THE NIBBLE BLOG: Products, Recipes & Trends In Specialty Foods


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La Clare’s Latest Goat Cheese Is Lemony & Luscious

If you’re a fan of goat cheese—chèvre, in French—you’ve likely come across flavored varieties. It’s pretty easy to find blueberry in the summer, cinnamon in the fall, cranberry for the holidays.

Wisconsin-based LaClare Creamery is a goat cheese specialist with the most impressive (and delicious) assortment of flavors we’ve seen. The choice of 4-ounce logs (also referred to as “cheese bars”) is daunting: We want them all!

But because four ounces is a small enough bite, we can content ourselves with three or four different flavors, and hopefully not finish them all in one day. (See the anecdote in the footnote*).

  • Apple Cinnamon
  • Blueberry Vanilla
  • Rolled Blueberry Vanilla (rolled in a layer of dried blueberries)
  • Chipotle Honey
  • Cranberry Cinnamon
  • Rolled Cranberry Cinnamon (rolled in a layer of dried cranberries and cinnamon sugar)
  • Everything Bagel
  • Fig & Honey
  • Garlic & Herb
  • Honey
  • Lemon Bar, with a delicious Lemon Cheesecake Bar recipe below and photo #5
  • Maple Bourbon
  • Mediterranean (with olives, herbs, and spices)
  • Pumpkin
  • Truffle
  •  
    Plus, of course:

  • Original Goat Cheese
  •  
    When you have customers demanding 15 flavors of goat cheese in addition to the original, you know you’re doing something right.

    The latest to debut is Lemon Bar Goat Cheese, a bright, sophisticated treat that’s as wonderful as an hors d’oeuvre, a salad cheese, a member of the cheese plate, or a dessert in of itself.

    LaClare conceived it as a play on the nostalgic American lemon bar—without the shortbread crust.

    But wait: We have a recipe for you goat cheese lemon cheesecake bars with a shortbread crust (below).

    And if you don’t want to bake, just serve shortbread cookies with the cheese log.
     
     
    TASTING LEMON BAR GOAT CHEESE

    This citrus-forward twist on creamy chèvre is elegant enough to make guests feel that you made a special effort, yet easy enough for everyday breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

    It’s the first lemon goat cheese we’ve ever tasted, and it does not disappoint! Vibrant and zesty, it’s flavored with fresh lemon peel (zest) and lemon oil (from the peel), with a subtle hint of vanilla.

    Smooth and spreadable, yet firm enough to slice into rounds atop a salad, burger, pasta, sandwich,__ Adaptable: Easy to incorporate into sweet and savory dishes

    The flavors pair beautifully with sparkling wines (Moscato, Prosecco) and lighter beers like Kölsch, wheat ales, or pale IPAs.

    Following the recipe for Lemon Cheesecake Bars, we have many more suggestions on how to enjoy it.
     
     
    RECIPE: LEMON CHEESECAKE BARS

    You can substitute all goat cheese in the cheesecake layer (replacing the cream cheese) for a tangier bar.

    Meyer lemons, available fall through spring, will provide a slightly sweeter and floral lemony flavor.
     
    Ingredients For 16 Bars

    Total time is 4 hours, including chilling.

    For The Shortbread Crust

  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
  •  
    For The Cheesecake Layer

  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 oz (113g) fresh goat cheese (e.g., LaClare Lemon Bar Goat Cheese or plain)
  • 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  •  
    For The Lemon Curd Topping

  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • Optional garnish: powdered sugar, microgreens (basil or lemon thyme), candied lemon zest (recipe below)
  •  
    Preparation

    1. PREHEAT the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8″x8″ baking pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides.

    2. MAKE the shortbread crust. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter, two forks, or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

    3. PRESS the crust firmly into the bottom of the pan and bake for 18–20 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.

    5. PREPARE the cheesecake layer. Reduce the oven to 325°F (160°C). Beat cream the cheese, goat cheese, and sugar until smooth. Add the egg, vanilla, and lemon zest. Mix just until combined and pour over the cooled crust and smooth the top.

    6. BAKE for 20–25 minutes, or until set but slightly jiggly in the center. Cool to room temperature, then chill at least 1 hour.

    7. MAKE the lemon curd. In a small saucepan, whisk together the yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and zest. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until thick enough to coat a spoon (about 6–8 minutes).

    8. REMOVE from the heat and stir in the butter until melted and smooth. Optionally, for a silky texture, strain the curd through a fine mesh sieve.

    9. LET the curd cool slightly, then spread it gently over the chilled cheesecake layer. Chill for 2–3 hours or until fully set.

    10. GARNISH as desired. Cut into 16 chilled bars using a sharp, warm knife. The bars are best served cold, and will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
     
     
    RECIPE #2: CANDIED LEMON ZEST
     
    Use this recipe to make any candied citrus. The difference between candied zest and candied peel is that zest is a thinner strip.
     
