At the beginning of the year, Nabisco launched BelVita breakfast biscuits, a nutritious alternative to cereal and bread products. They’re whole grain, calorie-friendly, and have been designed to release sustained energy.

We highly recommended them. We didn’t foresee then that these nutritious, slightly sweet, crunchy and flavorful biscuits would become our favorite grab-and-go breakfast and snack. (We also enjoy them as a sit-and-relax breakfast and snack.)

So we’ve promoted BelVita to Top Pick Of The Week. Read the full review and see of BelVita, which means beautiful life, can become part of yours.

The line is certified kosher by OU.

Find more of our favorite:

Grab a packet of BelVita biscuits for breakfast. Photo courtesy Nabisco.

Smoked sea salt ranges from pale, like
Maldon (in photo), to dark brown. Photo
courtesy Realfoods.co.uk.

What can you do if you have a gas grill, but crave the smoky flavor of meat grilled over wood chips?

Michaele Musel, chef of Double R Ranch Co., producers of aged beef, suggests this option for those who grill without an open fire.

“There’s an easy way to replicate the smokiness of coal and wood, using a gas grill and smoked sea salt,” says Chef Musel.

Smoked sea salt is available at specialty food stores or online. Get a box for yourself, and a second box or jar as an inexpensive gift for someone who likes to cook. (Put smoked salt on your “stocking stuffer” list.)

Different artisan salt companies make smoked sea salt. Perhaps the most beautiful is the smoked version of Maldon sea salt, harvested from the Atlantic Ocean off the southeast coast of England in Essex.

Maldon salt has unique pyramid-shaped flakes which are visually arresting when used as a finishing salt. Here’s more about Maldon salt in our Artisan Salt Glossary.

USES FOR SMOKED SALT

Use smoked salt on deviled eggs, fish/seafood (yummy on salmon), grilled and roasted meats, pasta, roast chicken and other foods. We even use a pinch on an egg salad or tuna sandwich. It just might get some people to eat more veggies. You can evoke the flavor of bacon in soups and stews by adding this “vegan” smokiness.

Choose Your Style. In addition to flakes, smoked salt is also available in fine and coarse grain sizes. For the most flexibility, get the flakes or coarse grain, which can be used as decorative salts. If you need a finer grain, crush or grind the salt.

Make Sure It’s Natural. Before you buy a smoked salt, make sure that it is naturally smoked. A natural salt is slow-smoked in cold smokers over a wood fire, which infuses the salt crystals with delicious, smokey flavor. Companies that take a shortcut use liquid smoke flavoring that can create a bitter taste.

Taste Before Using. While any smoked salt can be used when a hint of smoke is desired, taste it first to judge the smokiness. Some brands are smoked much more heavily than others.

GET SMOKY FLAVOR FROM A GAS GRILL

Here are chef’s Musel’s tips for achieving a smoky flavor from a gas grill. The chef likes to grill a tri-tip, part of the sirloin.

1. PREPARE GRILL. Prepare a gas grill for indirect cooking according to manufacturer’s directions for medium heat.

2. SEASON MEAT. Season the tri-tip roast or other cut with smoked sea salt and pepper. Place the roast on a cooking grid over direct heat. Grill, uncovered, for two minutes on each side.

3. INDIRECT HEAT. Move tri-tip to indirect heat. Grill, covered, one hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the internal temperature at center of thickest part of the roast reaches 135°F for medium rare; 150°F for medium doneness.

Photo courtesy Double R Ranch.

4. TENT MEAT. Transfer the roast to a carving board and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Temperature will continue to rise about 10°F to reach 145°F for medium rare; 160°F for medium doneness.

5. CARVE & SERVE. Carve the roast across the grain and serve on French bread with salsa or other condiments. Chef Musel likes to serve this dish with slow cooked pinquito beans and a green salad.

New York Style is known for its bagel chips, available in seven flavors.

The company has recently launched mini bagel chips, in BBQ, Cheddar, Garlic and Sea Salt.

For us, the standout is Garlic: a buttery, garlicky chip that’s delicious:

The line is certified kosher by OU.

Find the store nearest you with the company’s store locator.
 
