Eva Rodrigo via Zaarly

Last week I shared with you a review of some interesting sounding baked goods I got via a service called Zaarly.  As I mentioned then, Zaarly no longer offers food products, but, when they did, I tried some very interesting jams and sauces from a vendor named Eva Rodrigo.

I'm not able to find any information on her current shop, so I think she must no longer be producing these products, but, they really quite unique and tasty.

Caramelized Onion & Pedro XImenez Compote. $11.

"Caramelized onions with a reduction of Spanish wine in an easily spreadable jam.  Great for bread, cheeses, meats, but specially with foie gras."

Well, this one had my name all over it.  Perfect with foie gras?  I was in, and quickly bought a jar.

 It was absolutely delicious.  Deeply caramelized onions, really complex flavor from the wine.  Yes, it was great paired with foie gras, but it was also delicious spread on bread on its own, or with cheese.

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I also tried a few more items:

• Strawberry & Aged Balsamic Jam.  Tasting notes: This was a really great jam.  Full of chunks of strawberry, but balanced by the balsamic.  It was delicious on bread.  If I didn't have jars and jars of my mom's homemade strawberry jam, I'd get more of this.
• Campari Tomato & Saffron Jam: Tasting notes:  Also absolutely delicious, almost like a tomato sauce, but thicker.  It was great on bread, with cheese, and particularly combined with the caramelized onion jam too.  My second favorite for the spreads I tried.
• Salsa Romesco. "Roasted red peppers combined with ground almonds, hazelnuts, olive oil, tomatoes, chili peppers and vinegar to make a smooth, rich sauce that tastes great simply spread on a slice of rustic bread."  Tasting notes: I normally like romesco, but this didn't do it for me.  The only spread of hers that I didn't love. 

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Leslie Kay Ho via Zaarly

Zaarly is a company that has pivoted many times.  Currently, they help connect handymen and housecleaners with customers.  But before that, they provided a fairly generic online storefront for entrepreneurs, including artists, jewelers, and, my interests: gourmet food providers and bakeries.

Before the pivot away from offering food stuffs, I was able to try out several vendors, one of which was Leslie Kay Ho Bakery.  You know me, I love all baked goods and desserts, but these sounded extra creative, and I was really excited to try them.  Unfortunately, I didn't actually like any that I tried, and further unfortunately, I don't think this vendor is in business any longer, as I can't find any recent information on her storefront.

Coconut Mochi Cake with Red Bean Filling. 2 for $7.

This sounded great! I love mochi, and the baker told me this was her best seller.  It didn't look like anything I'd ever had called "mochi" before, but I figured I'd give this a shot, and purchased a 2-pack, highly anticipating liking it.

And ... I really didn't like it.  I didn't really get any mochi-like flavor, I didn't detect any rice-y taste.  The cake layers didn't have a firm, glutinous texture that I associate with mochi either.  What was the mochi aspect of this?

The red bean filling was fine.

But overall, it was just kinda soggy, and not quite as advertised.  2 for $7 also seemed a bit pricey.  Would not get again.

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Sweet Potato Haupia Pie with Macadamia Crust.

"Our unique pie is made with Japanese purple sweet potatoes, which create a incredibly smooth and tasty filling. The crust is made with macadamia nuts, adding the perfect crumbly texture to balance the filling. The pie is topped with haupia, a traditional hawaiian dessert made with coconut milk. " 

This sounded amazing!  All components I really like (purple sweet potatoes, macadamias, crumble, haupia ...).  But, it somehow didn't have much flavor.  I really wanted to taste the purple potato, and didn't.  I really wanted to taste the macadamia, and didn't.  Disappointing.

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