The Salvation Of Salad Kits

 One of the best things about summer is its salads. One of the worst things is getting the right veggies and then chopping them. Then there's the dressing and the extras to be put on top to give the greens some zing. What to do? Get a salad kit.

These have helped me tremendously thorugh the year, but more so during the summery heat waves we've been having. The best part is that salad kits come in all sorts of flavors from Caesar to Greek to Thai inspired and Mexican. 

Fresh Express is one of my go to salad kits.Acme's Signature's brand also has some very tasty mixes. Tonight was Thai and Cashews which went perfectly with the main course  - plant based chicken patties . 

This was a fun and yummy mix of sliced carrots, Romaine lettuce, red cabbage and green onions. The crunchy part came from Thai seasoned wonton strips. toasted coconut flakes and cashews. It was topped with a thick and creamy Thai dressing. I just added some olive oil and a tablespoon of vinegat to stretch the dressing.  Their Mexican Style chopped salad, complete with cotija cheese , cheddar tortilla chips and roasted pumpkin seeds is on my radar to try next.Keeo in mind that extras like shredded rotisserie chicken, sliced London broil or shrimp can be added to these salad kits to make them into whole dinners.

There will be more hear waves this summer. Make dinner easier by buying a salad kit. It's an easy side to create  cool and tasty.

New Zealand's Secret Ingredients Sea Salt And Honey

New Zealand is primarily known for amazing landscapes, beautiful beaches and lovable people. What may surprise home chefs is that this country down under is also famed for their sea salt and honey. The company PRI - Pacific Resources International is shedding a bright light on these natural ingredients, making them now known in the States.

This very Kiwi company was actually started by an American transplant in this wondrous land. David Noll, left four decades ago , just with his guitar and surfboard. It was going to be a short stay but he fell for Linda, married her and stayed. He founded Pacific Resources International in 1987. Four years later he introduced Manuka honey to the US. Manuka honey originates from the manuka bush which has healing properties, including antibacterial properties.It also lowers cholesterol as well as treating diabetes and curing sinus, ear and eye infections. .PRI is also known for their sea salt, harvested from the purer waters of the South Pacific.It's different from other salts because after it's been harvested, it washed in brine before it's stacked in large, snowy drifts. They're something of a landmark seen from the Blenheim-Christchurch highway. The company also manufactures all natural potato and sweet potato chips in such delicious flavors as paprika and rosemary and thyme, There is also one flavored with Marlborough sea salt too.

I love this brand! Sea salt is one of my favorite ingredients and what draws me is the texture along with the taste.PRI's flaky sea salt is so light and fluffy, It is heaven on tomatoes, giving the flesh a gentle crunch and a lighter saltiness than other sea salts.It is really the perfect salt to sprinkle on scrambled eggs or a salad and it would definitely be the perfect topping on brownies and on top of fudge frosting. Another favorite is the Mesquite BBQ salt , a perfect marriage of mesquite and the sea salt.I can see this dusting a grilled steak or even chicken.I also love their chipotle BBQ salt. This is a mixture of pure fire with salt and a whiff of sweetness.This is definitely getting added to my chili and sprinkled over chicken patties.  PRI's sweets have also captured my heart. Their Manuka honey caramels are the best caramels ever! They have a dusting of sea salt on them which makes a perfect foil to the honey caramel's creamy sweetness.Their dark chocolate mint and ginger discs are also wonderful snacks, .Flavored honey is enrobed in 99 per cent dark chocolate discs.They'd make the perfect Easter candy , having the extra bonus of the healing honey.

If you're looking for a fantastic sea salt and honey, look no further than PRI. They produce great salts and honey as well as potato chips that are not only good tasting but good for you. They have so many benefits as well as being a bonus addition to any kitchen.