Category Archives: Food

Lamb Rub, Garlic Aioli and Juicy Burgers

20 Friday Jun 2025

Posted by in 5-Stars, Bacon Jam, Beef, Brunch, Cheese, Cloud 9 nano Brewery, Condiments, Food, Garlic Aioli, What's For Dinner?

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I know it’s been a long time since I posted anything, but hospitals and DR visits have kept me busy elsewhere. But yesterday, I was released! Yeah!!! I am OK now! But in my hiatus, I came across these recipes that I needed to adjust.The Juicy Burgers are really interesting.They have a Bacon Jam instead of ketchup or whatever on them. The Lamb Rub gives lamb, especially Rack of Lamb, an interesting crisp outside and a great flavor. Give them a try. And if you like garlic, try the Garlic Aioli.

Lamb Rub
Prep: 20 min             Bob and Robin Young, Boise, ID   The Captain’s Shack      15 June 2025  
Note: A very easy marinade/rub for lamb, any cut but especially good on Rack of Lamb and Lamb Chops. Use a good honey! (Tupelo or C) Serve with Potatoes au Gratin, and throw in spring veggies such as Sauteed Asparagus or Candied Carrots. A rub of garlic, fresh rosemary, Dijon mustard, and a little bit of honey promotes caramelization and creates a delicious crust on the surface of the lamb. The USDA recommends cooking lamb to an internal temperature of 145º F, then letting it rest for at least 3 minutes. This will give you lamb that is cooked to medium, the ideal temperature for lamb.
Ingredients:
3 T Avocado Oil
2 T chopped Fresh Rosemary
2 T Dijon Mustard
2 t good Honey
Directions:
In a small bowl, stir to combine the garlic, rosemary, mustard, honey, and 3 tablespoons of Avocado Oil. Spread all over the lamb racks. Set aside for 1 hour. That’s it!

Garlic Aioli

Prep: 8 min               Yield: 1 cup              Serves: 12
Ingredients:
5 cloves Garlic, finely grated, minced, or pressed
1-2 T freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 small lemon)
1 t Dijon mustard
¾ c Mayonnaise
Celtic Sea Salt
Directions:
Stir 5 finely grated garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard together in a small bowl until combined. Let sit for 15 minutes for the flavors to meld.
Whisk in ¾ cup mayonnaise until smooth. Taste and season with Celtic Sea Salt or up to 1 tablespoon more lemon juice as needed.

Juicy Burgers
Note: These burgers are awesome with Bacon Jam and Garlic Aioli on the buns.
Ingredients:
4 slices American Cheese
1½ lbs Ground Beef (15 to 20 percent fat content)
1¼ t Celtic Sea Salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ t freshly ground Tellicherry Black Pepper
1 T Avocado Oil
4 (4-inch) Hamburger Buns
Sliced Kosher Pickles, for serving
Directions:
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 400ºF. Stack 4 slices American cheese. Cut in half, then cut each piece in half again to form 4 stacks of squares.
Place 1½ pounds ground beef, 1¼ teaspoons Celtic Sea Salt, spoon the garlic powder into the mixture, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and ¼ teaspoon Tellicherry Black Pepper in a large bowl. Gently mix with your hands until just evenly combined. Divide the beef into 8 portions (3 ounces each) and form each into a ball. Form 1 Juicy Lucy at a time: Using your fingertips, press 2 portions into 1/4-inch-thick patties that are about 1 inch wider in diameter than the hamburger buns. Top 1 patty with 4 pieces of cheese, overlapping the slices to cover the patty but leaving a ½-inch border. Place the second patty over the cheese-topped patty. Pick up the Juicy Lucy and pinch the edges to form a tight seal. Cup the stuffed patty with your hands to round out the edges, and press on the top to flatten slightly into a single thick patty. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining patties and cheese to form 4 stuffed patties in total.
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium heat until shimmering, 3 to 4 minutes. If using a 10-inch pan, place 2 patties in the pan; if using a 12-inch or larger, add all 4 patties. Cook undisturbed (do not press down on the patties) until dark golden-brown on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Using a spatula, flip the patties and cook until the second side is dark golden-brown and the patties are cooked through, about 4 minutes.
Transfer to a clean plate. Let rest in a warm place or tent loosely with aluminum foil while you toast the buns. Split 4 hamburger buns, place cut-side up on a baking sheet, and toast until starting to brown around the edges, 4 to 5 minutes.
Place a patty on each bun bottom, top with a few pickle slices, and close with the bun top.

