Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts

Monday, February 28, 2011

Meatless Monday: Veggie Burgers Galore

Quorn is reported to be the top-selling frozen meat-free brand in natural stores across the country - and it's no surprise to me, as I think they offer the best tasting meat alternatives on the market. Recently, Quorn introduced two new meatless options to their line of vegetarian fare: the classic hamburger and the cheeseburger. Like other Quorn products, these burgers are made of mycoprotein, a soy-free blend of fungi rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and fiber.

The stats are pretty impressive! A Quorn Cheeseburger patty has 100 calories, 4 grams of fat, 8 carbs, 3 grams of fiber, and 11 grams of protein. The Classic burger's nutritional content contains all of the above, with ones less gram of fat.

These burgers are delicious! Meaty and dense with a much more realistic texture than most other veggieburgers. With enough toppings, I bet these could even fool most meat lovers.

Here's how I'll be serving them this meatless Monday:

Quorn Cheeseburgers with Sweet and Spicy Onion Compote

One Quorn hamburger or cheeseburger patty per person
Soft buns such as challah or potato rolls
2 tbs. sweet and spicy onion compote
Slice of your favorite cheese or soy cheese (I used soy cheddar)
Lettuce, tomato, onion
Ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, or even some Chipotle Pimenton Tartar Sauce if you have some left over

Sweet and Spicy Onion Compote
2 medium sweet onions, sliced thin
3-4 canned jalapenos, finely chopped and seeded (you can find a can in the Mexican/Spanish section of your grocery store) OR if you'd prefer less spice, substitute about 1/8th cup mild canned chiles
2 tbs. brown sugar
1-2 cloves garlic, minced OR 1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cumin powder
Squeeze of fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime's worth)
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1 tbs. canola or olive oil for sauteing

Heat oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Cook 5-7 minutes until just tender and beginning to brown. Add the garlic, jalapenos, cumin, and brown sugar. Cook an additional 5 minutes or so until onions are brown and caramelized. Add lime juice and cook another minute until liquid is absorbed. Adjust seasonings if necessary. Let cool and use as a topping for Quorn burgers. Will keep in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, so it's always good to make extra!



For those in the Princeton area looking for a meatless option, I recently discovered that Chuck's Spring Street Cafe has a pretty good homemade veggie burger! This was unexpected, since this sort of divey hole in the wall is best known for it's chicken wings and foot-long hot dogs. And while we're still on the topic of veggie burgers, here's Melyssa with a note about one of her favorites in Philadelphia:

For any Philadelphians reading, I urge vegetarians and carnivores alike to try the veggie burger at Mac's Tavern, a gastropub in Old City that opened less than a year ago. I would have never even noticed the place, with it's nondescript facade and small, very understated sign, but my friend decided to hold her birthday party here after learning that two of the actors from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are part-owners. Boy am I happy about this discovery! For only $7.99 you can get a piping hot homemade veggie burger and a pile of nicely-seasoned fries with aoli dipping sauce. While some veggie burgers strive to mimic meat, Mac's patty is distinctively verdant, with whole green peas and fresh herbs throughout. Served with a huge slice of tomato and a pile of lettuce and onion, it can be a little (ok a lot) messy to eat, but it's worth the effort.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Best-Ever Brownies Review & Recipe

When I received this months issue of Bon Appetit magazine, a headline on the cover caught my eye: "Best-Ever Brownies." A bold claim, I thought. Seeing as it was a snow day - and that brownies are my all-time favorite dessert - I decided to put their recipe to the test. The browned butter seemed like a strange addition, and when I tried a bit of batter early on, I noticed a burnt taste that I hoped wouldn't carry over to the finished product. To my delight, the baked brownies were delicious! Perfectly chewy inside with just enough crunch on top. The verdict: Perhaps these really are the best-ever brownies.


