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


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PRODUCTS: Chevoo Goat Cheese, Trois Petits Cochons Egg Bites, Upton’s Naturals Thai Pastas

Chevoo Tupelo Honey Lime Goat Cheese
[1] Chevoo, EVOO-marinated cubes of goat cheese in five flavors (photo courtesy Chevoo).

Trois Petits Cochons Sous Vide Egg Bites
[2] Ready-to-eat Egg Bites from Les Trois Petites Cochons (photo courtesy 3Pigs.com).

Trois Petits Cochons Egg Bites
[3] You can garnish Egg Bites any way you like, or enjoy them plain (photo courtesy 3Pigs.com).

Upton Naturals Thai Pasta
[4] Two of Upton’s Naturals’ four Thai-inspired pastas (photo courtesy Live Kindly).

 

This week’s picks can be served to guests or relished on one’s own.

Nothing requires cooking; at best, two of the three are heat-and-eat. In alphabetical order, try:
 
 
1. CHEVOO: MARINATED GOAT CHEESE

Chevoo is a new, high-end marinated goat cheese treat from northern California.

Cubes of goat cheese are marinated in infused extra virgin olive oil: an “ultra-gourmet life hack for busy epicureans” says the brand, and we agree.

The olive oil marinades are infused with crushed botanicals: chiles, herbs, pollens and spices. Flavors include:

  • Aleppo-Urfa Chili & Lemon
  • Italian Black Truffle
  • California Dill Pollen & Garlic
  • Smoked Sea Salt & Rosemary
  • Tupelo Honey & Lime (photo #1)
  •  
    The flavor combinations are irresistable, and there’s a bonus: After you’ve consumed the cheese, use the delicious EVOO for salads, as a bread dipper, a pasta dressing or a finishing oil.

    You can use the cubes in any traditional goat cheese fashion (eggs, salads, pizza, etc.), but at $6 for a jar of seven cubes, these are delicacies. We use them:

  • As a tidbit straight from the jar.
  • As Bloody Mary or Martini garnish on a cocktail pick.
  • As a gourmet garnish for just about anything.
  •  
    The company recommends adding to burgers, pasta, pizza, grilled vegetables. Each substantial rectangle of cheese can be sliced in half or thirds, or crumbled to make one jar go further.

    We like giving two or three jars to fellow foodies when we’re invited to visit.

    DISCOVER MORE AT CHEVOO.COM, which includes a store locator on the home page.
     
     
    2. LES TROIS PETITS COCHONS: SOUS-VIDE EGG BITES

    Les Trois Petits Cochons, long revered for its pates and charcuterie, has launched a new line of products: Sous-Vide Egg Bites (photos #2 and #3).

    The sous-vide (soo-veed) method of cooking, which has become more prominent in the U.S. over the past 10 years, allows not just for foolproof cooking with no pots to scrub, but yields a tender texture and refined flavor elements.

    The 2.5-ounce Bites, made with cage-free eggs are sold individually, ready to heat and eat (or, eat them chilled or at at room temperature). Each Bite has 10g protein, 1g total carbs, 0 sugar.

    At just $1.99 each, the Bites are available in four varieties:

  • Bacon & Swiss
  • Ham & Espelette
  • Prosciutto & Gruyère
  • Spinach & Feta
  •  
    You can enjoy them for a quick, healthy, breakfast, lunch or snack; but we particularly enjoy them in gourmet mode:

  • Atop a mesclun salad as a first course (with a Dijon or honey-Dijon vinaigrette), or a more substantial luncheon salad.
  • As “Bites Benedict,” on a toasted English muffin with bacon or ham. No hollandaise sauce is necessary, but if you want a sauce, consider cheddar cheese sauce, or the same recipe with gruyère.
  • In a quick egg sandwich.
  •  
    DISCOVER MORE AT 3PIGS.COM. (That’s a lot shorter URL than TroisPetitsCochons.com, which means three little pigs in French.)
     
     
    UPTON’S NATURALS: THAI-INSPIRED PASTAS

    Upton’s Naturals focuses on meat alternatives made with real, recognizable ingredients. Their latest line of Meal Kits is our favorite: pasta-based mains with Thai-inspired flavors.

     
    Ready after just one minute in the microwave, the new Meal Kits are made from whole-food ingredients like pre-cooked noodles, fresh (never freeze-dried) vegetables and flavorful spices. Each is low in calories and free of cholesterol, GMOs, trans fats and preservatives. Varieties include:

  • Massaman Curry: While not a pasta, you can serve this curry on top of pasta or rice. A Thai staple, it’s made with potatoes, carrots, green beans, purple rice and ground peanuts.
  • Pad See Ew: This classic Thai dish is made with rice noodles, carrots, Chinese kale, and tofu topped with sesame seeds.
  • Thai Curry Noodle:Upton’s take on the traditional Thai recipe Kaho Soi, this noodle dish is made with curry, seitan, winged beans and crunchy fried onions.
  • Thai Spaghetti: Green curry and tomato basil sauce make this a Thai riff on Italian pasta.
  •  
    The products are not dehydrated, and are packaged in a retort pouch to maintain freshness (photo #4).

