Getting good marks: grilled vegetables are value-added ingredients that, when formulated into convenience meals, enhance their flavor, appearance and mouthfeel. The addition of these vegetables also manifests manufacturers' dedication to superior, quality cuisine

Prepared Foods, Nov, 2004 by Marcia A. Wade

Looking for subtle Shiitake notes for your soup? Or, need the punch of Porcini in your sauce? Phillips Gourmet Mushrooms offers specialty fresh, blanched, roasted, dried, IQF and refrigerated mushrooms for soups, sauces, pastas, or prepared meals of any kind. The company's technical experts can help make the mushrooms in a meal memorable. Whether looking to add the flavor of roasted Portabellas to your low-carb line, or searching for a signature wild blend for your pasta, call Phillips. They know mushrooms. Phillips Gourmet Mushrooms, Kate Foley, 847-459-6877, www.phillipsmushroomfarms.com

Capitalize on hot sales from bold flavors of convenience and ethnic flavor trends with bold flavor marinade recipes. Convenience products are driving sales in foodservice and retail environments. French's Flavor Ingredients can help food processors create delicious, marinated, ready-to-cook or heat-and-eat/serve products to meet this demand. Made using Frank's[R] RedHot[R] sauces, French's mustards and Cattleman's[R] barbecue sauces, these signature marinades retain moisture while adding popular ethnic flavors to meat, poultry and seafood. For recipes, ask for Elyse Gomez. French's Flavor Ingredients, 800-4-FRENCH, www.Frenchslngredients.com

A patented, formed sauce in an easy-to-use shredded or diced form recently has been introduced. Solid at room temperature to allow for an even distribution as well as the elimination of messes from using liquid sauces, it melts easily to a creamy sauce or topping upon heating. The sauce is freeze/thaw stable and is available in a wide range of flavors for many applications. Kerry Americas, Jane Zeien, 608-363-1207

Adding roasted garlic flavor to foods such as pasta, pizza, vegetables, salads, sandwiches, eggs and more is easy! The Garlic Company's Garlic Bits are fresh, all-natural California garlic pieces roasted to perfection using a proprietary process. Just like fresh or peeled garlic (without the hassle), the bits can be added during cooking or shaken directly onto prepared foods. Sprinkle in dips, soups, sauces and marinades. With its convenient shaker top, Garlic Bits can be used to suit each individual's desired level at the table. The Garlic Company, John Layous, 661-393-4212, ext. 110

Marcia A. Wade, Technical Director