Lyons vs. Barry's

This is one topic in Ireland that is as serious as rugby or politics. I asked just about every person I met in Ireland which brand they preferred better, Lyons or Barry's. Barry's seemed to hold the lead during our filming there. But then upon departure at Irish Customs I was told I was bringing home the wrong brand. They preferred Lyons. I can't be swayed, Barry's fan here.

Barry’s Tea has a long established reputation and heritage as Ireland’s leading tea blenders. Barry's teas are selected from the best tea estates in the world, ensuring that you enjoy the perfect cup every time. The teas are sourced from the Assam Valley of India, Kenya and Rwanda, guaranteeing the distinctive Barry’s taste that the Irish have grown to know and love.

One of Ireland's biggest brands, Lyon's Tea is a completely natural product with no additives. These teas are bagged in pyramid style bags, giving the tea leaves more room to infuse, and delivering you a better cup. An ethically sound brand, Lyon's Tea contains a minimum of 50% Rainforest Alliance Certified™ tea - by 2010, the tea in the Original blend will be fully certified, and by 2012, all Lyon's Teas will be.

teuscher

Chocolates of Switzerland

Teuscher Chocolates was founded more than 70 years ago in a small town in the Swiss Alps. A master chocolate maker embarked on a path that would make him one of the world's greatest chocolatiers. Dolf Teuscher skillfully blended the world's finest and only natural ingredients to produce his now famous recipes. Chocolates are prepared fresh in the Zurich kitchen and flown directly to all their stores in Europe, the United States, Canada and Asia.
Frank on Swiss - post.

Opened in 1979, a visit to the Fifth Avenue store, nestled in the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center - has become a tradition for New Yorkers and visitors from around the globe. The beautifully decorated store overflows with colorful fantasy flowers and unique trademark boxes. Teuscher's famous Champagne Truffles, pralines and marzipans are hand-made and flown in weekly from Switzerland. 

Teuschers house speciality, the famous Champagne Truffle made with a champagne cream center, surrounded by dark chocolate ganache, covered with milk chocolate and dusted with confectioner's sugar.

More On Chocolate

For Chocolate Lovers

Chocolat L'Africain

Bob's Red Mill

I love a product with a good story. Just 15 minutes from Portland, Oregon you'll find Bob at his big red mill - touting the way of his hand stonemilled products; preserving nutrition through tradition.

Our beautiful stone grinding mills are much like the ones used during early Roman times. And to this day, our quartz millstones remain the best way to produce the finest products available. Unlike high-speed steel rollers, our stone mills ensure the most nutritious parts of the whole grain remain, so we can pack all-natural goodness right into your bag.

 Buckwheat is a delicious alternative to my tradional pancake recipe.

Bob's Buckwheat Pancake and Waffle Mix is full of wholesome goodness and flavor, using organic stone ground whole grain wheat and buckwheat flours, pure raw sugar and non-aluminum leavening, using only organic flour. Just top off the deliciou stack with your favorite maple syrup.

Le caldarroste

That's Italian for chestnut. Yes, it is officially chestnut season. I look forward to this part of the Fall season every year. You will begin to see some local and imported chestnuts available at your local market. I've been informed that the abnormally cool Spring and Summer in the Pacific Northwest had delayed domestic harvest a few weeks. So, walk don't run.

Did you know there are many recipes that can call for chestnut flour as a substitution for wheat flour? Chestnut flour is also gluten free. I'll have to post Chestnut Flour Pancakes recipe + a Chestnut Cheesecake recipe. Meanwhile, roast some chesnuts.

Rome, roasted Chestnut vendor

Roasted Chestnuts Recipe - Chef George Hirsch

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Clean chestnuts and dry. Use a sharp paring knife to cut a small X into flat pointed tip end of each chestnut, or prick chestnuts with a sharp church key (can opener) fork to allow steam to escape, preventing them from exploding.

 Place chestnuts in a shallow roasting pan. Roast in oven for 15-25 minutes, shaking occasionally or until chestnuts are tender and shells peel easily. Chestnuts are enjoyed at their best when warm.

Tip: Roasting time is variable depending on freshness. Choose firm heavy, not hollow when buying.

Molinillo

No, this is not a party noisemaker. It's a molinillo; the original ancient Mexican chocolate beverage frothing whisk tool. It's a great gift for the chocolate lover in your life. It also made my Good Stuff picks.

Old Fashioned Hot Chocolate | Makes one serving

1 Tablespoon good Dutch cocoa powder
1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar
7 ounces milk

Mix the cocoa and sugar in a cup. Add a small amount of the milk and mix until smooth. Pour the rest of the milk into a saucepan and heat over a low fire until it starts to boil. Whip with molinillo or an egg whisk until foamy. Add the boiled milk to the cocoa mixture in the cup and stir well. Serve immediately.

Tip: top with marshmallow or fresh whipped cream.