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Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

The Love Apple Menu for Valentine's Day

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a scrumptious menu cooking with tomato-based items

When the tomato arrived into Europe it was slow to catch on, the red color became associated with poison. However the French and Italians dismissed this myth and the tomato became known as poma amoris or pomme d’amour. It subsequently became known as a symbol for the aphrodisiac qualities of food and was labeled as the Love Apple.

Every cook knows the way to the heart is through the mouth, so The Scrumptious Pantry created an easy-to-make, tempting and light three-course Valentine’s Day dinner that includes several tomato-based foods.

Start with antipasti with a sun-dried tomato spread and a green tomato jam. Next, enjoy the primo with a heart-warming tomato sauce served over farfalle made from durum wheat. Finish the delectable meal with dolce served with tomato jam with grappa.

The Love Apple is the secret ingredient to the heart, so there’s no need for cupid’s arrow! Adding The Scrumptious Pantry’s sweet and savory tomato ingredients of love to your romantic Valentine’s Day dinner is guaranteed to woo the apple of your eye.

Visit www.scrumptiouspantry.com to find a store near you that sells these special tomato ingredients (as well as others food items) or to order online visit www.piazzaitalianmarket.com/store.

About The Scrumptious Pantry
The Scrumptious Pantry is “Real Food from Real People.” All of our food items are made in small batches that come from family farms that embrace the traditional philosophies of farming and the importance of growing crops as safely as possible through natural means. In the kitchen traditional artisan techniques are followed to create culinary treasures that do not include any additives, fillers or preservatives—only estate-grown ingredients, passion and the belief that food is nourishment for the body and soul. Each product proudly displays the farmer whose name it carries to show they stand behind what they grow and make. From our farms to your table we pledge to provide a difference you can taste. Visit www.scrumptiouspantry.com to learn more.


The “Love Apple” Menu

Antipasti: Heart-shaped crostini with Roberta’s Sun-dried Tomato Spread (or Roberta’s Eggplant Spread) served with cheese nibbles with Barbara’s Green Tomato Jam as a condiment

Ingredients

2/3 cup cream cheese
1/3 cup Roberta’s Sun-dried Tomato Spread (or 1/3 cup Roberta’s Eggplant Spread)
Cosimo’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Premium Blend”, as needed
1 loaf of bread, cut into heart shapes (use a cookie cutter to make heart shapes)

Method: 1) Mix cream cheese and sun-dried tomato spread (or eggplant spread). 2) Spread mixture on breads hearts. 3) Drizzle with olive oil.

Cheese nibbles: Serve aged sheep cheeses, Parmeggiano-Reggiano, Grana Padana or fresh mozzarella. Break chunks of cheese out of the Parmeggiano or Grana using the tip of a knife. Cut aged sheep cheeses first in slices and each slice in to three triangle shaped bites. Cut mozzarella in slices and cut each slice in four bite-size pieces. The mozzarella also can be briefly grilled on a slice of bread in the oven, with a layer of green tomato jam between bread and cheese! Serve condiments on the side in small dessert bowls or shot glasses with small spoons. You also can use honey or Cosimo’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil as cheese condiments.


Primo: Carlo’s Durum Wheat Pasta with heart-warming tomato sauce

Ingredients
1/2 bag (9 ounces) of Carlo’s Durum Wheat Pasta—Farfalle
1 garlic clove, slightly crushed
3 tablespoons Cosimo’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Blend”
1 chili pepper, small
1 ½ lb. canned and diced tomatoes
1 Tablespoon Roberta’s Sun-dried Tomato Spread
2 teaspoons Guido’s Balsamic Dressing Sauce

