One for the kids
Annie's Homegrown, maker of natural and organic instant pasta dishes, has just introduced a new mac and cheese that looks and tastes an awful lot like another brand in a familiar blue box. Apparently Annie's is responding to customer requests for a more kid-friendly, mild cheddar flavor along with the classic elbow-shaped pasta. Remaining true to Annie's philosophy of creating good food, this macaroni and cheese ($1.89 for 6 ounces) is all natural, contains zero trans fat, and is made with organic pasta. And like generations of people before them, kids can enjoy supper from a little blue box. Available at A. Russo & Sons, 560 Pleasant St., Watertown, 617-923-1500; Harvest Co-op Markets, 581 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-661-1580 and 57 South St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-1667; Whole Foods; some Roche Bros. supermarkets. -- LISA ZWIRN
A taste of New Mexico in Gloucester
Debra Davis sold chili con queso wholesale for five years before opening Chili Choice Products in Gloucester six weeks ago. Davis figured she could sell other southwestern specialties at the storefront. She lived in New Mexico for 25 years and makes an annual pilgrimage to purchase 1 , 200 pounds of chilies (that amount lasts the whole year). Also on the menu is a red burrito stuffed with white meat chicken and cheese. If you're lucky, you'll also find the key lime cheesecake. Everything here is takeout only . Servings are wrapped in containers that reheat and are sealed with labels that say "thank you." You get the feeling Davis means it. Chili Choice Products , 20 Maplewood Ave. , Gloucester, 978-281-2008 , or go to chilichoice.com . -- CATHY HUYGHETight stuff
For some, finding love happens quickly, for others it takes years of patience and playing the field. Plastic wraps aren't much different. In fact, they may be harder to pin down than even true love. Some claim never to disappoint you, but their strength and reliability aren't quite there. Most either cling only to themselves or to nothing at all. If you haven't found love yet, here it is: stretch-tite , made by Polyvinyl Films , a family business based in Sutton. The company has been making wraps since 1954 for institutions, wholesale clubs, and discount stores. Now stretch-tite is in supermarkets, too ($4 to $4.50 for 250 feet). It seals to all types of materials (even plastic) with a super cling, but is still easy to handle. It also goes into the microwave or freezer, though for longer freezing or wrapping silver to prevent tarnishing, try the thicker freeze-tite . If you're sick of leaks and spills, this will be love at first sight. Available at some Roche Bros. and Shaw's supermarkets, or go to stretchtite.com . -- JILL SANTOPIETRO
