Dill Pickle + Chips: Together Again

Dill Pickle chips are such a natural evolution of snacking I can hardly imagine what life was like before them.

Nothing goes better with a pile of smoked meat, dense rye bread and grainy mustard, than a thick, briny dill pickle.  Oh, did I say nothing? I meant nothing EXCEPT for McClure’s Pickles line of Potato Chips.

Photo Courtesy of S. St-Amant

Based out of Detroit and Brooklyn, McClure’s are expert picklers with a gourmet selection of pickles, relishes, a spicy Bloody Mary mix and best of all—chips.  I recently noticed McClure’s at my local farmer’s market and jumped on this bag of Spicy Pickle Crinkle Cut.

While Salt & Vinegar is the typical choice when combating extreme salt cravings, Dill Pickle offers a slightly subdue, creamier and overall more complex flavour profile.  When I'm really looking for a good acidic bite, Dill Pickle is always the clear winner for me.  And now that I've tasted the superior pickle affect of McClures, I can feel Salt & Vinegar forever slipping from my craving repertoire.

Spicy Pickle Goodness

Given that McClure's is solely in the pickle business, it's not shocking that these are the crème de la crème of Dill Pickle chips.  Each thick crinkle cut slice of potato is flawlessly imprinted with a  garlic dill-drenched brine that finishes in a creamy wave of spice.  Imagine homemade pickles but better because it's chips!

The only thing that could have enlightened my McClure's experience would have been a side of Schwarz's.  At least I'll know better for next time.

Sandwich 101

Today at lunch Stu St-Amant  took it way back to those nostalgic days of swamp water and spider dogs with this classic Chip Sandwich.
 

Photograph and Sandwich art by Suart St-Amant

1 Coldcut Trio from Subway: lots of veggies and a generous smattering of Mayo

0 Miss Vickie's Jalapeno Chips: while thinner chips have a tendency to become soggy in a sandwich situation, Miss.Vickie's kettle-style are thick enough to actually enhance texture. And, Stu's apt flavour selection makes this combo ideal.

1 Eat: nom nom nom nom



* Note: Regular Ruffles are the true classic chip sandwich option, but it's 2011, progress is OK. 

Lions and Tigers and Lay's? Oh My!

Check out this 1960's Lay's commercial featuring the legendary Cowardly Lion, Bert Lahr.

Great flashback, but maybe Lay's should consider rejuvenating their marketing campaign.

Early Late July Treat

Late July Organic Snacks Mild Green Mojo & Seas Salt by the Seashore

I know that the whole point of eating chips is to enjoy something delicious.  Typically I don't like to see my chips turned healthy.  It's a fried potato hopefully coated in salt and maybe even some cheese.  

So, when I was handed a bag of Late July Organic Snacks, I was pretty skeptical.

To my absolute surprise, these healthy chips were good.  Actually, they were really good--I could have eaten the whole bag good.

Of the two flavours I tried, Sea Salt by the Seashore was a little underwhelming  and maybe even dry, but the Mild Green Mojo were shockingly flavourful and I would definitely buy a bag in the future.

Late July are an organic snack company from the founders of Cape Cod Potato Chips, Inc. Representing a perfect chip crunch and appropriately salty taste, these snacks also boast many more great attributes:

Organic, Certified Gluten Free, 100% Whole Grains, Non-GMO, No Trans Fats, No Artificial Flavours/Colours/Preservatives... and just in case you were doubting the goodness here, 10% of profits are donated to the ACA Send a Child to Camp Fund.

Dude, Duh!

If you're feeling like a greasy heavy chip like a thick Ruffle or Zesty Doritos, this is not your choice.  But, if you want a lighter, fairly salted, chip-like treat, Late July Organic Snacks are waiting for you year-round.

Sow Some Chip Seeds

I would plant a forest and become a lumberjack if chips grew on trees.

