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


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TIP OF THE DAY: Sculpted Fruit

Fruits don’t have to be exotic to seem like a special dessert. While a dish of star fruit, mango and papaya may be a treat, so is an architectural sculpture of everyday fruits. A glass dish of melon balls rimmed with vertical quarters of strawberries and dotted with a few berries is a treat for the eyes and the palate. Wine goblets are also a great showcase for fruit salads. You can sprinkle the plain fruit with a few drops of liqueur or top with some sorbet or fruit curd.

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TIP OF THE DAY: Bargain Caviar

It’s Caviar Day, but don’t worry—you can celebrate without taking out a second mortgage. Pressed caviar is made from the ripest beluga, osetra and sevruga eggs that were broken or otherwise damaged in handling. The eggs are pressed together until they become like a spread, and are sold for substantially less money than regular caviar. Because three pounds of eggs are made into one pound of pressed caviar, it is much oilier, saltier and more pungent than whole caviar eggs; but many people find it a good substitute for a pricier caviar fix. A bit of crème fraîche can diffuse the saltiness. Try some on toasted brioche, and see if you agree. Pressed caviar also works well in canapés (we like it with slices of foie gras terrine).

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Gourmet Getaway: American Wine & Food Festival ~ Los Angeles

During the weekend of October 2nd-4th, the 27th American Wine & Food Festival is serving up a world-class culinary celebration, benefiting Los Angeles Chapters of Meals On Wheels.

  • The weekend kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 2nd, with an intimate party where philanthropists and foodies mingle over chic eats and innovative libations.
  • On Saturday, October 3rd from 5-11 p.m., there’s a Wolfgang Puck VIP Cooking Demo, followed by a gala on the Universal Studios Back Lot: an unrivaled epicurean feast prepared by world-renowned chefs, with live bands and a luxurious silent auction.
  • On Sunday October 4th, at 6 p.m., there’s a Chef’s Grand Tasting and live auction at Spago Beverly Hills. Celebrity chefs Thomas Keller of Bouchon, Dean Fearing of Fearing’s at The Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, Jereme Leung of Jereme Leung Creative Concepts, Nobu Matsuhisa of Matsuhisa & Ubon and Gina DePalma of Ristorante Babbo will each prepare one course.
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The Saturday evening event at the Universal Studios Back Lot.

According to a colleague who attends each year, even for $350 a ticket, the Saturday night event is one of the best foodie deals you can find: more than 50 of the best chefs in America personally serving their favorite dishes as top wineries pour fine wines, all in the fabulous ambiance of the Universal Studios back lot. You can read the full list of marquee names on the website, but a sampling of participating chefs includes Tom Colicchio, Larry Forgione, Ilan Hall, Thomas Keller, Nobu Matsushisa, Mark Miller, Mark Peel, Stephen Pyles, Lidya Shire, Joachim Splichal, Jonathan Waxman, Alan Wong and Sherry Yard. For information and tickets, visit http://www.awff.org.

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GOURMET GETAWAY: WhiskyFest, San Francisco

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Whisky “on the rocks.” Photo courtesy of Tullamore Dew.

Where can you find more than 200 of the world’s rarest and most expensive whiskies in one place? At America’s largest whisky celebration, WhiskyFest, taking place for its third year in San Francisco on October 16th. Attendees can not only sample the revered spirit, but can learn how to identify, sniff, swill and taste it, see how its made, and discover everything else about whisky, through speakers and seminars and from leading industry experts, master blenders and distillery managers.

“It gives whisky enthusiasts the chance to taste some incredibly rare whiskies and meet the makers behind the barrels,” says John Hansell, Publisher of Malt Advocate magazine, which sponsors the event. The whisky celebration doesn’t start with the festival; the week leading up to it will feature events related to the spirit and promotions at popular nightspots, restaurants and bars.

For more information on ticket sales or event information, visit WhiskyFest.com.

You may notice the different spelling of “whisky” versus “whiskey.” In Ireland and the United States, the word “whiskey” is spelled with an “e.” The British, Scots and Canadians use “whisky.” Etymologists don’t know why. The best explanation is that the Irish had whiskey first, and when the Scots started to make it, they left out the “e” to point out the difference between their spirit and Irish whiskey.

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TIP OF THE DAY: Collect More Tips

All food lovers talk about restaurants when they get together, but what about food tips? The next time you’re with one friend or ten, ask for their best food tips. What are their favorite specialty foods? Their sure-fire cocktail recipes? Have they discovered a new bakery, cheese shop, wine store, gourmet emporium? What’s their favorite easy-to-make hors d’oeuvre or dessert? Keep this list of questions in your PDA or date book, and keep adding new “tips” every time you meet someone for coffee or cocktails.

  • Submit your own tip to THE NIBBLE’s Tip Of The Day.
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