Good morning! A lot of famous people were born today but one of the most well known of them all is probably American novelist Ernest Hemingway. He was born July 21, 1899 and died July 2, 1961 when sadly, he committed suicide. Seems that most really creative folks are often as equally conflicted. But did you know that he survived not one but two plane crashes in two consecutive days? Yes, "Papa" Hemingway (as he was affectionately known in his beloved Cuba) crashed on an African sightseeing flight receiving serious injuries. The next day, seeking medical attention, that plane exploded at take-off. He survived and recuperated over the course of the next several weeks, reading numerous obituaries of his death written in error by reporters who thought he must have died. The year was 1954, the same year that he won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Last week we gave you locally-made dumplings. This week we're bringing you authentic Ukarainian hand-pinched perogies from Perogie Pinchers of Victoria (PPOV) ! Made with only the freshest local ingredients, these perogies are created out of sheer love from traditional family recipes passed down since 1863. In other words, these perogies are the bomb! Choose from Traditional Classic: potato/cheddar cheese/onion. Island Favourite: cottage cheese/potato/organic dill or Baba's Best: sauerkraut/bacon. Support local by purchasing these perfectly pleasing perogies because PPOV donates up to 40 dozen perogies to Our Place made on-site. PPOV also gives back to the community by planting fruit shrubs, championing other local businesses and volunteering at the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
It's BBQ season and that means burgers, sausages, hotdogs and a whole other mess of food to go along with! So why not add some pizazz to your next meal with SaltSpring Kitchen Co. Candied Jalapeno Relish? Excellent on your next gourmet burger, paired with a variety of cheeses (keep reading...), on nachos, tacos, eggs, heck, anywhere you want to add a little sweet and a little heat! Another lovely, local but certainly not languid product that you simply need to try!
Say, this next item might go great with the aforementioned relish. Though not new, the retail packaging is! It's the new look of Beyond Meat's Beyond Sausage! These Mild Italian plant-based links are high in protein but contain no soy or gluten and are GMO-free as well.
Rice is nice but variety is the spice of life. If you've grown tired of boring white, brown or whatever rice you always cook, maybe it's time to go WILD with a blend! Lundberg Countrywild Rice is an "outstanding blend of Wehani, long grain brown rice, and Black Japonica that has plenty of fragrance, colour, and flavour with an attractive separateness of grain." Translation: it tastes and looks good.
Goat cheese is an attractive option for cheese lovers and our Deli Department has two new varieties from Great Lakes Goat Dairy! Certain to cause your guests to speak highly of your charcuterie board, the applewood smoke infused Smokin' Goat will also take your grilled veggies to another level! Or you could try the Herb & Garlic Goat Cheese on your favourite crackers. The savoury flavour of the cheese combined with delicate herbs is bound to make you eat waaaay too much of it.
Also from our Deli Department is new Le Rustique Camembert, another excellent selection (and one that's purely French) for your charcuterie board, platter or appies! It has a soft texture, medium flavour intensity that is reminiscent of a raw cheese though it is made with pasteurized cow's milk. Pair it with Côte-du-Rhône red wine, sparkling wine, IPAs, porters and stouts.
Recently we introduced you to numerous gluten-free baking mixes from XO Baking Co. Now you have an even greater selection because we've added XO Baking Co. Gourmet Cookie Mix! With Chocolate Chip or Double Chocolate Chip you'll get unforgettably delicious (and rice-free) gluten-free cookies that look and taste just like regular cookies! And with XO Baking Co. Corn Bread Gourmet Bread Mix, you can serve a slightly sweet corn bread with your favourite chili recipe or with warm home-made honey butter as a simple dessert! Num-nums.
If we told you that we sold "probably the biggest and tastiest chocolate bar in the world" (according to the company) would you buy it? What if it was vegan? It's definely not the biggest (this claim is geared towards a larger version). We can't verify anything except that yes, it IS vegan and yes, it tastes ridiculously good. New Vego Mini Whole Hazelnut Chocolate Bar is made with fine Italian hazelnut paste, hazelnut cocoa cream and whole hazelnuts surrounded by rich milk chocolate. Essentially what you have here is Nutella in a chocolate bar form. It's Europe's cult-favourite chocolate bar that people reportedly have taken back home by the suitcase-full. Maybe it is the tastiest chocolate bar in the world. Only one way to find out...
Let's move from one unique chocolate treat to another. When you think hummus you probably think savoury, right? Well hummus has taken a dramatic turn (for the better) with Fontaine Santé Dark Chocolate Delight Dessert Hummus! Serve as a dip with fruits or crackers. Spread over biscuits, bagels or toast. Use as frosting on cakes or cupcakes. It has a smooth, creamy consistency and a rich, chocolate flavour from the added cocoa powder! There's nothing savoury about this. It's sure to be your new go-to chocolate treat!
Sometimes we like to remind our shoppers about items that we have carried for a long time but that people might not realize that we stock. Today we're going to remind you about Riviera Petit Pot Yogurt, the French-Canadian yogurt that comes in the little reuseable glass jar. As per the company website: A glass petit pot lets you see what’s in store before you enthusiastically break through the seal of quality. A lid you carefully pull open, slowly revealing the treasure that awaits you within. A little spoon you sink in and clink against the glass. Everything about the Petit Pot Collection appeals to the senses and enriches the taste experience. Riviera’s petits pots are lovely to look at and can be so practical once they’re empty! There are hundreds of ways to use them: as verrines for appetizers, votive candle holders, or spice jars. We love to use them in any way possible because they look great and—with their reusable lids—they’re handy and environmentally friendly. Yes, the possibilities are endless! So when you purchase your yogurt, look for the hanging strip of colourful plastic lids!
That'll do it for this week. As if it's almost August already! Only one more newsletter for July. Anyways, have an amazing week. Have a safe week. And keep on looking out for one another. You've heard it a thousand times but it rings true now more than ever: In a world where you can be anything, be kind.
Take good care.
Pepper's Foods