Editor’s Choice: Urban Pantry

Confession: Until this winter, I had never cooked beans. I’ve heard all about soaking, tepid water, washing and sorting, but these things had never been fully explained to me. As I flipped through the January issue of Real Simple and found a Kale and White Bean Soup recipe, I knew exactly what to do with the container of New England Blend Beans from Purely American’s Urban Pantry Essentials I had sitting in my cupboard.

Confused as to where I should begin, I went to Urban Essential’s website and found answers to all my bean questions. Do my beans need soaking? How long should I soak them? What’s next? How do I actually cook the beans? And I found answers to some questions I would never have thought of like: How do I reduce gas? The answer is eat more beans.

Although a lengthy process, cooking raw beans is not time consuming at all. Overnight I soaked my beans, and after work the following day I cooked them just as Urban Pantry suggested, for about an hour. The earthy, full flavors filled the air and created an enjoyable aroma that was distinctly bean. It was amazing, and worth the extra effort of cooking raw beans.

While my guests and I were left a little disappointed in the recipe, the beans clearly stole the show. The texture combined smooth and grainy in a way I’d never experienced in a bean. They weren’t soggy and smoush-able like canned beans; Urban Pantry’s beans had a solid softness.

Created in my hometown, Athens, Ohio, the company puts so many of Athens’ community spirit and environmentalism into the final product. I’m always impressed by Athens-based companies, and Urban Pantry did not disappoint. Urban Pantry beans were certified organic in 2008, and the company plans to become LEED-certified in the future. What’s more, the mixes are reflective of traditional recipes and wholesome flavor combinations; an authenticity true to the spirit of its great city and foods as American as beans.

For more information about Urban Pantry’s sauces, beans mixes and peanuts, visit www.purelyamerican.com.

-Mary

Editor’s Choice: Marché Noir Foods

I’m a red wine type of woman. A glass of red wine is perfect for relaxing after work or enjoying with a good meal. With this in mind, I was more than willing to try the latest food offering to arrive in the office — Marché Noir Foods’ Pasta Caberneti — pasta made from wine flour. The company has been making brownies using this flour made from grape skins for a while. Why did I not know this? Anyway, more on that later.

The pasta is an intriguing dark color because of the wine flour, kind of visually striking. It is in one of my favorite shapes, penne rigate. I cooked it up al dente and chose a red sauce. The pasta itself has a good flavor, and all the while you’re getting all those health benefits.

The next day, I decided to try the brownie. As I unwrapped it, the first thing that hit me was the great chocolate smell. The Cabernet brownie actually does have a hint of the wine taste that blends wonderfully with that great chocolate taste. It’s chewy, but not overly, and another great surprise: chocolate chunks just waiting to be discovered. And remember the brownie is also healthy.

Pasta and brownies that not only taste good, but are good for you. I’ll eat to that! Fore more information about the company, visit www.marchenoirfoods.com.

-Barbara

Editor’s Choice: Way North Foods

One of my favorite treats to eat with coffee or tea is biscotti. They’re the perfect size snack, and something about dunking the slender cookie into my warm drink is comforting. I was thrilled when we received samples of Way North Foods’ (www.waynorthfoods.com) array of artisanal handcrafted biscotti, which come in six core flavors: Dried Cherry White Chocolate, Double Dark Chocolate, Orange Dried Cranberry, Maple Walnut, Luscious Lemon and Lemon Dried Blueberry White Chocolate.

I was immediately inclined to try the Lemon Dried Blueberry White Chocolate; the tart, bright notes make it one of my favorite flavor combinations. So one lazy Thursday evening, while watching a hilarious episode of The Office, I made myself a cup of Earl Grey, which turned out to be a great pairing with this biscotti flavor. I really appreciated the subtle white-chocolate glaze over a portion of the biscotti, which added a unique element to its flavor. Needless to say, my nighttime snack put me in a great mood and was the perfect end to a long day.

This Michigan-based company, founded by Chef Perry Harmon, uses locally sourced ingredients in its recipes; I encourage you to check out the company’s full line, which includes baking mixes, granola and beer brittle (made with local microbrews).

-Ashley

Editor's Choice: Don Francisco

“Is this normal coffee?” my roommate asked while we watched Season 2 of Lost one Sunday morning. “Well,” I said, “it’s Don Francisco organic coffee.” “It’s really good,” she replied. “There’s a hint of chocolate.” Coming from someone who drinks coffee once a month and gourmet coffee never, I think that’s quite a complement to the beans.

