The Gourmet Retailer Magazine | January 200836

January is all about resolutions and making a fresh start for the coming year. While losing weight and going on some sort of diet are always at the top of my list each and every year, I decided that for 2008, moderation would be my New Year’s resolution. I’m going to enjoy all the foods I love — in moderation. So for the first Editor’s Choice of the New Year, I won’t inundate you with just “healthy” foods (though I did include a heart-healthy sesame oil, all-natural condensed soups and a guilt-free dessert tea you should definitely check out). Instead, my selections include a few indulgent items that should be savored and enjoyed — one small bite at a time. In between, I’ve gathered together some gadgets that make food preparation easier and, most importantly, a whole lot safer. So here’s to a happy, healthy and safe 2008.

Editor’s ChoiceBY Kristin V. MontalVo

John Kelly ChocolatesJohn Kelly Chocolates has raised the bar — the

artisan fudge bar, that is. A rather unique blend of truffle and fudge covered in a rich semi-sweet chocolate coating, this truly is the best fudge concoction I’ve ever had the (intense) pleasure of tasting. Called “truffle fudge,” I like to think of it more as a chocolate-covered truffle bar, because each and every handcrafted piece has an incredibly creamy consistency, similar to that of a truffle. But unlike old-fashioned fudge, which tends to be overly sweet and dry, this fudge has the texture of pure silk, a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth experience that actually intensifies the deep chocolate flavor. According to the company, several different varieties of chocolate are used in order to create blends that have a perfect balance of sweet versus bold chocolate flavor. These award-winning chocolates are certified kosher and come in 12 heavenly, naturally flavored versions like cappuccino with walnuts, peanut butter or raspberry. What’s even better, the bars are wrapped in gold foil and gorgeously packed in a gift box. Available in two sizes — a large 8-ounce bar for guests to help themselves, or if you want to serve slices on a dessert platter; or a 2-ounce “portion controlled” version. Gift baskets and truffle fudge towers are also available. MSRP for the 2-oz. size ranges from $7.25 (one 2-oz. bar) up to $71 (24 2-oz. bars); 8-oz. size ranges from $14 (one bar) up to $24 (two bars). For more information, call 800-609-4243, or visit www.johnkellychocolates.com.

Ergo Chef Pro Series 8-Inch Chef KnifeThe new Ergo Chef Pro Series 8-Inch Chef Knife has been a godsend for me. As a writer, I’m at

my desk feverishly typing all day, and as an avid cook, I spend a good deal of time in the kitchen chopping ingredients for recipes — all of which adds up to some serious cramping and joint pain. Thankfully, the Pro Series was invented for cooks and people who suffer from Carpel Tunnel and Tendonitis to help reduce wrist movement during chopping by keeping your hand, wrist and forearm in a straighter line than standard knives. Designed to use very little effort when cutting, its natural feel and extended heel prevents your knuckles from contacting the cutting surface, keeping your fingers safe. Each knife is designed to increase comfort and ease-of-use based on its own specific function in the kitchen. I love the weight, balance, shape and the precise sharpness of the blade. It’s now my “go-to” kitchen knife. MSRP is $83.99. For more on the Ergo Chef line of products, call 877-796-0884, or visit www.ergochef.com.

Baxters rich and imaginative

range of all-natural chutneysIntroducing!

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Havana’s legendary espresso…

…in 2 lb. bags and handy pods!

Cuban espresso is world famous, known to be rich and mellow, but without the bite of many European espressos. What makes the difference is 100% Arabica coffee roasted in the legendary Cuban tradition. Available whole bean and in handy pods. Salud!

SAVE WITH OUR INTRODUCTORY OFFER1.800.428.4627 | www.gavina.com

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Antico Pastificio Umbro Risotto

I’m usually on the fence when it comes to packaged risotto mixes. Granted, they save time and might attract cooks who aren’t confident about mastering the mysteries of even a simple risotto. Unfortunately, most of the mixes I’ve tried end up a gluey, bland inedible mess. Thankfully, the people at Olive Tree Marketing International Inc. have discovered Antico Pastificio Umbro, a trendy line of risotto mixes they import from Italy. Made “for the home chef who knows fine food,” these smartly packaged mixes (they were a finalist for the 2007 SOFI Awards for Packaging Design) produce perfect risotto in less than 20 minutes. What impressed me most was not only the ease of preparation — boil salted water, lightly stir in mix, simmer and top with a bit of Parmesan cheese — but the flavorful, classic creaminess I crave in a well-made risotto. I tried all five flavors including the classic Milanese, Porcini, Radicchio, Nero Seppia (black squid ink) and Truffle — and enjoyed each one so much that it was hard to choose a favorite. Serve as a stand-alone entrée followed by a crisp simple salad, or as the first course for a warm, winter meal. You won’t be disappointed. MSRP is $7.95. For more information, call 305-788-3093, or e-mail sales@olivetreemarketing.com.

