Tips and Thoughts from Judi

Paprika in its raw form, such as is found in Univer paprika products, naturally contains Vitamin C.  Just one teaspoon of Red Gold Mild has 2% of Vitamin C, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Sautéing vegetables?  Add a tablespoon of the Red Gold or the Goulash Cream.  Pick the heat level you want.  Both products add fabulous flavor and a rich color that is visually appealing.  I always cook with onions and bell peppers, and a little Red Gold or Goulash Cream is the next thing I add to the butter or oil before I begin to cook the veggies.

Garlic Cream is the first thing I reach for.  This beautiful white cream is my staple garlic and I use it in nearly all my savory dishes.  Stews, sauces, anyplace I would use garlic cloves, I use Garlic Cream instead.  Add it to the oil along with Red Gold or Goulash Cream before sautéing.  Use it in dips, salad dressings, etc.

Of course, fresh garlic bread is a snap.  Mix Garlic Cream with butter, spread on the bread and top with Parmesan cheese.  Another tip is to baste clean, dry potatoes with the Cream, then bake as you normally do.  Or, mix in with mashed potatoes for instant Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

Add a dollop of Red Gold or Goulash Cream to stews, gravies and sauces.  I use it in both red and white pasta sauces, as well as in our scrambled eggs.

When making pasta, cook according to package directions and drain well.  Squeeze some Red Gold or Goulash Cream onto the pasta and stir to coat. Gives the pasta great flavor and a very creamy texture.  Serve the pasta as you usually do, with the sauce of your choice.

Outdoor activities are made easier with Univer condiments.  I think these products are richer than their counterparts, but the real beauty is the convenience.  Packed in the cooler, they take less space and the more you use, the less space they take!  Univer's unique tube packaging not only keeps the products fresher, but frees up premium space in coolers, small refrigerators and backpacks.  However, the taste is so good and fresh, we use the mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard for everyday.  And a roast beef sandwich just cries out for Mayonnaise with Horseradish spread thickly on the bread!

Univer Horseradish with Vinegar is perfect for those who love the taste of horseradish, but don't like the 'sinusy' bite it has.  Now you can eat plenty of it, and even the little kids seem to enjoy the flavor.  Here's a tip - take celery sticks or crackers and spread them with equal parts of peanut butter and Horseradish with Vinegar.  Sounds crazy, but we call these Colorado Nachos and I serve them at just about every gathering!

Of course, Horseradish with Vinegar is superb with beef.  Spread it on when the steak is hot off the grill while it is still resting.  I've even put it on the meat before grilling.  You can do this with any meats.  The other use I have found for this product is to add just a hint to coleslaw and potato salad, especially if they are store-bought.  It really brightens up the flavors.  And Horseradish with Vinegar mixed with Ketchup makes the perfect seafood sauce.

Bland rice benefits from Red Gold, Goulash Cream and of course, Sweet Ann.  Add a tablespoon of Sweet Ann to a couple cups of cooked rice, and it really perks up the flavor.  Or, just add it to the cooking water.

Sweet Ann and Strong Steven are raw, ground paprika products with intense paprika flavor.  A lot U.S. paprika powder comes from New Mexico peppers, and has been altered to diminish flavor so that it can be used as a coloring agent.  When you see a product that says something like, 'coloring added', it's often dried paprika.  Real paprika has a very distinct taste.  Strong Steven is very hot, and Sweet Ann is mild. Both have bits of raw paprika that create a very attractive presentation.

Don't worry about using the paprika products in uncooked dishes, such as dips and sauces.  They taste great mixed with sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise and yogurt.  For more combinations and ideas, please look under "Recipes".

I always add some Univer to ground meat when I am making hamburgers, meatloaf and meatballs.  Add a little Goulash Cream and some Garlic Cream right into the meat and mix well.  Experiment with Strong Steven and the Red Golds, too.

Fried chicken?  We like ours battered and dipped in breadcrumbs.  I add Strong Steven to the egg batter. I t doesn't make the chicken hot, but does boost the flavor.  This works with pork chops, too.