Well, that’s it, again. Try them and see what you think. Let me know.

Recipes From My Mom

11 Wednesday Dec 2024

Posted by in Appetizers, Classis Sauces, Cream Sauces, Cultural Differences, Food, German Recipes, Homemade Sauce, Homemade soup, Recipe - Dessert, Recipe - Homemade, Recipe - Seafood, Recipe - Soup, Recipes, What's For Dinner?

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My Mom passed away this date in 1995. She was a 30 year cancer surviver. I miss her and her kitchen talents. Therefore, I am posting 3 of her recipes in her memory. I do hope you try them and look/read/try her recipe file, https://www.rockinrs.com/recipes.htm. There are Many recipes in this file. And many family ones and favorites.

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Recipe Name: Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Serves: 8    Prep Time: 30 min Oven Temp: 400ºF   Oven Time: 12 min
Ingredients:
1# Crab meat
24 Mushrooms, fresh
½ c Mushroom stems, chopped
2 T Butter, softened
1 egg, beaten
2 T Parsley, chopped
½ t Salt
¼ t Garlic, minced
2 T Parmesan cheese, grated
De-stem the mushrooms. Set aside. Chop the stems into small pieces. Mix all ingredients, except the mushroom caps, until the mixture balls together. Place the mushroom caps on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Fill each mushroom cap with the mixture. Place in a pre-heated oven at 400ºF. Cook for 12 – 15 minutes until just browned. Serve hot.

———-

Recipe Name: Green Tomato Relish 2
Yield: 5 quarts    Prep Time:
Ingredients:
5½# Tomatoes, end of the season pink with some green tint, chopped
6 Onions, chopped
½ c Salt
3 c Vinegar
6 Green peppers, diced
3 Sweet red peppers, diced
6 Garlic cloves, minced
1 c Brown sugar
3 c Corn syrup, dark
1 T English mustard
1 T Cloves, whole
1 Cinnamon stick
1 T Ginger
1½ t Salt
Combine tomatoes and onion. Sprinkle with salt and let stand for 3 hours. Rinse and drain. Heat vinegar, peppers, garlic, sugar, salt and syrup to a boil. Add the vegetables and spices (tied in a cheese cloth bag) and boil gently for 10 minutes. Hot pack in jars.

————

Recipe Name: Wilted Lettuce Dressing
Serves: 8    Prep Time: 1 hour
Comments: A favorite family salad dressing. This is the original and old version.
Ingredients:
6 Slices of bacon, crisp and crumbled
4 T Bacon drippings
¼ c Vinegar
2 T Water
½ t Sugar
1 Egg beaten

Add the bacon drippings to a pan over medium heat. Add slowly the vinegar, water and sugar. Bring to a slow boil stirring constantly. Add the diced bacon. Add the beaten egg to the pan stirring constantly until blended and thickened. Quickly pour over 1 head of chopped iceberg lettuce.

Be sure to look at the complete recipe file and info at the above link. Enjoy!

Two New Recipes

19 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in 5-Stars, Baking, Baking Sourdough, Beef, Boise Farmers Market, Bread, Breakfast, Brunch with Robin, Buy Idaho, Buy Local, challah, Cooking Oils, Cooking Styles, Dinner At The Captains Shack, Dinner With Robin, Food, Food - Jewish, Food Photos, Food Photos 60mm, French Foods, Garlic, Idaho Beef, Idaho Potatoes, Jewish Food, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Malheur River Meats, Mushrooms, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Potatoes, Recipe: Bob and Robin Young, Recipes, Recipes - Dinner, Sourdough, What's For Dinner?

