A Year in Review: The Top 12 from 2023
IMHO,
But, then again, my opinion is the only one here.
My opinion is the only one here
What I found again, loved again, or fell in love with for the first time. This is very hard for me. It’s like choosing a favorite kid. Everything on my shelves is amazing in its own right. So for now, these are the standouts. I’m comforted by the fact that I can choose 12 different ones again next year!
1-Moulin Cornille Huile D’Olive Oil FRUIT NOIR - $48.50
Starting with a pricey bugger. But damn, this is good. This olive oil is fruité noir, or black fruity. The olives ripen on the trees until they are black, giving the oil a rich black tapenade taste. It's creamy, buttery, with no grassy notes or pepper finish. Unique, distinctive, and really not like any other olive oil. Perfect drizzled over roasted salmon or tuna, then add potatoes and green beans, a hard-boiled egg, greens, and voila, a Salad Niçoise. That salad is one of my favorite things in the world. I also love this olive oil drizzled over a big bowl of minestrone or in an aioli. Lazy tip: instead of starting aioli from scratch, just mix this oil in a good-quality mayo. Because who has time for complicated cooking?
2- Prelibato White Balsamic - $26.95
The fifth generation of the Malpighi Family still owns and operates this company. Their mission has always been to produce "real and genuine natural vinegar." The grapes are grown in their own vineyard, absorbing the unique terroir of Modena, Italy. The grapes are harvested, crushed, and aged right there on the family farm. When I first had Prelibato at ZZest, it said condimento, which I suspect means white dressing. Honestly the Condimento looked so m much prettier on the bottle. Yes, I called the company to let them know. This vinegar is vibrant with hints of apple and pears, making it perfect splashed on fresh fruit. It's also great for a quick olive oil and balsamic dressing. White balsamic is perfect drizzled over roasted fish or seafood. You could literally drink this or add it to a cocktail. Love it over summer berries along with some creme fraiche and a dash of lavender salt. Trust me; it's a pantry must have!
My personal fave bottom left.
3. Lark Burnt Sugar Shortbread $7.95
All of Lark’s "adult cookies" are simply amazing. Mostly because they are not overly sweet. My personal favorite is the burnt sugar with its kite hint of fennel. I find it scrumptious paired with cheddar or a bright lactic goat cheese like Humboldt Fog. Equally satisfying with tea, coffee, or a glass of wine. Heck, I could even see a dark beer with this cookie. It's so versatile; it’s like the James Bond of cookies - sophisticated, a little mysterious, and always welcome at any fancy to do.
4. Lavender Salt $9.95
My current brand is Salt Traders, not to be confused with Trader Joe's, but I often switch salt producers up. Lavender and salt are perfect to use in both sweet and savory dishes. Lavender salt is divine on roast chicken and equally divine sprinkled on desserts. I especially like it on a lemon tart. It's like giving your taste buds a spa day – relaxing and refreshing.
5. Pacific Pickle Works Cauliflower Power $12.95
A groovy addition to charcuterie boards. They are bold, briny, with a little bit of heat and lots of crunch. Great in salads and alongside burgers. I just read the jar, and it said to make a salad using cauliflower, kalamata olives, Marcona almonds, fresh mint, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Doesn't that sound great?! Power to the cauliflower!
6. Watchatree Massaman Curry $11.95
I am always looking for the perfect jarred sauce. The Watchatree sauces are just that. The Massaman Curry Sauce is slightly sweet with a hint of lime. It literally is ranked on CNN Travel's list as one of the 50 best foods ever created. While the traditional recipe uses beef, you may substitute pork, chicken, turkey, or even tofu. A Sauvignon Blanc or a Chenin Blanc is the perfect match. That just gives the Massaman Curry Sauce another reason to be my go-to as Chenin Blanc and Sauv Blanc are my go-to whites. It’s so good; it’s basically the practically the Taylor Swift of jarred sauces!
Bottom left again.
