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


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TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: North South Confections’ Splendid Artisan Chocolates

Minds may be wandering to Halloween candy at this time of year, but we’ve found our favorite treat: a box of chocolates from North South Confections.

These are not your typical box of artisan chocolates; but rather, the best combination of fruit, caramel and chocolate we’ve ever tasted.

Chocolatier Justine Pringle starts with 100% fresh fruit pureés, caramelizes them, and then infuses them with either white or milk chocolate. They are then enrobed in 70% cacao dark chocolate.

The results are spectacular.

The company’s first collection is called Fruits Both Familiar and Curious. It is $52 for 12 pieces, and worth every cent.

So treat yourself. The gift box alone is a gorgeous keeper.

After we consumed the first box, we couldn’t wait to order more.
 
 
AN AWARD WINNING CHOCOLATIER

These chocolate tastes of heaven are the creation of Justine Pringle, a Danish-South African chocolatier who now lives in New York City.

Justine has been named one of the “Top Ten Chocolatiers in North America” by Dessert Professional Magazine.

Prior to starting North South Confections she created the award-winning Nunu Chocolates, which was named “Top Ten Chocolates” by New York Magazine and one of Bon Appetit’s “Best Chocolates in America.” It was also a named a Top Pick Of The Week by THE NIBBLE.

Needless to say, Justine has a great chocolate pedigree. Growing up in Copenhagen, Johannesburg, and Geneva (where she ate chocolate every single day, she wants you to know), she has a cultured palate that’s reflected in the variety of flavors she selects.
 
 
THE NORTH SOUTH CONFECTIONS CHOCOLATES

The mix of both familiar and curious fruits include two pieces each of:

  • Coconut (“Well, Hello, Coco”)
  • Graviola (“My Dear Graviola”)
  • Lime (“Licentious Lime”)
  • Naranjilla (“The Real Colombian Gold”)
  • Passion Fruit (“Tawdry Tart”)
  • Strawberry (“Forget the Cake”)
  •  
    What’s graviola? Also known as soursop or Brazilian paw paw, it’s the fruit of the Annona muricata evergreen tree. It’s the same genus as cherimoya (also known as the custard apple).

  • Native to the tropical regions of the Americas and the Caribbean, graviola has flavors of apple, banana, pineapple and strawberry.
  • Bonus: Graviola has many antioxidant and other healthful properties.
  •  
    Naranjilla, a.k.a. naranjillo and the lulo fruit, is fondly called “the gold of the Andes.” Its flavor is reminiscent of a fusion of lime and rhubarb.

     
     
    GET YOURS NOW

    You deserve a box of these palate pleasers; and we wager that you’ll want another box as soon as you finish the first.

    Head to North South Confections.
     
     
    > KNOW YOUR CHOCOLATE: A GLOSSARY OF TYPES & TERMS
     
     
    > THE HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE

     


    [1] The photo doesn’t show how gorgeous the gift box is. The lid closes with a hidden magnet. We re-purposed our box to hold jewelry; but keepsakes, letters or anything precious are a natural fit (all photos © North South Confections).


    [2] It’s hard to pick a favorite flavor among the six, but the edge goes to Passion Fruit.


    [3] The flavor called Naranjillo means “little orange,” but the fruit, fondly called “the gold of the Andes,” tastes like a fusion of lime and rhubarb.


    [4] Strawberry, a popular fruit, is even more splendid when caramelized and mixed with chocolate.

     

      

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    RECIPE: Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream Pops

    Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Pops
    [1] A seasonal snack: Pumpkin Spice Latte ice pops (photo © Zoku).

    Espresso Powder
    [2] Instant espresso powder has many uses. Check them out (photo © King Arthur Baking).


    [3] Look for instant espresso powder in your grocer’s coffee aisle (photo © Medaglia d’Oro).

     

    This seasonal ice cream pop recipe comes to us from Zoku, the leader in creative ice pop molds.

    Check out their 21 different ice pop designs.