    Ingredients

  • Zest from 1–2 lemons (in long strips or thin strands)
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) water
  • Additional sugar for coating
  •  
    Preparation

    1. WASH and pat dry the lemons. Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to remove long strips of zest, taking care to minimize the amount of bitter white pith. (You can scrape the back of the peel with a knife to thin it.)

    2. SLICE the peel into fine julienne strips. You’re now ready to blanch the zest. Some people skip this step, but if you have the time, you’ll eliminate any bitterness. You can also make the zest a day or so in advance, if that’s more convenient.

    3. BRING a small pot of water to a boil. Add the zest strips and boil for 1 minute. Drain and repeat once more to remove any bitterness. Pat dry with paper towels.

    4. CANDY the zest. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar. Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add the zest and simmer over low heat for 10–15 minutes, until translucent.

    5. DRY the zest. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the zest to a wire rack or parchment paper. Let it cool and dry for 30–60 minutes. Then, optionally toss it in a bowl with granulated sugar to achieve a sparkly coat (you can eliminate this step, but we like the sparkle).

    SAVE the lemony syrup for cocktails, lemonade, tea, flavored club soda, baked apples, etc.

    6. STORE the candied zest in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature. If sugared, keep it in layers separated with parchment to avoid clumping.

     

    Lemon Goat Cheese Log
    [1] The newest of 15 goat cheese flavors from LaClare Creamery: Lemon Bar goat cheese (photo by A.I).

    Blueberry Vanilla Goat Cheese
    [2] Blueberry Vanilla goat cheese (all photos © LaClare Creamery except as noted).

    Everything Bagel Goat Cheese
    [3] Everything Bagel goat cheese.

    Cranberry Cinnamon Goat Cheese Log
    [4] Cranberry Cinnamon goat cheese.

    Lemon Cheesecake Bars
    [5] Lemon Goat Cheese Cheesecake Bars (photo by A.I.).

    Maple Bourbon Goat Cheese Log
    [6] Maple Bourbon goat cheese.

    Nubian Goat
    [7] In front, a Nubian goat, with her friend, a Saanen goat, behind. Ladies, thanks for all the great cheese.

    Chipotle Honey Goat Cheese Log
    [8] Chipotle Honey goat cheese.

    Candied Lemon Zest
    [9] Candied lemon zest (photo by A.I.).

     
     
    THE YEAR’S GOAT CHEESE-RELATED HOLIDAYS

  • January, 3rd Tuesday: International Hoof Care Week begins
  • January 20: National Cheese Lovers Day
  • April 10 is National Farm Animals Awareness Day
  • August is National Goat Cheese Month
  • September, 3rd Week: National Farm Animals Awareness Week
  •  
    Plus:

  • > The year’s 30 cheese holidays
  •  
     
    ________________
     
    *LaClare posted these tips to keep the goat cheese fresh, “in the rare occasion you don’t finish the entire log in one sitting.” LOL: We would never have any leftovers. The only thing left over is our wanting more. But here are the tips:

    1. Peel back film to only expose what you are going to use.
    2. Use a clean utensil to cut your desired portion. Avoid using your hands.
    3. Place the film back around the log and wrap the log tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate.
     
     

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    It’s National Hand Roll Day. Who Invented The Hand Roll?

     
    Tuna Hand Roll With Quail Egg & Scallion
    [1] Maguro uzura no tamago temaki, or maguro uzura for short. Maguro means tuna, uzura means quail, and tamago means egg. Maki means roll, te means hand roll; thus, temaki (photo © Jungsik).

    Salmon Avocado Hand Roll
    [2] Salmon cucumber is a popular temaki. Avocado is often substituted for the cucumber (photos #2, #3, and #4 © Maki Maki NYC).

    Shrimp Tempura Hand Roll
    [3] Shrimp tempura handroll with a squeeze of Kewpie mayonnaise (Japan’s favorite). Yes, you can still dip your temaki in soy sauce.

    Uni Shiso Hand Roll
    [4] The only thing better than uni-shiso (sea urchin and perilla leaf) is three uni with the shiso.


    [5] Pressed sushi, formed in a wooden box, was the forerunner of nigiri and maki sushi. If you want to make sushi at home easily, get a mold and try it (photo © Irashai Store).

    Salmon Nigiri and Maki Sushi Combo
    [6] Next came nigiri (top) and maki sushi (photo © Dev Litoon | Unsplash).

    Negitoro Hand Roll
    [7] Taco holders no doubt inspired the first taco-style sushi (photos #7 and #8 © Sebastian Lucrecio | Nami Nori | NYC).

