GOURMET GIFT: Fresh-Picked Avocados & Avocado Recipes

A fresh-picked, healthy gift.   Last month we wrote about California Avocados Direct, a business started by a fourth-generation California farm family. The plump Hass avocados are fresh-picked to order and shipped that day, along with a note from the farmer about when they’ll be at peak ripeness (in about 10 days, so there’s plenty…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Fried Plantains Instead Of French Fries

If you’ve never cooked with plantains before, today—Cinco de Mayo—is the day to try it—ideally, our favorite, fried plantains (photos #1 and #2). You may have enjoyed a bag of plantain chips—we love them. But a batch of hot fried plantains is its own delicious experience. While yellow-brown, brown and black plantains can be peeled…
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CINCO DE MAYO: Sweet & Hot Tequila Drink

[1] We love the pineapple and heat in this drink (photo © Hornitos Tequila). [2] Lime wedge (photo by Hannah Kaminsky | THE NIBBLE).   For your consideration: a sweet, spicy and smooth tequila drink called the Pico de Plata (“silver beak”). The recipe was created by mixologist Jason Littrell for Hornitos Tequila, using sweet…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Bloody Mary Garnishes

Many people add a celery stalk to a Bloody Mary. But how about a fennel stalk instead? It has the same crunch with a much more flavor. Or, use other vegetable garnishes, from dilly beans to pickled asparagus. And how about a glass rimmer, from celery salt to cracked black pepper? There are so many…
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TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: Best Brownie Mixes

Moist, fudgy and fabulous. Photo courtesyWilliams-Sonoma.   When you get a craving for great brownies, wouldn’t it be wonderful if a batch emerged from your oven right there and then? All you need are Baked brownie mixes. Made exclusively for Williams-Sonoma by the famous New York City bakery, the mixes use Callebaut and Guittard chocolate…
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