September 5th, 2008
White porcelain plates are a must for minimalist chefs, but sometimes you want a presentation with a little more of that so-called wow factor. Achieve it with these organic edible roses, which make beautiful accents on your lovingly prepared appetizers, entrées, tarts or cakes. Infused with mild fruit flavoring, they’re also a fun gift for friends who like to bake up a storm in the kitchen.
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September 4th, 2008
The pairing of lime and chili is a classic flavor combination adored from Latin America to the South Pacific, and Charles loves the kick it gives to Marie’s signature beef and veggie skewers. You too can use these flavors to make your meat, chicken and seafood mouthwatering. Simply use this rub before grilling, panfrying or roasting. It’s made up of carefully selected spices such as New Mexican chilies, California cilantro, Turkish cumin and paprika, as well as sea salt and lime.
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July 17th, 2008
Gourmands tell us our pantries aren’t complete without Plantin’s rich White Truffle Butter, which fuses all of the complex and intense flavors of a sublime French truffle (duh). Add it to anything, from toast and pasta to risotto and mashed potatoes. But be forewarned: a little goes a long way (this makes it great for a budget-wise chef). For optimal flavor, add it to your recipe towards the end of the cooking process. Bon appetite!
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July 2nd, 2008
Some say variety is the spice of life. We say spice is the spice of life. This set offers oregano for roast chicken, cracked black pepper and rosemary for lamb, thyme to perfume broth, red pepper flakes for spicy ragù, fennel for seasoning a garlicky pork loin and saffron for your risotto recipes. Also included? Nutmeg, basil and hulled sesame seeds. Now get to cooking up some memorable meals, pronto.
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June 23rd, 2008
The Mugo Pine, a miniature pine tree, holds a sweet elixir drawn out by the sun. It’s called Mugolio, or Pine Cone Bud Syrup. Primitivizia’s Elinora Cunacia harvests these cones and stores them in sun-drenched glass jars for a months in order to coax out the sweet syrup. In late Autumn, its filtered and cooked with sugar until it becomes a deep golden brown liquid with a rich honey flavor. Drizzle it on apples, pears, peaches or creamy cheeses (think ricotta or mascarpone) for a special treat.
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May 31st, 2008
Whether or not you’re Italian, or live in Italy, you can cop the country’s culinary style with these premium hand-crafted Italian vinegars. Lucini Italia makes two tasty vinegars with spectacular quality that rivals the brand’s extra virgin olive oils. Select from a sophisticated aged balsamico and a young, crisp white wine vinegar, both of which will help you bring your authentic recipes to life.
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May 22nd, 2008
Artisan producer Hediard makes some fine jams, fruit jellies, conserved fruits, marzipans, and delicious preparations from local and international crops. We imagine the workshop, nestled in Générac, near Nîmes in the Gard department, channels Willy Wonka and then some. The specialists are constantly dreaming up new mixtures and flavors, and improving the existing ones, so add the website to your favorites and check back with us for updates.
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May 15th, 2008
Warning, readers: this salsa is explosively hot!!! As in, worthy of three exclamation points. Honestly, if your palette is not satisfied by anything less than scorching, this insane salsa is for you: thick, rich and powerfully spicy. Hotter than the hottest pepper sauces, this one is made of tomato sauce, onions, red savina chiles, habanero chiles, pineapple juice, Thai chiles, garlic, cilantro, spices and salt. Use sparingly, or have a big tub of sour cream nearby to help kill the delicious pain.
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April 11th, 2008
If you love cheese but can’t ever seem to make up your mind, Alfonso Gourmet’s five cheese raviolis will satiate a craving, pronto. Stuffed with parmesan, romano, ricotta, mozzarella and provolone (all of them blended to perfection), these pasta shells also boast a secret mixture of herbs and spices. The brand’s Italia Striped Cheese Raviolis offer this traditional cheese blend wrapped in pasta shells made from spinach and tomato dough (it’s striped for appearances). So, in addition to the filling that made Alfonso famous, you get a subtle hint of fresh veggies.
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March 21st, 2008
This is a luxuriant limited edition tea, which means when it’s gone, it’s gone. Act fast, foodies. The flavor is Rose Petal Full Leaf, designed with none other than the Queen of Hearts in mind. It’s a truly royal blend with the light spice of delicate, young rose buds and petals and the sweet fullness of China black tea. A Victorian tradition, this delight is the perfect accompaniment to your fine China cups and perhaps your favorite biscotti.
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