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I have received many requests for my recipes for CS Bread Braid (Challah) and CS Pot Roast. (https://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Bread-Braid.pdf and https://www.rockinrs.com/CS-Pot-Roast.pdf) The bread braid I added a little sourdough starter, but you don’t have to0, just add the amount of starter you would as water to the water amount in the recipe. But we liked the slight tinge of sourdough in the breade. And to the pot roast I added some button mushrooms quartered. You can use any mushrooms you want.These recipes were fun to develop and are very good, IMNSHO (In My Not So Humble Opinion).If you try them, let us know what you think, or what you changed. And it is perfectly OK to say that you didn’t like it, just tell my why. Here are the photos of the final products.

CS Bread Braid. Great toasted or as French Toast.
French Toast using the Bread Braid I made
CS Pot Roast on Black Truffle Oil Mashed Potatoes and a Fresh Green Salad with Grapes and Mic5ro Greens

Difference Between Sauteing and Braising

26 Friday Jan 2024

Posted by in Captain's Shack, Food, Food Prep, What's For Dinner?

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I keep getting questions about what are the differences between sauteing braising. It’s not that they are difficult to do, just different techniques and different foods for different cooking styles. Here3 is some information that I found that maybe, I hope, answer your questions.

Difference between Sautéing and Braising

Sautéing and braising are two different cooking methods. Sautéing involves cooking food quickly in a small amount of oil or fat over high heat. On the other hand, braising involves cooking food slowly in a covered pot with some liquid. Sautéing is used for cooking small pieces of food, while braising is ideal for tougher cuts of meat or root vegetables.

Sautéing and braising are two distinct cooking techniques with different purposes and methods. Here’s a brief explanation of each:

Sautéing:

Purpose: Sautéing is a quick cooking method used to cook small, bite-sized pieces of food over high heat.

Method: Food is typically cooked in a shallow pan with a small amount of oil or fat. The high heat quickly browns the exterior of the food while maintaining its internal moisture.

Examples: Sautéing is commonly used for vegetables, meat, or seafood. It’s ideal for cooking foods that don’t require a long cooking time.

Braising:

Purpose: Braising is a slow cooking method used for tougher cuts of meat to tenderize them and develop rich flavors.

Method: Food is first browned in a pan, similar to sauteing, and then it’s transferred to a pot with liquid (such as broth or wine). The pot is covered, and the food is cooked at a lower temperature for an extended period, allowing it to become tender.

Examples: Braising is often used for meats like beef brisket, lamb shanks, or pork shoulder. It’s suitable for cuts that require longer cooking times to break down collagen and connective tissues.

In summary, sautéing is a quick, high-heat cooking method suitable for smaller pieces of food, while braising is a slower method that involves browning and then simmering food in liquid, commonly used for tougher cuts of meat.

What Is A Mirepoix?

08 Monday Jan 2024

Posted by in Food, Herbs, Herbs and Spices, History of Food, Mirepoix, Recipes, What's For Dinner?

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I have had several questions on what is a mirepoix. I found this explanation and several variations of mirepoix. I hope this discussion helps. Just don’t forget the ratio of the 3 or so ingredients. 2:1:1. Basically, it is from French cuisine with variations for different cultures, adjusted to their particular needs, availibilty of product and wants. Here is how you prep and cook the mireepoiox.

Gather and Prepare Ingredients: Dice the carrots, leave the peel on. Peel and dice the onions. The size of the dice depends on your preference and the intended use of the mirepoix. dice the carrots. Again, consider the size of the dice based on your preference. Wash and dice the celery. Ensure that you include both the stalks and the leaves for added flavor.

Heat the Pan: Place the saute pan or pot over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil (such as olive oil or vegetable oil) to coat the bottom of the pan.

Add Onions: Once the oil is hot, add the diced onions to the pan. Stir and cook until the onions become translucent and slightly caramelized. This process can take about 5-7 minutes.

Add Carrots and Celery: Add the diced carrots and celery to the pan with the onions. Stir the vegetables to combine and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the carrots begin to soften.

Seasoning: Season the mirepoix with a pinch of salt and pepper. You can also add herbs like thyme or bay leaves for extra flavor.

Use as a Base: Your mirepoix is now ready to be used as a base for soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes. It adds depth and aromatic complexity to your recipes.