Poteki by Kazuhito Ishida

Burn Your Face Off Doritos

There are so many great Doritos ideas floating around the chip-o-sphere from reclaimed vintage packaging to Taco Bell Doritos shells.

While ingenuity is aplenty, the only real problem between me and Doritos is availability.  Specifically, Canadian availability.

So, when I actually saw the Doritos 1st Degree, Blazin' Jalapeno and  2nd Degree Fiery Buffalo Burn at the store near my house, a flavour I assumed was only to grace other Doritos-rich countries, I pounced. 

First off, I should qualify my tolerance for spicy foods--I like them.  I always get hot wings, I get spicy rotis hot enough to make anyone's nose run at my favourite Indian shop and always put extra horseradish and Tobasco in my caesars.

Starting out "mild" with the Blazin' Jalapeno I thought I would be underwhelmed.  Tame in colour and odour,  I wasn't really expecting a huge level of heat.  The burn didn't register upon first bite, but slowly began to build... and build.  Minutes later, I found myself trying to quelch the temperatures with a glass of water.

Although pretty spicy, the jalapeno flavour comes to the forefront of these Doritos making the overall experience deliciously hot and still a bit cheesy.

Climbing the thermometer, Fiery Buffalo really gave me something to work on.  These chips are HOT.  Coated in a red-orange seasoning that screams "spicy spicy" you should have a glass of milk nearby when you are attempting to extinguish a bag of these.

It honestly took me the entire day to get through a small bag because I could only handle one chip at a time and ended up coughing after every bite and chasing it with a drink.

I found the Buffalo chips had an overpowering vinegar aftershock that really took my breath away and held me back from being able to slam the bag.  Not really a good characteristic for someone who typically puts away a full-sized bag with much delight.

Given the temperature of these chips, I probably wouldn't crave them on a regular basis, but I think they would make a perfect addition to any good Chip Salad. 

To answer the obvious burning question, yes there is a 3rd Degree but I haven't found it.  After my experience with these two, I'm not sure if I could take it.

All Good In Da Hood

I'm not sure how the bit about "Marriage" or the "Power Within Us"  actually makes you a Homegirl?  But I want to be Maria.

Get Your Paws On This

A nice chipporter (chip supporter) pal brought me a bag of these today.

Cheetos Horneados: Chester giving his best Mowgli look

Throughout my long history of chip consumption,  I have only really sat down with regular Cheetos, the limited edition Paws from the 90's and those other witch-finger-like Crunchy Cheetos.  Though all delicious (please see Ode to Cheezies  for affirmation) I was very excited to taste the Horneados.

Basically Horneados are Original Cheezies but instead of the finger-licking cheese flavouring, they taste more like plain corn puffs with a nice dusting of salt.  Texturally, Horneados are also a bit foamier than their Cheezie brethren, a characteristic that makes them highly addictive.

You start out with the initial crunch needed from any good chip snack, but then the corn flavour really comes to the forefront and the Horneado merely becomes a salty extension of your tongue.

Horneados Bliss

Be prepared to have Horneados melting in your mouth just as fast as you can get them in there. FYI: That's a good thing.

Wash Your Mouth Out With DORITOS

I am really frustrated by people who site bad breath as a reason for not eating Doritos.  Finally, there is a solution...

Not only does this resolve the bad breath issue, but for those who wish every meal could taste like chips--wish no-longer. 

Rinse down that steamed spinach with some Scope Doritos and I'm sure you'll feel like you've eaten a bag of chips instead. 

Long Distance Chip Affair

Chips are certainly the international language of love, even for those missing their front teeth.

It doesn't need to make sense--it's love.

Mother of all Onion Rings

Just to quickly reiterate, I cried a solid 3 tissue box sadness over not placing in the top 14 for the Doritos Write the End contest.

Last week the ultimate winner (Melanie) was announced.  Her ending features the mother of the Flavour Master who wheelchair's into the scene and destroys Wings N' Ranch maker with her old lady powers.

