These cookies are like potato chips—we bet
you can’t eat just one! Photo by
Hannah Kaminsky | THE NIBBLE.

And believe us—you won’t want to wait that long. That’s why we’re giving away not just a few boxes, but five entire cases of Tim Tam Cookies in this week’s Gourmet Giveaway. Each case contains 24 packages of cookies that are the best non-artisan cookies (i.e., mass-produced) that we’ve ever tasted. And we’ve tasted a lot. (Read our review of Tim Tam Cookies.)

If you like Kit Kat and Twix bars, these cookies are bigger, plumper, more sumptuous versions. Crisp chocolate cookie layers are filled with chocolate crème or richer caramel, then enrobed in even richer chocolate. WARNING if you’re the winner: Once you start eating them, you can’t stop.

• THE PRIZE: Five winners will receive 24 packages of Tim Tam Cookies. It may sound like a lot, but once you open one, they’ll be gone before you know it. If you limit yourself to eating just two packages a week, they’ll last for three months. But we haven’t yet come across anyone with that amount of willpower. Better yet, have a tea party and invite friends. (Read all about having a tea party.) Approximate Retail Value: $81.00.

• To Enter This Gourmet Giveaway: Go to the box at the bottom of our Gourmet Easter Cookies, Chocolate & More Section and enter your email address for the prize drawing. This contest closes on Monday, March 29th at noon, Eastern Time. Good luck!
• To learn more about Tim Tam Cookies, visit ILoveTimTamCookies.com. 

If you like the combination of sweet (chocolate) and tart (cherries), this may be your new favorite version of Raisinets.

The bag sports several health claims:

• 30% less fat than the leading chocolate brands
• 1/2 serving of real fruit in every 1/4 cup*
• A natural source of fruit and dark chocolate antioxidants, which help maintain good health

*One-fourth cup of dried fruit counts as 1 serving of fruit. The USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend eating 4 servings of fruit every day, based on a 2,000 calorie diet. However, they didn’t mean 4 servings of chocolate-covered fruit.

To quote Michael Pollan,† “If you’re concerned about your health, you should probably avoid products that make health claims. Why? Because a health claim on a food product is a strong indication it’s not really food….”

†In Defense Of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto.

For those who like a sweet-and-tart snack.
Photo by Jerry Deutsch | THE NIBBLE.

Spring rolls are narrower and lighter than
egg rolls, and the wrapper is made without
egg. Photo courtesy SpringKitchen.com.

Chinese spring rolls and egg rolls are filled wrappers made from unraised dough, which is wrapped around mixtures of meat, seafood and vegetables and then deep fried.

Spring rolls are narrower with thinner dough, since the dough is made without the egg that gives egg rolls their name.

How did spring rolls get their name?

Originally, they were special snacks served to visitors with tea at the Chinese New Year, which is the beginning of lunar spring.

Both rolls date back to ancient China, and both are traditionally served with hot Chinese mustard or a dipping sauce.

Vietnamese spring rolls, or cha gio, have a different wrapper and are not fried (although some Vietnames restaurants are now serving Chinese-style spring rolls as well, since Americans have a penchant for fried food).

This is an easy and delicious recipe to make at home. Start by picking up some rice paper wrappers at an Asian market.

Vietnamese spring rolls are like eating a fresh salad roll, more complex in flavor (thanks to the fresh herbs) than fried Chinese rolls. They are served with a spicy dipping sauce known as nuoc cham.

Spring Roll Dipping Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

– 1/2 cup rice vinegar*
– 1/2 cup water
– 1/2 cup sugar
– 1/3 cup fish sauce (nam pla)
– 1 garlic clove minced
– 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice*
– 1 teaspoon dried crushed chilies

*Depending on your personal palate, you can reverse the quantities of rive vinegar and lime juice. One good-size lime will yield 1/2 cup of juice.

Preparation

1. Heat the vinegar, water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add fish sauce, garlic, lime juice and chilies.
3. Cool and serve or refrigerate.

Read more about fish sauce.

The Cocoa Room sells mixtures of egg-shaped chocolate-covered almonds, dried cherries, sunflower seeds and other favorites.

In addition to making your candy bowl look seasonal, it’s a great gift for people who don’t like big bites of chocolate (yes, such people exist!).

The mixes are sold in a variety of sizes, in clear boxes that are perfect for gift-giving. The small box makes a welcome party favor. Available at TheCocoaRoom.com.

Find more of our favorite Easter gifts.

Choose from different Easter mixes. Photo
courtesy TheCocoaRoom.com.

Start a Salmagundi Salad tradition. Photo
courtesy ParmaHam.com.

Celebrate spring with a Salmagundi Brunch.

“Salmagundi“ means a heterogeneous mixture or a mixed salad of various ingredients in addition to the greens. A Cobb Salad—avocado, bacon, blue cheese and chicken—is an example of salmagundi.

The word derives from the French salmigondis, “seasoned salted meats,” most likely from the Latin words salemine (salted food) and condir (to season).

Invite friends to a Spring Salmagundi Feast:

1. You provide a large salad bowl and salad greens, plus vinaigrette, artisan bread, butter and anything else you’d like to round out the menu (beverages, soup, dessert).

3. As guests arrive, arrange these ingredients in rows atop the greens, so everyone can see what the salad will consist of.

Red, white and rose wines, plus beer and artisan soft drinks (think Fizzy Lizzy, GuS and Steaz) will pair well with the salmagundi.

Find more salad ideas in our Vegetables Section.