    Philadelphia Roll Sushi-Taco Style
    [8] Phancy Philly: the original Philadelphia Roll will never be the same.

    Cylinder Sushi Hand Roll
    [9] We’re guessing that the cylinder-shaped hand roll was an inspiration to a sushi chef who didn’t want to cut up a regular maki (photo © Harrison Chang | Unsplash).

     

    July 6th is National Hand Roll Day, one of our favorite fun foods. The Japanese word is temaki. As a sushi item, it arrived much later than the ubiquitous nigiri—slices of fish atop pads of rice.

    But it’s equally delicious and easier to make. The history of the hand roll follows, but first:

    > The year’s sushi holidays are below, along with other Japanese food holidays.

    > Sushi Glossary: a photo glossary of the different types of sushi and sashimi.

    > The history of sushi.
     
     
    THE HISTORY OF THE HAND ROLL

    Scholarship can’t determine when the earliest people on the island of what is now Japan—the hunter-gatherers of the Jōmon Period—had access to wild rice. We do know that grains of it have been dated to the 11th century B.C.E.

    Evidence does show that the cultivation of rice in Japan began approximately 2,800 years ago, about 775 B.C.E.

    While the island is surrounded by waters full of fish, the first hard evidence we have of salted fish served with cooked rice dates to 700 C.E.—1,474 years after rice cultivation began.

    But the sushi trail is easier to follow after that. First we jump to:

  • Pressed sushi (oshizushi), formed by pressing rice into a wooden box, topping it with sliced fish, tamping it down, and cutting it into squares for serving (photo #5). It appeared around 1600.
  • Nigiri sushi, sliced fish on pads of rice, took a couple of centuries more, appearing around 1824 (details follow).
     
    But makizushi (cut roll maki, photo #6) and temaki, the hand roll, (photos #1. #2, #3, and #4), took more time.

    While precise dates have not yet been determined, both rolls likely evolved in the late end of the Edo Period (1603-1868) when sushi was becoming more available to commoners, not just the well-to-do.

    The word temaki literally means hand roll in Japanese: te for hand and maki for roll (regular rolls are maki, large rolls are futomaki, reverse rolls are uramaki, and so on).
     
     
    NIGIRI SUSHI IS CREATED BY HANAYA YOHEI

    Why are there seem to be no sushi restaurants named for Hanaya Yohei?

    This Tokyo restaurateur and chef (1799–1858) is generally credited as the inventor of Tokyo-style sushi, edomaezushi* in Japanese or nigiri sushi at the end of the Edo period, around 1824. He is also regarded as the inventor of modern sushi (see the footnote** below).

    Prior to this, the sushi consumed was oshizushi, known in English as pressed sushi or box sushi. It is made by pressing layers of sushi rice and toppings into a rectangular mold, creating a compact, layered block of sushi. The toppings are laid out artistically (photo #5).

    Nigiri, the most popular form of sushi today, literally means “two fingers,” which refers to the typical size and the hand-pressing technique used to create it (see this video).

    It can be easily be picked up by two fingers, the thumb and index finger, without the need for chopsticks.

    That made it an excellent food for gamblers, who didn’t have to put down the cards or the dice as they ate, and for casual eaters who didn’t want a sit-down meal but could eat quickly at a street-side sushi cart.
     
     
    IN EARLIER CENTURIES, ALL FISH WAS MARINATED

    Even though Tokyo is a coastal city and the fish freshly-caught, food safety was a concern before the advent of refrigeration (which didn’t get to Japan until after World War II).

    To prevent spoilage, Hanaya either slightly cooked or marinated the fish in soy sauce or vinegar. He then placed the sliced fish on vinegared rice balls (su = vinegar, shi = rice) that were large, by today’s standard.

    His predecessors and contemporaries making oshizushi (pressed sushi) similarly prepared their fish by curing, fermenting, marinating, or pickling.

    Note that even today, in the U.S. and elsewhere, fish must be frozen before served. Before the FDA instituted this ruling, fish such as mackerel, salmon, and herring needed to be marinated to kill the parasites they contained.

    > There’s more about this below.
     
     
    THE BENEFITS OF TEMAKI

    Unlike the formal presentation of nigiri or the precise rolling and cutting required for maki rolls, temaki was designed for convenience and casual consumption.

  • It likely developed as a way for sushi chefs to quickly prepare sushi for customers who wanted something they could eat while standing or walking in the manner of today’s fast food and grab-and-go.
  • It’s easy enough to roll that it can be done by apprentices.
  •  
    For consumers:

  • The cone shape is easy to hold…and fun.
  • Requires no use of chopsticks.
  •  
     
    THE “NEW” TEMAKI

    You may have noticed two recent developments in temaki: taco-style sushi (photos #7 and #8) and the cylinder or cigar shape (photos #9 and #10).

