Living 2 Eat |

Dear Foodies,

Ok, get ready for some of the finest jams and jellies that you have ever put in your mouth… a dear lady by the name of Mildred Crosby of Zolfo Springs, Florida whips up homemade goodies that puts Smucker’s to shame!

Although I have never physically met Mildred, I have ordered countless jars of her creations and everyone that I have shared with raves.   My father and Mildred were in high school together and at a recent class reunion she introduced my parents to her strawberry-guava jam… my mother called me immediately and told me it was incredible.

Long story short, my mother was not mistaken!   Mildred’s strawberry-guava is second to none.  Although she does not sell this commercially, she may be kind enough to sell you a jar or two if you are nice.   The best way to reach Mildred is via e-mail – mgcrosby@dishmail.net .  Tell Mildred I said hello!

Ben

White Chocolate Butter Pecan Cake

My Aunt Wilanne introduced us to this cake and it became a family favorite.   This cake will NOT disappoint!  

White chocolate, pecan pieces, fresh buttermilk and creamery butter create a cake so rich and delicious it melts in your mouth! Glazed with white chocolate and sprinkled with pecan meal.

Three Georges / The Nuthouse

Mobile, Alabama

www.threegeorges.com

Dale & Thomas’

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Chocolate Chunk

n’ Caramel Popcorn

About a year ago, I discovered Dale & Thomas Popcorn and it has become a terrific gift for friends and family alike.   Everyone loves the incredible flavors and first class presentation.  

My favorite flavor is, “chocolate chunk n’caramel”.  It is described as… a rich and sensuous combination of the finest, fresh-popped corn topped with buttery caramel and studded with chunks of deep, chocolaty indulgence. The caramel adds overall sweetness and crunch, while the chunks of chocolate, well, if you love chocolate then you know how important each and every one of those chunks can be. The result is a snack that’s simple, yet sumptuous!

By the way, this is one of Oprah’s favorites too!

If you haven’t tried Blue Bell, you haven’t lived!  

Forget the other ice creams, this must have the highest butter fat content of anything in the freezer.   It is very creamy and silky smooth.

Although this ice cream is sold in some major grocery outlets, it is not carried in many locations.    Because of the demand, this ice cream is available for purchase online… it will be shipped ‘overnight’ and right to your door.   The perfect gift for the foodie with a sweet tooth!

Some of my favorite flavors:   Birthday Cake, Pecan Pralines ‘n Cream, and Caramel Turtle Fudge.  

www.bluebell.com

As someone who appreciates the family farm, I love visiting farmers markets.   Being a business traveler, I rarely take time to sightsee; however, I did make time to visit local farmers markets…  and the finest in the world is Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington.

Some history… “Pike Place Market is internationally recognized as America’s premier farmers’ market and is home to nearly 200 year-round commercial businesses; 190 craftspeople and 120 farmers who rent table space by the day; 240 street performers and musicians; and 300 apartment units, most of which house low-income elderly people. “The Market,” as the locals affectionately say, attracts 10 million visitors a year, making it one of Washington’s most frequently visited destinations.”  Read more, click here.

Perhaps the biggest drawing cards to this market are the folks who ‘throw fish’!  Yes, you may have seen these guys on the Travel Channel… they throw fish as a means of quickly doing their jobs, and drawing an audience to their incredible fresh seafood business.   Scores of tourists can be found surrounding this section of the market taking pictures, asking questions, sampling salmon, and… catching fish!

Folks old and young gather, and in the process they buy lots of fresh seafood.  The lobster tails are measured by the pound, not the ounce.   The prawns require multiple bites, and salmon is sold in every way possible (smoked, raw, cooked, salted, steamed, canned, etc.). 

Although this market is predominantly known for seafood to the tourist, it is a huge offering of everything – fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baked goods, jams, jellies, herbs, etc.   Because it is the Pacific Northwest, the majority of the items are organic, locally grown on family farms and natural in every way.   I found that anything made with oats, honey, and fruits had an incredible burst of flavor because the ingredients were fresh, preservative free and 100% natural.   Very little refined sugar and flour in anything sold at this market.  

