Archive for Taste Test Videos
Jan
13
Three imports show off their flavor on this episode as we bring you a few of the world’s best butters. Sure their are small production butters that can top these three but with the three above their is a shot you can find them. I got all three of these at Fairway but I know a few are available at Gourmetlibrary.com also who will gladly ship to you. So no excuse get some good butter!
Dec
29
This week needed to make a big sauce and was planning on taste testing different tomato pastes-then got a suggestion to try tomatoes from the can also- So I had to go get canned tomatoes anyway so figured I would grab different brands to try. Future Taste Tests will include San Marzano tomatoes DOP vs San Marzano non DOP and maybe some fire roasted tomatoes also.
Dec
15
Panettone – Better Than Aunt Millie’s Fruit Cake – Episode 128
Posted by: | CommentsPanettone is the boxed up cake thing you see in your supermarkets or Italian deli’s lining the shelves or stacked like a tower on the floor. Most people just wander by looking at them as if the boxes are just a store decoration. Sometimes you still see these boxes in July and then people wonder why the store still has not cleaned up the Christmas decorations. Anyway there is more than just eye-candy with these here boxes. Inside is a yummy treat that sometimes just needs a little help to make it spectacular. So go ahead next time you see one grab that shiny little ribbon of a handle and bring it home- Start first by just eating some- then toast it – then make French Toast and so on.
Soon you will be hooked and buying them up to decorate your own house so you can enjoy them year round!
Have not done this in a while – A little WIKI for you:
Panettone (Milanese: panetton classical orthography, panetùn other orthography) is a typical bread of Milan, usually prepared and enjoyed for Christmas and New Year around Italy, and one of the symbols of the city. Maltese nationals are also traditionally associated with this sweet bread. In Latin America, especially in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Peru, it is a Christmas dinner staple and in some places replaces roscón de reyes (King cake).
It has a cupola shape which extends from a cylindrical base and is usually about 12-15 cm high for a 1 kg panettone. Other bases may be used, such as an octagon, or a frustum with star section shape more common to pandoro. It is made during a long process which involves the curing of the dough, which is acidic, similar to sourdough. The proofing process alone takes several days, giving the cake its distinctive fluffy characteristics. It contains candied orange, citron and lemon zest, as well as raisins, which are added dry and not soaked. Many other variations are available such as plain or with chocolate . It is served in slices, vertically cut, accompanied with sweet hot beverages or a sweet wine, such as Asti or Moscato. In some regions of Italy, it is served with Crema di Mascarpone, a cream made from mascarpone cheese, eggs, sometimes dried or candied fruits, and typically a sweet liqueur such as Amaretto; if mascarpone cheese is unavailable, zabaglione is sometimes used as a substitute to Crema di Mascarpone.
The most famous producers were Motta, Bauli, Alemagna, Vergani and Tre Marie.
Efforts are underway to obtain Protected Designation of Origin and Denominazione di origine controllata status for this product, but as of late 2008, this has not occurred[1]. Italian Agriculture Minister Paolo De Castro was looking at ways to protect the real Italian cakes from growing competition in Latin America and whether they can take action at the World Trade Organisation.
Dec
11
Eggnog Loaded With Whiskey, Rum, Baileys, Bourbon & Jack Daniels – Episode 127
Posted by: | CommentsI like eggnog when it is loaded with alcohol and any combination of these will work. Give your eggnog a test run this year with all sorts of different combinations and you will hit on a winner. Try some peppermint ice cream mixed in or go with some caramel sauce drizzled along the way- There are endless choices to go with and surely you will find one to make you happy. Even Brooklyn Paul will enjoy eggnog this year with Baily’s and Rum in it!
Dec
08
Eggnog Taste Test Tuesday – Episode 126
Posted by: | CommentsThere is a skip in episodes here but for good reason, Episode 124 & 125 will be posted following this. Anyway I give three brands of eggnog a whirl Hood, Turkey Hill and Southern Comfort – These are all non-alcoholic but don’t worry in episode not far away I change all of that!
Dec
05
Duck Prosciutto and Cerignola Olives – Episode 123
Posted by: | CommentsI came across this great duck prosciutto in Fairway the other day and it made me scratch me head a little- so Pulled the splinters out of my fingers and asked to see it- I was pretty sure they could not do it with the legs and make a slice-able product- So after taking a look at it for sure it was the breast-I figured this was going to be great or a disaster- did not see any room for a middle ground.
This stuff is great and its taste rivals some of the great dried meats of the world- Even giving some of the famed Spanish hams a go for it- GourmetLibrary carries this also so give it a whirl-
The Cerignola Olives are starting to pop up all over the place now- personally I love them however I fear their popularity is being gained by party hosts who normally put out a can of black olives in a bowl which do not get eaten and now are replacing that bowl with these bright lively huge olives that look more decorative than for edible. Well whatever the reason is I am glad cause they are good-
Dec
01
So the good people at Alouette sent over some cheeses to be cooked with and taste tested on Taste Test Tuesday. Corrinne got me the goods and in there she also included some great coupons for my viewers to get some free cheese to try- So leave a comment in this episode and I will pick a winner to send the coupon too- If we get more than 10 comments then 2 winners. I will be doing some cooking videos with the other Alouette products that were sent and giving away more free cheese then also.
Thank you to everyone who has been sending emails and leaving comments-Also please note that we now have a search bar on the right side and a new tab for “Episode Guide”. I hope you find these tools useful.
Oct
27
Cheez Whiz & Velveeta Taste Test Tuesday. Why? Whiz Wit! That is the reason. Episode 111
Posted by: | CommentsWhat could be the reason for these two cheese type products to make an appearence on the Galaxies Most Popular Food and Wine Show! Well they each have a specific use that is cherished- One for the legendary Philly Cheesesteak and the other for the legendary Potato Bread Grilled Cheese- ok so one is legendary and one me and my fat friends like to eat.
So we can chalk up attempt number 9 in the can not get the comments to work right attempt last night! The battle rages on!
2005 Bodegas Diaz Bayo Ribera del Duero Nuestro - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (8/15/2010)
2007 Mockingbird Hill Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/12/2010)
N.V. Ca' Furlan Cuvée Béatrice - Italy, Veneto (7/25/2010)
2009 Bodegas Ateca / Zabrin Calatayud Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines - Spain, Aragón, Calatayud (7/25/2010)
2008 X Winery White X - USA, California, North Coast (7/3/2010)
2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel Redemption - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/3/2010)
2003 Toad Hollow Pinot Noir Eye of the Toad - USA, California, Sonoma County (7/20/2010)
2007 Buehler Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/3/2010)
2006 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (6/17/2010)
2006 Marietta Cellars Petite Sirah Alexander Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (7/9/2010)