7. Francis Miot Orange Amère Bitter Orange Marmalade $10.95
This Bitter Orange cane sugar jam is tangy and balanced. Naturally filled with seeds, it is necessary to extract them before cooking this bitter orange to preserve its beautiful color. The peels, cut very finely to release their slightly bitter flavor, are cooked and mixed with the pulp of the orange. So, this is a labor of love. I love this jam with cheeses from Manchego to fresh goat cheese. Adding a bit of olive oil makes a great glaze for roasted pork tenderloin and chicken thighs. It's beautiful topped on vanilla ice cream with a sprinkle of salt or swirled into fresh whipped cream for a light mousse sort of thing. Have it with a Lark Burnt Sugar cookie, and hey there, boom! A sprinkle of lavender salt!
8. Tinned Fish - Galician Mussels $6.95
Founded in 1966, Mariscadora specializes in the production of gourmet tinned fish and seafood from the Galician coast in northwest Spain. I love just to open the tin and lay it out on a charcuterie board. I mean, it’s so rustic and cool looking. You’ll be the talk of the neighborhood. The mussels are also fantastic to have on hand to add to pasta and rice dishes. It’s like the industrial look for food.
There we are again! bottom left!
9. Castella’s Prosciutto $14.95
This is my first choice when ordering pre-sliced prosciutto. Renowned Italian chef Cesare Casella has taken his Tuscan know-how and applied it to delicious American heritage breed. To make this American prosciutto, Casella partnered with Heritage Foods USA, purveyors of heritage breed pork, to source the finest raw ingredients - heritage breed pigs raised on pasture from a network of family farms in the Midwest. The hams are cured at a historic curing facility in Rhode Island until aged to sweet, nutty, porky perfection. It also comes off the paper nicely. That is an important piece in my hurry, hurry world. It’s like the VIP of cured meats - classy, well-traveled, and always ready for the spotlight.
10. Montenebro Spain Goat Milk Cheese $14.95
My most sought-after cheese this year. Found and conquered. This extraordinary soft-ripened goat’s milk cheese is made in the Sierra del Gredos mountains of Avila, near Madrid. The current cheesemaker, Paloma, along with her sister and brother, took over the operation from their father Rafael, who began this as a labor of love. It's milky and slightly tangy in the center and gets more intense towards the rind. Almost like a blue. So it's a super interesting cheese. It's wonderful with honey or a drizzle of fruity olive oil and some arugula. I've heard, though never tried, it's great with Nutella. I'm not a fan of Nutella. I'm probably the only person in the world. Someone give this a try and let me know! You will look like rockstar of cheeses – a little edgy, a lot of personality.
Montenebro the centerfold.
11. Milkboy Swiss Milk Chocolate $5.95
I could live without chocolate. I know, weird. I am a salted caramel sort of gal. But this award-winning milk chocolate from the Swiss Alps is dreamy. It has a deep caramel undertone to it and lingers on and on. You will never look at a Hershey Chocolate Kiss again after a bite of this.
12. Non-Food Item AKA Channeling my inner Tangerine [miss that store!]
Sarcastic, or should I say Humorous, Napkins $5.50
Here’s the best one: “I hate it when people are around when I’m trying to parallel park. It’s like, Can I get some privacy here?”
Centerfold again.
Honorable Mention
Swedish Fish
I laughed when presented with the idea of selling these Swedish Fish. Who cares about Swedish Fish? Certainly not me. Then I tried one, and well, for a gummy thing, it was not just pretty good; it was surprisingly good. Not overly sweet, not overly sour. Then I got the licorice in. I was hesitant; it was marked Sweet Licorice. I happen to love licorice. This did not disappoint. There was something so very familiar there, though I have yet to put my finger on it. I think it was an old-fashioned candy adults ate that I had as a kid and actually liked it too. It's like a blast from the past but in gummy form. Who knew Swedish Fish could be so nostalgic and surprisingly awesome?
Who knew Swedish Fish could be so nostalgic and surprisingly awesome?
So that’s my list. Any hidden gems I should know about and add to the shelves for 2024? Let’s chat. I’m just a text or email away.
Happy New Year!