Find more of our favorite crackers and snacks.

Mini bagel chips in four flavors: We like Garlic the best. Photo by Elvira Kalviste | THE NIBBLE.

As crisp as they begin, crackers will attract
moisture over time and get soggy. But you
can easily re-crisp them. Photo courtesy
Effie’s.

There’s no need to throw away soggy crackers. We were disappointed when a new canister proved not to be airtight, and our open package of WASA Crispbread had lost its crunch.

But we soon found a solution:

1. Put the crackers in the microwave on a paper towel. Don’t overlap.

2. Microwave them for 40 seconds on medium/high.

3. Allow the crackers to cool for 3-5 minutes. They will crisp up as they cool down.

Crunch away!
 
Find more of our favorite biscuits and crackers.

Daelia’s Food Company caught our eye a few years ago with its line of artisan biscuits for cheese. They’re based on an old Mediterranean recipe, twice baked in small batches to create very crisp, three-inch-long flats. The sweet and toasty nut flavors—including Almond with Raisins, Hazelnut with Fig and Pumpkin Seed—go with all types of cheese.

The company has recently released a new cracker creation, whole grain Beer Flats. They’re a thick, strong, macho cracker with great flavor. We enjoy them so much, we don’t need any cheese. We devour them from the box as a crisp snack, and serve them with soups and salads.

With or without a bottle of beer, Beer Flats rock as crackers and snacks. Photo by Elvira Kalviste | THE NIBBLE.

Both crackers deliver a seductive creaminess from the butter in the recipe; the creamy quality pairs perfectly with the creaminess of cheese. The beer adds an exciting malty nuance, and along with the butter, makes these distinctive crackers well worth the price. The sturdy texture and thickness of the crackers provide maximum crunch.

A story on the package tells that around 4000 B.C.E., an innovative Mesopotamian used beer instead of water in a recipe for grain cakes, the precursor to modern bread. Cheers to that baker!

A 5.5-ounce box of Beer Flats is $7.99 at specialty food stores and on Amazon.com.

Pick up a few boxes for your own enjoyment, as a gift for beer and cheese lovers or anyone who appreciates fine food. The crackers can be served with charcuterie, dips and spreads, hummus, pâté, prosciutto, smoked salmon or as a base for crunchy canapés.

This recipe includes several grilled cheese tricks from Chef Ryan Davis:

 
For more grilled cheese deliciousness check out these 12 grilled cheese recipes—including a “dessert” grilled cheese with mascarpone and dulce de leche.

Great with cheese! Photo by Elvira Kalviste |
THE NIBBLE.

Whenever we entertain, we look for new and exciting crackers to serve with cheeses and dips. Recently, we tasted the Raincoast Crisps line, and asked chef Johnny Gnall to pair the different flavors. (If you have questions or suggestions for tips, contact JohnnyGnall@hotmail.com.)

As a chef, I am typically pretty picky about my store-bought snack foods. Ritz crackers and Wheat Thins, though enjoyable in their own right, usually don’t make the cut when it comes to stocking my shelves. If I’m going to spend my money on something crispy to plunge into a container of whipped cream cheese (my go-to couch snack), it has to live up to a high standard.

The bar on this standard was recently raised when I discovered Raincoast Crisps.

Moreover (and this is not to be underestimated), Raincoast Crisps are hearty enough to withstand snapping in thicker dips. We’ve all experienced that frustrating moment when the bottom half of a potato chip breaks and is left to drown in the sour cream dip. Fret no more!

Raincoast Crisps will scoop even the chunkiest of condiments and stay strong to the last bite. They come in a number of different flavors, each of which has its own ideal pairings and toppings.

Best of all, they are quite delicious: Even though they make a superb base for any number of fruits, cheeses and condiments, you’ll have no problem devouring them plain.

Here are the flavor varieties, along with some suggested toppings/dippings. These are but a few suggestions; the real fun comes when you open your own refrigerator and get creative!

