Something fun and yummy in the chocolate space is finally available in the U.S.

Merci, sold in Europe for some 50 years, is a brand of boxed chocolates manufactured by the German company August Storck KG.

They are miniature bars, in an assortment of flavors made with fine ingredients, nicely packaged in a gift box.

The delicious selection of rich European-style chocolates includes flavors such as Coffee and Cream, Cream Truffle, Dark Cream, Dark Mousse, Hazelnut-Almond, Hazelnut-Creme, Milk Chocolate and Praline-Creme, and merci will delight the palate.

Each flavor has its own individual color wrap, to distinguish it from the other flavors in the box.

The idea for merci was born in 1965, as an affordable yet impressive way to say “thank you” (which incorporates “thank you for being you”). Its popularity spread, and Merci is now sold in 100 countries.

Choices include:

 
The 20-piece box, with 8.8-ounces of chocolate, can be found for $7.50 (or more, depending on the retailer). You can purchase two boxes with free shipping for $21.90 on Amazon.

In addition to Amazon, the chocolates are sold at CVS, Target, Walgreens and other chains and grocery stores nationwide.

Can you give a box to yourself?

No one’s going to stop you!
 
MERCI WITH COFFEE

In Europe, after-dinner coffee is often served with a napolitain, also called a pale or tasting square, just 5 to 10 grams. One or two of these small wrapped pieces are placed on the rim off the coffee cup.

While Merci wrapped chocolates are stackable anytime, we enjoy serving them to guests with coffee. They easily can substitute for dessert, too.
 
 
ABOUT STORCK

[1] You can serve Merci from the box or in your favorite candy dish. [2] Merci’s dark chocolate collection (both photos courtesy Merci | Storck). [3] Instead of two napolitains with after-dinner coffee, serve one Merci bar (photo courtesy Sandstein | Wikipedia).

Its brands are sold worldwide. Best-known in the U.S. are Werther’s Original caramels and toffee (the difference), and Bendicks Buttermints, chocolate-covered after-dinner mints.

For more information visit Storck.us.

[2] The Bandera comprises shots in green, white and red, the colors of the Mexican flag (photo © Cazadores Tequila).

Yesterday, we explained how Mexicans celebrated with shots of Reposda tequila, aged for up to a year.

But what if you don’t like drinking straight tequila?

You can enjoy another tequila cocktail or a non-alcoholic Mexican drink. Here are some of the most popular, which can also be served for Cinco De Mayo:
 
 
RECIPE #1: MICHELADA: MEXICO’S BEER COCKTAIL

You can have a plain Mexican beer, of course. Bohemia, Corona, Dos Equis and others are commonly found across the country.

But if you like a bit of heat, have a Michelada (mee-cha-LAH-dah), a traditional cerveza preparada, or beer cocktail.

Michelada is a combination of beer, lime and hot sauce served over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Chela is Mexican slang for a cold beer, combined with mixto, referring to the the mix of ingredients added to the beer. Eliminate the hot sauce and you’ve got a Chelada.

Here’s the complete Michelada recipe.
 
 
RECIPE #2: PALOMA COCKTAIL, TEQUILA & GRAPEFRUIT

This cocktail couldn’t be easier: 3 parts grapefruit soda and 1 part tequila, served over ice cubes in a highball glass, garnished with a lime wedge. You can add an optional salt rim.

And you can make it by the pitcher-ful, which we’ll be doing tonight.

Paloma is the Spanish word for dove. In Mexico the soft drink of choice is Jarritos brand grapefruit soda (in the U.S., look for it at international markets or substitute Fresca.

You can purchase pink grapefruit soda from the premium mixer brand Q Drinks, or combine grapefruit juice with club soda or grapefruit-flavored club soda.

At better establishments, fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice is combined with club soda. Use pink grapefruit juice and you’ll have a Pink Paloma (our term for it).

Even though the most popular tequila-based cocktail in Mexico, the history of the Paloma is murky. There are two leading contenders:

NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
 
 
RECIPE #4: AGUA FRESCA

In Spanish, agua fresca means fresh water.

In culinary terms, it refers to a variety of refreshing cold drinks that are sold by street vendors and at cafés throughout Mexico and other Latin American countries (photo #4). They’re also sold bottled at stores, and are easily whipped up at home.

