You know that feeling of waking up, walking to your kitchen and having a great cup of coffee waiting for you? Neither do I (I make my own coffee, thank you very much). I just get tired of the same, boring coffee that is starting to lose its ability to make me shut my eyes and drift into sweet coffee bliss for a few morning moments. As someone who craves sweets but doesn’t often indulge, I usually make my morning cup of joe (first and last time referring to it as that, I swear) pretty sugary (naturally, of course), and was looking for a way to enhance my morning routine without enhancing my waistline. I dabbled in sugar-free syrups, but it just didn’t feel or taste right. Then I had my a-ha moment; flavored coffee.
From the moment I picked up my bag of Melitta Hazelnut Crème Brulée, I knew I was in love. The sweet smell of caramel, vanilla and hazelnut filled my nose immediately, and I just couldn’t wait to taste it. Just as I thought—the delicate flavors all complemented each other perfectly with a hint of unexpected burnt sugar at the end. Though I wouldn’t consider myself a coffee connoisseur, I was able to taste the complexity that came along with this nutty brew and appreciated its subtly.
I like to consider myself a healthy eater, but sometimes I just have to have those “drop-everything-and-stop-the-world” moments when I can’t resist a dish sitting on the table in front of me. I try not to let my “episodes” turn into a full-on binge, but sometimes I can’t help it. After spending a few years fighting the college-fifteen (let’s face it, it’s not just freshmen that gain weight; no one can resist troughs of food), I decided to limit myself to a few slips a month. Two months ago, while making lasagna, I’m pretty sure I overdosed on cheese before the lasagna was even put in the oven. But when is too much cheese actually a bad thing? Never. But the lack of energy and unfortunate muffin top on my jeans the next morning was traumatizing enough to stop my seemingly endless binge. So, when I came across this jaw-dropping (then closing) dish, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try something great. Without further adieu, I bring you Truffle Gorgonzola French Fries courtesy of Chef Anthony Sicignano of The Breakers Palm Beach. If you’re going to indulge, do it right.
Truffle Gorgonzola French Fries
Serves 4-6
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
8 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons white truffle oil
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1. Reduce cream by half and pour hot cream over Gorgonzola Cheese.
2. Fold in truffle oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Toss with hot, well-done fries and serve immediately.
Tip: If you're not a fan of Gorgonzola, try Fontina for a less pungent cheese.
Picture this: you're casually strolling through a cookware store with sixteen more products than you planned on buying. With ladles and spatulas hanging on for their lives, you slowly creep to the register. But somewhere between cookbooks and knives you panic. You have no more storage space.
Now, if you have ever found yourself in this situation, fear no more. It might not be the cutting board you were clutching, but Microplane has come out with a new compact, cone-shaped, dual-sided grater. The beauty behind the Microplane Twist N Grate design is the ability to deconstruct the appliance and store it neatly in your already overstuffed cabinet. The two Microplane blades will grate your cheese, zest your lemons and live in your kitchen virtually unnoticed.
For those who don't consider themselves picky eaters, most would agree that when it comes to pasta sauce, persnickety and protective tend to emerge as common personality traits. But what everyone can agree on is that pasta sauce is oh-so tasty--not just good, but great! Most think of pasta sauce as the finishing touch to their comforting bowl of linguini or a layer in a heavy plate of chicken parmesean, but we're here to tell you that pasta sauce and dense meals are no longer our friends. (For the summer, that is).
We have good news! La Famiglia DelGrosso makes a line of healthy pasta sauces that will satisfy your Italian-tooth and all summer (and year!) long. Use this sauce and you'll discover why the DelGrosso family makes the oldest family-owned pasta sauce in the US.
Here is one saucy summer recipe to keep you and your family happy and healthy throughout the summer.
Grilled Sausage, Peppers & Onions
Serves 6
Ingredients
6 large precooked turkey sausages
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 red bell peppers
1 yellow bell pepper
1 medium onion
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Salt and black pepper to taste
6 hard Italian rolls
La Famiglia DelGrosso's Chef John's Tomato Basil Masterpiece
Directions
1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. Cut peppers and onions lengthwise and toss in bowl with olive oil.
3. Grill sausages and prick with a fork, turning them, until golden and heated through.
4. Grill peppers and onions until slightly charred and soft.
5. Remove peppers and onions and lightly coat with balsamic vinegar.
6. Slice open rolls and place ingredients inside.
7. Top with tomato sauce as the finishing touch.
8. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Tip: Not in mood for Tomato Basil Masterpiece? La Famiglia DelGrosso has seven other flavors for a wide variety of tastes!
As far as vodka goes, I don't claim to be any sort of expert. But I can, however, tell the difference between cringe-worthy shots from a frat party and smooth sips from the top shelf of a bar.
As Russia's leading premium vodka, Russian Standard has a smooth, clean taste that is inviting to vodka connoisseurs but will not distance anyone new to the game. This traditional wheat-based vodka has a familiar flavor and scent, but its pleasant feel makes it differ from the standard vodka burn. If you are worried about overpowering vodka in your mixed drink, don't fret; Russian Standard mixes well and adds a depth and complexity that similar brands tend to lack.
As a warm welcome to summer, we suggest creating cocktails that include seasonal fruits and vegetables. As the 2011 summer drink trends roll in, cucumber seems to rank high on the list. So it's time to put down your whipped cream-flavored vodka and pick up a bottle of Russian Standard.
Cucumber Vodka Soda
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 oz vodka
2 English cucumbers
2 Tbsp lime juice
Soda water
2 tsp granulated sugar
Ice
Directions
1. Peel cucumbers and scrape out seeds with a spoon.
2. Puree in a food processor until smooth.
3. Strain cucumber into a glass.
4. Put ingredients into a shaker with ice and strain into 4 glasses.
5. Garnish each drink with a slice of cucumber.
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