Whole Foods Mergeza Lamb Sausages

I do love Whole Foods. Where else can one find eggs from New Zealand and octopus salad? I like to spend a lot of time in the meat and poultry section during my Whole Foods treks. I am always looking for something new and exciting. Food makes me wildly happy and shopping for food rates up there with shoes.  Last week I discovered the lamb Mergeza sausage.  The Mergeza sausage is typically a spicy, red sausage made from mutton, lamb, beef, or a mixture seasoned with chili pepper or harissa, sumac, fennel, and garlic stuffed into a lamb intestine casing. The Whole Foods Mergeza is made from just lamb and spices.

At first glance they looked a lot like chorizo which is one of my favorite childhood flavors. My digestive system however would prefer the spicy flavor of the chorizo to stay in my childhood where it belongs. I am not a huge lamb fan unless the lamb has been seasoned so well that it doesn't taste like lamb. Needless to say I took my first bite with a wee bit of hesitation.

 My taste buds were met with what at first tasted a bit like chorizo but with half the heat. I could taste the harissa immediately. As I continued to chew I was met with the strong gamey flavor of lamb. Gaminess is a huge obstacle for me. I have a typical American palate that can't quite handle strong flavors in meat. I have found ways to get around this problem when preparing liver pate and other lamb dishes. The gaminess of these sausages is too strong for me. Shame really as they probably would have been tastier had they been spicier. I had them with eggs and they distorted the taste of the eggs as well. My husband however loved them.  If you enjoy strong flavors in meat and a little heat Whole Foods' Lamb Mergueza sausages would be a wonderful addition to your breakfast menu.

Temecula Olive Oil Company

Raise your hand if you like drinking olive oil shots? You don't? Really. Why not? Oh, it's because you have never had olive oil good enough to drink. Shame. Most people have that problem. I did, dear reader, I did. When I visited the Temecula Olive Oil company several months ago the thought of taking a gulp of plain olive oil was anything but attractive. Being the adventurous type and surrounded by my wine drinking buddies I had to try. I am the wine drinking buddy wrangler and had managed to watch my friends drink who knows how many glasses of wine over one weekend in the Temecula Wine Country. I felt left out. So when we ventured into Temecula Olive Oil I had to... well.. drink something.. you know to prove my womanhood or something like that. I discovered in that first sip of pure olive oil that olives are truly amazing little fruits that can produce smooth flavorful oils that don't have a bitter aftertaste.

Keep in mind that the olives used are all California grown and the balsamic is made in house. Everything is fresh and delicious.  I left that first day with a very large and heavy bag of oil and vinegar and big huge happy grin on my face. Because you know stuff like olive oil makes me all twitterpated and giddy.

Since that fateful afternoon we have been back three times. Today we were fortunate enough to try the Temecula Valley blend and the Pecante Pepper. The Temecula Valley blend is very earthy with a hint of heat. This oil is produced from the winter harvest and has very different qualities from your typical olive oil. The Pecante Pepper is made with crushed jalapeno peppers. When I first tried it I assumed I was in for something hot and painful. Instead I was met with the crisp taste of green bell pepper followed by a little heat. The lovely lady who served us our oil suggested the Pecante for coleslaw. I adore cabbage and slaws so I had to bring the Pecante home. We also purchased the Rotture di Oro based on the recommendation of our daughter. The Rotture has a excellent herby finish. It is how olive oil should taste.  I can't wait to use these amazing oils on my salads and warm vegetables.

We also brought home some of the amazing Vanilla/Fig balsamic and my personal favorite the California Honey. I use the vinegars on all my salads and I even use the California honey when I make meringue.

Today's purchases...

You can purchase these and many other incredible olive oils from the Temecula Olive Oil Company at  http://www.temeculaoliveoil.com/. They ship all over and are well worth the price. If you join their club you get 10% off every time you order and will receive olive oil shipments to your home four times a year.  I finally joined and can't wait for my first box to arrive.

They also make amazing soap!!