10 Foods That We Think Should Come in a Tub
When I learned that Nutella came in a tub, my worldview changed. Of course, there was the brilliant reality of all the Nutella all the time, but beyond that, it got me thinking about the other foods that rock my kitchen (and my life) that come in small packages. And so herein lies my list of 10 amazing foods that should come in a tub. Food folks, I'm counting on you.
Me's Way Chili Sauce
A bit different from your standard chili crisp, this combination of oil, fish sauce, sugar, chili pepper and garlic is a five-way punch of salty, sweet, spicy, garlicky, and deep umami. It elevates everything it touches, from sauces to stir-fries, including surprising things like caramel or vanilla ice cream. So even their large jar disappears fast. Tub it up, Me's Way!
Soom Tahini
I thought I wasn't a huge fan of tahini before I found this brand, often feeling like other brands I had tried were bitter, grainy, or impossible to re-blend once separated. When I was introduced to Soom, though, it was like the angels began to sing and now I am all in on everything tahini. From hummus to salad dressing to tahini mousse and ice cream, tahini sneaks its way into every hour of the day and every stage of a meal. Now if only it came in a tub...
Les Moulins Mahjoub Artichoke Spread
This artichoke spread is one of my longtime secret weapons in the pantry. It's great with crostini or cheeses for appetizers and it's the perfect base for tartines or sandwiches, but you can also make instant pasta by just stirring the spread into cooked noodles. An open jar is an empty jar, so a tub would be super helpful.
Kewpie Deep Roasted Sesame Dressing
I was late to the game on this salad dressing, which apparently has a cult following, but I am so glad I know about it now! The rich nutty flavor is terrific with any kind of green vegetables—cold, room temp, or hot. It makes salads fun and creates an instant and unusual cole slaw. I also love it drizzled over fish.
Torku Bitter Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
If you are a fan of Nutella, which does, as we know, come in a giant tub if you need one (spoiler: you need one) you will love this Turkish version made with bittersweet chocolate. Just a bit more grown up and elegant than the original Italian standby, it isn't too sweet and is completely addictive. Needs the tub treatment immediately!
Braswell's Select Balsamic Sweet Onion Jam
This unusual and delicious confiture has been in my pantry for over a decade. Sweet and tart, it is the ideal accompaniment to meats and poultry, makes a killer glaze for oily fishes like salmon, or can zhuzh up a charcuterie plate or cheese platter. It is also weirdly amazing with peanut butter (try before you wrinkle your nose up). And while I do yearn for this fantastic condiment in a tub, I love that the current version comes in European glassware!
Urbani Truffle Butter
Good quality truffle butter is one of those things that just makes everything it touches magical. Toss with pasta for instant fancy. Melt and drizzle on any vegetable. Put a slice on a steak or spread on bread for sandwiches. But if it came in a tub? I might go deeper, using it as the butter in biscuits, savory pie crust, or puff pastry. You see why it needs tubbing up, right?
Pariani Sicilian Pistachio Paste
Once you try an exceptional Sicilian pistachio paste for your cooking and eating, you will never want to go back. This ruddy olive-green version is ideal for everything from savory applications like sauces and dressings to sweet ones like baked goods or ice creams. But the jar is sooooo tiny, you practically have to buy it by the case if you want to really go deep on that pistachio flavor.
Tutto Calabria Crushed Calabrian Chili Pepper Paste Spread
I am a bit of a lightweight when it comes to spicy heat, but I do love a balance of some back-of-the-throat warmth that comes with fruity chili pepper flavor. I put this crushed Calabrian chili paste in everything from pasta sauces and soups to stews and salad dressings. It fold it into my salsa verde, chimichurri, and even stir-fries. Anywhere I need just a touch of flavorful heat, this is the jar I reach for.
Black Garlic Puree
I was an early adopter of black garlic in cooking, and I still love the beautiful musky sweetness that it brings to my recipes. But let's be honest, peeling garlic isn't fun, and the sticky cloves are hard to chop. So, when I found a jar of puree, it was like a little miracle! All the flavor, none of the mess. Dollops can go right into sauces, soups, and stews or blended into marinades and salad dressing. You can spread it on bread or crackers for sandwiches and snacks or use it to create crusts on meats. Once I started playing with it I couldn't stop, and wish that it were available in a much bigger format!