Amy Langrehr 

I first learned of Tessemae’s All Natural last summer when a friend had it at her house. She was raving about the Green Goddess Dressing, which is one of my favorites that I love to make at home. I was intrigued, but we weren’t eating so I didn’t get a chance to taste it that day. Maybe I should’ve swiped it, because that’s apparently how Tessemae’s started. A neighbor liked Tesse’s salad dressing so much, he stole it when he left their house. They figured, if it’s delicious enough for people to want to steal, we might just have something here. 

Tessemae’s All Natural salad dressings, condiments, and marinades are made with real, whole, source food ingredients and their commitment to healthy eating and living is the core of their mission, to provide simple, yet delicious food to consumers made with real ingredients. That’s good stuff. It’s a high-quality product, is made locally and is healthy.

The Vetter brothers – Greg, Brian and Matt – launched the brand in 2009 at their local Whole Foods in Annapolis, Maryland, using a simple recipe created and used by their mom throughout their childhood. They didn’t want to just sell it locally, eventually they wanted it to become huge – and it did. Tessemae products are available in Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway, Fresh Market and Costco retailers across the country.  Also a side note, these guys are so darn cute (I mean, this whole family is beautiful!) so you almost want to dislike them, but you can’t – they’re great people. They’ve worked very hard for the success they have earned.

Here is a great video that gives you the whole picture. I have to say that the fact that in the video they ‘give snaps’ in a meeting, made me smile. In my first real job at US Lacrosse, we always gave snaps. You know, like if someone had a great idea or did a good job on a project, everyone snapped their fingers. It’s so much better than clapping or silly high fives. I love giving snaps! (Just watch the vid, you’ll get it.)

The folks at Tessemae’s were kind enough to send me some of their products so that I could try it for myself. Here are a few of the dishes:

Poached Shrimp and Cantaloupe Salad with Lemon Garlic

Oven Baked Chicken Wings with Hot Sauce (and the next day, with Lemon Chesapeake which I liked even more)

Steamed Mussels with Lemon Chesapeake

Pan Roasted Halibut with Tomato Corn Salad with French Vinaigrette

If you visit Tessemae’s website, you will find an extensive recipe section. And, shopping…there’s shopping! (I actually hate shopping but when it’s for food, I’m okay with that.) Tessemae’s has been kind enough to provide Charm City Cook readers with a special promotional code for online orders. Use the code “CharmCityCook” and you’ll receive 10% off your order. I highly recommend the Lemon Chesapeake – it has a nice, subtle kick and tang. I loved it on the baked chicken wings. I went through that bottle pretty quickly. The mayonnaise is also really great – so great, it’s on back order online. Now I need to try that Green Goddess!