    Upton’s Naturals’ Meal Kits are available at select Whole Foods Market locations, independent stores and natural food chains across the country for an SRP of $4.99 each.

    DISCOVER MORE AT UPTONSNATURALS.COM.
      

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    Fancy & Fun Toast Toppings For National Toast Day

    Since the avocado toast craze began, fancy toast has become the new normal, a dish to eagerly anticipate. But how about more fancy toast toppings?

    Toast toppings are now as diverse as the people making them: savory, spicy, sweet, and perhaps a mix of all three.

    Our colleague Hannah Kaminsky of Bittersweet Blog, looked at the nut butters in her cupboard and made the following toasts with nothing more than other basic ingredients found in the same cupboard.

    Some are obvious, some are a bit more avant-garde, but all are thoroughly delicious.

    Hannah’s toasts are vegan, but you can substitute nut butter for cream cheese, dairy butter, hummus, ricotta or other spreadable, and add or exchange breakfast or other meats or seafood.

    And don’t forget the base element: bread. Baguette, brioche, challah, ciabatta, English muffin, fruit bread, olive bread, nut bread, peasant bread, pita, pumpernickel, rye, soda bread, sourdough, whole grain, even white bread: The world is yours to toast.

    As Hannah says, “This is just the beginning of an endless tale.”

    > National Toast Day is the last Thursday in February.

    > The different types of bread.

    > The history of bread.

    > The year’s 20+ bread holidays.

    > The year’s 28+ sandwich holidays.

    > Sour cream apple pie toast recipe (see photo #6, below).
     
     
    20 WAYS TO TOP YOUR TOAST: SWEET & SAVORY

    Get inspiration from the following, then design your own for breakfast or snacking.

  • Ants Off a Log: Peanut butter topped with thinly sliced celery and raisins.
  • Apple Pie: Cashew butter topped with brown sugar, thinly sliced sweet apples, and a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Banana Pudding: Cashew butter with half a banana mashed into it, topped with the remaining banana, sliced, and crushed graham cracker crumbs.
  • Birthday Cake: Cashew butter mixed with a drop of vanilla extract, topped with turbinado sugar and sprinkles.
  • The Cereal Bowl: Almond butter topped with granola and a drizzle of vanilla yogurt.
  • Cheesecake: Cashew butter swirled with vegan cream cheese, topped with sliced strawberries and crushed graham cracker crumbs.
  • Chocolate-Covered Cherries: Almond butter mixed with cocoa powder, topped with pitted fresh cherries or cherry preserves, drizzled with chocolate syrup.
  • Cookie Dough: Cashew butter mixed with a tiny bit of oat flour, a drop of vanilla extract, topped with chocolate chips and a pinch of coarse sea salt.
  • The Elvis: Peanut butter with banana slices and coconut bacon.
  • Massaman Curry: Peanut butter with madras curry powder mixed in, topped with roasted sweet potato and toasted peanuts.
  • Mocha Latte: Almond butter with instant coffee powder and cocoa mixed in, optionally topped with coconut whipped cream.
  • Nutella: Hazelnut butter mixed with cocoa powder, topped with toasted hazelnuts, cacao nibs, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
  • Pecan Pie: Pecan butter topped with toasted pecans, a light sprinkle of cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
  •  
    Cherry Tomato & Cheese Toast
    [5] Top any soft cheese—cottage, farmer, goat, ricotta—or yogurt with marinated cherry tomatoes and basil (photo © Lifeway).

      Toast Toppings
    [1] From top: chocolate spread with streusel, avocado with chia, cream cheese with carrot saw, chocolate with mixed salted nuts, spicy peanut butter and honey with kiwi, edamame hummus with baby spinach (both photos courtesy Hope Foods).

    Fancy Toast
    [2] From top left: mashed avocado with radish and sweet chili drizzle, cream cheese with roasted squash and stir-fried sage, yellow bell pepper spread with marinated red peppers and grilled mushrooms, cream cheese with mandarin segments and chia, hummus with blackberries, chopped egg whites and beets with watercress.

    Ricotta, cherry & basil on toast
    [3] Marinated black cherry, basil, and ricotta toast. Here’s the recipe (photo © Fork In The Road).

    Toast With Goat Cheese, Mixed Seeds, & Honey
    [4] Spread toast with your favorite soft cheese, top with caraway, fennel, poppy, sesame, and sunflower seeds, and drizzle with honey (photo © Bee Raw Honey).