    We can’t pin down who created the taco-style sushi, although it was pretty recent and seems to have emerged organically from the fusion cuisine movement.

    In 2024, Alvin Zhang, owner of Engawa Fusion in Sacramento, created the restaurant so he could have Japanese and Mexican cuisine in one dish. The sushi taco was a big hit.
     
    Negi Hamachi Cylinder Hand Roll
    [10] It’s negi-hamachi (yellowtail-scallion, but it’s not a cut roll. It’s a new style of hand roll, and it doesn’t even have an official name. We call it the cigar or the cylinder hand roll (photo © Kuidaore Handroll Bar | Oakland, California).
     
     
    THERE IS NO “FRESH SUSHI” IN THE U.S.

    In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has specific regulations requiring that most fish intended to be eaten raw—sushi, sashimi, ceviche, or tartare—must be frozen prior to serving to kill parasites.

    Freezing is not about bacteria: Proper handling is still crucial. Freezing is specifically to eliminate parasites, which would normally be destroyed by heat in cooking.

    Per the FDA Food Code, unless the fish is specifically exempt, it must be frozen by one of the following methods:

  • -4°F (-20°C) or below for 7 days (total time in freezer)
  • -31°F (-35°C) or below until solid and stored at -31°F for 15 hours
  • -31°F (-35°C) or below until solid and then stored at -4°F (-20°C) for 24 hours
  •  
    Restaurants are typically required to keep records or supplier certifications to verify proper freezing or exemption.

    Many states and municipalities adopt the FDA Food Code, and some may impose stricter rules.
     
    Exemptions From Freezing

    Certain fish do not need to be frozen before serving raw if they meet the following conditions:

  • Tuna from three species, which are considered low risk for parasites: bigeye (Thunnus obesus), bluefin (Thunnus thynnus), and yellowfin (Thunnus albacares).
  • Aquacultured fish that are raised in controlled environments, fed parasite-free feed, and are certified parasite-free.
  • Shellfish (clams, oysters, and scallops) are governed by different standards and not subject to the freezing rule in the same way.
  •  
     
    THE YEAR’S SUSHI HOLIDAYS

  • April 19: National Rice Ball Day
  • June 18: International Sushi Day
  • July 6: National Hand Roll Day
  • August 15th: National Fresh Poke Day††
  • September 15: National Shiso Day
  • September 28: International Poke Day†
  •  
    Plus:
     
    JAPANESE FOOD HOLIDAYS

  • January 7: National Tempura Day
  • February 6: National Chopsticks Day
  • April: National Soy Foods Month
  • May 2: National Matcha Day**
  • May 4: Green Tea Day (in Japan)
  • June 21: National Wagyu Day
  • August 8: National Mochi Day
  • September: National Rice Month
  • October: National Seafood Month
  • October 1: World Saké Day
  • November 1: National Shochu Day
  •  

    _____________

    *Edomaezushi, referring Tokyo-style sushi, is a broader category that includes nigiri. Even before nigiri appeared, all the fish used in pressed sushi and other styles were caught in Tokyo Bay (Edo is the old name for Tokyo and mae means front, as in waterfront). Edomaezushi was created in the 1820s to meet the need for fast food (grab-and-go). It includes specific preparation methods like aging, curing, and marinating fish.

    Nigiri is a subcategory of edomaezushi. It was a revolution in format: hand-shaped rice patties topped with fish, instead of rice molded in a box (photo #5). It’s the most common form of edomaezushi today.

    **Modern sushi includes nigiri (a slice of fish on a pad of seasoned rice), maki (roll, or cut roll, made in regular and large [diameter] sizes), and temaki, hand roll. A maki is usually wrapped in a sheet of seaweed (nori), but specialty versions are wrapped in a thin, crepe-like omelet, in soy paper, in thinly cut, continuous cucumber wrap; and in shiso (perilla) leaf.

    Other forms considered part of modern sushi include:

    > Chirashi, scattered sushi where sashimi and other toppings are served over seasoned sushi rice in a bowl, rather than formed into individual pieces.

    > Inari sushi, a sweet, seasoned deep-fried tofu (bean curd) pouch stuffed with seasoned sushi rice. This style became popular in the Edo period along with nigiri.

    > Gunkan-maki, literally, “battleship roll” because the nori is rolled around an oval-shaped pad of rice (the battleship) and topped with loose ingredients like ikura (salmon caviar) or uni (sea urchin), that could not be held in place atop nigiri. This style wasn’t invented until the 1940s by Imada Yoshiaki, the founder of a famous Tokyo restaurant, Ginza Kyubey.

    > Uramaki is an inside-out roll: rice on the outside of the sheet of nori on the inside. It is an American sushi innovation (like the California roll, Philadelphia Roll, spicy rolls, and scores of specialty rolls like dragon rolls, rainbow rolls, volcano rolls, and countless others).

