick's / 3145 S. Ashland / Chicago, IL
Price: $0.79 + tax
Purchased on: 01/27/07

Review: To the extended disappointment of many of my friends, I use green onions/scallions in just about every dish I come up with. I love the things. Maybe it is a leftover habit from working in a Chinese restaurant for so long. The floral and spicy flavor these shoots add are just what most dishes need to make them pop.

Dominick's green onion section is usually low on stock when I go grocery shopping. I can't figure out if this is because winter is the only season that these dirt dwellers don't grow very well or if it is simply because Dominick's stock is so good.

I think I'll stick with the former. These are good, but not the best I've had. For instance, I had to vigorously wash my mouth out with water after taking this picture because of the bitter flavor that was left.

It is precisely that subtle bitter flavor that tastes so good when cooked and mixed with other foods, but these scallions could stand to be a bit more subtle.

Rating: 3 / 5

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Trader Joe's Limes (bag of 6)

Item Purchased: Trader Joe's Limes (bag of 6)
Location Purchased: Trader Joe's / 1840 N. Clybourn Ave. / Chicago, IL
Price: $0.99 + tax
Purchased On: 01/23/07

Review: The good thing about Trader Joe's produce is the freshness and the price. To put it plainly... they're fresh and affordable. The bad thing about Trader Joe's produce is that most of it must be bought in bulk. Of course, this isn't so bad if you cook regularly like me.

TJ's limes, in particular are a bit on the small side. They would be perfect if I were a bit Corona drinker, but some of you already know how I feel about that sorry excuse for a beer. As it stands, these limes are great for that little squeeze of juice you might use as a garnish, but if you are looking to get a cup full for a recipe, skip Trader Joe's and head for the next corner store. Or, I suppose you could just buy two bags and do a bit more squeezing. It would probably still save you a significant amount of money.

Rating: 4.5 / 5

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Fresh Horseradish Root from Whole Foods (0.84 lb)

Item Purchased: Fresh Horseradish Root from Whole Foods (0.84 lb)
Location Purchased: Whole Foods Market / 1000 W. North Ave. / Chicago, IL 60622
Price: $4.19 + tax

Review: I'll admit it, I pulled the old 'innocent tourist' trick to get this big honkin' piece of horseradish. I've never seen raw horseradish before. The only knowledge I've had of it until now is those small disgusting packets of horseradish sauce you get at Arby's restaurants. You know the ones... They taste like ass pudding and tickle the nose hairs you never thought you had.

While in the produce section of Whole Foods today, I found the sign for horseradish, but it was among five or six other signs for vegetables I also did not have any experience with. I thought I knew which one it was, but I'm not the typical male who won't admit his lack of knowledge and continue driving in the wrong direction. No. I'm the type of male who will pretend he didn't even see the sign and ask the grocer if they have any horseradish at all, so as not to look completely uneducated.

Only serving to rub in the shame of asking for help in this way, the grocer took me over to the roots I had originally thought to be horseradish and pointed at them. This left me questioning where my shame came from at all. I know I don't know everything. Hell.. I don't even know all that much. Perhaps it was the drone-like competency of the rest of the Whole Foods customers that caused me to feel anxious and defensive... I don't know.

Regardless, I got this large hunk of horseradish that looks a bit like a bugle to me. I only needed three tablespoons of the root for the tofu bars I made, so I can still play bugler for quite some time.

Fresh horseradish is not nearly as strong as the mulched kind you buy in jars. It smells like dijon mustard and adds a great spicy flavor to whatever you sprinkle it atop. I have a feeling my fear of horseradish has been cured and I will be using this root much more in the future.

I better. There's a lot left!

Rating: 4 / 5

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Goodness Greeness Certified Organic Garlic (2 heads)

Item Purchased: Goodness Greeness Certified Organic Garlic (2 heads)
Location Purchased: Trader Joe's / 1840 N. Clybourn Ave. / Chicago, IL
Price: $1.79 + tax

Review: You can always count on Trader Joe's to have fresh organic produce for a decent price. The one caveat is that you usually have to buy said produce in quantities larger than one. Fortunately, I eat a lot of garlic. Vampires got nothin' on me. I chop up a clove of garlic to make almost everything. Even if I'm just cooking up a couple of eggs, it is not uncommon for me to throw a little garlic in the frying pan and let it brown before cracking the shells.

As far as TJ produce goes, two of anything in a package is a small number. Avocados must be purchased in packages of four. Tomatoes usually come in threes.

This garlic is extremely fresh and is, on average, larger than most heads of garlic I purchase at the local Dominick's or Jewel. The warm fuzzy feeling comes with knowing that the garlic is organic, and hopefully the unfelt health benefits will come along with that. For now, I will take solace in the fact that this is a strong tasting, easy to chop, crush or mince garlic that will go well with the next "whatever" I cook up.

Rating: 4.75 / 5

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