10 tbs or 1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 1/4 cups organic sugar
3/4 cup natural, unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract (the higher quality the better - such as Nielson Massey)
2 large eggs
1/3 cup + 1 tbs. organic all-purpose flour
1 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, chopped
1/2 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (I like Ghiradelli)
3/4 cup dried cherries
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. water
1-2 grinds of fresh black pepper (optional to help bring out the cocoa flavor)

Position rack in bottom third of oven; preheat to 325°F. Line 8x8x2-inch metal baking pan with foil, pressing foil firmly against pan sides and leaving 2-inch overhang. Coat foil with nonstick spray. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking until butter stops foaming and browned bits form at bottom of pan, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; immediately add sugar, cocoa, 2 teaspoons water, vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon (generous) salt. Stir to blend. Let cool 5 minutes (mixture will still be hot). Add eggs to hot mixture 1 at a time, beating vigorously to blend after each addition. When mixture looks thick and shiny, add flour and stir until blended. Beat vigorously 60 strokes. Stir in nuts. Transfer batter to prepared pan.

The above recipe has a few of my own additions. I also used all organic ingredients, which I encourage you all to do whenever possible. Original recipe available online at bonappetit.com 

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Seasons Eatings!

Seasons Eatings!

Tis the season for giving and receiving - for us foodies, that means gourmet gifts! Here are some of my personal favorite gourmet treats; perfect little presents to send to your foodie friends/family or to include as part of your own gift basket creation.

Chocolates

There are so many wonderful chocolate companies out there, but here are my recommendations:

Vosges Chocolates - Amazing and even unusual chocolate treats. Try the Naga Bar, a deep chocolate with Indian curry spices and coconut milk. Mo's Bacon Chocolate Bar has the perfect combination of sweet and savory. The Barcelona Bar is another one of my favorites, featuring sea salt and hickory smoked almonds. Vosges also has a line of unique truffles and other filled chocolates. Check out their website for pre-made gift packages, or you can find them in your favorite specialty food store and some grocery stores such as Whole Foods.

Lindt Chocolates - Always delicious with a wonderful creamy mouth-feel, Lindt is an old stand-by worth having for the first time or the hundredth time. I've been to many food shows featuring expensive chocolates from all over the world, and Lindt, while inexpensive, still stands up to the competition. I personally love the 70% dark chocolate bar with sea salt. For those of you who are nostalgic for "Chunky" candy bars, Lindt makes a similar (and much more upscale) chocolate bar with hazelnuts and raisins. You can find Lindt nearly everywhere: in grocery stores, or one of their stand-alone shops. You can also order online - check out their array of pre-made gift boxes and baskets.
Fran's Chocolates and Caramels - It's no wonder this company has won so many awards for their chocolate sea-salt caramels, they are to die for! I have not personally eaten their chocolate dipped figs, but they look delicious and I cannot wait to try them. Fran's has beautiful gift sets and a variety of seasonal treats for the holidays including milk and dark chocolate Santas.

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - Delicious handmade chocolates in every price range. I especially love their chocolate dipped sea-salted caramels. You can find these in some specialty food stores (check the site for locations) or order online.

Green and Black's - If you're looking for delicious organic chocolate treats that melt in your mouth (I've found that some organic chocolates are a bit chalky), Green and Black's is one of the best. This socially-responsible company offers delicious, relatively affordable chocolate bars with interesting additions such as toffee, mint, ginger, espresso, and hazelnut/currant (one of my personal favorites).
Sjaak's Organic Chocolates - For any vegans on your gift list, Sjaak's makes milk-free dark chocolate treats in a range of flavors such as mint, ginger, and raspberry. They also offer chocolate dipped nuts and toffee. These delights are all ethically made and reasonably priced - plus they can gift wrap your purchase when you order online.

Condiments

I'll admit it, I'm a condiment junkie. My pantry is overloaded with an astonishing array of jams, jellies, salsas, chutneys, spreads, and sauces. I love the versatility of condiments, and your loved ones will too. You can eat them on plain crackers or chips or use them as ingredients in your own creations. The following would made great additions to any gift basket.
Organic Dalmatia Spreads - A jar of quince, fig, olive, sour cherry, red pepper, or plum spread with a wedge of creamy cheese (try d'affinois, brie, st. andre, or your favorite goat) makes a thoughtful and delicious gift. Their original and orange fig spreads are two of my favorites. You can find them in many supermarkets such as Whole Foods and Wegmans, and in specialty food stores. Their online shop is coming soon. 
Stonewall Kitchen - I admit, I might be slightly obsessed with this company! Choose from spreads, dips, sauces, syrups, dressings, and baking mixes to mix and match in your own gift basket, or try one of their beautifully packaged pre-arranged gift sets. Check out the Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) line of dessert mixes and toppings. I've seen their products in upscale grocery stores, specialty food shops, and Williams Sonoma. Right now they are having an online sale on many holiday themed condiment sets!

