Posts Tagged ‘relish’
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Appetizer cheesecakes pack a savory surprise
By Warren Rojas
Photography by Hana Jung
Culinary school chums Amy Hakola and Susannah Callaway have made cheesecake “hot” with their Savory Secret creations.
Hakola said her father-in-law used to bake an herby treat each Christmas which evolved into their Five Herb (garden-fresh flavor) cheesecake. They now have seven made-to-order selections, including: Gorgonzola & Pear (savory – sweet combo), Mushroom & Fontina (great smoky/roasted character) and Sundried Tomato & Basil (studded with real tomato bits).
Meanwhile, Hakola says Callaway is already hard at work on a new goat cheese offering.
Savory Secret cheesecakes are available locally at Fern Street Gourmet (Alexandria), Opera House Gourmet (Manassas) and as part of the weekend cellar tastings at Linden Vineyards (Linden). For online orders, please visit: www.savorysecret.biz
(August 2007)
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Move over, beer-can chicken.
By Warren Rojas
Courtesy of Anheuser-Busch
Barbecue fans can now temper their favorite grilled fare with Budweiser’s gourmet seasonings, developed at the Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg.
Executive chef Brent Wertz helped nurture the four debut sauces—basting (sharp honey-mustard tang), wing (fiery butter-vinegar blend), beechwood smoked (smoky mass of garlic and molasses) and traditional barbecue (tomatoey blast backed by creeper heat)—and is already working on the next generation of marinades.
There’s definitely more on the way,” he pledges.
A company spokesman says the Budweiser sauces should be available at local Wal-Mart Supercenters and Safeway stores. To learn more, please visit: www.budshop.com.
(August 2007)
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Hawaiian Scoop Doles Out Fruity, Frozen Fare
By Warren Rojas
Photography by Visual Cocktail
Believe it or not, Luis Alvarado is not that into “sugary, candy-like” sweets.
Which is why this ex-Marine fell for the lighter tasting Lappert’s ice cream and Dole Whip soft-serve (non-dairy fruit treat) while stationed in Hawaii. Back home in Virginia, his frozen favorites were nowhere to be found.
Alvarado now serves a rainbow of Dole Whip flavors (including strawberry and mango) as well as Lappert’s selections like Coconut Pineapple (riddled with real pineapple), Banana Caramel Chocolate Chip (rich banana flavor) and Kauai Pie (chilled java packed with fudge and macadamia nuts).
“Once they come, they’ll come again,” he says of the growing band of regular customers. “The proof is in the taste.”
20937 Ashburn Road, Ste. 135, Ashburn; 703-729-1583
(June/July 2007)
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Small-time baker hits it big with exotic sweets
By Warren Rojas
Photography by Morgan Howarth
Graphic designer cum amateur baker Krishna Brown says she draws inspiration from music, books and her travel wish-list.
“From Brazil to Bordeaux is what I bake,” she says of the global catalog offered by her Shoe Box Oven bakery.
While she has been cooking since childhood, Brown did not start baking in earnest till late 2005. After a strong showing at the Arlington farmers market, she re-assessed her career goals and decided to try full-time baking this winter.
Some of Brown’s worldlier creations include baptistes (terrific shortbread rounds drizzled with salty caramel) and canéles (custard-filled, mini-muffins).
This summer, look for her specialty cupcakes—including some spun-sugar topped varieties—and traditional almond flour macarons (pictured at left).
Shoe Box Oven bakery, Old Town Alexandria; 703-549-0525; www.shoeboxoven.com
(May 2007)
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Lesser Evil Bedevils High-Fat Cravings
By Warren Rojas
Photography by Morgan Howarth
How’s that dieting resolution holding up? If the mind is still willing but the flesh remains weak—or worse, noticeably jiggly—avoid temptation by giving in to Lesser Evil’s tasty, low-calorie snacks.
The health-conscious snackmaker specializes in all-natural products touted as “low-fat” yet “high in moral fiber,” a boast accompanied by items that are typically under 150 calories a serving.
The most popular products include specialty popcorns like: Maple Pecan (a not-too-sweet indulgence), SinNamon (a savory-sweet salt and cinnamon rush), Black & White (traditional and chocolate-covered kettle corn) and Peanut Butter & Choco (a doubly sweet serving of cocoa- and peanut butter-glazed kernels).
The company recently branched out with a line of savory, thunderbolt-shaped potato snacks called Krinkle Sticks. Debut flavors include: Classic Sea Salt (a crunchy-salty celebration), Sour Cream and Onion (an herby delight), Barbecue (slightly sweet but mostly spicy) and Cajun (packs a zesty twang).
LesserEvil snacks are available at local Whole Foods, Wegmans and Giant stores. To find out more about these low-cal snacks, visit: www.lesserevil.com
(April 2007)