Suzie the Foodie’s List of Top Products from 2011

Please Note: If you have a product you want me to try, just email me and let’s talk about it! I must warn you that I am super picky and honest about how I feel. If that doesn’t scare you off, I would love to hear from you!

Over the year I have been so lucky to try many products that would normally never cross my path. I had so many that made my “top product” list for 2011 that I had to choose more than 10. Tomorrow I will be sharing the “honourable mentions,” as well as the worst products of 2011.

I have not officially reviewed the Brod and Taylor Folding Proofer because I am still testing it but so far I am super impressed. Not only that, they have the best and most helpful customer service I have ever experienced. It earned its nickname that my sister Shannon came up with (the “poofer”) when I made their Country Wheat Sandwich Bread. More on this product soon!

PRODUCT NUMBER 13

The President’s Choice 6 – Mushroom Medley Ultra-Thin Crust Flammekueche. I have bought these since officially testing them and still love them! A very thin, super light pizza filled with mushroom flavour, a tasty creamy sauce and emmental cheese. You will need a side salad and smoothie to make it a complete meal because it is so thin but for a weekend treat? We love this pizza!

PRODUCT NUMBER 12

The GreenPan Bali Series Frying Pans have continued to impress me. I listened to my sister Jamie‘s warning about them (that they can get worn out) so I have made sure to keep the temperature not super-high and always hand wash them. I can see them getting a little worn but overall, I have been thrilled to have a pan that is so easy to cook eggs in that is not your traditional teflon pan.

PRODUCT NUMBER 11

Tre Stella was kind enough to send me a beautiful cheese platter with cutlery and lots of coupons for me to try their products, asking for nothing in return. As a result, I have been ranting and raving about their mascarpone cheese ever since! And their light ricotta made fabulous giant pasta shell filling. I keep going back to their mascarpone cheese though, what a dream come true. I have added it to just about everything and it has made each foodie treat better! From sweet to savoury, Tre Stella’s mascarpone cheese impressed the hell out of me.

PRODUCT NUMBER 9

President’s Choice Black Label Quebec Wild Blueberry Fruit Spread is divine. Not too-cooked down, not too-raw tasting… It is downright perfect. I did not know there was “bad jam” until I bought some recently and that has given me even more perspective on what a perfect jam tastes like. This is it!

PRODUCT NUMBER 8

Mairlyn Smith’s Cookbook Healthy Starts Here was confusing to me at first because I did not realize it is all about how to add super foods to your diet (I thought it was just a healthy cooking cookbook but it is so much more). What was perfectly clear to me is all the recipes I tried from the cookbook rocked. She clearly loves tasty food and can make lighter versions of just about everything (including cookies) without sacrificing flavour. That is my kind of cookbook! Perfect for those looking to eat healthier in 2012, you can find it on Amazon here.

PRODUCT NUMBER 7

I bought this Halloween Skull Dip Bowl at Home Sense in October and it is one of the coolest kitchen items I have come across in a while. Actually Home Sense is my absolute favourite place to go to buy some kitchen Halloween treats. Like this skull, they are always high quality and impressive. This is a personal favourite item I bought last year that makes me smile.

PRODUCT NUMBER 6

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pielets

Martha Stewart’s New Pies and Tarts: 150 Recipes for Old-Fashioned and Modern Favorites is an important book for pie-makers and dreamers to have. I made several different kinds of pies from the book and even though some of them drove me crazy with their intricacies, they were always delicious. There are also traditional pies in there so if you want to really learn about pie making from the beginning and you do not mind a bit of work, this could be the book for you. If you are bored of typical pies and want to try new things, this cookbook is definitely calling your name. This is a treasure in my cookbook collection.

PRODUCT NUMBER 5

Bitchin Kitchen Cookbook is such a departure from regular cookbooks, what a breath of fresh rockin’ foodie air! Edgy, hysterical and downright delicious, this is my favourite cookbook of 2011. It is not for everyone though! If you hate swearing, nudity and rude behaviour you will despise this book. Me? It was exactly what I was looking for. Something fun, fresh and rebellious. Nadia G. is a personal hero of mine and her recipes were fantastic. If she is a hero of yours too, you have to get Bitchin’ Kitchen Cookbook: Rock Your Kitchen–And Let the Boys Clean Up the Mess.

PRODUCT NUMBER 3

Danone Oikos was kind enough to send me coupons to try their Greek yogurt products and I fell in love with their Vanilla Greek Yogurt. Super thick, creamy, stunning vanilla flavour, I love, LOVE, LOVE this product! I thin it with juice to turn it into a sauce for my fruit salad, I put it in my smoothies and I just love to eat it period. I buy this all the time. All the time! It is always in my fridge. I really believe in this product and the quality of the yogurt is the best I have ever had. Worth the little extra money, I never let any go to waste.

President’s Choice Decaffeinated Dulce De Leche Flavoured Ground Coffee is the coffee product I have been waiting for. It smells like toffee and when you brew it, there seems to be a hint of hazelnut. It tastes as good as it smells which is never the case with coffee. A high quality dessert decaf coffee is not something I come across very often. It was not at my store a few weeks ago but I spotted it there the other day and did a little dance! I have been rationing my bag throughout the holidays, not wanting to run out. Hopefully they will keep selling this products because I will buy it. ALWAYS!

PRODUCT NUMBER 1

I am almost sad to say that the product that impressed me the most in 2011 is President’s Choice Black Label Truffle Aioli because I just confirmed with my store that they do not carry it! Oh so very sad for me! Right before my original bottle’s expiry date came up I discovered it is a fabulous replacement for Hollandaise sauce so you could use it for brunch. I wanted to make a west coast version of Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, one of my favourite treats in the world. I have been to another Superstore and they do not have it either!

Oh well. I guess my favourite product of 2011 is going to remain a lovely delicious foodie memory.

I would love to hear your favourite product of the last year! What did you pick up that rocked your foodie world?! And make sure to come by tomorrow for my list of the worst stuff I ate last year!