Wednesday, July 22, 2009

New Slideshow of CampoBelloDoro

http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dd2t9krz_17dfkmcjm5

Wow Look what I did on Google..... I am so impressed with myself. NJPT

Monday, April 6, 2009

Blooming Hill Organic Farm Springs to Life

Noel and I were over at Blooming Hill on Saturday with Max before going out to walk Minuet on Poet's Walk Park overlooking the Hudson River just north of Rhinecliff. We loaded the car with branches of Pussywillow, beautiful organic lettuce, potatoes for a Sunday brunch fritatta, garlic of course, parsnips for roasting, an organic grapefruit or two, and so on. The farmstore was hopping-filled with people having a Saturday morning brunch and a shop: the place just comes to life when it gets filled up. I purchased some seed packets of sweetpeas to scatter and green beans to grow. There was a Balthazar baguette and sticky pecan bun with coffee before we set off. Farmer Guy Jones was in attendence to say hello and... Yes! we will be bringing in some CampoBelloDoro next week.

Saturday was a stormy day outside but not cold. The wind was blowing dramatic gray clouds over the Catskill foothills as we walked the path down to the Hudson Riverside, it was almost like walking the Scottish moors only in New York state. Poets Walk was certainly poetic on Sunday in its early spring grayness with a few buds of forsythia.

For dinner, a stop at The Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, but we didn't eat. Because one must make reservations. But we gawked.

Later on, when we arrived home, there was a chicken assada for the grill with an organic Blooming Hill salad. CampoBelloDoro vinagrette with organic garlic and CampoBelloDoro Balsamic of Modena, a glass of red, and a desert of Organic Apples crisp a la mode which didn't get made or eaten. There's always tomorrow.

Italyville.com

Nice blog about Italy.

Friday, March 27, 2009

CampoBelloDoro Whole Foods Market Paramus

At Columbus Circle Whole Food Market in Manhattan the other day, we sold out of our 8 year barrel-aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena during our tasting event. One customer bought three bottles. It breaks my heart that they never order enough and our loyal customers go hungry.

Tomorrow we will appear at the new Whole Foods Market in Paramus, New Jersey tasting our CampoBelloDoro Unfiltered Extra Virgin Olive Oil made in Campobello Sicily and the Balsamic vinegar made in Modena. I hope there isn't a riot when we run out of product again. Please don't come and buy any because it is a limited supply product that never seems to be enough for the appetite of our public. Yes, CampoBelloDoro is that good. Until then: Peace, Love, and CampoBelloDoro.

Charlotte's Tea Room Opens in Warwick

Charlotte's Tea Room has expanded into a Victorian style grand dame home on the Main Street of Warwick New York. We peeked in last week to have a look and were pleased to see the scones piled high and the tea pots flowing already. The newest most fun place in town to lunch on homemade chicken pot pie or take a tea for two for $28.oo in the traditional British afternoon style. It's about time we had a great place to go for tea when in the mood for a special treat.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Eden Gourmet at the South Orange Train Station

Fans of the Garden of Eden stores in Manhattan and Hoboken are swooning over the latest store in this group of true specialty food retailers in the unlikely location of South Orange, New Jersey. Today we had lunch in the upstairs cafe-a wood oven-baked buffalo chicken pizza slice.One slice of absolutely divine pizza fed two. Lovely cheese. We spied a wonderful tomato soup being served in a real china bowl. The salad bar behind glass is served in a way that ensures a fresh and safe food experience. Delicious looking prepared food counters showcase foods that look like the quality Whole Foods USED to have- for a lot less too.

Like a mini Harrod's Food Hall in the middle of New Jersey, the produce section is peerless. The meat section is extraordinary. Recently, in response to the financial crisis gripping the nation, retail prices on all product lines have been lowered : many bargains to be found at this store. The best imported selections in the area. What's not to like about this store?-It is a perfect little jewel.

Plans afoot to open a full restaurant in the expansive upstairs and huge outdoor terrace. Prediction: The Place to Be on summer 2009 evenings.Catering avaiable-pick up a menu-outstanding presentation-check out the crudite basket.

Downtown Breads and Bake Shop Montgomery

If you ever want to eat PIE, delicious breads, or wonderful cheese, drive over to Montgomery, New York and get the best in the universe at the Downtown Bake Shop. This woman knows how to bake. Everything is fresh, everything is special, a real find. The descriptive word Foodie comes to mind. Do not miss the parmesan cheese rolls. www.downtownbreads.com

I went there the first time because I was over at the Orange County Airport watching the planes fly in and wandered into the historic and quaint town center of Montgomery. I happened to find a marvelous Ian Thomson landscape of Vermont original hiding in the back of a local antique store for an outrageously great price. I invested!

There in town you will find Victorian marble-topped dressers for a song-a great place to go to furnish a home. I also uncovered a treasure trove of historical photo portraits to collect. Another time you might have lunch or drinks at Rick's Runway Cafe on the airport grounds-very reasonable homemade culinary-quality chow. Your fellow diners are probably fly-ins. We have always met interesting and friendly people there. Dogs are welcome under the outside tables and some fly-in with their owners. Afterward, the county park over at Thomas Bull Park has a delightful dog area for owner socializing and dog running about. Not too far from Blue Sky Polo so we tend to be over there on Sunday afternoons.

Friday, February 6, 2009

What I found at Trader Joe's Yesterday

I always must pick up a package of frozen Tandoori Nan at Trader Joe's which is made in India. I could make my own of course but I am too lazy and it intrigues me that it comes so far. (Not culturally correct I know but true.) It does not disappoint.

We love spicy meats and veg curries at our house and never are we without pantry ingredients for an Indian-inspired meal esp in the winter when it is so cold and snowy. That for us means TJ's Greek yogurt, chutneys, and spice blends or Tj's sauces. I often make up my own recipes and sauces using these parts but the bread and Lundberg Organic whole grain brown and wild rices from California are the constant. A great basic recipe is in Craig Claibourne's A Kitchen Primer.

Next, I purchased the frozen mini croissants which we have for weekend breakfasts-you just put them on a baking sheet and Voila! the next morning you don't even have to leave the house to have fresh baked croissants at breakfast. Actually that would be a theme for me...laziness and food.

Not to forget the Apple Blossoms which are great to have in the freezer to serve a la mode with hot coffee. They are better than apple pie and work well when I run out of apples for my famous apple crisp. Here in Warwick, we have wonderful food but we have logistics issues sometimes.We actually just go over and pick the apples off the trees at Ochs Orchard in Warwick.

I do not think I have ever gone to TJ's without buying their green beans from France. This time I bought the medley with carrots. Our trips to the organic farm take place on the weekends this time of year but we do not want to run out of vegetables to eat during Mon-Friday. It is great to be able to reach into the freezer and get a half cup of veg to eat without any fuss esp for one meal.

Last but not least, we just finished having the lovely and spicy Chicken New Mexico style from TJ's for lunch as a soup with a dollop of yogurt and parmesan crunch made from heating grated parmesan reggiano cheese in a non stick skillet until it melts and browns cooled into a cheesy crisp--from Jacque Pepin's cookbook Cooking With Claudine.

Well I don't eat it but I also love the Lavender bar soap they sell at Trader Joe's so I bought some of that too.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

I will write about foods and food resources.