Sarabeth's Kitchen - Try their delicious line of award-winning jams, spreadable fruits, jellies, and baking mixes. The apricot-orange marmalade is one of my favorites, great on toast or crackers, mixed with cream cheese, or even as a sauce-starter for a chicken or pork dish. Sarabeth's website is full of gift ideas, including many sampler sets.

Earth and Vine Provisions - Once again I must rave about these lovely products - they are one of my all time favorites. Earth and Vine offers everything from jams, jellies, and fruit butters to olive oils, dressings, mustards, and chutneys. Check out their gift sets with themes like Mustard Lovers, California Sunshine Citrus, and Holiday Condiments. The beautiful packaging is sure to please anyone on your holiday list.

Cheese and Crackers

A unique cheese and a box of elegant crackers makes a great addition to any gift basket. The following cheese and cracker combos would also pair nicely with the condiments listed above.

Creamy 

d'Affinois - This brie-like cow's milk cheese has a rich, buttery texture and a slightly sweet aftertaste. A sure crowd pleaser.
Robiola Due Latte - Creamy cheese made from a blend of cow and sheep's milk with a slightly nutty, mushroomy flavor. 
Champignon German Brie with Mushrooms - A creamy, mild cow's cheese with pieces of handpicked champignon mushrooms embedded inside.

Goat

Cypress Grove Farms Chevre - This company offers a variety of delicious, responsibly farmed goat cheeses. Their Midnight Moon, Humboldt Fog, and Truffle Tremor are some of my favorite goat cheeses not just by Cypress Grove but by any company!
eRolling Stone Chevre - Their Chevre with dried cranberries and walnuts is available from October to January and is a festive goat cheese for the holidays. Also try their unique chevre with anise and lavender for those with more adventurous palates!

Stronger-Flavored 

Rogue Creamery - Rogue offers bold blue cheeses like the Caveman Blue, a complex cheese which is at the same time sweet and pungent with slight vanilla notes; some describe is as a bit grassy. They also make a delicious Gorgonzola-style cheese.
Point Reyes Blue Cheese - A great, socially-conscious company featuring sustainable, handmade cheeses. The Original Blue is my favorite, tangy and flavorful without the ammonia aftertaste of some strong Blue's. The cheeses are quite pricey on their website, but you can find them in any upscale market or grocery store for less.
Gorgonzola Dolce - Creamy and soft cow's milk cheese has a nice, spreadable texture which is lovely on a cracker drizzled with truffle honey. I like to stuff it inside soft dates and press a candied pecan on top - try bringing a tin of these appetizers to your holiday dinner parties.
English Stilton Cheeses - Stilton's are popular blue cheeses with rich yet mellow flavors and a hint of tang. They are available with a variety of additives such as apricot, ginger, mango, and cranberry.
Huntsman - Alternating layers of cheddar and blue cheeses make for a bold flavor combination. Delicious with fruit or red wine.
Sottocenere with Truffles - An Italian cow's milk cheese with flakes of truffle. Aromatic, salty, yet mellow. I like to grate it over scrambled eggs or quiche, but it's interesting flavor shines best on its own. 

*Here's a helpful site for any stricter vegetarians on your gift list: Vegetarian Cheeses.
Each is made with vegetable rennet (enzymes from plants, fungis, or molds) instead of animal rennet (which is most often taken from calf stomachs)*
Crackers

There are so many different crackers on the market these days. Here are a few that pair especially well with the upscale cheeses and condiments above - treat yourself or your loved ones for the holidays! 