Here are 12 common variations of mirepoix:
 
Classic Mirepoix: 2 parts onions, 1 part carrots, 1 part celery,
White Mirepoix: 2 parts onions, 1 part leeks, 1 part celery
Red Mirepoix: 2 parts red onions, 1 part carrots, 1 part celery
Cajun Trinity: Equal parts onions, celery, and green bell peppers
Spanish Sofrito: 2 parts onions, 1 part tomatoes, 1 part green peppers
Italian Soffritto: 2 parts onions, 1 part carrots, 1 part celery
German Suppengrün: 2 parts leeks, 1 part carrots, 1 part celeriac (celery root)
Asian Mirepoix: 2 parts onions or scallions, 1 part carrots, 1 part celery or Chinese celery
Creole Holy Trinity: Equal parts onions, celery and green bell peppers
Mushroom Mirepoix: 2 parts onions, 1 part carrots, 1 part celery, Add mushrooms for an earthy flavor
Mexican: 2 parts poblano or jalapeno, 1 part onion, 1 part tomato
Persian: 2 parts onion, 1 part tomato, 1 part tumeric
 
These variations allow for flexibility in flavor profiles, depending on the cuisine and the specific dish being prepared. Experimenting with different combinations can add depth and uniqueness to your cooking.
 
 
 

“Feeding the Hungry” in Boise

24 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by in Acme Bake Shop, Boise, Boise Adventures, Boise Area Food Adventures, Boise Food Adventures, Chicken, Classic Cuisines, Coffee, Comfort Food, Cooking Safety, Feed the Hungry, Food, Food Prep, Greens, Hot Dogs, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Photos By: Joe Levitch, Support Local Businesses, What's For Dinner?

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It never ceases to amaze me as to in the times of hardship and strife how all kinds of people – from all background, ethnicities and religions – come together to lend a helping hand and expect absolutely nothing in return! Such a great feeling.
And during this time of self and required quarantine due to the CoronaVirus, the generosity of people all comes to the surface. There are several churches, and other religious faiths, and businesses that have come to the aid of those in need. In particular the homeless and those who just need a meal and a smiling face. So we bind together and offer a helping hand and something to eat. And by the way, all of the food products and individual help are all donated! To these businesses, people and churches, Thank-You! Our part was at the 1st Presbyterian Church, 9th and State Streets, Boise. (Left-Click any of these photographs to see them enlarged!)

This sign was on a post in downtown Boise

Look at these meals. Usually fro 45 to 60 served on the 4th Thursday of each month at the 1st Presbyterian Church at 9th and State Streets in Boise. (The room and all facilities included, including the full kitchen!)

Filling the Dinner Bags

But before we moved to Dinner Bags, we had Baked Potatoes and all the trimmings. Look –

Baked Potato and Acme Bakeshop Dinner Roll

Baked Potato and Chicken with Acme Bakeshop Rolls and Salad

But then, we had to switch to the Dinner Sacks because of The Virus –

Hot Dog Rolls from Acme Bakeshop

Hot Dogs! Good ones! Not microwaved! Cooked the Old Fashion Way!

Packing the dinner sacks

Dinner Sacks in March

Dinner Sacks in April

and this is why we do it. Thank-You Joe Levitch for this photograph! It says it all.
“Man Alone”

How to Store Potatoes

13 Monday Apr 2020

Posted by in Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Buy Local, Captain's Shack, Food, Idaho Vegetables, Potatoes, What's For Dinner?

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Here is a great tip for storing potatoes from myrecipes.com. This is some really good information. Enjoy!
 
 
 

How Do You Know When a Potato Is Past Its Prime?
Good potatoes are firm, smooth, and sprout-free.
You can tell a potato is spoiled when it is:
Soft
Discolored
Decayed
Growing mold
Sprouts, or “eyes,” are an indication that your potato is reaching the end of its life. However, they’re not harmful and can be simply removed before cooking. As long as the potato looks, smells, and feels right, sprouts are no biggie.