Agua fresca is non-alcoholic and non-carbonated. The recipe can include a combination of fruits or veggies, flowers (like hibiscus), herbs and/or spices, cereals (barley, oats, rice), seeds (chia), even almond flour (which is used to make horchata, the next example).

A traditional agua fresca is an infused, sweetened water, flavored with fruits and/or vegetables—often a more complex layering of flavors than lemonade and limeade.

Our favorite combinations: watermelon (or any melon), basil cucumber and mint hibiscus. Here’s how to make them.

As you can see from this recipe template, it’s easy to mix your favorite flavors.
 
 
RECIPE #5: HORCHATA

Agua de horchata—horchata for short—is a very popular recipe, made from ground almonds and rice spiced with cinnamon (photo #5). Other flavors such as coconut can be added.

Here’s a recipe from Noshon.it.

It’s not conventional, but, you could add a shot of tequila or rum.

After all, it’s a day to celebrate!

[5] Horchata, made from ground almonds and cooked rice, may sound unusual—but it’s unusually good (photo © NoshOn, where you can subscribe to receive your recipes of choice).

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

[1] A classic English trifle (photo courtesy JoyCooks.Blogspot.com). [1] This modern trifle combines peanut butter pudding and pretzels. [3] A good-for-you substitute. Move over, Edible Arrangements (photos #2 and #3 courtesy Pampered Chef).

Trifles are one of the easiest desserts you can make—and impressive to present. Most of the ingredients are purchased ready-to-use, with only custard or other pudding requiring a few minutes of preparation.
 
WHAT’S A TRIFLE?

A trifle is a layered British dessert of fruit, sponge fingers or sponge cake soaked, custard, and a topping of whipped cream. Other ingredients can be added (gelatin/Jell-O, cookie crumbs) and the cake can be soaked in alcohol.
 
TRIFLE HISTORY

Trifle is an evolution of a fruit fool, a dessert that probably originated in 15th -century Britain. Puréed stewed fruit was swirled with sweet custard.

The classic was (and is) gooseberry fool, but seasonal fruits—apples, berries, rhubarb—were also used.

Other countries have their own versions that followed the British concept. In Italy, for example, zuppa inglese, a layering of liqueur-soaked sponge and custard, appeared in the late 19th century.

The first known reference to a trifle appears in 1585 in a cookbook, The Good Huswifes Jewell. It was flavored with sugar, ginger and rosewater (a recipe for the well-do-do, as sugar and spices were costly).

The trifle evolved to include a layer of crumbled biscuits (cookies) and alcohol-soaked sponge cake or sponge fingers (ladyfingers) as the bottom layer. Brandy, madeira, port and sherry were used to soak the sponge.

When powdered gelatin* became available in 1845, a layer of fruit “jelly” was added to recipes.

As was so common among the fashionable in Renaissance Britain, France, and other European countries, new foods engendered new styles of dishes and flatware. For trifles, a straight-sided pedestal glass bowl showed off the beauty of the layers.

Today, many people prefer bowls without the pedestal (easier to store), and modern ingredient layers that range from layers of chocolate cake, peanut butter pudding, pretzels and Oreos.

Glass bowls with or without a pedestal are used for other desserts and can also be repurposed. Anyone who owns a straight-sided glass bowl has already figured out how to use it for layered dips, layered salads (fruit, green, pasta) and as a fruit bowl.

It can serve as anything from a bread basket (nice with muffins at brunch) to a chip bowl.

Here are more ways to use a trifle bowl. Thanks to Pampered Chef for some of these ideas and photos.

 
What else?

We look forward to your suggestions!
 
________________
*Gelatin was first extracted by boiling animal bones, in 1682. But this laborious process was only undertaken in large kitchens with staff to prepare it. While gelatin is pure protein, it is colorless, flavorless and odorless, so it also needed to be enhanced for serving.

[4] Fall centerpiece. [5] Christmas centerpiece. [6] Punch bowl (all photos courtesy Pampered Chef).

[1] Beijing street food from Mr. Bing—soon to open a retail location at 152 West 28th Street (photo courtesy Mr. Big). We loved our Peking Duck-inspired rice crêpe. [2] A red velvet ice cream sandwich with cream cheese ice cream from Melt.