Kuhn Rikon Potato RicerI believe I’ve finally found the key

to perfect mashed potatoes with Kuhn Rikon’s Potato Ricer. No more mushy mashed potatoes with this kitchen tool. The potatoes come out light and airy without breaking down the structure the way conventional mashers can. This simple implement doesn’t have a bunch of fancy bells and whistles or a tiny computer chip to do all the work. All it takes is a press and

a squeeze. Just simply place boiled potatoes in the bowl of the ricer (this one features a 1.5-cup extra capacity hopper that holds one large or two medium-sized potatoes), set it on the rim of a saucepan or bowl (using the handy pull-out clip that holds the ricer steady), and press the potatoes through the disk. Stir in a bit of butter and cream, some salt and pepper, and enjoy. And be sure to try the ricer with other root vegetables, such as carrots, yams and turnips. This handy gadget comes with two interchangeable stainless steel plates — large for mashed dishes and a small one for making fine purees and even homemade baby food. This has quickly become one of my favorite kitchen tools. MSRP is $19.95. For more information, visit www.kuhnrikon.com.

Maria’s Style Condensed SoupsMaria’s Style by Reid Foods is a small Illinois-based homemade,

gourmet food company that produces a wealth of fine jellies, jams, salsas and now gourmet soups. These all-natural condensed soups are meant to give your family the experience of a delicious, gourmet home-cooked meal without all the hassle of actually cooking. The best part is they taste every bit as good as you could make yourself from scratch because they’re made from fresh, wholesome, all-natural ingredients. Flavors include Italian

The Gourmet Retailer Magazine | January 200838

Editor’s Choice

K U H N R I K O NJob No: KR.023-2007 Description: 1/3 Page Square Title: HotPan

Pub: Gourmet Retailer Insertion date: March 2007 Live: n/aClose date: February 5, 2007 Trim: 4.75" x 4.875"Additional 2007 insertion dates: Bleed: n/a

Contact at Kuhn Rikon: Ruedi Keller or Leslie McCarty Tel 415.883.1101 Fax 415.883.5985

File Name: KR23-07_HP_GR_MA.qxp | Application: Quark 6.0 | File: PDF/X-1a | Placed Images: GLAM_HP_orange_01_ext2.tif, kr_HP_red_sm.tif, kr_HP_extr_01r_red_sm.tif, andKR_4-c.eps | Fonts: GillSans - Plain, Bold, Italic, and Futura - Plain, Bold | Date: 1.25.07

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THE AMAZING HOTPAN COOK AND SERVEWARE FROM KUHN RIKON

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Wedding, Minestrone, Tomato Basil Bisque, Wild Mushroom, Butternut Squash and the standout — Pumpkin. Since these are condensed, I mixed the Pumpkin flavor with chicken broth and a dollop of cream at the end. This was easily one of the best-tasting condensed pumpkin soups I’ve ever tried, with its surprising addition of fresh shredded carrots and made-from-scratch flavor. MSRP is $6.50 each. For more information, call 847-625-7912, or visit www.reidfoods.com.

Prepara ‘Trio’ Tri-Blade PeelerAt a recent trade show, I discovered

Prepara, a stylish new kitchen product company that designs chef’s tools for both entertaining and performance. They have an enviable number of excellent products, but to be fair, I can only write about one — the ‘Trio’ Tri-Blade Peeler. This brilliant gadget houses three different blades in one tool, eliminating the need for multiple peelers. There’s a blade for peeling hard vegetables like potatoes; a soft blade for fragile fruits and veggies; and a julienne blade for fancy shredding of carrots and cucumbers. What’s great is that all three razor-sharp blades nest inside the ergonomic handle, so there are no concerns about accidental nicks and cuts. Simply push the button to slide your blade of choice out and you’re ready to peel. It’s also ideal for right- or left-handed use, and the blade cartridge is dishwasher-safe. MSRP is $19.95. Check out all the other nifty products the company has at www.prepara.com.

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La Famiglia DelGrosso Pasta SaucesWhy try to look for the perfect Italian sauce

recipe when you can spoon sauce like La Famiglia DelGrosso out of the jar? This new line of specialty pasta sauces from DelGrosso Foods Inc. — the oldest major family-owned producer of pasta sauce in the United States — is made up of eight actual DelGrosso family members’ “secret recipes” and features the story that inspired the sauce, as well as a photo of the family member who created the recipe. There’s Uncle Fred’s Fireworks Sauce (lots of heat with a burst of flavor); Aunt Mary Ann’s Sunday Marinara (an Italian classic with fresh garden tomatoes and herbs); Uncle Bo’s Roasted Red Pepper Tour (slow roasted red peppers and fresh garlic); Chef John’s Tomato Basil Masterpiece (a flavorful blend of heritage and innovation); Aunt Cindy’s Sun-Dried Tomato Sonata (succulent sun dried tomatoes); Aunt Linda’s Arrabbiata Memories (a little heat); Uncle Jimmy’s Late-Night Puttanesca (a touch of Chablis wine and a ton of fresh veggies); and Uncle Joe’s Vodka Celebration (our overwhelming favorite with whole Italian plum tomatoes, special spices, cream and a splash of vodka). Besides tasting truly authentic, you can’t help but think a little bit of love and a whole lot of family tradition went into each and every jar. For more information, visit www.delgrossosauce.com.

