Editor's Choice: Rosanna Inc.'s Cake Pedestal

I love to entertain. And after the lengthy holiday season, when all my friends have returned to the city, my husband and I regularly throw bashes at our home. Most recently, we hosted a slew of guest during our Oscars’ viewing. And, I was lucky enough to receive a small, Rosanna cake platter just before the event. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, this isn’t going to be a typical editor’s choice pick (note that I’m not rambling about my incessant eating habits). This week, I’ve selected a product with a wide range of uses that’s perfect for entertaining.

I have long been obsessed with Rosanna Inc.’s fashionable tabletop products. The company’s dessert plates are the perfect size and come in a wide array of patterns that range from festive to creative. However, what I’ve really been coveting are the company’s simplistically beautiful cake pedestals and domes. These come in a wide range of sizes and hues. As an avid baker, I imagine having an assortment of varying sizes on display. They are perfect for clusters of cupcakes, a tiered cake or even jumbles of cookies. Recently, I was able to use the Les Petite Sweets Large Compote as the carrier for small macaroons. However, it could just as easily be a pedestal for cookies or a candy dish. The pedestal measures 5.75-inches high by 5 inches wide by 2.25-inches deep.

For retailers, these platters, trays and pedestals would make a clever display in the front of your store. Or, combine with other baking supplies for an inspired “gift basket.” Regardless of how they’re used, the cake trays from Rosanna Inc. are a welcome addition to my entertaining repartee.

~Cathryn

Editor's Choice: Manja! Gourmet Glaze & Drizzle

The next time I get down to North Carolina, I sincerely hope to stop in at Mama Brava's family restaurant. It is described as being "in the cozy little hamlet on the Shallotte River in coastal NC." Doesn't that sound like a little slice of heaven?

After giving their Manja! Gourmet Glaze & Drizzle a try, I can well believe they make the heck out of their BBQ too. Though Mawji Foods (www.mawjifoods.com), the creator of the sauce, claims never to use corn syrup, I just don't know how they get such a sweet and spicy sauce without that key ingredient in many sauces.

We used it on roast chicken for dinner, one night. At my house, we are meat lovers. All meat, all the time (with a veggie and a salad of course). So, following the directions, we coated the whole chicken with a layer of glaze for the last 30 minutes of cooking. We coated it twice, actually. One at 15 minutes and another five minutes from the end. It seemed to be a good system, because the chicken browned beautifully and got a lovely caramelized glaze.

The chicken was tender and juicy and the glaze gave it such a sweet and peppery taste that everyone had double portions. Actually, I am not a fan of peppers usually. I don't do fajitas, chili, or stuffed poblanos, or really any pepper-heavy food. But this level and depth of pepper didn't drown out everything else (chicken and sweetness and the seasoning in the sauce), which is usually my complaint. Oh, we will be using our whole bottle of Manja! Yes, we will.

-Elizabeth Dugan

Editor's Choice: The Hampton Popcorn Company

For me popcorn has always been a comfort food, associated with lots of good memories. Growing up, it was a special treat. Back then my dad made the popcorn for us. Hearing the sound of the kernels being poured into the pot signaled good things ahead. Minutes later fresh, hot popcorn was served.

Later on popcorn became a part of going to the movies  — something that’s true to this very day. It was also part of baseball and basketball games. My popcorn tastes expanded: caramel popcorn, cheese popcorn, a couple of other toppings that seemed like good ideas at the time.

But what if someone took another one of my favorite things, like chocolate, and combined it with the popcorn in one treat? That’s what The Hampton Popcorn Company (hamptonpopcorn.com) does in its White & Dark Chocolate Swirl Popcorn.

Appropriately enough, I tried the popcorn the other night while watching a movie on TV. The popcorn is a great blending of flavors. The caramelized popcorn has just enough crunch. The white chocolate drizzle is light and sweet and makes a good contrast with the rich dark chocolate.

The popcorn is packaged in a cute red and white striped box, which would make it a good gift. It is even tied with a red ribbon and bow. In addition, the clear window on the package lets you see all the good stuff inside.

The popcorn is available in a variety of flavors and package sizes — all ready to be a part of more good memories.

Barbara

Editor's Choice: Cat Cora's Kitchen Olive Snack Pack

I have always loved Greek food. And, when it’s possible to get Greek food minus the fat and calories, I’m doubly excited. That being said, it’s obvious that I’m an avid Cat Cora fan. Cora, who’s known for her dedication to a healthy Mediterranean diet, recently teamed up with Gaea — Greek for mother Earth —  a company that shares her vision. Together, the two created the Greek Harvest Whole Kalamata Olive Snack Pack. My Papaw first introduced me to Kalamata olives when I was a child. And, they’ve held a soft spot in my heart ever since.

The first thing I noticed about Cora’s pack wasn’t the taste or texture of the olives inside, however. The first thing I noticed was the convenient packaging. The olives are contained in a handy resealable package perfect for use in lunch boxes or picnic baskets. These snack packs would be a wonderful addition to a Greek themed gift basket, as well.

