Insert “character cookies” into the tops of cupcakes to create an innovative and memorable dessert, snack or party fare. Animal cookies, people cookies, flowers and fanciful shapes turn cupcakes into edible sculptures that delight children and adults alike. You also can use the cookies on top of cakes or around the sides of a cake to create an entire story.
We’re not saying that Mr. and Mrs. Raisinet take their time, but 80 years after the birth of original chocolate-covered raisins, there’s finally a little sister: new Cranberry Raisinets. The bouncing addition to the family of 100% chocolate-covered whole dried fruits is a superfruit, a natural food source that is highly concentrated with a complex supply of quality nutrients, including antioxidants. Ocean Spray Cranberries, the surrogate mother, is the nation’s number one cranberry supplier. With “½ serving of real fruit in every ¼ cup,” Cranberry Raisinets are available nationwide in a resealable 5.5-ounce bag (MSRP $3.29) and single-serve .81-ounce 100 Calorie Packs (shown in photo—MSRP $0.89 each).
The Pilgrims first encountered cranberries when they settled in what is now Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Cranberries have two powerful antioxidants, flavanoids and Vitamin C, which have been shown to help the body fight free radicals. Cranberries have long been used medicinally for prevention and treatment of urinary tract infection, gum disease, stomach ulcers, heart disease and cancer. For health purposes, though, consult with your healthcare practitioner—don’t count on Cranberry Raisinets.
New Cranberry Raisinets in 100 Calorie Packs. Photo by Emily Chang | THE NIBBLE.
The winning latte—and why shouldn’t it
taste good, at 400 calories?
The August 2009 issue of Consumer Reports magazine sent tasters to the front of the coffee wars. Carefully navigating the war zone, they visited four McDonald’s, four Starbucks and four Dunkin’ Donuts stores in New York and New Jersey to compare new espresso-based McCafé hot and iced plain lattes with Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts lattes. They also compared the new Starbucks instant coffee, Via Ready Brew, with Starbucks brewed ground and whole-bean coffees (Colombian medium versions). News from the front:
The Starbucks instant and brewed Columbian coffees are similar in quality; that quality is good, but not great. The brewed coffees have the bitterness and darker roast found in previous tests of Starbucks Colombian. Instant Via has more subdued flavors, is not as bitter, and has a slight cereal taste. Those who love the signature bitterness and darker-roast character of brewed Starbucks might wish to stay with the brewed.
McCafé hot latte has more coffee flavor than the latte competition from Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, and tends to be slightly bitter, though the taste varied from store to store. McDonald’s iced coffee was deemed bitter and sour, with burnt or smoky notes (but it must appeal to someone—they sell it!). The regular hot coffee does not stand out.
Consumer Reports notes: A large hot whole-milk McCafé Mocha topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate has 400 calories and 14 grams of fat—about one-fifth of most people’s suggested daily caloric intake. THE NIBBLE investigated: All three stores offer sugar-free and nonfat options; McDonald’s large Nonfat Latte with Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup has 110 calories. Big difference!
See the full article and other highlights from Consumer Reports August 2009 issue.
Think of making your salad course a daily “special.” Instead of a simple, dressed green salad, look for something different to add to it each day: strips of chicken or beef from a prior day’s roast, marinated grilled vegetables, gherkins or pickled vegetables, a slice of duck prosciutto, chopped dried fruit, fresh fruit (apples, pears, citrus segments), cubed or shredded cheese, cubed leftover potatoes. Consider international themes; for example, bean sprouts and/or water chestnuts in a sesame vinaigrette. You don’t need to look far for inspiration: It’s probably already in your refrigerator and cabinets. Keep your family guessing as to what the next day’s “salad surprise” will be.