    > Sashimi, while technically not sushi (since it lacks the seasoned rice), is logically grouped with modern sushi styles.

    **National Matcha Day is celebrated on February 6th in Japan.

    Poke, pronounced poe-KEH, is a raw fish and vegetable dish initially served as an appetizer or salad course in Hawaiian cuisine, but now popular as a main course like chirashi sushi. Although not called as such, it’s a variation of sashimi of chirashi sushi (and a relative of ceviche, crudo, tartare, and tataki) that was created in Hawaii. Here’s more about it.

    ††Why is there a Fresh Poke Day? Isn’t poke always fresh? Well…poke can be purchased frozen and thawed, as can sushi, and often it is pre-made in grab-and-go sushi in certain markets. Also, the fish can be pre-sliced, waiting to be mixed. So this holiday emphasizes the freshness front and center: You order it and it is sliced and mixed for you. “Fresh” signals an elevated experience, with fish that’s just been cut, and is vibrant and bursting with flavor (exactly how poke was meant to be!).
     
     

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    Khmer Pickled Vegetable Salad Recipe Instead Of Coleslaw

    We brought this dish (photo #1) to a July 4th party and quite a few people proclaimed their preference for it over the coleslaw, and asked for the recipe. We love good coleslaw, but this is a more refreshing (and much less caloric) change of pace.

    Serve it as a side (from a sandwich to including anything off the grill). Add a protein to turn it into a main course. We even top it with our frequent lunch go-to, a jar of flavored Tonnino tuna.

    Instead of mayonnaise or vinaigrette, this slaw†† has heat and sweet notes.

    Why is it called “Khmer?”

    The Khmer people are native to Cambodia, where they comprise more than 95% of the population. The Khmer people have a long and rich history. The magnificent Hindu-Buddhist temple complex of Angkor Wat is a testament to the achievements of the Khmer Empire.

    The contributor of this recipe, Hannah Heavener of Texas, spent her childhood in Cambodia, where it’s a favorite breakfast food. Hannah loves it as a side for lunch or dinner, “especially,” she notes, “with chicken satay.”

    Thanks to Hannah and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen, which shared this recipe with us.

    Because Hannah mentioned chicken satay as a perfect pairing, we include a recipe (photo #4).

    We also took the liberty of garnishing our own version of the salad with roasted peanuts. Those who like more heat can choose spicy peanuts (photo #3).
     
     
    KHMER PICKLED VEGETABLE SALAD

    If you can’t find daikon (pronounced DYE-con) radishes, use any other radish—you don’t need to peel it. Daikon in particular (photo #6) is peeled because its skin can be slightly tough and sometimes bitter.

    Daikon means “big root” in Japanese. Native to East Asia, its a member of the high-antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic Brassicaceae family.
     
    Ingredients For 16 3/4-Cup Servings

    For The Salad

  • 2 medium daikon radishes (about 1-1/4 pounds each), peeled and thinly sliced
  • 4 cups shredded cabbage (about 1/2 small)
  • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cut fresh green beans (2 inch)
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger root, thinly sliced
  •  
    For The Dressing

  • 2 Thai or Serrano chile peppers, halved lengthwise, seeded if desired‡
  • 2 cups rice vinegar (the different types of vinegar)
  • 3/4 cup sugar*
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  •  
    Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • Optional: whole or chopped peanuts
  •  
    Preparation
     
    1. PLACE the salad ingredients in a large nonreactive† bowl.

    2. COMBINE the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a 2-cup or larger glass measuring cup; microwave until warm, 2-3 minutes. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

    3. TOSS the dressing with the salad. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour before serving for the flavors to meld.
     
     
    SUGAR IN SOUTHEAST ASIAN DISHES

    You may have noted that Southeast Asian cuisines—Cambodian, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese—use sugar in savory dishes. For example:

    Vietnamese pho (noodle soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, and meat, often garnished with fresh herbs, bean sprouts), Thai pad thai (rice noodles, scrambled eggs, tofu or shrimp (or both), bean sprouts, and peanuts), or Malaysian char kway teow (flat rice noodles stir-fried with prawns, cockles [a type of clam], Chinese sausage, eggs, bean sprouts, and Chinese chives).

    This tradition is primarily to achieve flavor balance rather than to make sweetness the dominant taste. The culinary philosophy centers on harmonizing five fundamental flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (or spicy in some traditions).

    Sugar acts as a balancing agent that rounds out sharp, acidic, or salty elements, e.g. fish sauce, soy or tamarind.