    Don’t call these ice cream pops Popsicles, however.

    Popsicle© is a trademarked term referring to a single brand—the one that produces those long, thin icy treats (the history of Popsicles).

    Anything else is simply (and legally) an ice pop. If it’s made with milk and/or cream, like this recipe, it’s an ice cream pop.

    > More pumpkin spice recipes.
     
     
    RECIPE: PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE ICE CREAM POPS

    Take the season’s favorite coffee flavor and turn it into an ice cream pop.

    Ingredients For 6 Pops

  • 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
  • 2 tablespoons warm water
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup pure pumpkin purée
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ¾ cup (6 ounces) milk
  • ¼ cup (2 ounces) heavy cream
  •  
    Preparation

    1. MAKE the base. In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant espresso granules with the water until the granules are completely dissolved.

    2. WHISK in the sugar, vanilla, pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, milk, and heavy cream until thoroughly combined and smooth.

    3. CHILL the mixture (if not chilled, the pops will take longer to freeze)

    4. ASSEMBLE: Insert the sticks and pour the pumpkin spice latte base into the molds, until you reach the fill line. Let them freeze completely.

    5. REMOVE the pops and enjoy your sweet treat.
     
     
    USES FOR ESPRESSO POWDER

    If you don’t want to buy instant espresso powder just for this recipe, don’t worry: You can use it in so many different recipes.

    It enhances any baked chocolate recipe, as well as rubs for steak, enhancements for salad dressings and salads, and even oatmeal.

    Check out 12 different espresso powder uses here.

    You can also, of course, make a cup of instant espresso.

    In fact, espresso powder was invented for that purpose. Then, cooks discovered that it could add great pops of flavor to many different recipes.
     
     
    > THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ESPRESSO

     

     
     

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    RECIPE: Pumpkin Spice Popcorn

    October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month.

    It’s also The Nibble’s unofficial holiday, Pumpkin Spice Month.

    We’re very fond of this Maple Pumpkin Spice Pecan Popcorn recipe.

    But here’s something simpler, Pumpkin Spice Popcorn that uses ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

    It’s a sweet treat, with the added benefit of lots of fiber from whole-grain popcorn (the benefits of whole grains).

    And it’s gluten-free!

    In addition to out-of-the-bowl, you can use this sweet popcorn:

  • As a general dessert garnish.
  • Atop cakes or cupcakes.
  • With hot chocolate.
  • On oatmeal, instead of sugar.
  • With a Pumpkin Spice Latte, of course!
  •  
     
    RECIPE: PUMPKIN SPICE POPCORN
     
    Ingredients For 8 Cups

  • 8 cups of popped corn
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of ground ginger
  •  
    Preparation

    1. PLACE the popped corn into a large bowl. Melt the butter and add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

    2. DRIZZLE over the popcorn and toss until well coated.
     
     
    MORE SEASONAL POPCORN RECIPES

  • Candy Corn Popcorn Balls
  • Cranberry & Chocolate Spiced Popcorn
  • Chocolate-Cranberry Popcorn Bark With Toffee
  • Cranberry-Orange Popcorn Balls
  • Halloween Witch Popcorn Balls
  • Pumpkin Spice Latte Popcorn
  • Sage Popcorn
  •  
     
    OTHER USES FOR POPCORN

  • Alternative Popcorn Uses
  • Popcorn Garnishes, Savory & Sweet
  •  
     
    > THE HISTORY OF POPCORN

     


    [1] Whip up some pumpkin spice popcorn and put on a movie (photo © Popcorn Board).


    [2] How old is your cinnamon? Give it a sniff: If it isn’t redolent of spicy cinnamon aroma, it may be time to buy a new jar (photo © McCormick).

    Grated Nutmeg
    [3] We prefer to grate nutmeg each time we need some, in order to get the brightest nutmeg flavor. Buy some nuts (that’s why it’s called nut-meg) and try it (photo © McCormick).

     

     
     

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