Global ethnic cuisines are devoured everywhere -but at the latest Fancy Food Show-we also (finally) sampled southern traditional staples for modern tastebuds- that weren't BBQ (something).
PIMENTO CHEESE
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| Our decidedly 'Yankee' maternal heritage ADORES pimento cheese...which is a southern classic. From Red Clay Gourmet-RTE Pimento Cheese (flavors) in snack size portions-none of that growth hormone or artificial preservatives used.. |
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| Assorted spiced flavors----add some heat. |
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| Callie's Pimento Cheese-hailing from Charleston SC-founded in 2005 by Callie Moorey...tempting tops for their bisquits... |
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| Pimento Cheese gets crispy-smart idea...Lillie's Q (Greenville SC) turns the southern classic into a snack. Factoid No. 34 Pimento Cheese Kettle Chips refs the iconic Masters golf tournament-founded in 1934-where pimento cheese sandwich is an "honored classic." SOUTHERN BISCUITS |
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| Callie's first launch-the traditional southern biscuit-the kind we grew up on-doughy crumbly buttery deliciousness...(not the English style cookie aka biscuit). In flavors-like Pimento Cheese (of course) and yummy buttermilk and new sweet potato, |
Maison Dixie Biscuits gets a special mention-at the FANCY FOOD show-this DC based company was featured in the Incubator Alley.
PECANS
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| Effie's Nutcakes-are an ideal size for snacking (solo) or for cheese boards, and how we all eat now-small plate grazing- dessert and/or appetizer worthy canapés |
A masterful hybrid of two favorites-cookies + biscuits-EFFIE's truly homemade " ___cakes" are available in a multi-tasking, slightly sweet Pecan nutcake version - made from the offerings of the Southern hickory tree...plus other authentic ingredients= stone ground whole wheat, butter, brown sugar, wildflower honey, water, kosher salt and baking soda.
Paired with jam, cheese (like crumbled blue cheese) or what we did in about a minute's prep time-crumble up 2 in a parfait glass-topped with Greek yogurt and cut-up fresh strawberries + blue/black berries (tis the season) ...the Pecan nutcakes can also be pressed into a pie pan for an easy no bake shell for cheesecake (or see below-for insta-pecan pie).
FYI: The company--founded by two High School gal pals--started when the prized New-England-y/Nova Scotia 4th generation family recipe for oatcakes sold out-locally and then hit the trade show jackpot- earning a SOFI Gold Medal in 2013 at the Specialty Food Shows.
Widely available-including online
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| San Saba TX (Hill country-central part) bills itself as the "pecan capital of the world..." It just might be-and it's home to the San Saba River Pecan Company. PICTuRED: their SOFI Medal Winning Pecan Pie In-A Jar filling...will surely reduce the time/labor part out of making that Thanksgiving meal staple. Available online $14.95---and in a chocolate flavor too. |
PEANUTS
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| Belmont Peanuts-from Virginia come in loads of flavors including 'hot' spicy and savory samples-joining the popular sea salt variety that can disappear before you know it. |
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| One of the most interesting products we saw at the Fancy Food Show 2019....at first didn't totally grab our eyeballs-till we literally sampled the merchandise. PIZOOTZ (Hebrew slang for awesome) is co-founded by a former Virginia living now closed Ford assembly plant worker (F-150s)-who got patented (!!!) a way to infuse premium Virginia peanuts (and now California almonds) with added real ingredient flavors-without roasting-or adding 'messy hands' powder -plus free-of oils too (less than healthy potentially!!!), AND NO artificial flavors, colors, MSG or trans fats either. These tasty bites are not steamed either it's a nifty water-pressure-bake process. Arguably genius! Gluten + Lactose free/Kosher/Vegan/Vegetarian/Non-GMO. TASTY-uniquely so. HONEY |
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| Regional honeys really do have different flavor profiles-a result of the native flowers that the bees pollinate. AR's Hot Southern Honey by Ames Russel-uses honey sourced from Appalachian hives and then is made in Richmond, Virginia. A distinct blend of area wildflowers and clover honeys-plus natural flavors = a sweet vanilla-caramel-then black peppery taste. The new to us Bourbon Barrel Aged Hot Southern Honey -is for real-aged 3 months in bourbon soaked American oak barrels. No surprise-these honeys are easily added to classic BBQ and southern dishes (recipes). |