  • Sugar also helps to caramelize ingredients during stir-frying, creates glossy sauces, and enhances the Maillard reaction that develops complex flavors.
  • Added to marinades, sugar aids in browning and tenderizing proteins.
  •  
    It should be noted that sugarcane originated in New Guinea and Southeast Asia, and was used for its sweetness by humans as long as 10,000 years ago. Before India first refined cane juice into crystallized sugar circa 350 C.E.**, many of these flavor principles developed using palm sugar, coconut sugar, or other less processed sweeteners.

    The Western perception that it’s “a lot of sugar” often comes from cultural differences. Western palates may be more sensitive to sweetness in savory dishes.

    In Western cooking, recipes might call for a pinch of sugar, for example to balance the tomato acidity in marinara sauce. But Southeast Asian cuisines apply this principle more extensively and systematically.

    By the way, the first sugar cane planted in the new world was brought by Christopher Columbus to the Dominican Republic in 1493.
     
     
    > The history of sugar cane.

    > The history of sugar.

    > The different types of sugar, a photo glossary.

    > The history of cabbage.

    > 30 delicious cabbage recipes.

    > The year’s 9 cabbage holidays.

     

    Pickled Vegetable Salad
    [1] Crunchy,tangy, and refreshing, with as much heat as you’d like, serve this recipe over the summer and beyond (photo © Taste Of Home).

    Serrano and Thai chile peppers
    [2] If you can’t find Thai chiles (prik kee nu, also called bird’s eye chile, you can easily substitute serrano chiles. See the footnote‡ for more options.

    A Jar Of Spicy Peanuts
    [3] We added our own garnish of crunchy roasted peanuts. If you like heat, use spicy peanuts. Here’s a recipe if you want to make your own (photo © Frank’s Red Hot)..

    Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce
    [4] A recipe for chicken satay with peanut sauce (photo © The Big Man’s World).

    Cut Sugar Cane
    [5] Sugarcane grows from 6 to 20 feet tall (photo courtesy Genetic Literacy Project).

    3 daikon radishes on a wood tabletop
    [6] Daikon, the Japanese radish (photo © Good Eggs).

     
     
    FOOD 101

    You can tell by looking at the stalks (photo #5) that sugarcane and bamboo are related. They are both members of the grass family, Poaceae, which includes other important plants such as corn, rice, and wheat (all of the cereals are grasses).

    Sugarcane’s genus and species are Saccharum officinarum, while bamboo belongs to a subfamily, Bambusoideae, and comprises numerous genera and species. Saccharum has additional, wild, species, but the one cultivated for consumption is Saccharum officinarum.
     
    ______________

    *While this may seem like a lot of sugar, the rest of the ingredients are so low in calories that a 3/4 cup is 99 calories. Coleslaw also contains some sugar, and a 3/4 cup serving of coleslaw made with mayonnaise typically contains between 200 and 280 calories.

    **Granulated sugar, as a common household item, became prevalent in Europe during the 18th century. While sugar available earlier, it was a luxury item for the wealthy. The increased production from sugar plantations established in the Caribbean and Brazil, coupled with advancements in refining techniques, led to a significant price drop and wider availability. By the 1800s, it was becoming a staple on most tables.

    A nonreactive bowl is one made from materials that do not interact with food, particularly acidic ingredients like tomatoes, citrus fruits, vinegar, and wine. This prevents the food from developing a metallic taste.

    Nonreactive materials include ceramic/enamel, glass, plastics [those sold for food preparation], and stainless steel. Always use these materials when preparing or serving citrus-based desserts, guacamole, salad dressings, and sauces with acidic ingredients.

    Reactive materials to avoid include cast iron and aluminum.

    ††Slaw is a type of salad, typically made with shredded cabbage and a creamy or vinegar-based dressing. While all slaws are salads, not all salads are slaws. Salads can have a wide variety of ingredients, dressings, and toppings, while slaw generally indicates a salad with shredded cabbage as a primary component.

    The heat component of chiles, capsaicin, is contained in the seeds and the ribs.

    Medium: Serrano peppers: If you’re looking for a less heat, Serranos typically range from 10,000 to 25,000 SHU. The green chiles are milder than the ripe red ones.

    Hot: Bird’s eye chilies, a type of Thai chile, typically measure between 50,000 and 100,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) on the Scoville scale.

    Hotter: Chiltepin peppers, while innocent-looking tiny rounds, can reach up to 100,000 SHU. Habaneros are significantly hotter, ranging from 100,000 to 350,000 SHU.
     
     

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    What America Wants To Eat On July 4th

    July 4th American Flag Cheesecake
    [1] The #1 July 4th food search: American flag cheesecake. Here’s the recipe—and it’s no bake (photo © Colby Troy).

    July 4th Trifle
    [2] It’s easy to make a trifle. If you don’t have a glass bowl, you can borrow one. Anchor Hocking has a nice pedestal bowl for $26. Here’s the recipe (photo © The Girl Who Ate Everything).

