One of eight delicious flavors of Krave
gourmet jerky. Photo courtesy Krave.

Jerky was created in prehistoric times, as people endeavored to preserve their fresh-killed meat without benefit of coolers. They dried the meat in the sun.

Today’s jerky makers use ovens; and if you’re Krave Jerky, you double-marinate the meat and slow bake it into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

Then there’s the flavor, or rather, eight of them, divided among beef, pork and turkey jerky: Basil Citrus, Chili Lime, Curry, Garlic Chili, Honey Chipotle, Lemon Garlic, Pineapple Orange and Smoked Teriyaki.

In other brands these flavors might not be so appealing; in Krave Jerky, they’re masterful. They’re the very definition of gourmet jerky.

Check out the full review and try a sampler. You’ll likely return for stocking stuffers and other holiday gifts.

Discover how wonderful fine jerky is with a beer, glass of wine, Bloody Mary or Martini. And take a look at recipes on the company website that use jerky as an ingredient: from blue cheese dip and bruschetta to chicken and artichokes.

Find more of our favorite jerky products and other savory snacks.

We love cupcakes, but miss seeing a cake.

Yummy Cupcakes of greater Los Angeles (Brentwood, Burbank and Santa Monica) provides the solution by making cupcakes with a matching layer cake.

You don’t have to save this tip for a wedding: Consider the combination for an engagement party, anniversary party, baby shower, Sweet 16 or other special occasion.

Avocational bakers who want to bake their own special occasion cakes—or have friends who want to do it—don’t need to worry about creating a tiered spectacular.

Another bonus: If the cake isn’t sliced at the event, it can be taken home for the next day or frozen for later enjoyment.

Find more of our favorite cakes and cake recipes.

[1] Serve pumpkin dip with crudités and tortilla chips (photo © Frontera Foods).

[2] Tortilla chips are a crunchy counterpoint (photo © Good Eggs).

[3] Pepitas, shelled pumpkin seeds (photo by Elvira Kalviste | © The Nibble).

For Halloween, Chef Bayless has given us his pumpkin seed dip, which he serves with crudités and Frontera tortilla chips.

Note that this is a savory dip, nothing like the sweet pumpkin purée dip popularly served with ginger snaps (of course, we like that version, too).

This dip should be enjoyed with a good beer or a glass of wine.
 
 
SAVORY PUMPKIN SEED DIP

The recipe can be made up to two days in advance. Makes 2½ cups of dip.

Ingredients