  • The Pregnant Lady: Peanut butter topped with sliced bread and butter pickles, optionally topped with coconut whipped cream.
  • Salted Caramel: Cashew butter mixed with dark brown sugar and a pinch of salt, topped with turbinado sugar and coarse sea salt.
  • S’mores: Cashew butter topped with chocolate chips, crushed graham cracker crumbs, and toasted vegan marshmallows.
  • Sonoma Harvest: Hazelnut butter topped with sliced grapes, arugula, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and toasted sliced almonds.
  • Super Seed: Sunflower seed butter topped with toasted pepitas, hulled hemp seeds, chia seeds, and a very light drizzle of toasted sesame oil. Coarse sea salt optional.
  • Thai Almond: Almond butter topped with bean sprouts, cilantro, a drizzle of sriracha and a pinch of coarse sea salt.
  • Tropical Breeze: Macadamia nut butter topped with thinly sliced pineapple, a light sprinkle of ground ginger, and toasted coconut flakes.
  •  
    What are your favorite toast toppings?
     
    Sour Cream Apple Pie Toast
    [6] Apples, goat cheese, mascarpone, ricotta, and sour cream on toast—think “sour cream apple pie.” Here’s the recipe (photo © Roth Cheese).
     

    CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

     
     

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    GIFT PICK: PancakeBot For Creative Pancake Lovers

    PancakeBot

    [1] Become a pancake artist with the PancakeBot (photo courtesy Crate & Barrel).

    PancakeBot Stormtrooper
    [2] Have a bite of Stormtrooper (photo courtesy Home Depot).

     

    You may not be able to make pancakes with your 3-D printer, but you can make them in any shape you like with Dash’s revolutionary PancakeBot.

    It’s the world’s first pancake printer, actually printing pancakes by automatically dispensing batter directly onto a griddle.

    You can load an existing designs (like the Eiffel Tower, shown in the photo), or design your own with the included software.

    Once you have your design, simply fill the dispenser bottle with your favorite batter and watch the pancake maker go.

    You can also become part of the PancakeBot online community, that’s updated weekly with fun, new designs.

    A great gift for a pancake-loving family, we’ve found that the price for the PancakeBot varies widely:

  • $199.99 at Amazon, Home Depot and Wayfair
  • $239.99 at Crate and Barrel
  • $299.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
  •  
     
    MORE PANCAKES

    The History Of Pancakes

    The Different Types Of Pancakes

     
      

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    CHRISTMAS RECIPE: Chex Merry Grinch Mix

    We’ve polished off the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers, enabling us to focus on Christmas.

    Our first effort is our annual batch of fancy Chex Mix, great for home snacking, visitors, and handing out in small gift bags to delivery guys.

    This year, the folks at Chex have outdone themselves with Merry Grinch Mix (photo #1).

    Fun for kids and adults alike, this Chex Mix is fancy enough to be given as a gift in a mason jar or other container.
     
     
    RECIPE: CHEX MERRY GRINCH MIX

    Ingredients For 20 Servings

  • 5 cups Corn Chex or Rice Chex cereal (or a combination)
  • 1 package (11 ounces) white vanilla baking chips
  • 36 Bugles corn snacks
  • 3 tablespoons red decorating sugar
  • 2 tablespoons green decorating sugar
  • 2 tablespoons green nonpareils
  • 2 tablespoons green sprinkles
  • 1-1/2 cups green candy-coated chocolate candies or candy-coated chocolate peanut candies
  • Optional: 3 tablespoons red heart candy sprinkles
  •  
    Preparation

    1. LINE 2 large rimmed cookie sheets with waxed paper. Add the cereal to a large bowl.

    2. MICROWAVE 1 cup of the vanilla chips uncovered in a small microwavable bowl, on Medium (50%) for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes. Stir after 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.

    3. DIP the pointed end of each Bugles corn snack, one at a time, into the melted chips. Coat the top two-thirds of each, allowing the excess to drip off. (If necessary, reheat mixture 5 seconds at a time as needed for dipping consistency.)

    4. SPRINKLE the coated Bugles with red sugar. Place the Bugles on one of the cookie sheets in single layer; let stand about 20 minutes or until set.

      Chex Merry Grinch Mix
    [1] Chex Merry Grinch Mix.

    Rice Chex
    [2] Rice Chex.

    Original Chex Mix
    [3] Rice Chex (all photos courtesy General Mills).

     
    5. ADD the remaining vanilla chips to the bowl with the remaining melted chips. Microwave uncovered on Medium (50%) 1 to 1-1/2 minutes, stirring after 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Add the green sugar; stir well.