Method: Note: Tomato-based sauces are more flavorful after simmering at least one hour. They can also be made a day ahead to enhance its flavor and save time on Valentine’s Day. 1) To make the sauce, in a frying pan, heat crushed garlic glove in olive oil until the garlic is slightly browned. 2) Take garlic out of oil, add one small hot chilli pepper and tomatoes. 3) Add the sun-dried tomato spread. Sauce should simmer on medium heat for at least one hour. (Note: If a meat sauce is preferred, add 8 ounces each of ground beef, 3 ounces of finely chopped prosciutto and 3 ounces of finely chopped bacon. Brown meats in olive oil before adding the tomato and chili pepper) 4) Bring salted water to boil for the pasta. Do not add oil to the water. 5) Add pasta to the boiling water. When the pasta is almost al dente (after 9 to 10 minutes), drain and put the pasta in the pan with the sauce. (Note: Do not rinse the pasta because you will wash away the starch needed to have the sauce stick to the noodle.) 6) Add balsamic dressing sauce and let stand for two minutes. Serve on warmed plates/bowls.

Dolce: Ricotta with Barbara’s Tomato Jam with GrappaIngredients

½ pound (8 ounces) fresh ricotta
1 shot glass of grappa, dark rum (aged for a minimum of 7 years) or pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons of sugar
Barbara’s Tomato Jam with Grappa, as needed (or another jam of your choosing)
Nutmeg, freshly ground, as needed.

Method: 1) Mix ricotta, sugar and grappa/rum/vanilla until well combined. 2) Spoon mixture into small glass bowls (or tall shot glasses). 3) Top with a thin layer of tomato jam with grappa. 4) Garnish with freshly ground nutmeg.

Visit www.scrumptiouspantry.com to find a store near you that sells these and other special ingredients or to order online visit www.piazzaitalianmarket.com/store

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop

A college friend and fellow TKE, Steve Chanos, Master Developer/Owner at Chanos Bros, LLC, just opened Wisconsin's first Capriotti's Sandwich Shop in Milwaukee in the Chase Tower (111 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 130).

I attended the family and friend's opening this past Saturday and was amazed at the quality of food being served -- as well as the friendly service.

I tried the "The Bobbie®", which as been nationally acclaimed as a best-seller, made with homemade Turkey, cranberry Sauce, stuffing, and mayo; and I tried the "Capastrami" with hot Pastrami, Swiss cheese, Russian Dressing, and cole slaw! Outstanding!

Capriotti's also offers a number of hot items, signature sandwiches, vegetarian subs, meaty subs and other types of sandwiches.

I definitely recommend visiting a shop if one is in your area. Visit their web site at www.capriottis.com for locations, menu and other information.

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

Chicago Tribune Good Eating Review Rerun

Today's Chicago Tribune's Sunday Good Eating section reran Foodie Public Relations client's favorable product review: The Scrumptious Pantry's Cantuccione (Tuscan Fig Cookie). They're so good! Order one from Piazza Italian Market @ http://www.piazzaitalianmarket.com or at a quality food store. Vist http://scrumptiouspantry.com to find a store near you.


Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

Chicago Tribune Good Eating Review

Today's Chicago Tribune's Good Eating section (p. 8, city edition) published a review of one of my clients food items: The Scrumptious Pantry's CANTUCCIONE FIG & SPELT COOKIE. The company's phone has not stopped ring with new orders! http://scrumptiouspantry.com.

Foodie PR was able to get The Scrumptious Pantry reviewed positively in the Chicago Tribune's Good Eating section within 28 days of introducing the company to the editors. See what working with a good PR company can get you!

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

Fancy Food & Culinary Products

One of Foodie Public Relations clients, The Scrumptious Pantry, is featured as Fancy Food & Culinary Products' pick of the week. Read more @ http://fancyfoodmagazine.blogspot.com!

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

Media Blitz

The Scrumptious Pantry is being introduced to the Chicago media this week -- Chicago Sun-Times, Inside Publications and Fancy Food magazine.

So far all food editors are impressed with the company's product and its commitment to only source from small artisan producers, whenever possible right at the source of the primary ingredient – the family farmer. The artisans of The Scrumptious Pantry are dedicated to natural foodmaking. In most cases, the products are organically grown and prepared. Each artisan does not believe in artificial flavors, conserving agents or other artificial ingredients interfering with their work. All products are 100% natural.

If you want to learn more about The Scrumptious Pantry or its founder, Lee Greene, e-mail me at robbenes@comcast.net.

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie