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VSpicery News
September Newsletter
It’s Fall, It’s Fall, It’s Fall?
Well the calendar tells us so, but the heat, now that’s something else. We keep wanting to cook all those lovely fall dishes, which are created with warmer spices, but just can’t convince ourselves that it’s that time of year.
So, we go with a bit of grouper piccata, or chicken salad (we love to make ours with a bit of Sweet Singing Season), burgers or steak (with Soulful Seasons, Savory Steak Seasoning or Java-Jo Steak Rub) on the grill, and lovely shrimp grilled with spicy seasonings. My husband wants beef stew, as he holds a fond memory of beef stew with our Herbal Crust Seasoning. Got to admit, I might just be tempted to break one of my own rules to make this beef stew before it begins getting cooler outside.
Okay, back to the newsletter and out of the kitchen.
New Products
Yes, we have some new products. During our buying trip we ran across two great Avocado Oils from Chile. One is bold, a bit heavy and fruity, the other is lighter and full of flavor. Both are certified organic, truly delightful, and versatile to use in your kitchen. Use either to create a tasty vinaigrette for your salad, roast or grill some vegetables, or sauté fish, chicken or turkey burgers. It’s all about your taste buds!
Arugula Pate! If you enjoy arugula, you will love this savory spread. Use it as a condiment, mix into a caprese salad, serve as a pasta sauce, tapenade, bruschetta topping, or just on toast. Make a sandwich or wrap with turkey, cheese (smoked gouda, swiss, or provolone), and your choice of vegetables. Smear some arugula pate and enjoy. The combination is fantastic. This smoothly bitter, natural flavor is even wonderful by itself and definitely addictive!
Applewood Smoked Salt – yes, another smoked salt to enhance your dining pleasure. This is incredible. It has a sweet smoky flavor that compliments white sauces, meats, and pastas. We have also been using it on poultry, salads, vegetables and such. Oh, my!
Holiday Shopping
Yes, November starts it all. VSpicery would be happy to design a gift basket for your gift giving pleasure. We personalize every basket so that your gift will reflect your ideas as well as flavors the receiver can use and thoroughly enjoy.
Giving a cookbook? We love working with cookbooks and can provide a “starter kit” to go with that book. This is a lovely addition to a simply cookbook as a gift. We design the basket with a Holiday theme, but stylishly modeling the cookbook. Check out some of our designs at http://www.vspicery.com/servGiftBaskets.html
If you know a real foodie, a gift from VSpicery is ideal.
Cooking
This past month we had two opportunities to cook for our customers. One evening we were delighted to provide an in-house dinner that included: Gruyère Cheese Puffs, Boeuf Bourguigon, Rosemary Scented Potatoes, fresh steamed Green Beans and a Chocolate Gauche Cake.
A couple of weeks later, we hosted an in-store birthday party for 10 with an authentic German menu that included: Onion, Cheese, and Bacon Tart, Pork Schnitzel, Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage, Whipped Potatoes, German Rye Bread and Apple Strudel. We hope that this group had as much as fun as we did! If you would like to have a special occasion, we can help, just give us a call.
We Like To Share
Parmesan-Crusted Asparagus with Balsamic Pomegranate
Serves 4
ä 40 thin spears asparagus (1 lb) tough stems snapped off and discarded.
ä 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.
ä 1 ounce Parmesan cheese.
ä Fresh ground black pepper, to taste.
ä Bellindora Pomegranate Balsamic for serving.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the asparagus in a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss well, coating the asparagus completely. Bake for 5 minutes. Spread the parmesan over the top half of the asparagus spears. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and the asparagus is barely tender, 10 minutes. Season with pepper to taste. Using a metal spatula, transfer the asparagus to warm plates. Serve immediately with a cruet of balsamic pomegranate vinegar allowing guests to sprinkle their asparagus with vinegar to taste.
As always, we would like to thank all of you for your business and exchanges of ideas for new and delicious meals.
At VSpicery, we are all about flavor.
A perfect place to shop flavor first.
A perfect place to sample new flavors, create a culinary adventure
And enjoy private time with friends.
VSpicery Special Events
Book your private party
Please call to schedule your Private Party! (Party minimum of 6). We will provide sample menus for you to choose from, and meals include an appetizer, salad, main course, dessert, also coffee, tea, and water are provided.
VSpicery Market 2009 Schedule
The outdoor market season begins in October and runs through May. Come out and see us at one of our regular locations listed below. If you have any special requests, let us know and we will have it waiting for you at our booth.
Every Saturday (starting October 3rd)
Saturday Morning Market - Al Lang Field - Parking Lot