    6. POUR on top of the cereal in the bowl; stir well to coat evenly. Transfer to the remaining cookie sheet, spreading the mixture apart. Immediately sprinkle with the green nonpareils and sprinkles; let stand about 20 minutes or until set. Carefully break apart into bite-size pieces.

    7. MIX the coated cereal, corn snacks, chocolate candies and heart sprinkles in large serving bowl. You’re ready to snack!
     
     
    THE HISTORY OF CHEX MIX

    Wheat Chex cereal was introduced in 1937 by Ralston Purina; Rice Chex (photo #2) in 1950.

    The debut of Chex Party Mix followed in 1952, in an advertisement in Life Magazine. The original recipe (photo #3) included both Rice Chex and Wheat Chex, plus mixed nuts, mini pretzels and bagel chips, blended with butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder and onion powder. (Here’s the recipe.)

    The original Chex Party Mix mix became popular as a holiday treat when purportedly, in 1955, the wife of a Ralston-Purina executive in St. Louis served it at a holiday function.

    Chex Party Mix was not the pioneer; it was one of numerous “TV mixes” that were developed in the 1950s, as snacks to accompany the wide adoption of home television sets (a 1950 Betty Crocker cookbook includes a recipe for a snack mix made with Kix cereal).

    In 1958 Corn Chex was introduced, and added to the recipe. In 1985, pre-packaged Chex Party Mix was introduced, so one could snack right from the bag.

    Between Chex-developed recipes and consumer contributions, a vast proliferation of savory, sweet, spicy, and chocolatey recipes now exists. Here are Chex brand’s recipes and a creative array of uses.

    Today, the Chex brand is owned by General Mills (source).

     

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    TIP OF THE DAY: Cranberry Mayonnaise

    Turkey Club Sandwich
    [1] This turkey club needs cranberry mayonnaise (photo courtesy Carnegie Deli [now closed]).

    Cranberry Mayonnaise Recipe
    [2] Cranberry mayonnaise (photo courtesy Good Eggs).

    Turkey Wrap With Apple
    [3] Turkey-cranberry lettuce wraps with julienned Granny Smith apple (photo courtesy QVC).

     

    Before you make that first turkey sandwich, whip up some cranberry mayonnaise.

    Mix as much cranberry sauce as you like into mayonnaise. We use 50:50 because we adore cranberry sauce, but a 3:1 ratio is more popular.

    Use it on burgers, too: turkey burgers, veggie burgers, beef burgers. Plus ham and other sandwiches.

    You can also turn cranberry sauce into a dip for crudités. You can use straight mayonnaise, or divide it 50:50 with plain yogurt or sour cream.

    Pulse the cranberry sauce until smooth, then blend it into the mayo mixture.

    Here’s a recipe from Good Eggs, that uses a minimal amount of cranberry sauce, but adds flavor with lemon juice and rosemary; but first:

    The history of mayonnaise.
     
     
    RECIPE #1: CRANBERRY MAYONNAISE

    Ingredients For 1 Cup

  • 1 cup quality mayonnaise
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
  • Pinch of black pepper
  •  
    Preparation

    1. MIX the lemon juice, rosemary and cranberry sauce into the mayonnaise. Finish with a pinch of black pepper to taste. That’s it!
     
     
    RECIPE #2: LETTUCE WRAPS WITH TURKEY &
    CRANBERRY-WALNUT MAYONNAISE

    This recipe is from QVC’s chef David Venable; it adds walnuts to the cranberry mayonnaise.

    You can make the cranberry mayonnaise in advance.

    David advises: Choose large-leafed, pliable lettuce to make these wraps. Romaine, red leaf and escarole are all good options.

    We’ve adapted this from David’s original recipe, which used 16 slices of deli turkey.
     
    Ingredients For 8 Servings

    For The Cranberry-Walnut Mayonnaise

  • 1/2 cup regular, light or low-fat mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup whole cranberry sauce
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped (substitute pecans)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  •  
    For The Lettuce Wraps

  • 8 large romaine lettuce leaves
  • 16 slices turkey, julienned
  • Cranberry-walnut mayonnaise (recipe above)
  • 2 cups baby spinach or arugula
  • Leftover stuffing—or—1 Granny Smith apple, cored and julienned
  •  
    Preparation

    1. MAKE the mayonnaise: Whisk all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

    2. ASSEMBLE the wraps: Lay the lettuce leaves out flat on a large work surface. Carefully remove 3/4 of the hard center core with a knife. Layer 1/8 of turkey on top of each lettuce leaf and distribute all of the cranberry mayo on top of the turkey, spreading evenly.

    3. LAYER 1/4 cup of baby spinach on each wrap, followed by 2-3 tablespoons or 1/8 of the julienned apple. Roll up each lettuce wrap and secure it closed with a toothpick.

      

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