Happy MLK Day! I could not be happier spending today on my couch. Here's a round up of mostly products and one place, near and dear. Enjoy!
A comforting meal at the bar I love most | DeLux Cafe
The laminated wood bar backed by twinkling rainbow lights and other year round kitschy Christmas décor at DeLux is where you'll often find us!
I perused their well appointed one page menu with a dirty martini in hand, settling on the Marinated Bavette Steak ($12.95). Herb crusted and topped with a slab of melted roasted red pepper butter with a side of sautéed baby spinach and goat cheese mashed potatoes, this plate of food hit all the right notes of comfort and finesse.
Old fashioned jams | Doves & Figs Cranberry Chocolate Jam
Local food blogger Robin Cohen is the talented woman behind a delectable line of jams at Doves & Figs Kitchen. Robin makes her own jams, preserves and conserves in small batches from Massachusetts farm grown fruit. 
Her jams lend a soft and spreadable texture and are offered in array of original flavors. The Cranberry Chocolate is an innovative blend of the tart ripe fruits and subtle hints of sweet Taza chocolate. I spread it on everything from my morning bagels with cream cheese, to my afternoon snack of cheese and crackers. 
Premium canned tomatoes | Red Gold
Red Gold Tomatoes recently sent me a gift pack of their canned tomato products. I absolutely loved them! For starters their packaging is bright, eye catching and most importantly, their premium tomatoes are fresh tasting, sweet, juicy and delicious. I am particularly fond of their Petite Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Olive Oil for a no fuss bruschetta appetizer!
I added some salt, pepper, more olive oil and balsamic to the mix - so easy. My guests loved the app and would have never guessed the tomatoes and blend came from a can. 
A regular can of Diced Tomatoes lent themselves beautifully to a batch of Chicken Tortilla Soup I made over one December weekend. 
And when my New Years Eve Mussels Fra Diavolo called for the same ingredient, to the Red Pack I went where it was a can of Petite Diced Tomatoes that worked in the mussels favor. 
I'm so pleased I got to try the Red Gold Tomato products and am looking forward to using more of the Red Pack cans in future recipes!
What foods or drinks are putting a smile on your face?
LOVE Robin's jams. I have two unopened jars in my pantry that I can't wait to try.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Robin's jams. I have two unopened jars in my pantry that I can't wait to try.
ReplyDeleteThat Tropicana juice sounds good. Right now I am loving Newmans Own Lemonade. It brings a little summer feeling into my cold winter days.
ReplyDeleteI was a big fan of the Trop50 apple juice! I could have used an extra day to lie around the couch. I am in slow birthday party recovery mode.
ReplyDeletethat cafe looks adorable, and what a good price on that meal. i so so miss the south end!!
ReplyDeleteand great tip on the juice. i am a big juice drinker, and usually go for straight up cranberry, but i love that the trop50 bottles have 50% less sugar & cals!
I'm working on a favorites post for later this week. One of the items is King's Ginger, a delicious, spicy liqueur.
ReplyDeleteRobin's cranberry-chocolate jam is awesome! I gave a raspberry-chocolate one to my sister for Christmas -- waiting to hear what she thinks of it.
ReplyDeleteI made a pear baked oatmeal this week, and it's warm and comforting and definitely making me happy in the morning.
oh those mussels look good! I am loving hot chocolate and clementines...totally different but both good! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the canned tomatoes - so key! Your mussels looks sensational!
ReplyDeleteI agree- those Mussels do look phenomenal! I am the worst when it comes to drinking juices but I love the Trop 50- and that one sounds fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI recently picked up the same flavor of Trop50-- so good! I've recently become dangerously obsessed with pink Champagne.
ReplyDeleteDoves and Figs is such a pretty name; I'll have to try those jams.
ReplyDeleteI would like a 6 pack of Red Pack Please!
ReplyDeletewow, I am definitely going to have to try that jam!
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled with the blueberry pomegranate flavor combination! So delicious.
ReplyDeleteA food that's putting a smile on my face is homemade pita chips! A friend made some and I am determined to duplicate the recipe - herbs, spices and all!
Chocolate cranberry jam, be still my heart. That juice looks pretty good too!
ReplyDeleteyesss...Delux Cafe! I need to come back and visit ...and try that juice looks so refreshing.
ReplyDeleteHello, just wanted to say, I liked this article. It was inspiring.
ReplyDeleteKeep on posting!
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