It’s a dip—for starters. It’s a spread for sandwiches, and many other things, too. Photo by Dhanraj Emanuel.
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KAREN HOCHMAN is Editorial Director of THE NIBBLE.
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November 2007
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Nip ‘N Tang Fruited Horseradish Delight
A Dip, A Spread, A Dressing, A Sauce
CAPSULE REPORT: Perhaps one of the most versatile condiments around, Nip ‘n Tang combines fruit and horseradish for a sweet and spicy, tangy profile. If you like peach and mango salsa and honey mustard, you’ll like Nip ‘n Tang. The flavor combination makes it versatile as a spread, dip, salad dressing and marinade component, meat and poultry glaze and unusual topping (try the sweeter flavors with plain or vanilla yogurt or on vanilla ice cream). The line is all natural, allergen and fat free and certified kosher. Our personal favorites are Blueberry and Cranberry Orange—they have the most profound fruit flavor.
What exactly is Nip ’N Tang? It’s whatever you want it to be. Technically, it’s a combination of apple jelly, fruit, horseradish and spices. Originally, it was poured over a block of cream cheese and topped with scallions and served with wheat crackers—but that was 20 years ago, when that kind of preparation was popular with wine and cocktails. Today, if you can’t find a dozen different uses for your jar of Nip ‘n Tang, you’re not thinking hard enough.
People who like peach or mango salsa will probably like Nip ‘n Tang. There’s the sweetness of the fruit combined with the spiciness of the horseradish—which produces as much buzz as the jalapeño in a mild salsa while adding its own distinctive flavor (we love horseradish).
Nip ‘n Tang Flavors
The original flavor, Apricot, has sprouted into a fruit basket of options:
Apricot. One of the sweeter flavors, use as a glaze for shrimp and chicken, a marinade for chicken and as a glaze and finishing sauce for salmon.
Blueberry. One of more intense flavors, the manufacturer suggests this on breakfast foods, on toast and pancakes; instead of jelly on peanut butter sandwiches; and for something different and sassy, use a dab on vanilla ice cream instead of a traditional dessert sauce. We disagree—we think this is one of the more serious flavors, and that Apricot or Pomegranate Plum would be better for such purposes.
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Try this on a turkey sandwich instead of your usual spread. |
Cranberry Orange. We think that Cranberry Orange is a close runner-up to Blueberry for the best “serious spread”—for sandwiches and wraps with meat, and as a less sweet glaze. Add some to turkey stuffing, and definitely on turkey sandwiches.
Pineapple. While the pineapple texture is definitely here, the pineapple flavor isn’t as vivid. The horseradish was also the least mild, making it the best to pair with cheeses.
Pomegranate Plum: More plum than pom, this is the most “candied” of flavors, and the one to use on ice cream or sorbet. If you like duck sauce and sweet and sour Chinese dishes, this may be the one for you. Try it with beef, chicken, duck and lamb—and as a dip for fried wontons.
See general uses for all the flavors in the following section.
Serving Suggestions & Recipes
It’s fun finding new uses for Nip ‘n Tang.
Cocktail & Snack Dips. Yes, spread your favorite flavor on a block of cream cheese and serve it with wheat crackers, as inventor Joan Snyder first did in 1985. Or use it as a pretzel or crudité dip, as we did (see photo at top of page). You can serve it straight, or make a creamy dip (and dilute the calories by mixing Nip ‘n Tang with nonfat plain yogurt.
Grilling. Great as a grilling sauce or to enliven a marinade.
Salads. Add Nip ‘n Tang to a basic vinaigrette. Match the flavor to your dish. For example, Cranberry Nip ‘n Tang and dried cranberries. Cranberry also goes with salads topped with grilled or poached chicken, duck or salmon.
Sandwiches. Great with cheese, ham, roast beef and turkey or other poultry sandwiches. Use Nip ‘n Tang in wraps as well as traditional sandwiches.
You’ll be finished with your first jar pretty quickly, so buy more than one!
NIP ‘N TANG
Apricot, Blueberry, Cranberry Orange, Pineapple, Pomegranate Plum
Certified kosher by OU
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Also available at fine retailers nationwide. Prices and flavor availability are verified at publication but are subject to change.
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