Going to Seattle and not visiting this market is equivalent to visiting Florida and not seeing Mickey & Minnie at Disney World. 

 If you have flown Delta Airlines in recent years, you have been probably snacked on Biscoff.   They are a crispy graham cracker-ish treat (actually a carmelized biscuit)that remind me of potato chips because you cannot eat just one!

For the past six or seven years, I was a regular on Delta.  In fact, on average six flights per week.   For my loyal patronage, I was always given complimentary first class upgrades and rarely had to fly coach.  In first class, the Biscoff  cookie is offered from the time you first sit down until the time you leave.   Given my penchant for food, I would find myself chatting about this snack and learned (thanks to a bored flight attendant) to squirt lime juice on the cracker and it is somewhat akin to a slice of Key Lime Pie!   

The first class cabins are always stocked with limes and unlike coach, the flight attendants are always able to chat.   On this particular flight (Los Angeles to Atlanta), we decided that fresh lime juice, a can of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk and Biscoff could be the ultimate trio.

On a Delta Connection flight, my colleague, Jason McDonell, happened to joke with the flight attendant about my love of Biscoff.  Well, she handed me an entire sleeve of individually wrapped crackers… almost 100.   This was an awesome gift… only a true foodie would consider an airline snack as a great gift!

Biscoff makes for a great gift, check out their website.  I gave a large tin of Biscoff to my friend, Grigor Hasted, when he returned to the development office of his alma mater, Hillsdale College. Prices are extremely reasonable and perfect for the executive that has everything. 

A number of years ago, I was on a Delta Airlines flight and included on the meal tray was a packaged cookie.    Not wanting to deprive my sweet tooth, I opened the cellophane and discovered what quickly became my favorite gourmet gift… an incredible soft baked frosted cookie.  

After not being able to convince any fellow passengers to give me their cookies, I decided that I had to find the baker and get the recipe.  To my surprise, I found that Cheryl & Co. had a catalog and would ship them right to my door.  

I have ordered from Cheryl & Co. over the years and my friends have always raved about the cookies.  I am not sure if it is the special cookie recipe or the awesome icing that tops them.   But, I do know it is a gift that is never re-gifted!

Every Cheryl & Co. cookie that I have ever tasted has been delicious.  I am not sure who Cheryl is, but she bakes a mean cookie!

… from the kitchen of Denise S. Plunkett

 Williams-Sonoma has the ABSOLUTE best croissants! 

 The croissants arrive frozen and you can keep them in your freezer until you want a fresh, hot one (or two! or three!).  Take them out the night before and allow them to rise, and in the morning you’ll see a huge, beautiful croissant, ready to bake.  They are flaky on the outside and soft on the inside. 

Although a bit pricey, they really are divine! 

NOTE:   Denise has an incredible palate.  In fact, so does Oprah Winfrey.  They both picked these croissants as THE BEST!  

Get ready… prepare yourself… this is going to knock your socks off… Chocoloate covered Key Lime Pie on a stick!

Yes, you read it correctly!  Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe offers a frozen slice of Key Lime Pie ’stuck’ and dipped in Belgian chocolate, complete with a graham cracker crust.   Either in semi-dark chocolate or white chocolate… a foodie’s dream!

Several years ago, i was given a case of these things and darn near ate myself to death.  I called every foodie I knew and told them to rush over to my office for a slice of tropical heaven.   Those faithful foodies quickly trekked to Northwood University and all considered the lies they told to leave their workplace worth every sinful word.   We all sat around (eating several each) allowing the frozen treats to melt in our mouths.

 The consistency of the treat is rather firm, but not break your teeth hard.   Since I prefer frozen types of desserts, I found this heavenly.   As the dessert more adjusts to room temperature, the most luscious the treat.   The combination of the graham cracker crust, tart Key lime filling and Belgian chocolate coating will electrify your taste-buds.  

Now, shipping on these items will cost you a pretty penny.   BUT, it will be a treat you never forget.      Heck, let’s just head down to the Keys and save shipping cost!

I discovered Shari’s Berries and have found the perfect gift for all my political friends!  This is the most perfect gift that I have ever seen.  Anyone patriotic will love this.

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