Fagor 9-Piece Silicone Dessert KitPressure cookers are not something I’d

readily associate with sweets and desserts. In fact, desserts and pressure cookers seem like a very unlikely match, if you ask me. Skeptical but intrigued, I set out to test the 9-Piece Silicone Dessert Kit by Fagor (and luckily enough, I just happen to have a Fagor pressure cooker, which I love). According to the company, all-time favorites like cheesecakes, puddings, custards and flans can all be made much faster and with even better results than when prepared in the oven or with traditional methods. This is because the internal temperature of the pressure cooker — around 250° F — is relatively mild compared to the oven. This keeps the eggs from breaking down into solids and liquids. In addition, the surrounding air in the pressure cooker is very moist from the water vapor so custards won’t get that “skin” on top of them. I decided to make an orange cheesecake from the included recipe book and was pleasantly surprised with the results. Not only was it very simple to make (cooked on high pressure for 40 minutes then cooled overnight in the fridge), but it had an unbelievably silky texture. Same for the luscious vanilla egg custard I tried the next night in the silicone ramekins. (Note: if you plan to use the kit with a different brand pressure cooker, take into consideration that cooking times might change due to the different pressure settings.) I’m officially a convert. The kit includes an 8” diameter silicone baking dish, ideal for cheesecakes and puddings; cover with a venting hole for the baking dish; four individual silicone ramekins for individual portions of flan or custard; a stainless steel baking dish support rack; a silicone spatula; and a bilingual English/Spanish recipe book with original dessert recipes. And it will not retain odors or flavors, is easy to clean, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and can go from -58° F up to 675° F — so you can use it in the oven or even in the microwave. MSRP is $25.00. For more information, visit www.fagoramerica.com.

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Tea Forté Dolce Vita Dessert TeasTea Forté is a high-end specialty tea

company that incorporates beauty and aesthetics with quality, whole-leaf products. Instead of standard paper tea bags, Tea Forté’s bagged teas are enclosed in pyramid-shaped silken infusers. Topping each beautiful silk bag is an elegant hand-wrapped wire and artistic paper leaf that floats like a work of art in your teacup. Tea Forté’s blends, which are also sold as loose-leaf teas, come in more than 20 varieties of black, white, herbal, green, oolong

and dessert teas — the company’s latest introduction. True to the Italian expression, “La Dolce Vita,” the new aromatic Dessert Teas are a naturally sweet, delicious and practically guilt-free dessert indulgence. Mouthwatering flavors include Coco Truffle, Belgian Mint, Raspberry Nectar, Orchid Vanilla and Vienna Cinnamon — made with all-natural cocoa husks, raspberries, cinnamon, cloves and a variety of other sweet spices and fruit nectars. Beautifully presented in a signature lavender box, Dolce Vita is the perfect gift — to yourself

or others. The Dolce Vita collection is available in a Medium Tin (six infusers for $12.00) and Ribbon Box (20 infusers for $24.00). For more information, visit www.teaforte.com.

Terra Medi Extra Virgin Sesame Oil Extra virgin sesame seed oil traces its

roots back to antiquity when it was used by ancient Greeks for a variety of cooking, preserving and medicinal purposes. Today, professional chefs and home cooks alike are savoring the unique taste and versatility of this exquisite oil. Terra Medi, a leading purveyor of gourmet oils and pantry foods crafted in Greece, broadens its offerings with its newest addition, Extra Virgin Sesame Oil. This golden-hued, subtly sweet oil is made in Greece using traditional cold compression and extraction techniques to capture the oil’s distinct flavor and fragrant bouquet. Entirely pure in its composition, it has a lower acidity level compared to olive oil, and a high smoke-point. In addition to its myriad cooking applications, it offers high levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which help fight against high blood pressure. Additionally, it’s rich in naturally occurring antioxidants, including vitamin E and vitamin B complex. I substituted it for olive oil in my favorite dressings and drizzled it on grilled and steamed veggies. Its subtle flavor proved delicious for steamed fish and grilled lamb as well. This is a fine addition to their line of premium oils. MSRP is $7.99. For more information, visit www.terramedi.com. T

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