Without giving away too much of the ending, I'll just say that I'm giving out huge points for the presence of the mouth-breathing laser beam.

Flavour Master's Mother: Doritos Onion Rings N' Ketchup

Check out the full commercial below

If you're still as sad as I am, just try shoving your mouth full of Doritos.

Corn Crunch Original

Another great Canadian chip to discuss today, Corn Crunch by Club Supreme in Quebec.  I actually found these chips at the U CARWACS Show back in March, and was immediately excited by their woven triangle appearance and Pringles-like canister packaging.

Looking like a woven 3D Dorito and tasting like a fluffier Bugle hybrid of sorts, Corn Crunch are a new chip experience for me.

Corn Crunch Original: Up Close

The super friendly rep at the Corn Crunch booth gave me Original and BBQ flavours to check out.  Both started out on a sweet note and finished salty--just the way I like my sweets.

Certainly crunchy, there is also an airy puff-like quality to the Corn Crunch that minimizes roof-of-mouth injury and increases overall consumption.

 
WARNING: Once you open the can you may want to startshovelling them into your mouth handful at a time.  Don't worry, I won't judge you.

Love Lost, But Not Forgotten: Doritos

Dear Friends,

After so much of your devoted voting and tolerance toward my incessant contest rantings, I regret to inform you that I have NOT been chosen as one of the 14 finalists.

even Dawson is sad for me

Here's the Good news though...

Doritos Lining

...There are still some pretty cool entries.

In alignment with my original ending decision, I am now just hoping that Buffalo Wings N' Ranch are indeed destroyed. Not only are Onion Rings N' Ketchup the superior flavour, but they are backed by the coolest endings.

Don't believe me?  You can re-watch the commercial here and scroll over the sides of the player to activate the finalists endings.

Yes, I bow out to you Doritos top 14 and hope that the ultimate winner takes their role in the Doritos Think Tank as seriously as I would have.

Chip Flix

Yes, like "chick flicks" only they won't make you hate Hugh Grant.

Chip Flix

Made in Canada with no trans fat, I tried the Salt & Vinegar flavour and was pleasantly surprised.  Chip Flix are easily comparable to Lay's in both flavour and texture. 

Given their oddly humours name, budget 80's packaging and doppelganger Lay's taste profile, if these chips were a movie they would be Twins (1988) with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.

Chip Flix Twins

That about sums it up.

Hickory Sticks Easter Nest

Easter is one of those amazing holidays where you are encouraged to just eat.  Amidst all the cream eggs and jelly beans, there isn't a real place for chips in the Easter festivities.... until now that is.

Introducing the Hickory Stick Easter Nest.

A combination of Hickory Sticks, Marshmallows, Butter and Bran cereal and your favourite Easter garnish, make this nest the perfect vessel for chips.

Simply combine on low heat:
3 TBSP Butter
3 Cups of Mini Marshmallows

Remove from heat and stir in:
2 Cups Hickory Sticks
1 Cup Bran Cereal

Mold the mixture into muffin tins and press down the centre with a spoon or your thumb to make a nest-like grove.  Finally, sprinkle additional Hickory Sticks on the inside of your nest and add desired nest-dwellers.  *MiniEggs shown here, though Peeps or Cream Eggs would also be suitable.

Look out Cadbury, Salty is taking over!

Sun Chips New Release(s)

I'm not sure how I let this hot gossip pass by, but not only does Sun Chips have a new flavour--Jalapeno Jack, but they actually redesigned their Bio-bags to atone for the noise.

 I haven't come across the Jalapeno flavour in stores yet, but will grab a bag as soon as I do.  As for the quieter design, way to go Sun Chips.  Now I can gluttonously pile up bags in my cart without anyone hearing me.

Check out this video to hear the difference and learn a bit about composting too:

Still compostable and probably still delicious.  This really put the sun into my day!

