Cheese lovers spend time deciding which Cheddar or chèvre they like best, but never think to compare cream cheeses. There can be a noticeable difference in flavor—not only among mass brands, but with organic and artisan brands, too. The next time you’re planning to have friends over for bagels, get one of each brand. Cut off a small slice of each brick and taste it plain, noting the differences. Some are sweeter, some are saltier, some are gummier, some taste fresher and more natural. Just as you prefer the bagels from Store X to the ones from Store Y, you’ll also find your favorite cream cheese. It will make a difference in your cheesecake recipe, too.
What’s the origin of cream cheese, and why did Philadelphia brand get its name, given that it was created in New York? Find out in our Cheese Glossary.
You’ll always have a deluxe pasta dinner on hand if you tuck away a bag or two of gourmet pasta in beautiful shapes and colors, along with some jars of roasted peppers, marinated artichoke hearts and good breadsticks. Keep a container of quality, fine-grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano cheese in the freezer, along with some sliced gourmet sausages. When you need an impressive dinner in 15 minutes, just cook the pasta and zap the sausage in the microwave. You can open a jar of sauce, but you don’t even need a formal sauce—just toss the pasta with the grated cheese (straight from the freezer) plus butter or fine olive oil, and offer diners a grind of fresh pepper. Serve with the breadsticks and a roasted pepper and artichoke “antipasto,” drizzled with balsamic vinegar. If you happen to have a loaf of Italian bread and fresh salad greens, so much the better!
Check out Bilinski chicken sausages—far less fatty and caloric than pork sausage and just as delicious.
See the difference between the three Italian grating cheeses: Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano.
Find exciting new shapes of pasta in our Pasta Glossary.
Dove Promises bite-size chocolates have an inspirational message inside each piece (though it’s no excuse to keep eating them “just for the inspiration”).
This fall, the bite-size treats are even more inspiring. The chocolates’ producer, Mars Snackfood, has teamed up with Susan G. Komen For The Cure, the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors, to raise breast cancer awareness.
In a special-edition Dove Promises of Hope, Dove has printed messages from breast cancer survivors on the inside of the wrappers to support others battling breast cancer (see photo at right).
Promises of Hope in both milk and dark chocolate bags are now available in select retail stores nationwide. The suggested retail price is $4.49 per 9.5-ounce bag. A serving size can get you through the day with five delicious pieces of chocolate—and five inspirational messages.
It’s National Caramel Month, not that we needed another excuse to dig in to this tasty tan treat. A jar of caramel sauce is an excellent companion for plain pound cake, brownies, pie, ice cream or as a dip for fresh fruit. Play “pastry chef” and drizzle microwaved caramel back and forth across the plate before adding the main dessert. Plain fruit becomes a deluxe fruit platter with caramel dipping sauce: A small warming dish with a tea candle keeps the caramel hot. For individual fruit plates, put the caramel in shot glasses, sake cups or espresso cups and warm the filled cups briefly in the microwave.
We prefer the deluxe caramel sauces from The King’s Cupboard (see our review). You can add chopped pecans and a teaspoon of rum or brandy to jazz up even average grocery store caramel sauce.
Cupcakes For The Cure: Pink Ribbon
Cupcakes from Crumbs.com and Crumbs
shops in New York and L.A.
Cupcakes can make you happy, but they can also help find a cure for breast cancer. Crumbs, the cupcake mecca in New York and Los Angeles, is selling Pink Ribbon cupcakes from October 1 through October 15. Available at Crumbs shops and nationwide via the company website (www.crumbs.com), these tasty treats are a very good excuse to nibble for the cure.
Created especially for for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, $1.00 from each cupcake sold (@ $3.75) will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, www.stopbreastcancer.org.
Isn’t it time for a cupcake? (That’s a rhetorical question. It’s always time for a cupcake!)