Rosemary flavored crackers like Whole Foods brand Sea Salt and Rosemary Crostini and The Fine Cheese Co. Rosemary Crackers are particularly delicious with creamier cheeses and condiments such as fig jam or quince paste. Also try them with my Fig and Kalamata Olive Jam.

The Kitchen Table Bakers, personal acquaintances of mine, make delicious (and gluten-free) crackers crafted purely from cheese. Delicious on their own, but the flavor comes out best when topped with a sweet jam or fresh fruit. Check their website to find a vendor near you.

Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps - Ethically made, artisan crackers chock full of dried fruits and nuts. Try the Rosemary Raisin Pecan crisps with almost any cheese!

Daelia's Biscuits for Cheese - Similar to the Raincoast Crisps, these all-natural crackers are crunchy with the perfect touch of sweet fruit. Made specifically to compliment upscale cheese, these can be found in Whole Foods across the country.

Ines Rosales Sweet Olive Tortas - Almost a cookie, almost a cracker, these thin, crispy rounds are available in three varieties: plain, rosemary, and sesame-sea salt. They are delicious and unusual, I've never found anything quite like it. A hit on any appetizer tray! 

John Macy's Cheese Sticks- Always a favorite! These are lovely on their own or dipped into mustard, fondue, or jam. You can even wrap them in prosciutto for a quick appetizer. Watch out - they are addictive. Melyssa recently ate an entire box in one night!

*I found all these crackers and cheeses at my local Whole Foods market, but they are widely available at quality supermarkets or specialty food stores. Murray's Cheese is a great website for purchasing or just learning about interesting, upscale cheeses. If you live in the New York metro area, it's worth a visit to one of their physical stores, one on Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village and the other in Grand Central terminal.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Delicious (and affordable) Wines Under 10 Dollars

Great Wine Picks Rated 90 Points and Over for $10 or Under*

Santa Ema 2007 Reserve Merlot - Deep violent color with the aroma of plums, blackberries, figs, and currants. Intense notes of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate - yum!

Bodegas Lan Rioja Crianza 2006 - An aroma of crushed rose petals with bright cherry flavors. Pairs well with olives and meats, especially duck.

ViƱa Falernia Syrah Reserva 2006 - Has a nose of blueberry and smoke, medium-bodied with layers of spicy fruit.

Monte Antico Toscana 2006 - 75% Sangiovese from 25 year old vines loaded with plums and berries.
DR Loosen Riesling 2009 - This is one of my favorites, delicious flavors of apricot, mango, and lime. Creamy with a slight tang. Pairs well with Asian dishes and light appetizers.


*I found all of these in various New Jersey wine stores such as Wegman's for $10 or less. Prices may vary near you - or you can follow the links to buy each for around what I paid!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Out and About - My Picks from the Philadelphia Food and Wine "Taste" Festival

Last weekend I attended the 2010 Philadelphia Food and Wine Festival, "Taste" where I sampled dozens of gourmet food products and wines - ranging from mediocre to excellent.



Here are a few of my favorites this year:

Crazy Steve's Pickles and Salsa - These "Condiments on a mission" started from a surplus of homegrown cucumbers in Steve Zielinski's family garden. Using his grandmother's recipe for Chow Chow (a condiment made with corn and pickle relish) as inspiration, Steve went on to create new "crazy" innovative pickle recipes. Steve's line includes an array of salsas such as Black Bean and Corn and Mango Raspberry, and all sorts of pickles from sour barrel to Cajuns cukes. Biting into Steve's fresh, crisp pickles brought back memories of the pickles I grew up eating from Gus's in New York's Lower East Side. Crazy Steve's products can be found in several stores or online - where there is also a search function allowing you to search the nearest carrier near you.



Tillie's Gourmet - This company offers gourmet dressings and their original one-of-a-kind Blue Crab Salsas. Tillie Logan, a Bucks County woman who began crafting condiments back in the 1960's serves as the inspiration for these delicious dressings and salsas. I sampled the unique Blue Crab salsas - chock full of fresh crab balanced by a slightly smokey tomato flavor. Tillie's products are available online and in stores throughout PA and NJ.