     

    What special foods are Americans seeking to add to their July 4th feasts?

    Here’s the scoop from Google Trends, based on U.S. search data sourced from May 24 to June 24 2025.

    Not surprisingly, Americans sought red, white, and blue recipes to grace their Independence Day tables.

  • “American flag cheesecake” was the top-trending American flag food and drink search in the past month (photo #1), followed by “American flag charcuterie board” (photo #3).
  • “Red white and blue watermelon salad” was a breakout search (photo #3).
  • “Patriotic berry trifle” was the second top-trending “trifle cake” searched in the past month (photo #2).
  • “Vegan black bean burger” was the top-trending vegan July 4th food item, followed by…
  • “Beyond meat hot dogs” was the top-trending hot dog meat-type searched.
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    American Flag Charcuterie Board
    [3] The second-most-searched was an American flag charcuterie board. Here’s the recipe (photo © The Denver Housewife).
     
    > The history of July 4th holiday.

    > 60 more July 4th recipes.

    > 80 more cheesecake recipes.

    > The history of cheesecake.

    > The year’s 16 cheesecake holidays.

     
     
    July 4th Fruit Salad
    [4] Fruit salad becomes a July 4th fruit salad. Here’s the recipe (photo © Crowded Kitchen).

     
     

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    How About These Creative Ice Cream Flavors? Mackerel, Anyone?

    July 1st is National Creative Ice Cream Day—and all of July is National Ice Cream Month. That’s plenty of time to try new flavors.

    In the U.S., artisan glaciers (French) or gelatieri (Italian, singular gelataio), like to offer their customers rotating new and different options. Avocado, blue cheese, corn, booze/wine ice creams and sorbets, goat cheese, and olive oil ice creams have been around for some time (check out these recipes).

    Birthday cake with sprinkles or cereal milk (e.g. with Fruity Pebbles or Lucky Charms) captivate the young at heart, while black (charcoal) appeals to the adventurous and the Goth.

    International inspirations include black sesame, halva, kulfi, matcha, red bean (adzuki), tahini, ube (purple yam).

    Here are some ice cream favors we’ve come across recently: beer and pretzel, Bourbon with candied bacon, cornbread, everything bagel seasoning, taro root, and Thai iced tea.

    But these are tame compared to flavors from Lithuania. Lithuania Travel, the country’s national tourism development agency, has put together some distinctive Lithuanian ice cream flavors that may encourage cutting edge ice cream fanatics to schedule a trip.

    > The year’s 50+ ice cream holidays

    > The different types of frozen desserts: a photo glossary.

    > The history of ice cream.
     
     
    EXOTIC ICE CREAM IN LITHUANIA

    Sure you can get the basic flavors, but how about these? It’s a glimpse into the world of unexpected flavors that you can taste in Lithuania. A map with other ice cream flavors dreamed up in dozens of different ice cream parlors and restaurants all over the country can be found here.

  • Buckwheat ice cream. While most grains remain on the sidelines as accompaniments to the main course, the Višta Puode restaurant in Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city, has given it a starring role in this dish. With its deep, nutty flavor and a tangy assortment of berries, buckwheat ice creamcombines the country’s culinary heritage with a modern outlook on what dessert can be.
  • Cricket ice cream. While insects have been an important part of African and Asian diets for centuries, they have made their way onto Lithuanian dining tables only recently. The CENTRAL grill & lounge restaurant in the southwestern city of Marijampolė, has mixed crickets with the rich flavors of vanilla and black sesame for a protein-packed and unique treat.
  • Dill ice cream. Used to top many of Lithuania’s beloved savory dishes, dill is an extremely versatile herb with a fresh, grassy flavor. Found at the restaurant Džiaugsmas, which gives new life to classic Lithuanian ingredients with innovative cooking techniques, dill ice cream offers a palette of expertly blended herbal flavors. (Editor’s note: Why no smoked salmon mix-ins?)
  • Mackerel ice cream with bread crumbs. While the pairing of seafood and dessert may not sound like a pleasant experience at first, the subtle smokiness of the mackerel combined with fresh notes of mulberry and lime makes for a balanced palette of sweet and savory. Those willing to try this flavor at the Apvalaus Stalo Klubas restaurant in the medieval town of Trakai will be rewarded with an unforgettable symphony of flavors.
  • Nettle ice cream. Feared by small children across the country, the fierce stinging nettle is transformed into a creamy and fragrant frozen treat at the Velvetti restaurant in Lithuania’s capital of wellness Druskininkai. A mellow taste with a pop of refined grassy and earthy notes make the ice cream suitable for those who enjoy the subtle sweetness and peculiar dessert concepts.
  • Seaweed ice cream with lobster caramel crunch, hazelnut oil, and black sturgeon roe (caviar!). Found in the bustling seaside town of Palanga—the unofficial capital of the summer—this flavor is suitable for travelers fascinated by the idea to see, touch, and taste the sea. The historical boutique hotel of Vila Komoda offers a distinctive concoction of salty roe, earthy oils, and a sweet-buttery caramel crunch for the adventurous traveler.
  •  
     
    A dish of black caviar ice  cream
    [7] Caviar lovers, here’s your frozen fantasy: sturgeon caviar ice cream topped with more caviar (photo © Petrossian).
     
