To say commercials are worthless would be inappropriate. Yet, when I watched the Super Bowl, which was as exciting as watching paint dry, I look to the advertisements for entertainment. Well, the commercials were worse than watching paint dry, it was like watching someone scrape their fingernails on a black board. You saw what was coming, which was not good, and could do nothing-save for change the channel--to stop it. And, as far as Super Bowls go I am a die hard and refuse to surf, though I think I may rethink that commitment.
However, sometimes commercials can trigger thoughts. One commercial of note, not played during the Super Bowl, involved Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and their new addition a caramel layer. To my way of thinking that is absolutely fabulous, and it reminded me of eating at Friendly's and ordering the giant peanut butter sundae. Well, once I finished strolling memory lane I began thinking of salt, nuts, caramel and more. Recently we have been working with miso butterscotch, a great accompaniment to braised meats and sweet fish. As my mind is more of a super ball in a confined space my thoughts began bouncing. I landed on the idea of making nut butters flavored with miso. Dark and light miso will add the appropriate salinity and rounded flavors to the ground nuts. With the first relation made, I began thinking of applications such as marcona almond-white miso soup, a play off white gazpacho and miso soup. Also salted nut butter ice creams and cakes. I am not sure of every direction we will take this concept, but it sure is a beautiful jumping off point.
