New River Gourmet

New River Gourmet Gourmet Foods Gourmet foods, dried fruits, chocolates, candies, spices, snacks, nuts, soup mixes, dip mixes, dried mushrooms

Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Flowers, ItalyThese are called Fiori di Zucca in Italy and can be found on the menu in season. ...
09/26/2018

Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Flowers, Italy

These are called Fiori di Zucca in Italy and can be found on the menu in season. They are one of my absolute favorites.

It is a zucchini flower stuffed with a mixture of ricotta cheese, spices, and lemon zest, then battered and fried. Each restaurant has their own recipe and I loved them all.

I have never found these on the menu in the USA, but they are a popular dish in Italy and Spain.

I found a vendor the other day that sells canned zucchini flowers in a brine and I almost ordered them, but I wasn't sure how a canned flower would work because of the excess moisture.

Anyway, they are delicious and I wish I had one now.

Lemons of the Amalfi Coast, ItalyWhen traveling through the Amalfi Coast, we stopped at a few lemon stands. These were ...
09/25/2018

Lemons of the Amalfi Coast, Italy

When traveling through the Amalfi Coast, we stopped at a few lemon stands. These were mostly tucked into a dangerous bend on the shoulder of the already dangerous cliffside road.

These beautiful lemons are used in everything in Amalfi, but most notably the tasty limoncello liqueur, and lemon ice granitas.

The lemon groves grace the hillsides all over the Amalfi coast and are beautiful. Every restaurant makes their own blend of limoncello, and usually give you a taste for free at the end of your meal.

Liefmans Fruitesse BeerA beer for people who don't normally like beer. I thought it was more like a sangria, and it is ...
08/24/2018

Liefmans Fruitesse Beer

A beer for people who don't normally like beer. I thought it was more like a sangria, and it is categorized as a fruit beer.

It is brewed in Belgium and has the intense flavors of strawberries, raspberries, black cherries, and blueberries.

Liefman's recommends that you enjoy it over ice. Yes, I know a beer over ice, but it works and it is delicious. Doesn't really taste like a normal beer at all.

Have you tried any fruit beer?

All Natural Olives, purchased in Amalfi, ItalyHave you ever had a fresh olive? Unsalted and not brined? They are delicio...
08/24/2018

All Natural Olives, purchased in Amalfi, Italy

Have you ever had a fresh olive? Unsalted and not brined? They are delicious. In Amalfi, fresh olives were sometimes served as a starter when wine was ordered.

They have a very fresh taste, hard to describe, and not really anything like the salted olives that are sold here in the US.

I brought this package home from Amalfi hoping that they would have the same flavor. They were very good, with just a little bit of salt added for preservation, but not the same as fresh unsalted olives.

Liege Waffles, eaten in Bruges, BelgiumThere are two types of waffles in Belgium -- the Liege waffle and the Brussels wa...
08/14/2018

Liege Waffles, eaten in Bruges, Belgium

There are two types of waffles in Belgium -- the Liege waffle and the Brussels waffle.

They are not like the waffles that we eat here in the USA. You also will not find them served for breakfast. In Belgium, they are served as a dessert or a snack.

Don't even look for butter or maple syrup.

However, you can get them topped with ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream, strawberries and other fruits, or just powdered sugar. But, again NO butter and NO maple syrup.

So how are they different?

Brussels waffles are made with a yeast-leavened batter, which makes them lighter and crispier. They are rectangular with defined edges, and they have deeper pockets or holes.

Liege waffles are made with a thicker batter that is similar to bread dough, and they have uneven edges. Belgian Pearl Sugar is mixed in with the dough, which caramelizes when the waffle is cooked to create a crunchy pocket of sweetness. They are thicker, richer and chewier than the Brussels waffle.

Of course, we tried a few, and my favorite was a simple Liege waffle with powdered sugar, which made it easy to wander around while eating it. They are so perfectly crunchy and sweet! No fork and knife needed. Just find a street vendor in one of the many city squares.

Silver Queen Candy Bar, Purchased in BaliWhen I visit a new country, I always buy a few goodies to bring back home and e...
08/13/2018

Silver Queen Candy Bar, Purchased in Bali

When I visit a new country, I always buy a few goodies to bring back home and enjoy.

