GOOD TASTES.PIECE DE RESISTANCE - FOR MOM For the sophisticated mom who has everything (or not quite), including an adventurous palate, splurge this Mother's Day and give her this lavish gift: a regal, purple package tied with purple ribbon, containing exotic, savory truffles and a 750-milliliter bottle of Lucini Extra Virgin olive oil olive oil, pale yellow to greenish oil obtained from the pulp of olives by separating the liquids from solids. Olive oil was used in the ancient world for lighting, in the preparation of food, and as an anointing oil for both ritual and cosmetic purposes. . It's an elegant offering and can be ordered from Vosges Haut-Chocolat in Chicago. Among the nine truffles are five unique flavor selections, including a green olive oil with white chocolate white chocolate n. Cocoa butter combined with milk and a sweetener, often flavored with vanilla. Noun 1. white chocolate and dried Kalamata olives, balsamic vinegar balsamic vinegar n. 1. An aromatic vinegar of Modena, Italy, made from white Trebbiano grape juice that is heated and aged in wooden barrels for several years. 2. Any of various similar vinegars. with dark chocolate and hazelnuts, Sicilian sea salt caramel with milk chocolate and pine nuts, wild Tuscan fennel fennel, common name for several perennial herbs, genus Foeniculum vulgare of the family Umbelliferae (parsley family), related to dill. The strawlike foliage and the seeds are licorice-scented and are used (especially in Italian cooking) for flavoring. pollen and dark chocolate, and taleggio cheese Taleggio is a washed rind Italian cheese that is named after Val Taleggio. History The name Taleggio has been used before the 10th century in the caves of Val Taleggio. It might be one of the oldest soft cheeses. plus organic walnuts with bittersweet bittersweet, name for two unrelated plants, belonging to different families, both fall-fruiting woody vines sometimes cultivated for their decorative scarlet berries. dark chocolate. We weren't enthused about the flavors until we sampled them. They were incredible - novel, divine and over-the-top creative. For the most part, the combinations really worked. We particularly liked the sea salt, olive oil and fennel flavors. Our least favorite was the taleggio cheese, but it was definitely unusual. The Collezione Italiano and Olive Oil Gift Box (Italiano gift box) is $67 plus shipping. To order, call (888) 301-9866, or visit www.vosgeschocolate.com. Mom is bound to be thrilled! By the way, the Vosges catalog is filled with other guilty pleasures, such as wine and chocolate gift boxes, exotic chocolate bars, all kinds of other flavor truffle truffle (trŭf`əl) [Fr.], subterranean edible fungus that forms a mutually beneficial (symbiotic) relationship with the roots of certain trees and plants. The part of the fungus used as food is the ascoma, the fruiting body of the fungus. collections, cocoas, a chocolate-of-the month club option, toffee, brownies and exotic caramels - some topped with sea salt and others with a roasted, salted pecan. - Natalie Haughton STAMP OUT HUNGER The National Association of Letter Carriers The National Association of Letter Carriers (or NALC) is a labor union for employees of the United States Postal Service who serve as letter carriers (informally, "mail carriers", "mailmen", or "postmen", although many are now in fact female). and Campbell's Soup Co. will hold their annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on May 13. Consumers can place nonperishable food items in a bag near their mailbox and local letter carriers will pick up and transport them to local food bank members of America's Second Harvest America's Second Harvest is a United States based nonprofit organization. It consists of a nation-wide network of more than 200 food banks and food-rescue organizations that serve virtually every county in the United States as well as Puerto Rico. and other hunger relief organizations. Food items should be in nonbreakable containers such as boxes and cans. For more information, go to www.stampouthunger.info. - N.H. PREMIUM READY-MADE MARGARITAS If you're in a hurry and have no time to make margaritas, pick up a bottle of the convenient, newly launched 1800 The Ultimate Margarita. Unlike some of its counterparts, it's made with 100 percent blue agave tequila and is ready to drink chilled, on the rocks or frosty, blended with crushed ice. It's available in both 750-milliliter and 1.75-liter bottles. The smaller bottle makes four to five servings, the larger eight to 10. Suggested retail prices are $14.99 and $24.99, respectively. Look for them at Ralphs and Vons. If you have any leftovers, refrigerate re·frig·er·ate tr.v. re·frig·er·at·ed, re·frig·er·at·ing, re·frig·er·ates 1. To cool or chill (a substance). 2. To preserve (food) by chilling. the bottle - but make sure to finish it within a week or two. - N.H. MORE MARGARITAS For single margarita servings in a glass bottle for those on the go, Jose Cuervo offers Cuervo Margarita Minis in Classic Lime flavor. Each 200-milliliter serving (just shy of 1 cup) is ready to drink - over ice, chilled or blended with ice - and contains Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila (made from blue agave and a blend of reposado and other tequilas), triple sec, natural flavors and artificial colors. Look for them in four-packs at grocery, liquor and drug stores nationwide; suggested retail price is $9.99. - N.H. CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) no caption (Collezione Italiano and Olive Oil Gift Box) (2) no caption (Cuervo Margarita Minis) (3) no caption (1800 The Ultimate Margarita) |
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