A Taste of Olive - Gourmet, artisan extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, specialty seasons and spreads. I tasted a multitude of oils and vinegars - my favorite being the fig vinegar. You can even order their products with personalized labels for a unique gift or party favor!



There were over a hundred wines to try, but these two vineyards stood out among the rest:

Bodegas Paso Robles - Delicious, bold Spanish and Portuguese style wines with beautiful labels from California.

Cupcake Vineyards - Their Chardonnay was delightfully creamy with apple and tropical fruit flavors and a nice balance of vanilla and spice. I also loved the Sauvignon Blanc - nicely balanced and smooth with lemon and lime flavors. Red Velvet 2009 is a lovely blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon with full-bodied blackberry, mocha, and chocolate flavors. Head winemaker Adam Richardson travels far and wide to gain knowledge and inspiration from wineries around the world.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

North Fork Hamptons Vacation part 3

The Tasting Room

This is another one of our favorite North Fork stops! Located at 2885 Peconic Lane in Peconic, NY The Tasting Room is the region's  "only multi-winery showcase for fine, limited production, hand-crafted, boutique wines from the North Fork." The Tasting room was first established in 2003 and is owned and operated by Theresa Dilworth, who is the owner and chief wine maker at Comtesse Therese Vineyards. We had a wonderful tasting, led by the knowledgeable and informative Charles Lazarou, who manages The Tasting Room. For only $6, The Tasting Room offers a flight of 6 different wines from the lesser-known local winemakers. The flight changes weekly, but on this visit we sampled:

Christiano Family 2007 Chardonnay - A medium-bodied chardonnay with notes of pineapple and pear.

Brooklyn Oenology 2009 Riesling Finger Lakes - Crisp with lemon, pear, nectarine, and a touch of honey.

Cometesse Therese Chateau Merlot 2004 - Very fruit-forward. Cherry, raspberry, and blueberry notes. One of my favorite merlots!

Medolla Vineyards 2003 Merlot - Medolla only makes merlot; this one was delicate and full of ripe, jammy fruits. Mr. Lazarou said that 2010 was not the best vintage year for merlot because the vineyards had seen too much rain.

Schneider Vineyards Cabernet Franc - Petit Verdot 2005 - This Cabernet is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Wonderful flavors of plums, blackberries, and dark chocolate with a long finish. Try it with a grilled meat or even a piece of dark chocolate.

Comtesse Therese Cabernet Sauvignon Serve 2003 - Delicious, full bodied with the flavors of ripe raspberries, spices, plum, and mint. 

A Taste of the North Fork.

Located right next door to The Tasting Room, this unique specialty foods shop features its own "taste of the North Fork." Here you can find conventional as well as unusual flavors of home made condiments - jams, jellies, chutneys, sauces, mustards, and spreads just to name a few. I picked up a couple of my favorites: Rugosa Rose Jelly and Lemon Verbena Jelly. Try them on toast, scones, or crackers with a mild, creamy brie or a soft goat cheese. If you can't make it up to the North Fork yourself, you can order their products online. 


Also on Peconic Lane is Ackerly Pond Vineyards, where I've done several tastings in the past. I particularly enjoy their rosĆ©s! 


If you cross Highway 48 at Mill Road (near Peconic Lane) there is a beautiful spot to relax on the beach. Here, the ocean meets an inlet and an interesting current condition occurs that lends itself to body-surfing and boogie-boarding. A beautiful spot, especially to watch the sunset. 



Friday, August 20, 2010

North Fork Hamptons Vacation part 2

One of our favorite places to stop for lunch or dinner in the North Fork is Love Lane Kitchen in Mattituck, NY. As their website proclaims, you can "find your inner gourmet" at this essential stop for foodies. Love Lane Kitchen features some of the best homemade comfort food around - an eclectic mix of French bistro, Italian tratoria, and your favorite hometown diner. Love Lane Kitchen's philosophy is "source locally, prepare from scratch, and price fairly." For breakfast, try their farm fresh egg omelets or special fritata of the day. I love their rancheros - Mexican style eggs with refried beans, tortillas, homemade guacamole, and salsa. The organic eggs were served sunny side up over smokey and perfectly seasoned refried beans, and the guacamole was fresh and nicely spiced. I ordered the French Toast which was thickly sliced, batter dipped, and lightly fried to crunchy perfection. It comes with pure maple syrup, which adds big points in my book, as most breakfast places only offer sugary, artificial syrups.

