The New York Times just reported that, in spite of the global economic downturn, sales of gourmet teas are surprisingly strong. Could it be because tea seems like a small, yet very comforting, and even healthy, indulgence? But while I love all things chocolatey, I hadn’t thought of chocolate-TEA until Republic of Tea sent me an email about … Continue reading
Filed under Grocery shopping …
For Shame!
L I’ve been so busy, I’ve neglected to post on the recent furor about the mega-food industry’s latest attempt to subvert the trend towards natural, whole, foods. A September 4 story in the New York Times has led to a lot of handwringing on the part of natural food advocates. I actually yelled at my computer … Continue reading
Italian Prune Plums
I always eagerly await the arrival of those small, oval, Italian prune plums in the markets. The cashiers often ask what they are, or how they differ from the bigger round plums. To me, those are sweeter and for eating out of hand, while Italian plums need to be cooked to bring out their sweetness. They … Continue reading
Roasted Pork Belly
I finally cooked pork belly. This could be dangerous. I was at the Amish Market in Kingston and noticed they had it, and at only $2.29 a pound. Of course, mind you, this is another story of a once cheap cut (usually cured for salt pork or bacon) that is now the darling of up-market … Continue reading
Jersey Scallops Jersey Corn
I’ve done these scallops before, but each summer I am reminded of how much I love the big scallops caught off the coast of New Jersey, and brought into Viking Village on LBI. I bought these at Whole Foods, but next week I’ll be on LBI myself for a few days, so might be able to get … Continue reading
A Tale of Two Chips
I like the Lightly Salted Dirty Chips in the little café where I work. A two-ounce bag has 50 mg. of sodium per serving. A serving, I had noted, is half a bag (1 ounce), a fact that I’m sure sails right by most people, who assume a serving is the full bag. Gotta read … Continue reading
Pork Belly
This is one of the many courses I enjoyed last month at the Raul Perez wine dinner at Mediterra. I read so much about pork belly, but never seem to find it on local menus. So I (along with about 45 other people) was very happy to see it in front of me that evening, … Continue reading
Pot Pie
Even in the summer I crave the occasional pot pie. The cute number pictured here is the newest member of the Twin Hens family, a vegetarian pie. It’s not on their website yet, but you’ll find it in local stores. Twin Hens is owned by two locals, Linda Twining and Kathy Herring, moms who have … Continue reading
Cuppa cuppa
I love my coffee, and recently bought some Thomas Sweet coffee beans (a nice winey Ethiopian) at the Montgomery Farmers Market. The Saturday market is in the Village Shopper in Skillman, on 206 across from ShopRite. In the same center you’ll find Thomas Sweet’s new coffee and ice cream shop. Some day I’ll actually have enough leisure … Continue reading
Just (Jersey) Peachy
Jersey peaches are great this year, so I’m having fun with them in the kitchen. I thawed out some puff pastry I had stashed in the freezer. You can buy an inexpensive version in almost any supermarket, but be aware that it is made with margarine (i.e. shortening), so I buy mine at Bon Appetit … Continue reading
NJ SPICE 