We were very sad to hear about Paul Newman's death on Friday, and, as a food-loving community, we wanted to take a moment to appreciate what he brought not only to our televisions but to our pantries...
Paul Newman started the Newman's Own line of foods more than 25 years ago and referred to it as "the joke that got out of control." His mission was to create all-natural products that would generate funds he could channel back into his favorite charities.
Since it started, Newman's Own has donated more than $250 million. Those drawings of Newman's face peek at us from almost every aisle of the grocery store, and we appreciate the mission to make packaged goods (even pet food!) that are more wholesome than the average cookie or cracker. Many of the Newman's Own products are organic, and we are fans of several of them.
We've highlighted a few products in our recipes, like Mint Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream (with Newman's Own mint chocolate sandwich cookies) and our Raspberry Limeade Cooler (with the organic limeade).
The interest in the company has temporarily shut down the website, but there is a message on the home page celebrating Newman's Own's motto: "Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good."
Which Newman's Own products do you buy and use? Salad dressing? Popcorn?
(Image: Flickr member Petezin, licensed under Creative Commons)
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I love the peanut butter cups (and the mint patty cups). So sad. What a wonderful talent and philanthropist.
Black pepper pretzels.
The straight-up mild salsa. I use it in everything that requires tomatoes - here in VT, we don't get fresh good tomatoes 11 months out of the year. This stuff give the taste of fresh.
The Newman O's (they satisfy my Oreo craving and they come in mint!).
And the Newman's Ranch salad dressing is my favorite ranch. I tried a whole bunch of different brands, and Newman's was my absolute favorite. The Light Lime Vinaigrette is also absolutely delicious.
We lost an incredible talent with his passing.
Salsa, popcorn, Fig Newmans, and Newman-O's!
I even made Mint Oreo Truffles using Mint Newman O's for a Super Bowl Party and everyone loved them.
It's so very sad that he is gone.
The Family Recipe Italian dressing! That stuff is amazing. Pour it over pasta with blanched veggies for some of the best pasta salad you'll ever have.
Newman's O's in mint creme and ginger! So good.
I was saddened by news of his death, too. On Saturday, I went out and bought three of my favorites--peanut butter cups, popcorn, and Newman-Os.
I regularly get the NO Vodka sauce. Its the best of the bottled vodka sauces I've tried. Also the light raspberry walnut salad dressing & low fat honey mustard dressings are great.
The spray balsamic vin. dressing, and some pink italian soda- delicious! So sad that he's gone.
Pineapple salsa, all the way.
Marinara, salsa, coffee, iced tea, salad dressings...it's all good!
dark chocolate peanut butter cups.
they are great!
some of his stuff had HFCS in it, but the philanthropy of it all outshines that minor ingredients.
One of my favorite actors, he will be missed.
I was so sad when I heard the news.
My absolute favorite Newmans Own product is their Raspberry and Walnut salad dressing. It is the only store bought, and one of the few homemade salad dressings that is both lowfat AND delicous!
fig newmans!!!
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The pretzels, I love them.
For sentimental reasons, his spaghetti sauce. An out-of-town boyfriend in grad school came to spend the weekend with me and cooked dinner using it (he made a point of buying Newman's products; I had never had any prior to that).
I like his lemonade a lot. From the sounds of things, I will have to try some of his candy and the pretzels.
the coffee was good, too. paul newman was the first actor that ever actually made me sigh.
sigh.
my favorite is the creamy italian dressing--I like it on salads and as a dip for fresh veggies.
newman Os in mint are soooooo good. and i always buy his microwave popcorn too :) rest in peace mr newman. you will be missed!
It was rather disconcerting to go to the refrigerator on Saturday and see him smiling back at me from just about everything in there.
My parents started buying Newman's Own for the charitable aspect of it, but we quickly learned that his products were probably the tastiest option on the shelf.
Thanks, Paul.
Sockarooni pasta sauce. We hardly have anything else anymore--my standard quick meal now is a box of pasta and a jar of that. We used to get the salsa until we moved to New Mexico and started getting a local variety which is only a *smidge* better. And the ranch salad dressing. I haven't tried any of the brand's non-sauce offerings, and after reading some of the other comments I may have to!
Ginger sesame dressing
Fig Newman's!
The lemonade!
The family italian salad dressing, the asain dressing, the mild slse and allll the pasta sauces! Man I was so sad to hear about him!
I hoard the Light Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing, we also have Paul smiling on a from jars of his organic spaghetti sauce.
Newman's Own are always feel-good purchases too, thanks Paul.
Parmesan-Garlic Salad Dressing. I agree with the above poster--I'm spending a little extra for better salad dressing, but there's no guilt at all because I know where the proceeds are going.
Newman's Own Organics Cinnamon Sugar Soy Crisps... with a smear of Almond Butter. Pure Heaven.
Thanks Paul. You will be missed.
I think I'm the only one who didn't know that Newman's Own was Paul Newman!! Then again, i didn't really know who Paul Newman is....I know I know, how could I...let's just say I'm a 23 yr old immigrant, so a lot of classic Americana stuff is way over my head. LOL
But I like a lot of the products.
Peanut butter cups To Die For.
I love the salt and pepper pretzels. Years ago Newman's Own also did ice cream and it was AMAZING. mint chip was incredible.
Not sure why they stopped doing it...I wish they'd bring it back!
Sockarooni pasta sauce!!!! My dogs like his treats too. He will be missed.
Ginger-Os and balsamic vinaigrette, but rarely together...
sesame ginger dressing!!
the balsamic vinaigrette and newman-o's! i love his lemonade too. the strange thing is on friday i was shopping for things for a party and i was looking around for popcorn- i decided to go with his for the first time since i like paul newman so much. then i heard that he passed away and my first thought (aside from oh no! sad!) was, but he would be happy that i bought the popcorn, right?