The Don Francisco I brewed that morning was delicious, full of flavor but subtle nonetheless. Its fullness is noticeable by those (i.e. my roommate who prefers tea) who aren’t coffee-crazed, and it’s appreciated by some (i.e. me) who consider themselves slightly more informed about the coffee bean.

What’s more, the certification Don Francisco undergoes includes a thorough inspection of the bean plantation. The soil, the trees, the berries, they’re all evaluated to ensure that each farm that provides the beans are truly organic. In fact, each farm must practice organic farming for three years before becoming certified.

Don Francesco offers USDA-certified organic coffee in French Roast and Mayan Blend. For more information, visit www.don-francisco.com.

- Mary

Editor’s Choice: Choclatique

“So cute.” That was my first reaction to the latest arrival in the office. It was a package of candies from Choclatique (www.choclatique.com) that are shaped like three-tiered wedding cakes and cake slices. The wedding cake is even decorated with a flower on the top. They are both made out of white chocolate, which is pretty appropriate.

After taking one out of the two-pack box, I planned my strategy. Start at the top. Taking a first bite of the top layer, I was rewarded with a strawberry-and-cream filling, very much like what you’d find in a wedding cake. It was sweet, but not overly — well, it is candy.

Munching down to the last tier, I got another sweet surprise: a golden toffee-like filling. Again, not too sweet. Incidentally, my colleague Ashley tried the cake slice and reported that it too is filled with the strawberry and cream.

I could see these used as wedding favors for the big day or placed on a sweet table. And looking at them, they are also the perfect size to use at a doll play wedding.

All in all, the wedding cake was quite a treat. Congratulations to all involved.

-Barbara

Editor’s Choice: Kettle Brand

I love baked potatoes (well, potatoes in general). I’ve said over and over again to people that I could honestly make a meal out of a baked potato. So many toppings! So many possibilities! So few calories! (But who’s counting those anyway?) So when we received a sample of Fully Loaded Baked Potato — the newest potato chip flavor from Kettle Brands (www.kettlefoods.com) — I was in heaven.

Carolyn Richards, chief flavor architect for Kettle Brands, drew her inspiration for this new flavor from the classic baked potato bar. When I popped a chip in my mouth, I could taste the various toppings I would pile onto a potato. Admittedly, I felt a little bit like Violet Beauregarde from Willy Wonka when I shouted out things such as, “I can taste the sour cream! And the bacon bits! And green onion!” But seriously, you can taste it all, in addition to a hint of Cheddar and a distinct smoky flavor.

I was happily surprised to read that these crunchy chips are made with natural ingredients and contain zero trans fat. They are also a snack option for our vegetarian and kosher friends. Try some today, but don’t count on the bag lasting very long (I am not even going to tell you how little time it took me to finish it.)

-Ashley

Editor’s Choice: Alter Eco

Rich is the first thing that came to mind when I took a bite of the Dark Chocolate Quinoa Midnight Crunch chocolate bar from Alter Eco. Crispy is the second thing I thought of as I ate the chocolate. With dark chocolate for richness and quinoa for crisp, I happily snacked on the large chocolate bar (3.5 oz.) for a little holiday treat while working between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

While I might have felt a little guilty for eating such a large piece of chocolate over the course of three days (after enjoying cookies, cheesecake and candy canes over my holiday break), I felt a little better knowing that Alter Eco is Fair-Trade Certified and USDA Organic. I know, I know. That doesn’t mean it’s healthy, but I’ll use any excuse to avoid overeater’s guilt during the holidays. All of Alter Eco’s products are vegetarian and gluten- and GMO-free.

The recent introduction of Midnight Crunch is perfect for Valentine’s Day, the company says, but I think the chocolate makes a thoughtful surprise (for yourself or someone you love) any time of the year. The ingredients, from Fair Trade cooperatives in Bolivia, are then baked for 72 hours using traditional methods in Switzerland.

Other chocolate delights include Dark Chocolate Velvet (with a hint of organic milk), Dark Chocolate Mint, Dark Chocolate Twist (the twist is crystallized orange peel), Milk Chocolate Moka, Dark Chocolate Almond, Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut and Milk Chocolate Cajou. While some Alter Eco sweets contain milk, Midnight Crunch is made with cocoa mass, cane sugar, rice-quinoa crisps making it vegan.

To learn more about Alter Eco’s line of chocolate and its rice, olive oil, quinoa, sugar and coffee, visit www.altereco-usa.com.

-Mary