SLIM PICKINGS

WHAT: San-J Asian gluten-free sauces

STATS: Varies by flavor. The Tamari Lite (lower sodium) soy sauce contains 10 calories per tablespoon. As for cooking sauces, the Orange Sauce contains 60 calories per serving (two tablespoons), whereas the Szechuan only contains 5.

THE SKINNY: What is tamari?

Well, besides cutesy slang for “the day after today,” tamari is premium Japanese soy sauce made primarily from soybeans, says San-J’s website.

Um, isn’t all soy sauce made from soybeans? Yes, San-J says, but, “while most soy sauces are made with about 50 percent soybeans and 50 percent wheat, Tamari soy sauce is made from soybeans with just a touch of wheat or no wheat at all.” Therefore, products like its Tamari and Tamari Lite soy sauces are certified gluten free. As for the flavor, we found the Lite to be full-bodied and yet quite smooth.

San-J also cooks up an assortment of gluten-free cooking sauces in a variety of flavors: Szechuan, Teriyaki, Thai Peanut, Asian BBQ , Orange Sauce and Sweet & Tangy. While they vary widely in taste and nutritional information, expect all to offer a lively tang, particularly the super spicy and low-calorie Szechuan that greatly revived a recent tofu stir-fry.

Visit san-j.com/recipes.asp for recipes like Szechuan Guacamole, Orange Shrimp and Asian Country Style Ribs.

We’re going to try the Honey & Tamari Chicken, well, tamari.

Slim Pickings is a weekly review of light foods. Email: jchristman@arkansasonline.com