Jolene Thym

2 months ago | mercurynews.com | Jolene Thym

It’s the magic behind perfect pizza, heavenly lasagna and decadent meatballs. Italian sausage is not just delicious. It’s a bite of history that dates back to the Roman Empire during the first century BC. Italian sausage is not complicated: It’s ground meat infused with fennel, garlic, herbs and spices. Sausage recipes vary from region to region in Italy, so it’s hardly surprising to find major differences between brands here, too.

2 months ago | eastbaytimes.com | Jolene Thym

It only takes a little Italian sausage to flavor an entire dish, so the quality of that ingredient is paramount. We taste tested eight brands at local markets to find the best of the bunch - and the duds.

2 months ago | mercurynews.com | Jolene Thym

Cheese and crackers are always a welcome snack, but when you’re on the go, a handful of cheese crackers does the trick, especially the tiny ones that go from box to mouth without crumbs. Our last Taste-Off was all about cheesy party crackers. This time, we munched our way through the kid-friendly cheese cracker section, dipping into everything from Goldfish, Bunnies and Cheddar Whales to mini cracker sandwiches. Note that these styles have distinctly different flavor profiles.

Jan 22, 2025 | mercurynews.com | Jolene Thym

If ever there was a tasting to look forward to — and to return to over and over — it has to be cheese crackers. Salty, tangy, crispy and crunchy, crackers made with cheese are the kind of snack that deserves an invite to every party, anytime, anywhere. On our quest for cheesy deliciousness, we discovered a few issues related to cracker selection. First, be aware that in most cases, crackers that are labeled “cheez” or “cheeze” as opposed to cheese often do not contain cheese at all.

Jan 22, 2025 | eastbaytimes.com | Jolene Thym