This candy bar was a milk chocolate and cashew mix. Silver Queen is the most famous chocolate bar in Bali. It is made in Indonesia and the catchphrase is " There is Silver Queen There is Relaxing ".

There were several chocolate manufacturers in Bali because the cacao tree grows really well in that climate, so I expected a lot. I liked it, but I found it a bit waxy -- don't get me wrong, Robert and I finished it off!!

Does chocolate make you relax?

Fried Fish, Sort of Eaten in Budapest, HungaryRobert ordered an appetizer of "small fried fish" and this is what was del...
08/03/2018

Fried Fish, Sort of Eaten in Budapest, Hungary

Robert ordered an appetizer of "small fried fish" and this is what was delivered! Yes, they were completely whole with NO cleaning with the entire head and tail.

I just started laughing because this is not what we had in mind. They looked like minnows, but I am sure they were fresh sardines. Robert did try a few, I did not want to go there.

The waiter came back and told us they were delicious, so we offered them to him.

You never know what you are going get when traveling!

Would you have eaten them?

Krampusz Angus Burger, Not Eaten in Budapest, HungaryWhen traveling in a foreign country, seeing a fast food franchise i...
08/01/2018

Krampusz Angus Burger, Not Eaten in Budapest, Hungary

When traveling in a foreign country, seeing a fast food franchise is sometimes a welcome sight because of the readily available bathrooms. So, we often check out the menus to see what is different. We hardly ever eat at US franchises when traveling oversees, but it is fun to compare.

This ad was placed all over the city advertising a holiday burger from Burger King. First of all, if you haven't seen a picture of Krampus, please google an image of him.

In Central European folklore, Krampus is a horned figure described as "half-goat, half-demon", who, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved. He is a big deal in Europe and is often present in images.

So, Burger King decided to run a special with his namesake. Weird, huh?

The burger was described as being coated in Hungarian paprika, topped with a spicy pepper sauce, pepper jack cheese, and fried jalapeno peppers.

So, maybe Burger King America should advertise a Boogeyman Burger or a Sasquatch Burger!

Santa Claus Melon, purchased at Fresh Market in Roanoke,VAI just had to find out what a Santa Claus Melon tasted like. ...
08/01/2018

Santa Claus Melon, purchased at Fresh Market in Roanoke,VA

I just had to find out what a Santa Claus Melon tasted like. Wouldn't you?

It tasted like a sweeter version of a honeydew, but with a softer flesh. It originates from Spain and it also called a Christmas Melon or Toad Skin Melon (because of look of the peel). This one was grown in California.

I really like the flavor and would buy it again. I half-expected it to be red inside -- maybe because of its namesake Santa Claus. Would I have purchased this melon though, if it was called Toad Skin Melon? Probably not. That grosses me out!

Pine Nuts, from UtahWe bought these pine nuts (or pinon nuts) from a roadside vendor on our way to Bryce Canyon. They a...
07/30/2018

Pine Nuts, from Utah

We bought these pine nuts (or pinon nuts) from a roadside vendor on our way to Bryce Canyon. They are harvested from a specific pine tree called the Colorado Pinyon and have a dark brown hull. I bought plain, chile flavored, and cocoa dusted pine nuts. They have a very delicate taste and texture.

The Ancestral Puebloans used pine nuts as a food source, especially when meat was scarce. Unshelled pine nuts have a very long shelf life, but shelled nuts should be eaten within a month or two due to the high oil content.

Have you had pine nuts before?

Marin French Cheese CompanyWe visited here on our trip to California last year and brought back some to enjoy later. Th...
07/28/2018

Marin French Cheese Company

We visited here on our trip to California last year and brought back some to enjoy later. They are located near Petaluma.

They have been making french style cheese since 1865. Located near a beautiful pond, the setting is perfect for a picnic. They specialize in brie and camembert, but make other kinds too. They also make flavored cheese with truffles, jalapenos, cranberries, and chili peppers.

If your interested they, ship too! I highly recommend their cheeses. https://shop.marinfrenchcheese.com/

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Shawsville, VA
24162

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