Cranberry Hazelnut Crisps: While dried cranberries are enjoyed year-round, these crisps and their festive flavors just scream “Holidays!” You can’t beat a wheel of baked Brie, hot out of the oven. Just put it on a plate, surround it with crisps and watch magic happen as it disappears. Sweeter toppings also work really well with these crisps: Try a little mascarpone cheese, some Nutella or ricotta, plain or lightly sweetened. Of all the Raincoast Crisps varieties, these ones seem to pair best with sweeter flavors.

Fig & Olive Crisps: Salty Kalamatas and sweet Adriatic figs populate these crackers, my favorite flavor. I love them with classic Mediterranean toppings such as goat cheese or crumbled feta. The saltiness of the feta, in particular, makes the flavors of olives and figs really pop. You’ll be surprised how well the sweetness of the figs works in savory applications.

Original Crisps: These guys are toasty and nutty, just as you want a hearty cracker to be, with hints of spice and a mildly sweet finish. The home-run pairing with smoked salmon & cream cheese is perfect for brunch, party canapés or even a light lunch. They are also an excellent dipper for paté or any flavor of hummus.

Consider boxes of Raincoast Crisps as gifts for fine-food-loving friends. Photo by Elvira Kalviste | THE NIBBLE.

Rosemary Raisin Crisps: This balance of sweet and savory also contains pecans for a nutty surprise. Try topping these with crumbled blue cheese, or for a hot appetizer, some caramelized onions and a few drops of honey. The rosemary notes provide a great backdrop for savory toppings like sautéed mushrooms. Thinly sliced turkey breast, honey-baked ham and chicken salad are at home atop these fragrant crisps. And if you’re into indulging, serve them up aside a hot pot of fondue.

Salty Date & Almond Crisps: These crisps are for folks who want a saltier crisp. Dusted with sea salt, they pair well with white bean dip, fresh herbs and nutty, melty cheeses like Gruyère. I also think they are the best flavor for spicy toppings (try them with jalapeño jam!), as the salt helps to keep flavors and heat in balance.

MORE THAN A CRACKER

Beyond standard cracker usage, Raincoast Crisps are delicious enough that you may be interested more creative applications.

 
However you choose to consume Raincoast Crisps, don’t be surprised if your old go-to crackers start acting jealous… they have good reason to do so.

Find more about Raincoast Crisps on the company website.

You’ll encounter some sticker shock: a six-ounce box runs around $7.99 – $8.99, depending on the retailer. But if you like discovering the new and delicious, treat yourself to a box. Buy them on Amazon.com.

It’s National Hoagie Day.

The sandwich, on a crusty, oblong roll (or a portion of a loaf of French or Italian bread), is piled high with Italian cold cuts or other lunch meats, provolone and perhaps another cheese. Garnishes typically include sweet and/or hot peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oregano and a vinegar and olive oil dressing.

In Europe, this type of sandwich is known as a baguette or a ciabatta, after the type of bread used.

One of the prevailing explanations of the name “hoagie” is that it was introduced by Italian Americans working at the shipyard known as Hog Island, in southwest Philadelphia, during World War II. It became known as the “Hog Island sandwich,” which evolved to “hoagie.”

A classic hoagie. Photo courtesy Dietz & Watson.

But the sandwich had earlier roots with New York Italians. According to some food historians, the sandwich originated in the late 19th century to serve Italian laborers, who wanted the convenient lunch they had enjoyed in Italy.

It became known as a hero sandwich. The name is credited to New York Herald Tribune food writer Clementine Paddleford, who wrote (in the 1930s) that “you needed to be a hero to finish the gigantic Italian sandwich.”

Depending on the region, the sandwich is also called a grinder, po’ boy, torpedo, zeppelin and no doubt, other names.

The popular meatball sub (or hoagie). Photo by Jill Chen | IST.

What About The Submarine Sandwich?

It’s another name for the same type of sandwich. The submarine, or sub, has at least two claims to invention; plausibly, it may have occurred in both places.

The first location is Boston at the beginning of World War I, at a local restaurant that served Navy servicemen stationed at the Charlestown Navy Yard. The bread was a specially baked baguette intended to resemble the hull of the submarines after which it was named.