After sampling the olives, though, nothing but the flavorful taste resonated. The packaging states that the, “Kalamata olives are sun ripened and 100 percent natural. But, more than anything else, the olives are a delicious snack that’s perfect anytime of day.” I couldn’t agree more. Seasoned only with the finest sea salt, vinegar and extra virgin olive oil — Cora’s olives were beyond flavorful. They were perfection. Moreover, the olives are rich in natural antioxidants, vitamin E and dietary fiber. And, if consumers are looking for products and companies that give back, look no further. Cat Cora’s Kitchen and Gaea donate a portion of the proceeds from this product to Chefs for Humanity — a non-profit that battles world hunger. My Papaw would certainly be proud!

~Cathryn

Editor's Choice: Marché Noir Cabernet Brownie

That's right: wine and brownies. It is an embarrassment of riches. Marché Noir, Foods (marchenoirfoods.com)has combined two of my loves into one concoction: the Cabernet Brownie, Brut Cacao. This dark chocolate treat uses Wine Flour (milled from the skins of Cabernet grapes) to make a brownie that is both high in iron, fiber, and Res-V (Resveratrol, a natural anti-oxidant recognized for its significant health benefits particularly in relation to heart diseases and cancer).

Seriously, from the first time I helped my mom pour out that dark, rich batter into a baking pan and watched it rise and darken, I have been searching for a way to make brownies healthy. And the main thing about brownies are the schools of thought on them: cakey and a little arid with a lot of chocolate flavor or moist and fudgey with more butter and sweetness. I am in the former category and not only are these brownies cakey without being dry, but they have a sharp bite of dark chocolate and something a little lower down, which I can only assume is the wine coming out in the flour.

The idea of Wine Flour is interesting as well. Marché Noir also uses the flour in their line of Pasta Caberneti, which is a dark, almost black pasta (that be used in place of Pasta Nera, which contains squid ink and can be a turn-off to American consumers) and contains the same health benefits as the brownies. Additionally, the Wine Flour is a sustainable American agricultural product and can make you customers feel good...well better, about eating brownies, pastas and other carby treats.

- Elizabeth Dugan

Editor's Choice: Biscottea Inc.

For me, there’s always been something special about shortbread cookies. The rich, buttery taste and melt-in-your mouth texture make them perfect comfort food. But the latest treat to arrive in the office, takes a favorite cookie to a whole new level.

The box contained Biscottea (biscottea.net), shortbread squares that are made with tea. The tea adds another level of flavor to a delicious cookie. The taste is subtle, but definitely there. The Mint Tea, made with organic Spearmint Tea and Peppermint Tea, is refreshing and the Blueberry has a nice sweet taste of the fruit, Shortbreads are baked with organic teas and all natural ingredients. So you don’t have to feel so guilty. Other flavors include Earl Grey, Rooibos  (Red Tea) and Chai Tea. The squares, which are wrapped individually, became an office favorite and have gone quickly.

But the shipping box held another taste adventure. The same company also makes Bis-Cof-fee Shortbread (biscoffee.com). Just as the name implies, they are shortbread squares baked with organic coffee. I love the smell of coffee and these squares, especially my favorite, the Espresso, reward you with that great smell when you open the package. Inside the coffee taste blends perfectly with the shortbread. Other flavors are Cappuccino and Mocha. These haven’t gone as quickly, and for that, I am grateful.

Both the tea and coffee squares are available in a 16-ounce box of 24 assorted individually wrapped squares. The boxes would be great as a gift or I could see them opened for sampling in a store.

They are also are available in 5 ounce single flavor boxes. 

Barbara

Editor's Choice-Rossi Pasta

When I was growing up, every Friday night was pizza night. This often followed the fanfare and whimsy of high school football games or preceded preadolescent slumber parties. And, while Friday night football games and slumber parties have long since disappeared from my life — pizza night remains. It’s a tradition my husband and I greatly enjoy, seeking to discover the best-prepared pies in the city. However, last Friday I stepped outside my comfort zone and used a mix from Rossi Pasta to create a homemade pizza.

The dough comes in single serving packaging and is available in a variety of flavors. While I swiped the Spinach, Whole Wheat and Plain crust — I decided to play it safe and constructed a sausage and cheese pizza on plain crust. The dough was easy to prepare by adding salt, sugar, water and olive oil. Moreover, the entire pizza only took about 30 minutes to create (which is much faster than any delivery you can get in the big city)! I also used Rossi Pasta’s Pizza Sauce. The sauce complimented the crust well with robust flavors. All-in-all, it was a good and convenient Friday night meal.

Rossi Pasta offers a variety of pizza dough, pizza sauces, pastas and pasta sauces. The line would be a great addition to your shelves or as a themed gift basket alongside a block of cheese, olive oil and a bottle of wine. I can see Rossi Pasta becoming a permanent fixture for Friday night dinner. It’s certainly found a permanent place in my cooking rotation. 

~Cathryn