    EXOTIC ICE CREAM IN THE U.S. & ELSEWHERE

    Note that ice cream doesn’t have to be sweet, it only has to be frozen!

    There are numerous sweet-and-savory flavors that include cheese and fruit or savory herbs (Blue Cheese & Fig, Rosemary Cheddar & Passion Fruit, Goat Cheese & Guava. The cheeses add richness and cheesy notes (in the best sense). They can be made with honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar.

    However, ice cream can also be sweetener-free. Check out these completely savory ice cream flavors, with links to recipes including blue cheese, Cheddar cheese, goat cheese, and Parmesan ice creams; and more recipes here, including cream cheese and Stilton.

    Charlie Trotter’s goat cheese ice cream recipe is especially versatile, enabling you to add anything from cracked black pepper to citrus zest to candied cherry tomatoes.

    And for The Nibble’s 10th anniversary dinner, we had the chef make Ferran Adrià’s Parmigiano Ice Cream Sandwich On Parmigiano Tuiles.

    There’s lots more, but here’s a sampling of the savory flavors that caught our eye.

  • Cauliflower Ice Cream With Salmon Caviar (photo #5). Just tell your nutritinist that you’ve combined fish protein with cruciferous vegetables.
  • Caviar Ice Cream. Keep it all salty or salty-and-sweet (photo #7, above). You can use any caviar you like, although start with the more affordable caviars.
  • Potato Skin Ice Cream (photo #4). This fully loaded savory ice cream bar is a base of mashed potato and sour cream ice cream with a Cheddar-bacon-crispy-fried-potatoes shell, topped with freeze-dried chives. Not to mention a scattering of dried chives for garnish.
  • Squid Ice Cream. Squid ice cream has appeared in soft-serve and hard ice cream formats (photo #6). In East and Southeast Asia you can find squid ice cream with tiny pieces of salty dried squid. Don’t confuse its appearance with charcoal ice cream (see footnote*).
  • Tomato Ice Cream. Freeze gazpacho into sorbet, or make tomato ice cream—sweet or savory. Here’s a recipe for Bloody Mary Sorbet with Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, the works!
  •  
     
    So…what works for you?

     

    Dill Ice Cream
    [1] Herbal and pretty: dill ice cream. You can find it in the U.S. too, as well as basil, garlic, rosemary, tomato, and other flavors (photos #1, #2, and #3 via Lithuania Travel).

    A dish of cricket ice cream
    [2] That’s not black sesame, it’s cricket ice cream.

    Seaweed Ice Cream
    [3] Seaweed ice cream with lobster coral.

    Potato Skin Ice Cream Pop
    [4] Potato skin ice cream fully loaded is just one of the groovy flavors at Pretty Cool Ice Cream in Chicago (photo © Pretty Cool).

    Savory Cauliflower Ice Cream
    [5] Savory cauliflower ice cream topped with salmon caviar (photo © The Chefs Garden).

    A Dish Of Squid Ink Soft Serve
    [6] This is not charcoal ice cream, popular for the past few years, but actual squid ink soft-serve. Here, it’s given a crunchy Corn Flakes garnish. There’s more about charcoal ice cream below (photo © Mobius 6 | Wikimedia).

     
     
    ________________
     
    *Charcoal ice cream is a relatively new flavor made with activated charcoal, giving it a dramatic black or deep gray color. Activated charcoal is typically derived from coconut shells or hardwoods and processed at high heat.

    The ice cream is usually vanilla- or coconut-flavored. The charcoal itself is nearly tasteless, although some people detect a subtle earthy or smoky note. It can be enhanced with colorful toppings. People like it for the novelty—and Instagrammability—of the color, not for any novel flavor.

    The history of charcoal ice cream: One of the earliest documentations of charcoal ice cream was from a Bangkok blogger in October 2015. It was pitch-black charcoal soft-serve at a trendy parlor (photo #6).

    From there, charcoal ice cream flew over social media. Morgenstern’s Finest in New York City introduced coconut-ash black ice cream in April 2016, triggering U.S. interest. In the spring of 2017 Little Damage in Los Angeles popularized almond-charcoal and vanilla-charcoal soft-serve.

     
     

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