[REVIEW] Nanric Road - Tomato 'N Chilli Mustard

Nanric Road are based in the Bay of Plenty and they make a huge range of condiments. I was given some Tomato N Chilli Mustard as a gift at Christmas.

Jar size: 130gm, glass
Ingredients: Mustard 68%, Vinegar, Honey, Tomato, Chilli
Best Before: 08/08
Refrigerate after opening

I like whole grain mustards as a spread on sandwiches and on BBQ'ed meats, but not obsessed about them, and only occasionally will have it. This jar sat around for at least a month, possibly six weeks before I tried it.

Well was I shocked I assumed it would have just a little chilli burn, wrong. You know there is chilli in this mustard, awesome. Once I had had a taste it was like I was trying to find meals and food where I could add this spread. I was having it every day with lunch and most evening meals. I finished the jar off rather quickly.

If you like mustard and like chilli's you have to give this a go.

It's not a Hot Sauce but a product with chilli in it with burn so it is still worthy for a 8.5/10 Get some, try it.

[REVIEW] HOLA! Mexican

At the weekend on Easter Monday, when everything seemed to be closed, we found that HOLA! Mexican was open in Parnell.

I got a Burrito for takeaway, it came with sides of salsa, guacamole, and jalapeños. It took about 15 mins, and was $3.50 more that Mexicali Fresh but the tortilla seemed fresher, and the shredded beef was nicer, so offered similar value for money. And it did go very well with the new Epic Lager and a lovely evening at the Domain.

[REVIEW] - Chilli & Tomato Sauce by Urban Appetite

I thought I better get started on the reviews of the hot sauces I have been trying. Today I had one that I have a strong opinion of, and it isn't positive.

FROM THE LABEL:

Brand: Urban Appetite
Product: Chilli & Tomato Sauce
Bottle: 250ml

Ingredients: Tomatoes(65%), white vinegar, water, onions, chilli powder (1%), salt, sugar, canola oil, herbs, spices.

Serving Suggestions: Use with barbecued meats or to marinate prawns before grilling. Drizzle over potato wedges and top with sour cream.

Made in New Zealand by Wild Appetite Ltd, 40 Taradale Grove, North Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand

Best Before - 24 Aug 09

I was given this as a gift, as friends and family know I and a chilli head. I was excited to try something new.

Well on the initial try I was seriously underwhelmed , actually to the point of being disappointed.

This tasted like someone had gone into the spice cabinet and pulled out the old herbs and spices and dumped them into some tomato sauce. The focus being on some old chilli powder. It is one dimensional tomato sauce with just a hit of stale chilli powder.

I left is a few weeks and tried it again today, and it is just a poor product to the point I have thrown the 80% full bottle away (recylcing the bottle of course).

The food technologist that created this should be fired, or maybe the marketing/accountants driving the new product specifications should be. It is a shame that most of these products from Wild Appetite are probably given as gifts, especially if this is what you get.

Rating: 1/10 (the one for the fact they used chilli, maybe it should be 0 as it was a sad use of chilli)

(for a poor product I haven't made much effort for a product shot)

[REVIEW] Mexicali Fresh - Nuffield St, Newmarket, Auckland

Last night I went to Mexicali Fresh in Nuffield St, Newmarket, Auckland for dinner. It wasn't my intention to write a review but had a few thoughts on reflection of my experience so figured I'd share them.

Not sure how my review format should be so will keep it simple.

Pro:
Food was good, fresh, and with the "build your own" burrito/tacos (similar to Subway) you get what you like, guacamole cost extra. Service was prompt, efficient and friendly. Prices offer good value for money, $13 for a massive burrito, and you won't be hungry afterwards.

The house salsa on offer is good, even if made from canned tomatoes. The regular salsa has a great coriander flavour, and the hot "111" salsa has a nice smokiness and a decent level of heat. The great thing is you can have as much, self serve, salsa as you want. I went back for a second round with the freshly made corn chips they have.

To the side of the house salsas there are usually 4 or 5 different bottled hot sauces (I didn't get there names as I didn't plan on writing a review at the time, but I believe they are sourced from Dunedin based Mexi Foods). I tried three of them, all having nice flavour, but one Habanero (possible El Yucateco XXX Hot Habanero)sauce had a serious hot hit, I think they were all from Mexico.

Toilets were nice & clean, makes the ladies happy.

Con:
The beer was the worst part of this whole experience. I had a Tecate, and a Dos Equis, both seemed to be within Best Before date, but were majorly oxidized and generally tasted bad, they were cold though. They use to have Epic Pale Ale but stopped stocking it cause they said it had too much flavour. Hopefully they will review their beers, because the selection of Mexican beers they have suit the Mexican theme but totally let the food experience down.

We sat outside because it was a little hot inside and was a lovely warm evening and we could wait the people walk by. There were a number of people outside smoking which was not very nice while eating, but it wasn't the fault of Mexicali Fresh.

Overall:
A very satisfying experience which offered good value and a great selection of hot sauces. I am going to be challenged to find another dinning experience in NZ with the variety of hot sauces on offer. Please please please get some decent beer in. If you want a local craft brewery lager then I suggest Epic Lager.

Mexicali Fresh
http://mexicalifresh.co.nz/

Disclamer: I'm owner of Epic Brewing Company, and an International Beer Judge. Good food needs good beer.