Lunches are hearty and tasty at Love Lane Kitchen. Although I don't eat beef burgers very often, when I do, this is the place to get them. A delicious half pound of antibiotic-free beef served on a delicious brioche roll next to a pile of fries infused with herb-garlic oil. The sweet potato fries are also a treat, nice and crispy with a chipotle mayonnaise for dipping. Vegetarians needn't worry - there are a various offerings to please your palates as well, including a goat cheese panini with caramelized onions and sauteed veggies or a portabello and mozzarella sandwich. For a larger meal, try the roasted vegetable lasagna.

On this particular lunch visit, my husband ordered the Cuban sandwich and I had the special of the day, fish tacos. The Cuban featured fresh, high quality meats and cheese on a crusty foccacia bread. The tacos were filled with fresh-caught fish of the day and crunchy herbed slaw served in warm flour tortillas. On the side was a home made (and expertly seasoned) pickled cucumber salad made with local veggies. We finished our meal with one of their new offerings - creamy mango gelato.


















Love Lane Kitchen's outdoor dining area













 Because we're such big fans of Love Lane Kitchen, we returned for dinner the very same night! The atmosphere was transformed with dim lights and votive candles. An old Humphry Bogart and Lauren Bacall movie played in the background (we learned from some local customers that Love Lane Kitchen shows classic films weekly). Service was prompt and our waiter was efficient and super-friendly. We started our meal with a fresh Mediterranean salad filled with perfectly ripe heirloom tomatoes, tender green beans, buttery potatoes, hardboiled egg, and capers topped with a light vinaigrette. I ordered Orecchiette with Swiss Chard, Cranberry Beans, and Sweet Italian Sausage (this is the dish that inspired my last Meatless Monday recipe! U also made a non-vegetarian version using Whole Foods Italian style chicken sausage made with wine, parsley, and cheese). The pasta was cooked perfectly - a little al dente - and the light wine and stock based sauce was infused with smokey sausage flavor. My husband had the Pappardelle Pasta with Ground Veal and Local Peas (we never really eat veal, but we saw this dish on the diners table next to us and it looked too good to pass up). The pappardelle's eggy flavor was a perfect match for the light bolognese style sauce, The ground veal was sweet and the English peas were tender. A lovely glass of Macari Vineyard Rose was the perfect compliment to our meal. For dessert we shared a peach custard tart - perfectly ripe peaches in a buttery, crumbly crust and topped with home made vanilla gelato.

Love Lane Kitchen's menu changes weekly and seasonally which, along with the laid back vibe and friendly service, keeps us coming back every time! They are open 7 days a week for breakfast and  lunch, with dinner service Tuesday through Sunday. Love Lane Kitchen is located at 240 Love Lane in Mattituck, NY.

After dining at Love Lane Kitchen, we took a stroll down charming Love Lane to check out a couple of my favorite shops. The Village Cheese Shop has an extensive array of cheese and gourmet products - and they'll let you sample anything! A great place to stock up on goodies to take on your winery visits. Love Lane Sweet Shoppe features a variety of sumptuous chocolates and other candy treats. I also like to stop in and browse at Bauer's, a quaint Love Lane shop featuring antiques, collectibles, and gifts.


Thursday, August 19, 2010

North Fork Hamptons Vacation part 1

This was our third trip to the Long Island North Fork, also known as Long Island Wine Country. There are over 60 wineries in this beautiful, bucolic region, and as of now my husband and I have been to more than half of them. The North Fork looks very much like our area of Bucks County, PA except it's surrounded by water and a multitude of little coves and inlets and incredible stone and sand beaches (it's hard not to pick up too many beautiful multicolored stones). It is also the perfect Maritime climate for all those delicious wines!

