Add Some Pizzazz to Your Meals with Gourmet Specialty Foods

Adding a touch of flavor to basic ingredients can turn a so-so meal into a delicious and unexpected treat. The addition of carefully selected gourmet jams and sauces can bring a whole new world of flavor to simple fare.

Take chicken: This versatile source of protein can be enhanced tremendously with the right ingredients. A chicken and vegetable stir-fry, for instance, can get a bit of extra zing from a teaspoon of citrus marmalade mixed with soy sauce and ginger. Or cut up chicken breasts, baby carrots and potatoes and spread them over the bottom of an oiled baking dish; brush the mixture with mango peach jam; cover and bake for half an hour. Serve the result over rice for a healthy and delicious meal.

Sick of the same old candied yams for Thanksgiving? Baste those yams with roasted apple grille sauce before covering and baking, for a new twist on traditional harvest season flavors. Or substitute spiced rum butterscotch sauce for a real surprise.

Gourmet specialty foods offer an easy way to add sweet, tangy, spicy, or smoky flavors to simple foods, and are an endless source of inspiration for the creative cook. Don't be afraid to experiment; your adventures may well result in some favorite recipes that you'll use again and again.