How to Store Potatoes
1. Keep them in a cool place…
Raw potatoes will thrive in a cool, dark place. The ideal temperature range is 43-50°, which is slightly above refrigerator temp. During cooler months, storing potatoes in an unheated basement or an insulated shed is a great idea. It’s a bit tougher to store potatoes in the summertime, but use your common sense—instead of putting them next to a window, keep them in the area of your house that stays the coolest.
2. …but not the fridge.
Raw potatoes like to be cool, but not cold. Very low temperatures can actually change the flavor of your spuds and make them dangerous. This “cold-induced sweetening” happens when the starch is converted to reducing sugars, which can form cancer-causing substances when cooked.
3. Avoid areas with lots of light.
Exposure to light can cause your potatoes to produce chlorophyll and turn prematurely green.
While this color change is usually harmless, excessive sunlight can also cause potatoes to produce a toxic chemical called solanine. Ingesting solanine in high amounts can cause unpleasant side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
4. Don’t wash them before you put them away.
Step away from the sink! It’s best to keep potatoes as dry as possible if you’re trying to make them last. Moisture promotes the growth of fungus and bacteria—so wait to wash them until right before you use them.
5. Let them breathe.
Prevent moisture accumulation by allowing your potatoes plenty of airflow. If you store them in a tightly sealed container (like a ziploc bag), the moisture released by the potatoes will have nowhere to go. Your best bet is an open bowl or paper bag.

Bonus tip: Don’t store your potatoes with your onions! The chemical reaction will actually cause both to spoil faster. Crazy right?

The Time Has Come

29 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by in Backyard Garden, Boise Adventures, Cooking Styles, Edible Flowers, Food, Food - Make Your Own Meals, Food Photos, Healthy Eating, Idaho Greens, Local Harvests, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, What's For Dinner?

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The time really has come. We are supposed to stay “self quarantined” and restrict our travels and public “contact”. Robin and I try to practice this and, I think, we are succeeding. With that in mind, think about creating a “Victory Garden”. We have no grass to mow in the front yard – it is mostly herbs and flowers. More herbs than flowers. And I have some pots going in flowers, Pansies right now, but there will be more and a pot of micro greens. You really can grow squash or zucchini or tomatoes or cucumbers or beans and the list goes on and on. Use your imagination. And then grow it. It will help to keep you home and away from the store and the crowds. Here is some information on growing edible flowers and some suggestions. You can print these out for your use. Left Click the graphic and then CTRL+P to print. (Zucchini and squash flowers can be picked and stuffed.)

Some edible Flowers

Spinach and Rainbow Chard for pots is a good idea. Healthy too!

Here are some things we have made with edible flowers and vegetables grown in pots.

German Potato Salad with Pansy and Nasturtium

Cheesy Chicken with Salad and Edible Flowers

Buffalo and Garden Potted Vegetables

Let’s Make Some Indian Curry Spice Blends

13 Thursday Sep 2018

Posted by in Classic Spice Blends, Cooking Styles, Curry, Ethnic Foods, Food, Food 0f India, Food of India, Indian Food, Indian Foods, Indian Spices, Recipes, Recipes - India, What's For Dinner?

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When I was 15 – many, many years ago – I had the awesome experience of living in India for a year. We were 120 miles SW of New Delhi in the state of Rajasthan and the town of Pilani. It was absolutely a wonderful year for me. I met Jawaharlal Nehru – First Prime Minister of India, Rajendra Prasad – Former and First President of India, Lady Mountbatten, Haile Selassie – Former Emperor of Ethiopia and several other heads of state. The people and the food was superb. I will never forget, and have not forgotten, the people and the food. When I walk into an Indian restaurant here in Boise, or overall in the USA, I want to smell the fenugreek and the spices. Then I know it is authentic. If in Boise, go into the Bombay Grill at 10th and Main and inhale the spice odors. There you will be introduced to true and authentic Indian cuisine. Or into the Punjab Market in Yuba City, CA. If you want some really good Indian recipes that use these spice blends or you want to learn how to make Naan, look at Demuths Blog Indian Recipes.

Indian spices

Here are two very basic, but very good, Indian spice recipes from the Southern India area. (The blends will differ from area to area.) [Demuths Blog] Most, if not all of these spices, can be found in an Indian or Asian market.

Homemade Curry Powder
An essential ingredient for numerous Indian recipes.
Ingredients:
1 T whole Coriander Seeds
1 T whole Cumin Seeds
1 t whole Black Peppercorns
1 t whole brown Mustard Seeds
2 t whole Fenugreek Seeds
3 hot dried Red Chillies, crumbled. Careful!
3/4 t ground Turmeric
Directions:
Dry fry all the spices except the turmeric until fragrant, but don’t let them brown as it will ruin the flavor.
Add the turmeric and quickly stir. Decant onto a plate and leave to cool.
Grind in a spice grinder/coffee grinder as finely as possible. Store in an airtight container.