We stayed at our favorite (and we think the best!) bed and breakfast, By The Bluff (I've mentioned it before), located on a quiet, tree-lined street in East Marion, New York - only a few hundred yards from the beach and just minutes from the town center of Greenport where you can find shops, restaurants, and ferries to the Hamptons. This was our third time at By The Bluff, and it's beginning to feel like visiting old friends. The inn-keepers Patricia and Morris, are wonderful hosts and make you feel like part of their family. Patricia is a retired NYC police officer and Morris was previously in the construction business - in fact he built this beautiful Victorian-style house himself. Upon arrival, we  were greeted warmly by  Pat and Morris and their two dogs, Daisy and McDuff ( a new addition to the family). The inn  common rooms, breakfast room,and the bedrooms are and elegantly furnished yet cozy and comfortable . Morris is the chief cook and always prepares a delicious and hearty gourmet breakfast, like spinach frittata, french toast, and various egg creations. You won't go hungry here!














This beautiful beach is just a short walk from the inn.















The first stop on our trip was to the LiV (pronounced live) vodka distillery for a vodka tasting. Surrounded by thousands of acres of potato farms, the LiV distillery is located "in the heart of the acclaimed Long Island wine region." I rarely drink vodka straight, but this liquor is surprisingly smooth and goes down easy. Distinct vanilla flavors and a creamy finish set this Ultra Premium vodka apart from any other I've tried. They paired our shots with local North Fork brand potato chips - an unlikely but pleasing combination, with the saltiness of the chip complimenting the mellowness of the vodka. LiV's goal is perfection. It is made in small batches, using only domestically produced potatoes instead of corn, wheat, or rye - which are used to make about 98% of all other vodkas. There are over 25 lbs. of potatoes in just one liter of LiV vodka! I can't wait to make my first martini with this stuff. LiV also makes  unique, potato-based liqueurs they call Sorbetta. We tried each flavor: strawberry, orange, and lemon (which tasted a lot like Limoncello). Each flavor was distinct, They are made by using hand peeled macerated fresh fruits combined with pure cane sugar and boy were they strong! They are located at 182 Sound Ave, Bating Hollow, NY


























Next up was Roanoke Vineyards in Riverhead, NY, on the same road as LiV distillery. We did a white wine tasting flight, then a red wine tasting flight, featuring their own wines and a few from their friends at Wolffer Estate in Southampton. The white included:
2009 Roanoke De Rosa Rose - "luscious grapefruit, strawberry, and raspberries"  (really delicious. we bought several bottles)
2008 Roanoke Chardonnay - "crisp and vibrant, with a suggestion of fresh lemon"
2007 Wolffer Estate Perle Chardonnay- "bold fruit, with notes of pear, apricot, and melon"
2008 Wolffer Estate Diosa Late Harvest - "delicious fig and lime flavors with vanilla" (this was my favorite, and reminded me of butterscotch)

The red flight: * Long Island red wines are actually very good ,fairly full bodied and with lush fruity flavors The terroir of Long Island has a micro climate that is almost an exact replica of Bordeaux France!
2007 Roanoke Cabernet Franc - "big black cherry flavors"
2008 Roanoke Marco Tulio - "rich fruit [with] a long vanilla finish"
2006 - Roanoke Blend 2 - "39% cabernet sauvignon, 31% cab franc, and 30% merlot"
2006  Roanoke Blend One - "exotic plum and chocolate flavors"


Thursday, August 5, 2010

A little taste of this; A little sip of that

A little taste of this

Stonewall Kitchen, one of my favorite brands, launched many new products this summer, including jams, sauces, baking mixes, and cheese ball mixes. Two of my favorite recent releases are the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Sauce and the Dark Chocolate Toffee Sauce. Yum - so good you'll want to eat it right out of the jar! Heat 20 seconds in the microwave before serving over vanilla ice cream, fruit, or cake.Or coat a corner of a Walker Shortbread cookie in one of the sauces and let it harden. For easy treats you can make at home, try Stonewall's new Chocolate Gingerbread and Chocolate Peppermint Krinkle cookie mixes!

