These tiny Dough Ray Me cookies, a Nibble Top Pick, make a perfect companion for tea time.
When was the last time you had afternoon tea? Most of us have forgotten about the ritual that used to be part of everyday genteel life. Even if you prefer coffee to tea, this elegant social and gustatory delight should be experienced more often—if only as a reason to get out the good china, see your friends and enjoy those delightful little sandwiches and pastries. Revive the art of the tea party: Be the kick-off host and get your circle of friends to take turns hosting tea on the last Sunday of the month (or whenever). It’s much easier than preparing brunch, and since tea begins at 4 p.m., you don’t have to wake up early. Click here for a good book to start you on your way (the book can be passed from host to host). Learn how to brew the perfect cup of tea at THE NIBBLE online magazine.
May 14th-20th is American Beer Week, so take some time to celebrate. Unlike wine, beer is meant to be drunk fresh, within 90 days of bottling. Over time, beer oxidizes; while some bottles are perfectly drinkable a year later, others are “skunky” or flat and watery. Some major brewers print “best by” dates on their labels, but foreign and craft brewers generally don’t. What can you do? Don’t stock up: Buy only what you need each month. Purchase fine beers at stores that have good turnover. E-mail your Congressional reps that all beers should be dated, just like other foods. And if there’s a code on the bottle, try to crack it—often the company’s website will provide a translation key. Read more about beer in the Premium, Craft & Microbrews section of THE NIBBLE online magazine.
Who wouldn’t want to stock up on O’Hara’s Irish Stout (a Nibble favorite)? But keep it fresh by only buying a one-month supply at a time.
Can your creation compete with Palapa Azul’s popsicles, a Nibble Top Pick? Read our review.
Celebrate the warm weather by investing in something you’ll use all season long: an ice pop mold. Exercise your creativity and impress guests with your own frozen treats. Homemade lemonade and fresh raspberries make a great combination, as does strawberry yogurt with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Try your hand at multi-layered pops by filling the mold only partially, letting the liquid freeze, then re-opening the molds and filling them with a second (or even third) liquid. For example, try alternating bands of spicy ginger ale and fresh limeade. The endless array of flavor combinations will keep you experimenting throughout the summer. And the brine from pickle bottles makes delicious, refreshing ice pops. Freeze it, don’t toss it! Try it with Rick’s Picks Gourmet Pickled Vegetables, a Nibble Top Pick.
One of our favorite desserts is also the simplest to make. Combine mixed fruit juices (we use Knudsen’s black cherry and raspberry) or melted sorbet with yogurt, milk or cream.
You can make the soup as rich or as dietetic as you like, by using nonfat dairy products. If you want a thicker consistency, reduce the juice in a saucepan with a cinnamon stick, some lemon and other spices to taste.
Then add chopped seasonal fruits, whole berries, melon balls and/or scoops of ice cream or sorbet for a festive presentation.
Flavored butter looks even more enticing when served in a lovely ramekin. This cultured butter is made by Beecher’s Handmade Cheese.
Instead of bringing butter to the table in a rectangular brick, serve it in ramekins, like some fine restaurants do. In addition to plain butter, you can easily make and serve different flavored butters with style. Use a knife to score decorative cross-hatches on the top; and if you’re of an artistic nature, add a few fresh herb leaves or capers to the center or edges. Or sprinkle the top of sweet butter with sea salt.
