Some people look to the Gallup, Zogby and Harris polls to gauge the presidential preference of the American public. But chocolatier B.T. McElrath is measuring public opinion on a “gut” level: chocolate sales. “Campaign Buttons,” round dark chocolate melt-a-ways that have been selling like—hotcakes?—since early June. They feature cocoa butter images of Democrat or Republican vintage campaign buttons. They’re available at specialty food and gift retailers nationwide, as well as directly available at www.btmcelrath.com. Since August 15, the company has begun issuing weekly postings on the political temperament of the country based on chocolate sales. The current numbers have the Democrats with a slight lead, 51% to 49%. However, this is a poll where you can vote as many times as you like! Five pieces in 60% cacao semisweet chocolate are $10.70.
Juice-based organic drinks deliver
energy, vitamins, antioxidants…and
great flavor.
Kaboom’s two lines, Infinite Energy Juices and Infinite Wellness Juices, are made with all natural, FDA-certified organic ingredients. All products provide at least 50% of the daily requirement of the complete B complex as well as a day’s worth of Vitamin C and half a day’s requirement of folate. While the energy juices are fortified with guarana and green tea extracts, the wellness juices pump you up with antioxidants rather than caffeine. That’s why Kaboom’s energy drinks make our hearts go “boom boom boom”—not with caffeine-induced speed, but with excitement over delicious, juicy flavors. The line is also certified kosher. We don’t review many energy drinks because we don’t like the taste. In fact, this is just our second (the first, Hiball, is an energy drink in the form of club soda).
One of the fun finds of the season, the only problem with the True North line of nut snacks is that we can’t stop eating them. Our excuse is that each serving has 5g of protein. The nut clusters and nut crunches are terrific tossed into salads as well. The products are all natural, certified kosher, vegan and GMO free. Most are gluten free and wheat free as well.
Frito-Lay must be commended for its True North line of nut snacks. The mass-marketing giant has produced a line of crispy, crunchy snacks that taste like fine specialty food products. And they’re all natural: no preservatives, no artificial flavors, no added colors, no trans fats. Each contains 5g of protein per serving. More good news: Most varieties are gluten free, wheat free; all are vegan and kosher. Now the bad news: They’re positively addictive, and portion control is a serious problem. We want to eat the entire bag. What do you mean,“Servings Per Container About 6?”
Delicious, nutritious and fun: True North
nut snacks.
While many people know the term “true north” as magnetic north, the direction of the North Pole as found on a compass, the term has been adapted by business to refer to an all-consuming passion. The folks at Frito-Lay evidently found their true north in creating these nut snacks—and we’re glad they did. Read the full review at TheNibble.com.
Not only will Club Sauce’s Pomegranate
Reduction Sauce dazzle-up duck; you
can enjoy it on oatmeal, in salad
dressing, on grilled fruit and
cheesecake…even in a martini.
A good sauce takes an everyday piece of protein (or even an overcooked one) and turns it into a special meal. The Splash! line of pomegranate reduction sauces delivers a professional-quality sauce with sweet-tart flavors that are delicious with chicken, duck, lamb, pork and seafood…and much more. The line is fat free, sodium free and gluten free.
Pomegranate, the unusual fruit that originated in Persia, is widely used for cooking in the Middle East and Mediterranean countries like Greece. It has been a flavor darling in the U.S. specialty food market for several years, appearing in everything from mustard to ice cream, and a proliferation of pomegranate juice brands (see our review of the best) have put pomegranate within reach of everyone. It’s possible to buy bags of arils (the juice sack in which the seed rests) and avoid having to deal with the cumbersome fruit altogether, and use the juice for everything from sorbet to fruit soup. Now, products like Club Sauce’s Splash! pomegranate reduction sauces, make cooking with pomegranate a snap. While it’s possible to reduce pomegranate juice to a sauce, Club Sauce’s approach, based on a centuries-old Middle Eastern pomegranate molasses recipe, makes something much more interesting.
There are no sugars or sweeteners added to this line; ruby red pomegranate molasses is combined with different types of wine and berry essences, then micro-brewed in small batches and slowly reduced in special kettles. It only takes a splash (hence the name) to add rich and complex flavor to recipes, from breakfast to dinner to cocktails and dessert.Read the full review on TheNibble.com.
We taste a lot of great food in our line of work. Sometimes we feel honored to taste. Such are the six brownie flavors of Ruby et Violette.
Ruby et Violette’s chocolate chunk cookies were a Top Pick Of The Week in 2005. Since then, the original owner retired and three energetic young sisters bought the business. Thank goodness for family businesses: These entrepreneurs have done amazing things, adding brilliant brownies and ice cream the likes of which we’ve never seen on this planet. They could be served in any palace on earth—or any great restaurant or bakery. The exquisite gift boxes could be presented at Buckingham Palace, with no additional wrapping required (and remain as a memento of the gift after the brownies are gone).
How good are they? While we love all of the products we write about, here, we’re deeply in love. Should the Mercer sisters try to retire, we’d track them down and get the secret recipes. If you are in New York City, visit the café at 457 West 50th Street. Read more about Ruby et Violette in the full review. And take a look at our favorite baked goods in our Cookies, Cakes & Pastries Section.
This Strawberry Champagne Blondie,
chock full of dried strawberries and
chocolate chunks, is guaranteed to
please. The gold leaf on the garnishing
strawberries is an added touch of
elegance.