I have to take the time to rave about a specialty bakery that opened last year in Spring Lake, NJ. The Scone Pony (whose name is a take off of The Stone Pony, a bar in Asbury Park NJ where Bruce Springsteen got his start) offers the best scones, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other assorted baked goods that I've had in a long time. The Scone Pony is owned by sisters Debra Bruchian and Tara Conaton - with a lot of help from their mother, Marry Ann, who honed her recipes for 25 years at a bakery she ran in Cliffside Park, NJ. I personally tasted a delicious red velvet whoopie pie, a warm, flaky croissant, and a piece of incredible coconut cake, a German chocolate cupcake, and the best peanut butter cookie I've ever eaten - dense, yet crumbly and reminiscent of the old GirlScout cookie "The Gaucho" from years ago (only this one was 100x better, and I don't usually care much for peanut butter cookies!). I also had a bite of a wonderful Italian Sfogliatelle. Needless to say, after this I experienced a little bit of sugar shock, but it was worth it! If you're in the Spring Lake/Jersey Shore area, don't pass this place up: 305 Washington Ave, Spring Lake, NJ 732-280-8887. It's right around the corner from Tom Bailey's, whose outdoor grille is now open.









A little sip of that

Beaulieu Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc California Coastal Estates 2009. Delicious apple, pear, and peach flavors. Pairs well with light proteins like chicken, fish, or lobster. Vegetarians should try it with a corn chowder or squash dish. Under $10, too!

This next one is a little splurge, but worth it: 2008 Domaine Alary Cairanne Font D' Estevanas Blanc. The Alary Family have been growing wine grapes in the Rhone valley for over 11 generations! This pick is crisp, flowery, and minerally with nectarine and grapefruit notes. It's in the $18-24 range, so treat yourself.

Interesting Food Fact

According to the recent NASFT newsletter, a study of retail consumers by MarketForce showed that 53% of consumers eat chicken more than 4 times a week. Let's hope these people are buying all natural and organic!
Melyssa's rant: let's try to get that number down! Replace some of those chicken with Quorn or seitan, you'll be surprised how little you miss the real thing.

Kudos to healthier eating - sales of packaged whole wheat bread surpasses those of packaged white bread over the last year. Hopefully the trend towards whole grain will continue!

Friday, July 9, 2010

NASFT Summer Fancy Food Show Review


Last week I attended the 56th Summer Fancy Food show at the Jacob Javitts Center in New York City. "The three-day event is the largest marketplace for specialty food in North America" with over 2,400 American and International exhibitors representing over 80 countries. Basically, I tasted my way into oblivion.
Executive Chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill restaurant delivered the keynote address, focusing his speech on the importance of "connecting consumers with the story behind their food." "Pleasure is affected by more than the food's taste," said Barber, "when you connect people to where their food comes from, it tastes better." I say amen to that!

Three cheers for this news - the most common words seen on products at this Fancy Food Show were "organic" "vegan" "fair-trade" "anti-oxidant" and "gluten-free."

The SOFI (speciality outstanding food innovation) awards honor excellence in specialty foods. Some of the SOFI Gold winners which were also my personal favorites included:


 (A great product I always keep in my refrigerator)

















(The ricotta is great with some truffle honey. Pictured below is their Mozzarella)

(This is one of my favorite goat cheeses ever. I also love their Truffle Tremor)










 






(I've mentioned Tate's in previous entries as the best packaged cookie I've found)



and last but not least, my friends at  
(low-carb, gluten-free, and delicious)

I also really enjoyed products from the following companies:

-Stonewall Kitchen - Delicious and all-natural products with lovely packaging. They also feature a line of products by Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa).










 


-The French Farm - Imported gourmet condiments from Europe. All natural and beautifully presented mustards, nut oils, jams, honeys, and assorted sauces.

-Bella Cucina - Gourmet Italian pestos, pastas, oils, spreads, desserts, and more.













-Robert Rothschild - Assorted dips, jams, sauces, and other condiments. Please note that not all of their products are all natural, so check the labels.

-King's Cupboard - Specialty desserts and sweet condiments. Their organic hot fudge and caramel sauces are to die for!













Some more sights from the show: