Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Rest of the Best

Here is the rest of the list of the best items found in the grocery store:

BEST PACKAGED COLD CUTS
Hormel Natural Choice Presliced Deli Meats
Great-tasting protein, ready anytime.
Per 3 slices (turkey): 50 calories, 10 g protein, 1 g carbs, 1 g fat

BEST BACON
Niman Ranch Applewood-Smoked Bacon
Build the world's best BLT with heirloom tomato slices, arugula, and three slices of this tasty uncured bacon.
Per slice: 70 calories, 2 g protein, 7 g fat

BEST DINNER SAUSAGE
Al Fresco Roasted Garlic Chicken Sausage
Precooked and made with all-natural ingredients.
Per link: 140 calories, 15 g protein, 3 g carbs, 7 g fat

BEST HOT DOG
Applegate Farms The Great Organic Uncured Hot Dog
These weiners are made from grass-fed beef and contain no preservatives.
Per hot dog: 110 calories, 7 g protein, 0 g carbs, 8 g fat

BEST PIZZA TOPPING
Columbus Salame Toscano
For a true taste of Italy, add marinated artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers to your pizza, too.
Per oz: 80 calories, 7 g protein, 1 g carbs, 5 g fat

BEST KETCHUP
Heinz Organic
For a spicy-sweet sandwich and burger spread, mix equal parts ketchup, mayo, and chili sauce with diced pickle.
Per Tbsp: 20 calories, 5 g carbs

BEST MUSTARD
Grey Poupon Country Dijon
A two-to-one ratio of mayo to mustard spices up tuna salad.
Per tsp: 5 calories

BEST MAYONNAISE
Spectrum Naturals Canola Mayonnaise
Because it's made with soybean oil instead of vegetable oil, it has fewer inflammation-causing omega-6 fats.
Per Tbsp: 100 calories, 11 g fat

BEST BBQ SAUCE
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Slathering Sauce
Wait until the last 10 minutes of grilling to paint your food with sauce—otherwise the sugars in the sauce will burn.
Per 2 Tbsp: 25 calories, 5 g carbs

BEST STEAK SAUCE
Peter Luger Steak House Old Fashioned Sauce
We still haven't found a steak sauce that can compete with this famed Brooklyn steakhouse's special blend.
Per Tbsp: 30 calories, 7 g carbs

BEST PASTA SAUCE
Muir Glen Organic Garlic Roasted Garlic
Has very little added sugar, unlike many other pasta sauces, which may dump in half a cup per jar.
Per ½ cup: 60 calories, 12 g carbs, 2 g fiber

BEST SALSA
Drew's All Natural
Calorie for calorie, still the most flavorful condiment on the market.
Per 2 Tbsp: 10 calories, 2 g carbs

BEST HOT SAUCE
Tuong Ot Sriracha
Add a swirl of this versatile Asian chili sauce to a tablespoon of mayonnaise for a spicy sandwich spread.
Per tsp: 5 calories

BEST PREMADE GUACAMOLE
Wholly Guacamole
Some guacamole dips contain less than 2 percent avocado, but this is the real stuff.
Per 2 oz: 100 calories, 5 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 8 g fat

BEST PICKLE
Claussen Kosher Dill Halves
When you crave something crunchy and salty.
Per pickle half: 5 calories

BEST PEANUT BUTTER
Crazy Richard's 100% Natural Chunky
Mix ½ cup with minced ginger, the juice of a lime, a can of coconut milk, and 1 tsp of #90 for an Asian BBQ sauce.
Per 2 Tbsp: 190 calories, 9 g protein, 7 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 16 g fat

BEST JELLY/FRUIT SPREAD
St. Dalfour 100% All Natural Strawberry
No added sugar, and the first ingredient is actually strawberries—not juice concentrate, like its main competitor's.
Per Tbsp: 70 calories, 14 g carbs

BEST SALAD TOPPING
Melissa's Fire Roasted Sweet Red Bell Peppers
It's the most versatile vegetable on the market—a ready-to-eat topping for salads, sandwiches, pizza, and omelets.
Per oz: 10 calories, 1 g carbs

BEST SANDWICH SPREAD
Flora Italian Foods Artichoke Pesto
Try this bright, garlicky spread on a sandwich of grilled chicken and melted mozzarella.
Per 2 Tbsp: 120 calories, less than 1 g protein, 1 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 12 g fat

BEST VEGETABLE DIP
Guiltless Gourmet Mild Black Bean Dip
Take this up a notch by adding a handful of pepper jack cheese and mocrowaving for 1 minute. Finish with a heavy spritz of fresh lime juice and a dash of cumin.
Per 2 Tbsp: 40 calories, 7 g carbs, 2 g fiber

BEST HUMMUS
Athenos Spicy Three Pepper
This workhorse condiment does double duty as vegetable dip and sandwich spread.
Per 2 Tbsp: 50 calories, 1 g protein, 5 g carbs, 3 g fat

BEST CREAMY SALAD DRESSING
Drew's All Natural Smoked Tomato
For the perfect summer salad, toss a mix of your favorite grilled vegetables—zuccini, onions, asparagus, eggplant—with a few tablespoons of this tangy dressing.
Per Tbsp: 50 calories, 2 g carbs, 5 g fat

BEST VINAIGRETTE
Annie's Naturals Shiitake & Sesame Vinaigrette
Great over mixed greens. Make it a meal by adding thin slices of grilled flank steak.
Per 2 Tbsp: 120 calories, 13 g fat

