A.H.Hirsch

Get it while it's hot. A.H.Hirsch is the oldest available bourbon made from time honored pot tradition. Considered The quintessential American spirit - Hirsch Selection Small Batch Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, is a high quality bourbon in very short supply. The Penn. Distillery is no more, after running since 1753. With only limited stocks on hand, Hirsch Selection™ Small Batch Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was selected expressly for connoisseurs of small batch fine spirits, but somehow priced for everyday man. This surely is great with my Apple Tart Tartin. BTW, Hirsch namesake, but no relation that I know of. Darn.

Tarte Tatin 
Recipe by George Hirsch
Makes six servings | From George Hirsch Living it UP! TV series

2 large green apples, peeled, cut into quarters, remove core and cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/2 stick sweet butter
1/4-1/2 cup pure cane granulated sugar, depends on tartness of apples
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, defrosted 

Tarte Tatin

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees.

Spread room temperature butter in the bottom of a nine-inch non stick oven proof sauté pan. Sprinkle sugar completely over bottom of pan. Arrange apple slices on top of sugar.  Cover apples with puff pastry dough, but do not stretch dough. Press dough lightly around the inside rim of the pan. Cut away corners of excess dough so puff pastry fits into the round sauté pan. With the tip of a knife, poke three to four tiny holes in dough.

On the stove top, begin to cook the tart on a high heat until the dough begins to bubble. This will take about 3-4 minutes. By cooking on the stove top you are browning the sugars and apples. If the dough bubbles up too high, gently pierce dough with tip of a knife to allow excess steam to escape. Once the tart has been cooked on the stove top, place the tart in the oven for ten to twelve minutes or until the pastry is light brown and fully baked.

Remove tart from oven, allow to set about thirty seconds. CAREFULLY, with a large serving platter place inverted over tart. With a towel holding the hot pan and anther hand on top of the inverted platter, turn the platter right side up and un-mold the tart from the sauté pan. 

Top with powdered sugar. Serve warm with fresh whip cream or ice cream. Enjoy your tarte tatin.

chefgeorgehirsch.com

Helado-Gelato

Talenti began as a gelateria in 2003 and has since grown into the best-selling gelato in the US. Taking inspiration from Argentine helado—gelato brought to Argentina by Italian immigrants in the early 20th century, Talenti is made with the same uncompromising commitment to quality and artisanship that distinguished Italian gelato in the pre-WWII era.

Talenti offers a unique experience, using only the finest natural and raw ingredients, carefully sourced locally and from around the world—Belgian Chocolate, fresh whole Tahitian vanilla beans from Papua New Guinea, select coconuts from the Philippines, and real Argentine dulce de leche are just a few of the many fine ingredients used to create Talenti gelatos and sorbettos.

Our gelato is made with fresh, hormone-free milk and only pure cane sugar. Not only is it delicious, but with 30% less fat than regular ice cream, it’s also a healthier alternative. Our sorbetto is dairy free and 100% fat free and also made with pure cane sugar—never high-fructose corn syrup. Both Talenti’s sorbettos and gelatos showcase our commitment to providing wholesome, all-natural  frozen desserts that taste amazing. - Talenti

Black Garlic

That's right, black garlic - not to be confused with my signature honey-colored caramelized garlic. But I predict it won't be long before this too becomes a common ingredient in every gourmand's kitchen. Garlic has been commonly used for centuries in the Far East in foods and also for its health benefits and medicinal properties. As for black garlic in its concentrated state; does this mean a higher concentration of antioxidants and benefits? Maybe so, the verdict is still out. But in terms of culinary seasoning, think concentrated or "reduction" version of caramelized garlic. The result is a complexity of mellow molasses meets rich sweetness, like a balsamic reduction. 

Tip: Black garlic is an excellent seasoning to add to porcini mushroom risotto.

Unfortunately this is something we can not replicate at home. It's a 30 day fermentation process requiring a specially made oven. Available from BlackGarlic. 

Green Thumbs Up

According to the U.S. Dept of Agriculture ERS report released May 2014, sales of 'locally produced food' reached $6.1 billion, thats up from $4.8 billion in 2008. And, locally grown foods generate billions in sales in fruit and veggies alone. With the increased passion to grow local, backyard veggie gardens will have enthusiasts in search for garden supplies. Remember the 3 P's: fresh produce,seedling plants & garden products while shopping in spring!Remember gardening only takes a sunny windowsill.

click to enlarge image for my 2012 Food & Lifestyle Trends

Major League Snack

MLB's opening night is Wednesday April 4th, and opening day is Thursday April 5th.

Today eating in ball parks goes way beyond the 20 billion hot dogs consumed in MLB ball parks. Fans have unanimously agreed that AT&T Park in San Francisco tops the list with the best offerings of stadium food. Who could refuse a Dungeness crab sandwich with homemade garlic fries tossed with fresh garlic? That does not mean that good BBQ ribs in Kansas City and sushi have replaced the old standby Cracker Jack. Although now sold in bags instead of boxes, they are still available in all 30 Major League parks, with Boston's Fenway Park tossing a thousand bags a game to munching fans. So what makes CJ's so special?

Cracker Jack is so much more than candy caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts. There is also that special little surprise in each box which still brings smiles to faces on kids of all ages. Did you know these one-of-a-kind prizes are sought after by collectors fetching north of 50k dollars? Hey that’s cool! - which by the way is the meaning behind the term ‘Cracker Jack’ in the 1890’s. I do think the name Cracker Jack is fitting, somehow ‘Cool Jack’ just doesn't have the same ring.

Watch this classic TV commercial from the 1960’s featuring Jack Gilford.