Homemade Garam Masala Powder (Bese Bele)
This is an aromatic sweet blend of spices favored by the Brahmins of Bangalore. Used in numerous Indian recipes, including our masala dosas and masala vada (split pea dumplings in masala gravy).
Ingredients:
1 T Cardamom Seeds
1 t whole Cloves
1 t Black Peppercorns
1″ stick of Cinnamon
1/3 of a Nutmeg
a curl of mace
1 sm dried Chilli
6 Curry Leaves
1 T un-sweetened Coconut Flakes
Directions:
Dry fry all the spices until fragrant, take off the heat and add the coconut flakes. Grind in a spice grinder/coffee grinder as finely as possible.
Store in an airtight container.

Marsala Spices

Masala Spice Mix – Northern Indian Curry powder
Ingredients – Whole Spices:
2 T Coriander Seeds
1 T Cumin Seeds
1/2 Cinnamon Stick
1 t Fennel Seeds
1 t Mustard Seeds
1 t Fenugreek Seeds
1 t Kalongi/Nigela (A common ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine, it is in the same family as caraway, dill or parsley. Cumin seeds are a good substitute because they have a peppery and nutty flavor that is similar to nigella seeds.)
10 Curry Leaves
1 Bay Leaf
Ingredients – Ground Spices:
1 t ground Turmeric
1 t ground Ginger
1 t Chilli Powder
pinch of salt
Directions:
Dry fry the whole spices, until fragrant, cool and grind. Add the ground spices and mix in. This will store in airtight container for a month, or you can make a paste.
To make a paste mix the spice blend with a little vinegar and water until it resembles a paste. Leave to stand for 10 minutes.
Heat some oil in a pan and add the paste. Gently stir fry for about 5 minutes until the paste start to make a bubbling noise.
Remove from heat and leave to cool. The oil should rise to the surface.
Store in sterilized jars. The layer of oil on top adds to the storing process. Keep in the fridge.

Fake Tomatoes? Really!

11 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Bolognese Sauce, Captain's Shack, Cento San Marzano, Food, Homemade Sauce, Housemade Marinara, Housemade Sauces, Interesting Information, What's For Dinner?

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“Much like how Champagne can only be called champagne when grown in the Champagne region in France, San Marzano tomatoes must be grown in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino region of Italy to be called such. When the tomatoes are canned, they are required to have a DOP emblem on the label to symbolize their authenticity.” [wideopeneats] Here is a link to the full article and it is an eye opener. An excellent read. San Marzano Tomatoes Fake.
From the Cento website, (Cento Tomato Products)

Cento is the only United States brand that owns its production facility in the Sarnese Nocerino area of Italy, literally in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. The rich volcanic soil, high water table and ideal Mediterranean microclimate all combine to make San Marzano tomatoes the premier choice for any recipe.

And why are the Cento San Marzano tomatoes so popular in many of the larger professional kitchens?

SAN MARZANO TOMATOES
San Marzano tomatoes are widely recognized by top chefs, foodies, Italian cooks and food aficionados as the gold standard for taste, but what makes them so special? San Marzano tomatoes get their name from the town where they were born, San Marzano sul Sarno, which is located in the Campania region of southern Italy. Characteristics of San Marzano tomatoes include a thicker tomato wall, less seeds and less acidity than other tomatoes, making them ideal for authentic Italian cuisine. San Marzano tomatoes thrive in the designated area of Italy because of the Mediterranean microclimate, high water table, and fertile volcanic soil. Truly authentic San Marzano tomatoes from Italy adhere to strict conditions and guidelines in terms of their growing, selection, and processing. Certified San Marzano tomatoes must be obtained from plants of the same ecotype, grown within a specific territory allowed in Italy, and contain characteristics that comply with standards set in Italy. [Cento]

Watch some of the Food Network Italian and Tuscan chefs, and you will see that they use Cento products. There is a reason and it is stated above. We always have some on our shelves.