Top 10 [Things I Love] :: Jan 2012

Eataly NY Day
Eataly NY Day

On a recent trip to Eataly, I discovered some gourmet goodies that I had to add to my list of Top 10 Things I Love for this month.  For Eataly’s Eat New York Day, 16 local and small town New York food Producers sampled their products and shared their stories about their artisan products and support for local, sustainable agriculture. Here’s a few of my favorites worth mentioning that you should try for yourself – most are available at Eataly, Fresh Direct, Williams-Sonoma, Sur la Table, Dean and Deluca, Wegmans and Whole Foods, or through other food retailers around New York state and online. To find more local New York organic farmers and food producers, check out GrowNYC‘s website for a complete listing.

Here’s my Top 10 Favs for January ::

1. McClure’s Pickles – Garlic Dill Relish

McClure's Garlic Relish
McClure's Garlic Relish

McClure’s Garlic Relish is the tastiest, crunchiest fresh tasting relish ever. Made with fresh chopped garlic, dill and cucumber – it tastes more like a salad and is great on fish, vegetables, sandwiches, and in egg & tuna salads. I imagine topping these on hot dogs and hamburgers is out of this world too – a must at my next rooftop grill party! McClure’s also makes amazing crunchy pickles and a Spicy Bloody Mary mix that will knock your socks (or your hangover!) off. Check em out online here: http://www.mcclurespickles.com/

2. Maple Hill Creamery Yogurt

Maple Hill Creamery Yogurt
Maple Hill Creamery Yogurt

Maple Hill Creamery yogurt is 100% organic grass fed dairy, made produced in Little Falls, NY. I sampled the Maple flavor which is sweetened with all-natural maple syrup and it was delicious – not too sweet, with a thick and creamy consistency and flavor. They have other unique flavors besides Maple and Vanilla, such as Wild Blueberry, Orange Creme and Lemon. They use all natural flavors, real fruit and cream which makes this yogurt truly special, and good for you too.

http://www.maplehillcreamery.com

3. Sir Kensington & Sons Ketchup

Sir Kensington's Spiced Ketchup
Sir Kensington's Spiced Ketchup

For all you ketchup lovers, this is the epitome of gourmet scooping ketchup.  The proprietor, Sir Kensington, is a gourmet Brit who attended Oxford University with degrees in Industrialism, Philanthropy and Culinary Arts. They have a regular and spicy variety, perfect for dipping fries and topping for hamburgers, meatloaf and hot dogs, or making a spicy cocktail sauce for shrimp. Their ketchups are made with vine-ripened pear tomato puree, sweetened with Agave nectar, honey and raw brown sugar, spiced with exotic ingredients such as Chipotle, Cilantro and Cayenne Pepper. The flavorfulness in their Spicy Ketchup comes from ingredients such as Coriander, Lime Juice and Allspice and some Apple Cider Vinegar. Their secret ingredients remain a mystery to this day.

http://sirkensingtons.com/index.html

4. Alchemy Cookie Bites by Carla Hall

Alchemy Pecan Shortbread with Vanilla Salt
Alchemy Pecan Shortbread w/ Vanilla Salt

Warning: If any of you have a serious sweet tooth addiction, this product may not be right for you. Ha! Seriously though, one little bite of Carla Hall’s Alchemy cookie bites and you’ll be hooked forever. I tried the Pecan Shortbread with Vanilla Salt cookies and they’re out of this world. Buttery, not too sweet, toasted pecans with a vanilla essence and hint of salt to bring out the flavors. She also has a variety of other gluten-free, sweet and savory Alchemy cookie flavors such as Oatmeal with White Chocolate and Dried Cranberries, Smoky Blue Cheese Walnut and Mexican Chocolate Chip. Carla’s artisan cookie bites are truly a labor of love – baked to perfection containing only the finest ingredients – European-style butter, organic sugar, flours, couverture chocolate, artisan cheeses, fresh nuts, seasonal fruits… can’t get any better than this!

http://alchemybycarlahall.com/

5. Artisan Handcrafted Italian Salami by Creminelli

Creminelli Artisan Salami
Creminelli Artisan Salami

Creminelli Artisan Salami was created by Cristiano Creminelli, Italian food artisan meat purveyor. Hormone-free and American-made in Salt Lake City, Utah, his salami is fresh and flavorful and rivals imported Italian varieties. To make an antipasti plate, pair the salami (and some of their delicious prosciutto!) with Italian cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, Taleggio and Fontina, mixed olives, capers and nuts, fresh fruits and berries and serve with some crusty bread and a big glass of hearty red wine. Mangia!

http://www.creminelli.com/

6. NY Foods Organic Butter, Cheese and Ice Creams

NYFoods Organic Butter
NYFoods Organic Butter

NyFoods has a fantastic line up of organic, grass-grazed dairy products made in Upstate New York on a family-owned farm. Their creamery unsalted butter is delicious, and they have great cheeses made with pastured cow’s milk: colby, monterey jack, smoked mozzarella, pepper jack and raw milk gouda and cheddar. The artisanal ice cream is sweet and creamy – in chocolate, vanilla, mint chip and cookies and cream – to die for!

https://www.facebook.com/NYFoods

7. A. Bauer’s All-Natural Mustard

A. Bauers Mustard
A. Bauers Mustard

I’m not usually a mustard fan, but A. Bauer’s natural stone-ground mustard is absolutely delicious. They have a Horseradish Mustard too – great on pretzels and anything you want to add a spicy kick to. Made in Ridgewood, NY, A. Bauer’s is a family business that has been producing this awesome deli-style mustard since 1888.

http://shop.abauersmustard.com/

8. Acme Smoked Fish

Acme smoked fish
Acme smoked fish

Acme smoked fish is family owned and operated out of Greenpoint, Brooklyn since the early 1900’s. All of their smoked fish is certified Kosher and they offer a delicious line up of Gravlax, Trout, Tuna, Cod and Whitefish. Perfect for making pizzas, sandwiches and topping bagels – you’ll love their buttery smoked salmon that melts in your mouth.

http://www.acmesmokedfish.com/retail/index.html

9. Lurisia La Nostra Gazzosa Sparkling Lemon Water

la nostra gazzosa
la nostra gazzosa

I found this lovely refreshing Italian drink La Nostra Gazzosa at Eataly in the beer, wine and beverage area – a cross between a sparkling lemon seltzer and a 7-up but imported from Italy and way cooler. This bubbly Gazzosa is made from Italian Amalfi lemons – delicious, tart, and sweet all at the same time. Even better, it’s only $7-8 for a four-pack of these imported beauties.

Find it at Eataly – http://www.eatalyny.com

10. Ines Rosales Savory Olive Oil, Rosemary & Thyme Tortas

Ines Rosales Tortas
Ines Rosales Tortas

I’m not sure how to describe these delicious things, but these Tortas made by Ines Rosales in Spain are a savory, flaky flatbread made with olive oil and herbs – a cross between a pita bread and a croissant and a flaky cracker. Delicious served alone or with cheese, hummus, dips and olives and salumi.

Find them at Amazon.com, and Murray’s Cheese online or at Grand Central Market