Another claim credits Dominic Conti (1874–1954), an Italian immigrant who started Dominic Conti’s Grocery Store on Mill Street in Paterson, New Jersey in 1910. According to Wikipedia, he named the sandwich in 1918, after seeing a recovered submarine in the Paterson Museum Of History.

Conti’s granddaughter recounts that he was selling traditional Italian sandwiches made on long, crusty rolls, filled with cold cuts, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, onions, oil, vinegar, Italian herbs, spices, salt and pepper. The sandwich started with a layer of cheese and ended with a layer of cheese so the bread wouldn’t get soggy.

Popular variations evolved to include hot meats: the meatball hero/hoagie/submarine sandwich, eggplant parmigiana and chicken parmigiana. Basically, anything served on an oblong roll is a now called a hero/hoagie/sub/etc.

Celebrate With A Gourmet Hoagie

Build yourself a gourmet hoagie to celebrate National Hoagie Day. Use these upgrades to the classic Italian deli meats, or create your own recipe.

We’re so hungry just thinking about it—we can’t wait until lunch.

Looking for something special for Mother’s Day?

Of the products we’ve tried recently, here’s what we’re selected for our mother, aunt and other special moms:

 
See the full review for details.
 
FOOD FACTS

Scones, fresh from the oven, are a treat for Mom. Photo by Elvira Kalviste | THE NIBBLE.

Have you ever had a grilled cheese sandwich for dessert?

There are more than a few sweet grilled cheese sandwich recipes out there, perfect for dessert or a sweet snack. We’ll start you off with two, courtesy of the Grilled Cheese Academy, the best grilled cheese website, sponsored by the great cheese makers of Wisconsin.

THE BIANCA: A SWEET GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH WITH DULCE DE LECHE

Ingredients

Sink your teeth into this delightful combination of mascarpone, homemade dulce de leche and raspberry preserves on cinnamon raisin bread. Makes 4 servings.

Here, mascarpone is the grilled cheese. Photo courtesy Grilled Cheese Academy.

Preparation

1. To make dulce de leche, place a can of condensed milk in a deep pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 90 minutes. Turn burner off and let the can sit in the water until cool. Dry and open the can. The contents will be caramel-colored (and hard to resist eating).

2. Mix mascarpone with vanilla; stir to incorporate air and lighten the cheese.

3. Heat skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Butter bread slices on one side; place in pan, butter-side down and grill until golden brown and crisp.

4. Remove and spread the unbuttered sides of 4 slices of bread with 1 tablespoon raspberry preserves, 2 tablespoons mascarpone and 1 tablespoon dulce de leche, in that order. Top with another toasted piece of bread, browned-side up, and more dulce de leche. Garnish with whipped cream and fresh raspberries, if desired.

Bananas, bacon and peanut butter were a favorite of Elvis. But because there is already an Elvis sandwich, this one is called the Lisa Marie. Photo courtesy Grilled Cheese Academy.

THE LISA MARIE: A SWEET GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH WITH HOT FUDGE

Ingredients

Bananas, peanut butter, butterkäse cheese and chocolate-sauced bacon caramelized with brown sugar and maple syrup: Wow! Makes 4 servings.

Butterkäse originated in Germany. A very mild and creamy cheese with a buttery texture, the name literally means butter cheese. If you can’t find it, substitute cream cheese or mozzarella.

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Place bacon slices on baking sheet pan with sides (a jelly roll pan) and bake until lightly browned and starting to crisp, about 5-6 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, mix brown sugar and maple syrup until smooth. Using a pastry brush, brush the hot bacon slices with mixture. Return to the oven for another 5-6 minutes, turning once and being careful not to burn the sugar. Remove to cooling rack and let cool.

4. Heat griddle or sauté pan over medium heat. Butter one side of the bread slices. Spread other side with peanut butter. Top each slice, peanut butter-side up, with 1 butterkäse slice and some banana slices. Place butter-side down on griddle and grill until sandwich bread bottoms are light golden brown.

5. Meanwhile, heat chocolate sauce until warm (the microwave is perfect for this). Dip each slice of bacon into warm chocolate to cover half of strip and place over bananas. To serve, drizzle sandwiches with additional chocolate sauce.