It’s one of our favorite times of the year in Manhattan: The semi-annual culinary pop-up market, Madison Square Eats, is in Worth Square through October 7th. It’s hosted by Hosted by Urban Space, a foodie vision of wonderful.

The triangular island between Broadway and Fifth Avenue, 24th and 25th Streets, is filled with wonderful things to eat.

The almost-fall air and the leafy view of Madison Square Park across Fifth Avenue create an alfresco dining event that is a choice way to nibble. It’s the same with the spring version.

Regrettably, we were stuffed to the gills after only four kiosks. The solution: Go back tomorrow.

This edition of the market, now in its ninth year, brings global favorites to outdoor dining, with tables and chairs dotting the center of the island. Some vendors have restaurants; others are only available for catering and pop-ups.

 
Don’t eat beforehand, bring cash, and have a great time!

[1] Reposado tequila is the preferred type for celebrations [2] Distrito Federal is Manhattan cocktail that replaces the bourbon with tequila (all photos courtesy Blue Nectar Tequila).

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day.

That honor goes September 16th, known as Grito de Dolores (The Cry of Dolores, the town where the battle began). It’s the most popular holiday in Mexico.

Here’s the scoop on Mexican Independence Day, commemorating the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence from Spanish colonial rule in 1810.

As with America’s Independence Day, the Mexican National Day of Independence is a patriotic holiday, with celebratory drinks, food and fireworks.

Today’s tip: Wherever you live, celebrate Mexican Independence Day on the 16th.

The folks at Blue Nectar Tequila tell us that the most popular type of tequila consumed in Mexico on national holidays is the more aged (and more expensive) Reposado, not the clear Blanco (a.k.a. silver or white tequila—here are the different types of tequila).

Blanco is aged not at all or up to two months, while Reposado and Añejo tequilas are aged longer: Reposado for six months to a year, Añejo for one to three years. Aging gives layers of complexity to the spirit.

While tequila was first produced in the 16th century by Spanish immigrants to Mexico, aged tequila styles such as Reposado and Añejo did not appear until the early 1900s.

Some producers began to age their tequila in oak casks left over from red wine, brandy and rum that had been imported for consumption by the Spanish aristocracy.

This stroke of genius changed the overall quality and taste of basic tequila, which at the time was raw-edged and without complexity.

So today’s tip is: Celebrate September 16th by sipping a glass of Reposado or Añejo tequila, neat or on the rocks, enjoying the flavors with each sip.

Or try one of the cocktails below, or this wonderful menu of tequila cocktail recipes.

Reposado tequila has a woodsy quality that pairs well with beef-based, poultry and pork-type main dishes. (complementary flavors in recipes include orange, cinnamon and honey).

Instead of America’s go-to grilled food for Independence Day, a favorite dish in Mexico is pozole, a classic soup made of hominy and pork.

In modern times it’s also made with beef, chicken, seafood, or vegetables and beans. Here’s a selection of pozole recipes.

For dessert, have churros or dark chocolate with Añejo tequila.

And sure: Bring on the guacamole, salsa, chips and esquites—Mexican corn on the cob.
 
COCKTAIL RECIPE #1: DISTRITO FEDERAL

The classic bourbon-based Manhattan cocktail is the inspiration for this Mexican version, which is named after historic Mexico City, an area known as Distrito Federal.
 
Ingredients Per Drink

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE the spirits and bitters in a cocktail glass. Add ice and stir until cold, about one to two minutes.

2. STRAIN into a coupe glass, garnish with the cherry and serve.

Ingredients Per Drink

The vodka-based Cosmo is remade with Reposado teqila.

 
Preparation

1. MUDDLE the lime quarters with the simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add the tequila, orange liqueur and cranberry juice.

2. TOP with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lime wheel.

FIND MORE DELICIOUS TEQUILA COCKTAIL RECIPES AT BLUENECTARTEQUILA.COM.
 
ABOUT BLUE NECTAR TEQUILA

Blue Nectar Tequila, is a hand-crafted, super-premium tequila that focuses on agave-forward flavor profiles.

While by Mexican law Reposado must be aged a minimum of 2 months, Blue Nectar Reposado Extra Blend is aged 6-8 months and then blended with three-year-old Extra Añejo, to deliver hints of vanilla and smoke.

For more information on the different expressions of Blue Nectar tequila, visit BlueNectarTequila.com.