Like a lot of people trying to feed a family on a budget, we tend to stock our pantry with the same things week after week. We know what will get eaten, what probably won’t, and how long our favourite dishes will take to prepare. We shop with a list, pick up what we need, and generally ignore the rest (unless something’s on super sale, which I cannot resist). But when Toronto-based Gourmet Trading reached out to me last month, I was reminded that there’s a whole world of foods and flavours available to explore and enjoy. Gourmet Trading has been bringing that world to Canada for nearly 30 years as an importer and distributor of specialty foods. They sent me a selection of products from one of their top-selling brands, Maine’s award-winning Stonewall Kitchen, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how well they went over. Will they be new pantry staples? Read on and see.
In some ways I don’t get pancake mix — it’s one of those things that seems silly to buy when it’s so easy to make yourself. But since we’ve tried the Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix, I get it a little more. The pancakes were nice and fluffy and the waffles light and crisp, which isn’t always the way when we make them from scratch. If you’re picky about your pancakes and want them to turn out perfectly every time then yes, I can see stocking your pantry with this mix. Or picking up a can to bring camping or include in a breakfast basket for a hostess gift.
Dressing takes up a lot of real estate in our fridge, with more than a few half-empty bottles we probably should have thrown out long ago. But this Classic Greek Dressing won’t go to waste. It’s delicious in an easy mason jar salad Greek salad and I bet it would be just as good as a chicken marinade. A little bit goes a long way and thank goodness because it’s not low-cal by any means.
Who knew the kids liked curry? No no, not like — they absolutely love! We’ve used the Coconut Curry Simmering Sauce twice now and both times my guys asked for seconds. I find it a bit spicy (but even pepper is spicy to me), and hubby finds it just right (and he puts hot sauce on just about everything). A must-have for the pantry!
Now if there’s a way to make mustard look good I haven’t found it. But then I don’t like mustard, so maybe it’s just me. Luckily the man of the house is a big fan. He said he couldn’t make out the caramelized onions but liked it in his sandwich all the same. I wonder if the onion flavour would be stronger if we used it in a vinaigrette. Have you tried the Caramelized Onion Mustard?
And finally in our Stonewall Kitchen five, this Boozy Bacon Barbecue Sauce, which I’ve been saving because I want your ideas. Tell me how we should use it and I’ll send one lucky reader a bottle to try too. All comments posted by Canadian readers by 11:59 pm EST on September 12 will be put in a random draw. (One comment = one entry, one entry per person.) I’ll announce the winner here on the blog by September 15.
Now I know some of you (hello Linda!) are big Stonewall Kitchen fans. Which products do you recommend? Would you stock your pantry with any of these? Tell me in the comments! I love hearing from you.
Update September 13, 2017: Congratulations Florence C!
Gourmet Trading sent me a selection of Stonewall Kitchen products to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.
I think a nice pulled pork in the crock pot would be perfect for the boozy bbq sauce. Weather is getting cooler and most kids like pulled pork.
Everything sounds wonderful! I am very intrigued by the coconut curry simmering sauce — I always try to make my own coconut curry sauces but they never work out very well.
In all honesty, though, if I had to just choose one product it would be the pancake mix. I am a sucker for pancakes and waffles and will never turn them down!!!
The caramelized onion mustard sounds amazing! I think the BBQ sauce would be a perfect to make a bbq chicken sandwich with!
Oh YUM! Love that idea! 🙂
I work in a farm market in London and we’ve sold the Stonewall line for awhile, but TBH still haven’t tried some of the products you mention here. After your review, definitely going to try the pancake mix! And I recommend their Summer Garden Hand Lotion. It’s a staple for all of us in the store kitchen! Great blog. My first visit and I’ll definitely be back!
Thank you so much, Lorie! For reading, and for the recommendation. I’ll look for it!
It all sounds yummy, the sauces, the mustard, the pancakes, the dressing and my mouth is watering for the curry. My taste buds lean towards spicy and savory and these products look like they could be a staple in my cupboard. And there is even room for the pancake mix. Love your pics, very appetizing.
And the pancake mix isn’t sweet, so you could (well one could, ha ha) easily add some of your favourite herbs and spices and maybe cheese and try savoury waffles. 😋
my fav products, I do so love the bourbon molasses mustard and the honey mustard dip. I am really wanting to try the sea salt caramel sauce. Yum. Loving your pictures
Thanks so much, Linda! You know your Stonewall Kitchen! 🙂
In addition to the usual barbecuing (I’d put it on pork chops for that), I like to add barbecue sauce to my grilled cheese sandwiches.
How interesting! I love my grilled cheese sandwiches with ketchup, but I’ve never thought to try barbecue sauce. Good one! 😋
Yum pancakes topped with vanilla yogurt and strawberries and a drizzle of maple syrup please. Greek dressing on a classic Greek salad with a generous helping of quinoa mixed in. Or on a cold pasta salad. Or to marinate chicken. Curry looks delish too!!!
Now I’m hungry lol
Yes to the quinoa! I’ll try it next time. 🙂
Boozy Bacon Barbecue Sauce sounds delicious. I would love to try in on my ribs and chicken.
Yes to both! And preferably on the ol’ BBQ! 🙂
thanks for the introduction to these products. the boozy bacon barbeque sauce would be great in virtually any meat dish. also it would also provide another layer of flavour in soups and stews. thanks again.
I could add it to a stew — hey, that didn’t even cross my mind! Thanks for the idea, lp! 🙂
boozy bacon sounds delicious and I would love to try it on a big juicy steak, my son loves bbq sauces of any kind and I know he would love this, I have never heard of this brand but I am all for trying new products
Now you’ve got me craving steak! (Preferably cooked by someone else.) Thanks for reading and weighing in, Wendy! 🙂
yum… all these products sound delicious! I have heard of the brand, but have never had the pleasure of trying it! Being the boring person I am, I would use this sauce in my slow cooker with a big ol’ rack of ribs and let nature take its course! (ps. I love mustard and I love all things spicy!!) thanks for the great review – your photos made me drool just a little bit 🙂
You say boring — I say efficient! Throw it in the pot and let the slow cooker do the work. I’d do the same. My kids had ribs for the first time at Swiss Chalet this summer and they still talk about them. I wonder if they’d like ribs with the boozy sauce? (As long as it tastes more bacon-y than boozy.)
I work at a fish shop and we sell a lot of these products! My fav is the Mango Habenero Aioli! I put that sh** on everything!
😂😂😂 Thanks Erin!