Chips for a change

Papa Lena's Sweet Red Pepper Chips and Beet Chips from Chicagoans Danny and Marie Lena make unusual summer snacking.

The red-pepper chips are slightly soft, piquant but not hot; the crispier beet chips have a toned down beet flavor. Most tasters loved both. Refrigeration is recommended. A 2-ounce package is $5 at Kitchen Chicago Cafe, 4664 N. Manor Ave.; for mail-order (three packages for $15), call 800-877-7252 or visit papalena.com.





Everything old is new again

Red and White Kitchen Co.'s line of reproduced vintage towels from the 1940s and '50s--like Duck Soup. pictured here--will summon fond memories of Granma's kitchen. Small and large flour-sack dish towels cost $5-$12.50 at Country Sampler stores in Lake Zurich, Arlington Heights and Naperville and Fly Bird (fly-bird.net) in Oak Park. To see the full line, visit redandwhitekitchen.com.

Flavors of Italy

We savored new Tuscany spreads from Stefani Premium Food Products. The giardinera (in hot or mild) and rich muffaletta salad and sun-dried tomato spreads are perfect for bruschetta and sandwiches; tasters were split on the two artichoke flavors. Each 7- to 16-ounce jar costs $3.30-$4.50 at Sunset Foods, some Jewel-Osco stores and Cub Foods in Arlington Heights and Downers Grove.

Salmon sensation

Everyone loved the rich flavor and flaky texture of Chicken of the Sea Smoked Pacific Salmon. The wood-smoked wild salmon is from Alaska. It's ready to eat from the packet, and will work in salads, sandwiches or even pasta dishes. Each 3-ounce pouch costs $2-$3 at Cub Foods, Sunset Foods, Meijer and some Ultra Foods stores.