2008's Best Food Finds - Year in Review
Predicting Trends for 2009 - Organics, Local, Sustainable all Hot
Dec 17, 2008
2008 Food Finds
This year in review includes some good reminders of wholesome, organic comfort foods, small artisanal products that add affordable luxury to our weeknight diets, as well as a surprise or two.
Slow Food Nation Marketplace Surprises
Santa Barbara Pistachio Company - Along with the next three entries were direct Slow Food Nation finds. These are easily the best pistachio nuts you’ve ever tasted. Family farmed and crispy, like they were just roasted for you.
Katz Vinegar - AgroDolce Sauvignon Blanc vinegar. Grapes are left on the vine longer to develop higher concentration of fruit and sugars. This is the same tradition used for hundreds of years to make the great Sauternes of France. This vinegar is elegant and your salad needs almost nothing else. Here's another food trend: vinegar itself is being touted for multiple health benefits. Keep your eye on this trend and keep some of this vinegar on hand.
Wheatberries from Massa Organics - farmed in transitional techniques en route to organic status. These hard red wheatberries are delicious, nutritious and perfect for many winter soups and casseroles. Casseroles are not only comfort food, they're budget savers, too. Using the right techniques, you will not feel like you're scrimping or struggling when you sit down to enjoy one of these. This one product represents many trends at once.
Koda Farms Rice - This family farm produces heirloom varietal rice that is superb. They also now make rice and grain blends. Please read this family's story and try their rice. You will literally find yourself slowing down to appreciate every grain. Slow Food indeed.
Wild Idea Buffalo - Meeting Dan and Jill at Monterey was inspirational. That’s all well and good but if the product isn't flavorful there's nothing to talk about. Not only is this meat delicious, but WIB is also sustainably grown and raised on open fields. In a unique endeavor, WIB recognized the need to manage the animal’s life, right to the end. They've developed the sustainable harvest alliance. This ethical slaughter represents one of the next great food trends.
Oliviers & Co Bergamot Olive Oil - This exquisite oil has the scent of bergamot. That unique citrus that lends its distinctive flavor to Earl Gray tea. Use this oil on simple salads, drizzled over fish or mixed in with grain salads. Use with herbes de provence to roast a chicken. Proof of the adage “if it grows together it goes together.”
Sustainable Seafood - is both a trend for 2009 and was a highlight for 2008. Here are two items in particular: Wild Pacific Tuna - see Tuna Noodle Casserole for an Army. This tuna is one of the few that’s okay to eat these days. Both because of how it’s caught and because of its incredibly low levels of mercury, this is the tuna to include in your pantry. And the experience of "discovering" a new fish - experiencing that particular culinary joy, felt new when sablefish landed in my kitchen. (See Miso-marinated sablefish recipe and post here.)
Finally, a holiday note
Marrón Glacé - Richart Chocolates was a welcome addition to Boston when it opened its Copley Square boutique. Intense, artistic, delicious chocolates, wrapped in architectural packaging makes them perfect for gift-giving.
Make these candied chestunuts part of your holiday tradition, beginning this year. Either to give as gifts or enjoy at home. These are an affordable luxury everyone can enjoy - until the limited supplies run out!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
