THE NIBBLE » Christmas

RECIPE: Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread

Editorial Assistant — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:58:05 +0000

Back in the 17th century, sugar was costly and shortbread was considered an expensive luxury, a treat reserved for special celebrations, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Imagine how over-the-top-indulgent those party-goers would think us if they had these dipped shortbread fingers!

We thank the folks at Walkers Shortbread for this festive yet easy recipe. Serve it for dessert with ice cream or with coffee and tea when guests stop by during the holiday season.

Ingredients

1 package (5.3 ounces) Walkers Shortbread Fingers

1 bar (8 ounces) of chocolate—bittersweet and/or white (or double the recipe and make one batch of each)

A selection of toppings: chopped nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts or pistachios or walnuts); chopped candied fruit; crystallized ginger; mini chocolate (or other flavored chips); grated coconut; zest of orange or lemon; or your own favorite toppings)

Dip shortbread fingers: It’s easy, fun—and impressive! Photo courtesy Walker’s Shortbread.

Preparation
1. Microwave chocolate in medium microwavable bowl on HIGH for 2 minutes. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth.
2. Dip shortbread fingers into the melted chocolate. Immediately roll in chopped nuts, coconut, mini-chocolate chips, slivered almonds, etc.
3. Or place plain dipped chocolate shortbread onto waxed paper and let cool. Then drizzle with contrasting chocolate. Serves 4.

There are many more recipes available at www.walkersus.com. Enjoy!

PRODUCT: Wine Cellar Sorbet For Christmas Dinner

admin — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:18:48 +0000

There’s still time to have Wine Cellar Sorbet at your Christmas dinner—as a palate-cleanser between courses or a light dessert for adults who still want something sweet but have no room for anything else. Yes, the sorbets are for grown-ups: They are 5% alcohol and are distinctly—and delightfully—alcoholic. You need to order by midnight tonight for delivery by 12/24 (or, check the website for a retailer near you).

You can also send this frozen fantasy as a gift. Purchase a gift certificate for a 4, 6 or 12 pack of Wine Cellar Sorbet; the recipient will get an email gift certificate and can have it delivered at the time of his or her choice. (A 6-pack enables him/her to taste all of the flavors.)

The sorbets are made from fine wine—Cabernet Sauvignon, Chanpagne, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Rose and Sangria. Of everything we’ve tasted at THE NIBBLE over the years, Wine Cellar Sorbet remains one of our very favorite foods, a NIBBLE Top Pick Of The Week and winner of THE NIBBLE Outstanding Artisan Award. Even if you don’t have it for Christmas, you should make a point to try it in the New Year. Sorbet also has far fewer calories than ice cream, no fat, no cholesterol. Not that we’re saying it’s health food…

Read our review and order online at WineCellarSorbet.com.

PRODUCTS: Food Gifts For The Jaded Foodie

Editorial Assistant — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:23:48 +0000

Geoduck neck meat has a deliciously mild flavor
with the crisp “crunchy” texture of a cucumber.
The body meat is tender and has a balanced
shellfish flavor.

If you know a certain person who’s been everywhere and eaten everything…how do you find that special gourmet something to turn his or her head? Marx Foods has put together a page of special somethings, including:

Alligator tenderloin (5 lbs., $136.25)
Boneless turtle meat (5 lbs., $156.00)
Kangaroo boneless loin (approximately 24 lbs., $319.00)
Live geoduck, a sashimi rarity (1.5-2 lbs., $97.00)
Wild boar tenderloin (approximately 9 lbs., $185.25)

We didn’t say it was inexpensive, but you can bet that no one else will be giving him/her the same gift (unless they also read THE NIBBLE blog).