Boulder Canyon Natural Foods

 Boulder Canyon: Spinach & Artichoke Profile
 

Boulder Canyon Natural Foods: Spinach & Artichoke, Malt Vinegar & Sea Salt and Totally Natural

I love casually exploring the chip isle of Big Box grocery stores.  Of course you're always going to be confronted with typical chip fare, but if you look hard you can really find some gems.

Take this afternoon for instance, when I stumbled across the Boulder Canyon chips in the above 3 flavours.  Cuddled up to Kettle Brand, a more familiar bag in my repertoire, I almost passed these similarly packaged chips by.

Initially I was drawn to the Spinach & Artichoke because of its innovative flavour concept. According to the back of the bag, Boulder Chips started in 1994 uusing a family recipe.  They produce in small batches and have that Kettle-y kind of vibe to them.  All that really matters though, is that these chips are seriously delicious.

Not only is this totally new flavour a great idea, but the execution is perfect. Unlike some of the more disappointing chip trends (read Late Night All Nighter Cheeseburger) that are more about shock value than real taste, Boulder balances the saltiness of the potato and spinach with the creamier, sweeter notes of the artichoke and adds a hint of Parmesan for balance.  It`s basically just like having a regular kettle chip in a creamy spinach/artichoke dip.

One more rave-worthy highlight is the bit-sized potato portions and ideal crunch texture used by Boulder Chips.  Although I have compared them to Kettle chips here a lot, it is important to note that Boulder Chips are thinner and less jaw-jarring than their Kettle counterpart.

Diagnosis, delicious.  I encourage everyone to get the boulder rolling and find a bag of these chips.

Hello Ringolos

Ringolos 

 

 

 

 

It's not every day that you are able to enjoy a bag of Ringolos.  Luckily, today was just that special kind of day for me. 

Ring Hands

My consumption technique consists of putting a Ring on each finger and then crunching it off. 

Two-at-a-time Technique

I think these are probably one of my all time favourtie BBQ-flavoured snacks.  I usually eat two Rings at a time (shown here) to maximize crunch and flavour profiles. 

Humpty Dumpty, this is the best snack you make.  Thanks for getting me through this Tuesday.

*NOTE: Ringolos are not considered jewellery, but if used in a proposal to me, I'd say yes.

Spoonachos: Chip Cuttlery

This new nacho design concept by Denis Bostandzic combines the spoon and the nacho to make Spoonachos.

By taking the tortilla chip and turning it into a spoon we can reduce our environmental footprint and eliminate the need for wasteful plastic or metal-based utensils.  Not to mention, we can all start eating a lot more chips.

The world is good. 

All Kinds of Happy

My friend Justin, one of the founders of LAUNCH energy gum, has invited me to attend The Convenience U CARWACS Show in Toronto this week.

The trade show is a gathering of convenience, gas and car wash retailers/operators who are looking for innovations in equipment and products from national and international suppliers.

To break this down into proper Chipscourse, this means lots of chip companies will be promoting new flavours, ideas and products, and ideally, will be giving out tons of samples.

Luckily, Justin knows how much I love chips and has scored me a pass to U CARWACS.

I'm as happy as...

a kid in a candy shop,

a pig in shit,

a fat kid at McDonalds

For the record, I am preparing a backpack and lining my pockets with ziplock baggies.

Full review coming soon!

Trick Question

Q: What do you do when all your friends go on a really fun ski trip, but you twisted your ankle a few weeks ago so you have to sit around the chalet all day?

A: EAT CHIPS!

Even better: after you're done eating a poutine, use chips to sop up the curd-gravy leftovers.

It's easy to slip off into depression while all your friends are out enjoying the cool mountain air and you are stuck inside with your icy thoughts.  In times like these, chips have always been there for me.  Luckily, this weekend was no different as I turned to chips to fill the lonely indoor hours.

Not skiing has never tasted so good.

Ode to Cheezies

I ate a bag of Cheezies today and squeezed all the perfect puffs against the roof of my mouth letting the cheese flavour disintegrate on my tongue and in my heart. 

Then I wrote a love letter. 

Japanachips

If I had another blog it would probably be dedicated to hilarious Japanese translations.  Combine this with chips?  Yup that's even funnier.

From Calbee, the same chip creators of  the Hot & Spicy chips reveiwed on Jan 11, there is nothing more to love about this company. 

Wish List

It is with heavy heart that I embark on this blog post as I am currently in the midst of a 12 day cleanse. No, it's not a chip only cleanse.  It's pretty much the opposite.

So, in the name of therapy or some kind of darker masochistic purpose, here is a list of all the things I wish I could eat right now:

rootbeer nacho doritios  hickory sticks bits n bites meatball sandwiches cheesey bread sticks hot lips regular ruffles cheese puffs onion rings poutine walnut cakes nerds those licorice cables with white sugar
in the middle swiss cheese ringalso  pecorion spaghetti ravioli ricotta red wine whiskey double thick
cheddar ruffles smarftood sweet n salty munchie mix boiled hotdogs with new england-style buns
pretzels sun chips jube jubes jelly beans sour patch kids skittles zero chocolate bar onion rings
n' ketchup doritos mint aero candy corn butter fingers pretzel m&m tootsie rolls hershey
kisses winegums licorice allsorts red velvet cupcakes cheese curds york peppermint
paddies cheese strings bagel  chips duggans 9 grilled cheese with processed kraft
singles cool ranch doritos chocolate milk cappuccinos strawberry jam sour
cream n bacon ruffles peanut m&m  croissants gravyrhubarb pie soy
sauce crispy crunch jolly ranchers  sweettarts poopeye cigarettes
frozen yogurt with gummie bears peanut butter
cookies macaroons  bacon stuffing pop
rocks bubble tape oatmeal stout
wasabi peas tostitos with
melty cheese and
sourcream
cheesies
tacos
nibs.

Dorito Dreams

As soon as I caught wind of the new Doritos contest I was all over it, like myself on a bag of chips.

Here's the deal.  Doritos has made most of a commercial presenting two new chip flavours--Chicken Wings N' Ranch and Onion Rings N' Ketchup. Like all things Doritos, the ad wavers between kitsch and pop culture. 

 

Doritos-The End

Contestants must write an ending to this cyber chip quest and be voted into the top 14 to be considered for the grand prize.  Although Doritos has put out some hugely viral competitions in the past (such as the Spice 2.0 video winners), there have never been such incredible prizes.

First of all, the winner has the honor of declaring which flavor will be banished and which will take to the shelves.  Then there is the mere 25 000$ prize lot, plus 1% of the winning chips sales.  Finally, and here is the creamy dip side-order to this whole contest, the winner will also become the first member of Doritos Think Tank, granting them the opportunity to provide feedback on upcoming projects.

This is the real deal Golden Ticket to the Willy Wonka factory and I am that annoying fat girl  Violet Beauregarde, who blows up into a giant blueberryafter snatching up the chewing gum that makes you feel like you've eatien a 3 course meal.

Someone is going to have to send in the Oompa-Loompas, because I will definitely need to be rolled out of the Think Tank.

To little astonishment, I have created an ending worthy of the Doritos contest and am desperate to win.  Please visit  THIS link to read and vote for my ending.

Chip Art

Champion chip artist Emma Minigan has captured the meaning of life in one glorious sketch.

 

May this union be forever honored.  Thanks Emma!

Nacho Crunch Burrito

This exists.

Finally.  Equally pleased to see that Taco Bell is not going all Double Down on this one and has opted for reduced fat sour cream.  This makes a huge difference when I'm counting cals. and eating chip-filled burritos.

Cap'n Cheesy Squares

Almost everything can be made better by chips, especially when you're talking about Doritos.

To prove my point, I introduce Cap'n Cheesy Squares.  The ultimate combination of sweet and savoury, this dessert combines everything good in the world.