BEST MARINADE
Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki
Works wonders on anything destined for the grill: chicken, salmon, even vegetable skewers. Just give your food a 30-minute soak first.
Per 2 Tbsp: 35 calories, 6 g carbs, 1 g fat

BEST FLAVOR ENHANCER
Roland Chipotle Peppers
Barbecue sauce in seconds: Mix equal parts pureed chipotles, Dijon mustard (#84), and honey.
Per 2 Tbsp: 30 calories, 1 g protein, 5 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 1 g fat

BEST FINISHING SALT
McCormick French Grey Sea Salt
This coarse, intense salt adds a serious pop when sprinkled on cooked fish, scrambled eggs, or a few slices of raw tomato.
No calories

BEST COOKING SALT
Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
Trade in your shaker of iodized salt for this kosher brand: The larger crystals give you more control over your seasoning.
No calories

BEST EVERYDAY COOKING OIL
Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Full flavor and a reasonable price tag make this a great staple to keep in your pantry.
Per Tbsp: 120 calories, 14 g fat

BEST HIGH-END OLIVE OIL
Olio Santo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Save this slightly pricier, full-flavored oil for making vinaigrettes or finishing dishes like freshly grilled halibut.
Per Tbsp: 120 calories, 14 g fat

BEST COOKING BROTH
Swanson Certified Organic Free Range Chicken Broth
No broth we tested had a more intense, natural chicken taste.
Per cup: 15 calories

BEST SECRET SPICE
McCormick Smoked Paprika
Normal paprika is boring, but this assertive Spanish spice works wonders on roasted potatoes, in egg dishes, or on meats and fish before cooking.
No calories

BEST SPICE MIX
Nando's Chickenland Medium Peri-Peri Grind
A well-balanced blend of African chili peppers, sea salt, lemon, and garlic. Dust a chicken breast before grilling.
Per tsp: 5 calories

BEST COOKING SPRAY
100% Natural Pam Olive Oil
Slicks up your cooking vessels with a fuller flavor than regular Pam.
No calories

BEST SOY SAUCE
Kikkoman Less Sodium
Forty percent less sodium than the regular, and we promise you won't even miss it.
Per Tbsp: 10 calories

BEST CHOCOLATE SAUCE
Nestlé Nesquik Chocolate Syrup
When you need your fix...
Per 2 Tbsp: 100 calories, 25 g carbs

BEST SOUP
Lucini Rustic Italian Minestrone
Almost as tasty and nutritious as homemade versions of minestrone.
Per cup: 210 calories, 6 g protein, 28 g carbs, 9 g fiber, 9 g fat

BEST CHILI
Bush's Homestyle Original with Beans
Consider this for a 2-minute lunch on a busy workday.
Per cup: 250 calories, 14 g protein, 26 g carbs, 7 g fiber, 10 g fat

BEST CANNED BEANS
Goya Black Beans
Puree these with a teaspoon of cumin, the juice of a lime, and a dash of #90. Spread on a tortilla and top with a fried egg and #89 for a quick take on huevos rancheros.
Per ½ cup: 90 calories, 19 g carbs, 6 g fiber

BEST REFRIED BEANS
Taco Bell Refried Beans
Most canned refried beans are dry and pasty, but these beans won our tasters over with a surprisingly rich flavor.
Per ½ cup: 120 calories, 7 g protein, 20 g carbs, 6 g fiber, 1 g fat

BEST LENTILS
Arrowhead Mills Organic Green Lentils
A great addition to soups and salads.
Per ¼ cup: 150 calories, 10 g protein, 27 g carbs, 7 g fiber, 1 g fat

BEST CANNED TOMATOES
Flora Foods San Marzano
Make an authentic Neapolitan pizza sauce by crushing the tomatoes by hand and adding a pinch of salt and a splash of olive oil.
Per ½ cup: 30 calories, 5 g carbs, 2 g fiber

BEST EVERYDAY READY-TO-EAT TUNA
Starkist Flavor Fresh Pouch Chunk Light in Water
A convenient classic.
Per 2 oz: 60 calories, 13 g protein

BEST READY-TO-EAT TUNA...PERIOD
Ortiz Benito del Norte in Olive Oil
Skip the mayo with this pricey, high-quality Spanish import. Instead, toss in chopped olives, capers, parsley, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice.
Per ¼ cup: 160 calories, 14 g protein, 11 g fat

BEST READY-TO-EAT SALMON
Bumble Bee Premium Wild Pink Salmon
An alternative to tuna.
Per 2 oz: 60 calories, 14 g protein

BEST VINEGAR
Monari Federzoni Balsamic of Modena
Remember this ratio: 2 parts olive oil, 1 part vinegar. That's your vinaigrette base. Now mix in any other flavors you like—honey or #84—for a custom dressing.
Per Tbsp: 15 calories, 4 g carbs

BEST JARRED VEGETABLE
Cento Marinated Artichoke Hearts
These hearts make a welcome addition to just about any salad, pasta, pizza, or sandwich.
Per oz: 25 calories

BEST ALL-PURPOSE CONDIMENT
Flora Pesto Genovese
Great on pasta, but you can also spread it on a smoked-turkey sandwich or add a teaspoon to vinaigrette dressing.
Per 2 Tbsp: 140 calories, 13 g fat

BEST SANDWICH TOPPING
Flora Giardiniera
This spicy Italian marinated-vegetable medley takes a ham panini from mundane to marvelous.
Per ¼ cup: 0 calories, 1 g carbs, 1 g fiber

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