GOOD TASTES.NESTLE CHOCOLATE: Nestle Chocolatier choc·o·la·tier n. 1. One who makes or sells chocolate. 2. A place where chocolate is made or sold. [French, from chocolat, chocolate, from Spanish chocolate premium baking chocolate is the latest to join the ranks of the gourmet, more intense chocolates that reference the percentage of cacao cacao (kəkä`ō, –kā`–), tropical tree (Theobroma cacao) of the family Sterculiaceae (sterculia family), native to South America, where it was first domesticated and was highly prized by the Aztecs. (the higher it is, the more chocolate in each bite) as an indication of quality. It comes in two cacao-bean levels and five varieties. The 53 percent Cacao Dark Chocolate is available in 8-ounce baking bars and 10-ounce bags of morsels or chunks. The 62 percent Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate comes in 8-ounce baking bars or 10-ounce bags of morsels. We preferred these with their smooth, rich, dark flavor. We tried the bittersweet baking bars and morsels in cookies (both chocolate chip and double chocolate) and brownies, and they baked up with great results (tasters preferred the bittersweet to regular semisweet chips). The bittersweet morsels are a welcome addition to a baker's pantry. Previously, if you wanted bittersweet chips or pieces, you had to cut up bittersweet chocolate yourself. Of course they're more pricey than semisweet morsels -- but worth it if you like darker chocolate and want an indulgent, rich creation. Although Nestle's suggested retail price is $3.99 per package, we paid $4.99 for a package but distribution, which takes time with some new products, may be better now). -- Natalie Haughton SAUCE RECIPES: Sometimes the small-in-size cookbooks fall through the cracks. But that doesn't mean they aren't packed with some tempting and terrific recipes like those in ``50 Great Pasta Sauces'' by Pamela Sheldon Johns (Andrews McMeel Publishing; $14.95). The author, who makes her home on a farm in Tuscany and has written more than two dozen cookbooks, is well versed in the four different types of sauces she includes -- vegetable, dairy, meat and seafood. Most of the recipes -- accompanied with an enticing color photo -- seem to be fast, flavorful and affordable. Among the creations are Broccoli Cream Sauce, Balsamic balsamic (bäl·sämˑ·ik), n a substance that can soften and reduce mucus. Cream Sauce, Wild Mushroom Sauce, Arugula arugula or rocket Yellowish-flowered European herbaceous plant (Eruca vesicaria sativa), of the mustard family, cultivated for its foliage, which is used especially in salads. & Pancetta pan·cet·ta n. Italian bacon that has been cured in salt and spices and then air-dried. [Italian, diminutive of pancia, belly, from Latin pantex, pantic-.] Sauce, Pecorino pe·co·ri·no n. pl. pe·co·ri·nos An Italian cheese, especially Romano, made from ewe's milk. [Italian, of ewes, pecorino, from pecora, ewe, sheep, from Latin, & Pepper Sauce, and Swordfish & Caper Sauce. If you crave pasta, don't miss this little gem. -- N.H. POMMERY POP CHAMPAGNE: POP (Product of Pommery), an AOC AOC, n an acronym for the Aromatherapy Organizations Council. champagne that stirred up the champagne category in 1999 with the introduction of a single-serving-size 187-milliliter bottle, is now available in a full-size 750-milliliter bottle, just in time for holiday entertaining. Made of 90 percent chardonnay and 10 percent pinot noir and pinot meunier, it has a little less fizz and is slightly sweeter than traditional Brut-style champagne. It features a delicate, pale-yellow hue, with a creamy, subtle nose with a hint of floral and citrus aromas. The sparkler spar·kler n. 1. One, such as a highly polished metallic surface or a virtuoso performer, that sparkles. 2. Informal A diamond. 3. A firework that burns slowly and gives off a shower of sparks. comes in a bright blue bottle and, according to the producer, is adaptable to most types of cuisines and foods from popcorn to takeout Chinese and foie gras. The new 750-milliliter bottle is $35; the 187-milliliter mini bottle is $10.99 each or $44 for a four-pack. -- N.H. FREE SIDES BOOKLET: The Jennie-O Turkey Store folks are offering a free color brochure, Tune Up Turkey Side Dishes. It's filled with some delicious-sounding recipes and photos for sides and desserts from restaurant chefs throughout the country. Among the recipes are Roasted Beets and Onion Salad (from Josie Le Balch of Josie Restaurant, Santa Monica), Green Bean and Lump Crab Bake (from Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Atlanta) and Sweet Potato Gratin gra·tin n. A top crust consisting of browned crumbs and butter, often with grated cheese. [French, from obsolete grater, to scratch, scrape, from Old French; see grate1.] With Maple Syrup-Balsamic Sauce (from Patrick Rene Schaefer of Armani's, Tampa Bay). To make and serve turkey without stress, the company is touting its oven-ready bird that goes from freezer to oven with no thawing (and included in the booklet is a $5 coupon good on one of their turkeys). For a copy, call (800) 887-5397. Or download the booklet at www.jennieo.com (by clicking on ``Recipes'' in the bottom right corner). -- N.H. A BAKER'S DOZEN thirteen. thirteen; - called also a long dozen ltname>. See also: Baker Dozen COOKIE RECIPES: The Food Network is once again sharing a baker's dozen of newsletters featuring cookie recipes. Each newsletter will contain one recipe, a photo and chef's notes. A sneak preview of this year's recipes includes Almond Shortbreads, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Biscotti Biscotti (plural of Italian biscotto, roughly meaning "twice baked") are crisp Italian cookies often containing nuts or flavored with anise. Traditionally, biscotti are made by baking cookie dough in two long slabs, cutting these into slices, and reheating them to dry , Super Gooey Chocolate Drops, Iced Citrus Crackle and Ginger Pecan pecan: see hickory. pecan Nut and tree (Carya illinoinensis) of the walnut family, native to temperate North America. Occasionally reaching a height of about 160 ft (50 m), the tree has deeply furrowed bark and feather-shaped leaves. Oatmeal Crisps. If you'd like to get the recipes each day beginning Dec. 1, go to www.foodnetwork.com/food/12_days_of_cookies to sign up. -- N.H. CAPTION(S): 5 photos Photo: (1) no caption (Nestle Chocolatier) (2) no caption (``50 Great Pasta Sauces'') (3) no caption (Champagne POP) (4) no caption (Tune Up Turkey Side Dishes) (5) no caption (cookie) |
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