The official Dad’s Recipe Box tasting panel (Dad and Mom) may not have certifiable palates, but we know what we like! Listed here are ingredients we think are exceptional, based on our limited, but serious, sampling. We’ve checked to see if these producers are serious about offering high-quality products and great service when they sell direct-to-consumer. Funny how great products and great service go hand-in-hand, isn’t it? These suppliers have stood the test of time in our kitchen.
Every great meal starts with great ingredients. Grocery shopping these days can be a lot of fun, trying new stores, farmers markets and online alternatives. Go deep in one shopping site or wide and sample many, finding the best for your taste and budget?
We try and buy organic, non-GMO, local, and farm-to-table when we can. But we still rely—and probably always will—on standard, readily available, and reliable brands. In many cases, we find these are actually the best around—and among the least expensive. You may be a “let’s-just-get-it-done” kind of home cook, and that’s great. Your acclaim can come in your recipe selection and process.
We love to support artisanal growers and family-owned suppliers of any product. Here are a few from our Hall of Fame.
- California Olive Ranch — As once and forever Californians, we started using COR 100% California olive oil partly out of loyalty and partly because America’s Test Kitchen rated it at the top of the charts. COR now sells blends of olive oils from across the world, but I still buy their 100% California EVOO exclusively. Why mess with a good thing?
- Clifty Farm (Tennessee) — I came across these folks years ago. Their delicious Tennessee sausage was perfect for gravy and biscuits. Unfortunately for us, Clifty has gotten out of the country sausage business and is now a ham-only operation.
- As a Virginian, I like good ol’ salty Virginia ham. There are still authentic Virginia ham producers, even though the local giant, Smithfield, is now owned by the Chinese. Sad. After a little Googling, it looks like I’m going to have to give Edwards Virginia Smokehouse a try. I’ll let you know what I find out.
- Maytag Dairy Farms — America’s best blue cheese in my book! Cheddar too.
- Fage (fah-yay) Yogurt — best taste hands down with no ingredients that don’t belong. Healthier, too! Now that I’m not so Keto, I still get the full-fat Fage and still love it.
- Nuts.com — I’m a sucker for a family-owned business story. This gem is my go-to source for, of course, nuts, but also raisins and currants, dried cranberries, and yummy snacks. Generally less expensive and fresher than the local groceries, especially when holiday cooking calls for dried fruits and nuts for breads, cookies, etc.
- King Arthur Baking — I am so happy that King Arthur went into the flour business, after all those years in Camelot. And now it’s King Arthur Baking because they have everything you need for, well, baking. I like it that you can find KA flour in every grocery store, although this winter KA apparently had trouble keeping up with demand. It always feels like I’m going to get a fresher product by getting it from the source. Maybe a little naïve? Nonetheless, the reviewers I’ve checked with always put KA flour as the best.
- Bob’s Red Mill — Would love to meet that nice old guy on every Red’s Mill package sometime. Is he still around, do you think? Red’s is a big business now — they have to be to supply every grocery store everywhere. And their product line is so broad, I am suspicious they are actually a subsidiary of Big Flour or someone, but they say they are employee-owned. That’s the best kind of company. You’ve got to like their pitch: Inspiring joy with wholesome foods. Sound like nice folks.
DISCLAIMER
Dad and Mom get no consideration, kickbacks, promotional fees (or free samples, darn it!) from any of these suppliers.