Ingredients:
Butter  3 TBSPs
Mini Marshmallows  4 Cups (or 10oz package, about 40 big marshmallows)
Cap'n Crunch Cereal  5 Cups
Doritos Nacho Cheese  1 Cup Crushed


1. Over medium heat, melt butter in a large saucepan. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted together and silky in texture. Remove saucepan mixture from heat.

2. Add Cap'n Crunch Cereal and crushed Doritos.

3. Stir until well coated.

4. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch non-stick pan. Cool and cut the Cap'n Cheesy Squares into preferred square shape.

I'd like to thank marshmallows, Cap'n Crunch, butter, Doritos, God and all the brave guinea pigs in this photo who not only consumed this cheesy dessert, but managed to share equally in my love for chips.

I'll Take a Potato Chip - And Eat It

Ancient manga words to live and die by.

Roast Chicken VS Fries 'n Gravy

I walk into the convenience store today and find not one, but TWO new flavours from Lay's staring back at me.  This is a no-brainer in my chiposphere.  I procure both bags and run home before I drool all over the lotto tickets waiting to be validated by the cashier.

Before even tackling these flavour profiles, I should first address the style of Lay's chips.  Unlike the average Ruffle chip, Lays are a much thinner, typically non-rippled, almost transparent chip.  You know that episode of The Simpsons when Homer is trying to get fatter so he can go on disability?

Dr. Nick: Instead of making sandwiches with bread, use pop tarts. Instead of chewing gum, chew bacon.
Bart: You could brush your teeth with milkshakes.
Dr. Nick: Hey, did you go to Hollywood Upstairs Medical College too?

And explains how to determine if a food is fatty enough:  "If you can see through it, that's your window to weight gain!" Then, Bart rubs a fish sandwich against an opaque window, turns it clear with grease and a bird flies into it.

This is what I think of every time I go for Lay's.  A thin, oily little chip that looks like the "window to weight gain". They are basically the MacDonald's of chips--though crave-worthy, you leave with a greasy chipgloss around your mouth.

Now onto Chicken Dinner VS Fries 'n Gravy...

Round 1: Concept
In response to Doritos loud Late Night flavours, Lay's seems to have rustled up this beige meal.  There is no mystery behind the idea here.  Chicken dinner in a bag. 

Round 2: Taste
Keeping with predictability, Roast Chicken tastes just like a home-cooked roasted chicken.  Complete with  thick herb and rosemary notes and a salty dark gravy aftertaste, this chip is not short on seasoning.

Acting as a perfect side for the Roast Chicken main course, Fries 'n Gravy are essentially regular Lay's coated in brown ClubHouse gravy powder.  The only redeeming aspect is that fries and chips are both potatoes, so the gravy idea isn't too obscure.

Together these chips mimic a typical Quebecois dinner.  All that's missing is white Wonder Bread  and discoloured canned peas folded in with the chicken, fries and gravy. 

Round 3: TKO
After beige packaging, beige chips and 3x your daily salt intake, the new Lay's flavours will knock you out faster than if fat Homer sat on your chest and put his fat man hat over your mouth and nose.  If you can make it back into the ring after this, I applaud your resilience and fear for your palate.

Winner: Fries 'n Gravy
While Roast Chicken took a while to warm up to, Fries 'n Gravy started out with a strong believable potato seasoning.  Both contenders dealt some low blows, exhibiting excessive salt and grease in each corner of the ring.  Ultimately, finishing with a distinct gravy taste and minimal bellyache, Fries 'n Gravy advances as the winner of this lightweight match-up.

Smart Idea

Had this brilliant idea the other night while enjoying some of my favorite chip-like snacks.

I call it The Smart Boat.

Tostitos Scoop's form the hull of this vessel.  Your favorite dip (creamy artichoke shown here) should be spread next acting as the interior.

Then, Smartfood is poured inside, acting as the PFD for this salty sea-faring ship.

Be forewarned, the Smart Boat is so delicious you may need the supervision of a lifeguard to save you from going overboard.