Desserts

BAKING UP SUPPORT

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I have long loved promoted a company called Colletty’s Cookies that is run by a young woman with Down syndrome named Collette Divitto. Since I last sang her praises, she has not only expanded her delicious line of tasty treats, she has also made many strides that other entrepreneurs can only dream of!

In addition to getting her cookies into Stop & Shop, Shaw’s and the TD Garden (and hopes to get to Gillette), Collette has recently inked a deal that will land her cookies on all overseas military bases. As the founder of a charitable organization that provides training and empowerment for people with or without disabilities, Collette has been named to MA Governor Maura Healy’s Disability Board and has spoken on the issues of work discrimination and entrepreneurship around the world.

In addition to being featured on everything from Matt’s Meals to Good Morning America and QVC, Collette has recently published another book in her ongoing series on growing up with developmental challenges and is working on producing a documentary about her life in which she hopes to build on her books by showing in her own way what it is like to deal with and flourish despite challenges.

If it were not for her books and the documentary (which she is crowd-funding on her website, www.colletteys.com), you might never know that this dynamo had any challenges, as she continues to achieve goal after goal, inspiring other women, entrepreneurs, and more at every step!

But back to the cookies- In addition to her incredibly (and innovatively) yummy cinnamon chocolate chip and crunchy oatmeal cookies, Collette is about to release a plant-based variety. And as it is so easy to devour an entire bag of her cookies, the savvy chef is graciously coming out with bite-sized bags as well.

I’ll say it again- Collette is one “smaht” cookie!

www.colletteys.com

DON’T “SKIP” THIS TASTY HEALTH FOOD

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As is so often the case, I am here to dish about the latest trend in the healthy food space.

While we continue to rave about the flavonoids in FlavaNaturals and the brain-boosting adaptogens in IQ Joe, Kickstarter Coffee, and Four Sigmatic coffee, another favorite trend is fermenting, an ancient process that can help with everything from immunity and inflammation to irritable bowels and also improve hair, skin, and overall well-being! 

While the most popular fermented foods are admittedly acquired tastes like kraut and kimchee and kefir (noting a “k”-trend here?), tasty new tastes are applying for acquisition all the time. 

As she was born in Korea, Kathryn Oh knows about the special, nutrient- and probiotic-enriching art of Koji fermentation as she was making kimchee since childhood. As she is also a primary care doctor, she also knows the health benefits of many things.

So when she told me that she is coming out with her own line of plant-based, naturally- (and deliciously) flavored, nutrient-packed cups of fermented brown rice called Hopscotch (in a nod to another accessible childhood activity) that could benefit my belly, brain, and entire body, I was interested.And when I tried the sweet, umami-laced cups that come in chocolate, strawberry, coffee, and even Snickerdoodle (flavors that Oh admits “start funny but taste yummy!”) and that can be enjoyed alone or in smoothies, sauces, or many other means of enjoyment), I was hooked on Hopscotch and think (and hope) that you will soon be too!

www.hopscotchfoods.com

LET’S GET READY TO CRUMBL!

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As Senator Mitt Romney prepares to step away from politics, there are rumors circulating that one of his reasons is so he can spend more time at Crumbl cookies in Utah.

Don’t worry, Your Excellency- Crumbl has over 800 stores in the U.S., including Cambridge, Dedham, Natick, West Springfield, and the most recent area opening in Dorchester!

And while I’d like to say that the scene is the same no matter which Crumbl you visit, as the flavors change so regularly, the only real consistencies are the famed pink boxes and the lines of drooling customers waiting outside.

Though MA is the home of the Toll House and Boston Cream Pie, Crumbl (spelled without the final “e” for those who are still not in the know!) is bold enough to claim that they make the best chocolate chip cookie around and that their Boston cream cookie can stand up to the Parker House original! Even if Baystaters disagree, it is hard to argue with a rotating menu of over 250 flavors that also includes such incredible entries as the buttermilk pancake and waffle cookies (both of which can double as the best breakfast and best dessert in one!), an indigenously-inspired cinnamon fry bread, the Matt’s Meals-endorsed Buckeye brownie, and a confetti cake cookie that is a birthday party in the palm of your hand! 

Speaking of hands, Crumbl even has their own version of the popular Cover Your Assets card game called (appropriately enough) Cover Your Cookies!

Speaking of covering cookies, we are all sure to see more of their famed pink boxes around as Crumbl continues to expand their cookie empire, so be sure that you are carrying at least a few wherever you go! 

www.crumbl.com

REMEMBA THE FLAVA

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As someone who loves chocolate, I am already a HUGE fan of Flava Naturals- a MA-based company that makes some of the most delicious varieties around by adding such in-genius ingredients as fresh blueberries, roasted almonds, and Himalayan salt to their delicious dark chocolate bars. Not only do these additions up the flavor, they also add nutrition to the bars that studies have shown to be good for you to begin with!

As I also have many personal ties to the memory loss community, I am also grateful to Flava Naturals as they offer five times more brain-supporting flavanols that other chocolates – even those with 100 cacao!

A recent study of 3,500 adults by Columbia University and our own Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that diets low in flavanols are often associated with age-related memory loss and that taking in 500mg of cocoa flavanols daily improved performance on memory tests by 10% and that 750-900mg can be even better. Especially for someone who makes their living with words, I will take every percent I can get! And as the 500 mg of flavanols in each FlavaNaturals bar or the 900mg in each serving of their FlavaMix drink power taste so good, I have never been happier to take my medicine!

Even if you do not have memory issues in the family, it can never hurt to have a diet that is under medical supervision, especially when the foods taste so good you want to hide them. With the Flava Naturals Flava Club, you can enjoy not only the health benefits but also savings that make it easier to share this latest (and most delicious!) medical breakthrough.

www.flavanaturals.com

A SWEET MESSAGE

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Especially around New England, Valentine’s Day is associated with boxes of tiny hearts with messages printed on them. And while the messages may reach the heart, the candies themselves may not make it to the stomach.

Fortunately, there is a new way to use food to send a personal message. 

Telegram Cookies our delicious buttery shortbread cookies that are stamped with custom messages. Offering pre-printed packages with messages that range from “Call me” to “Might as well,” Telegram can help you telegraph any message with just $36 and a few days’ notice.
As Founder and former tech guru Georges Duverger was born in France, he brings the proud baking traditions of his native land to each batch. Now a permanent MA resident, he recently partnered with Boston’s own Commonwealth Kitchen. So while Telegram Cookies  can be shipped all over the U.S. in eco-friendly packaging, it will now be even easier for Boston-area fans to get their messages out even faster and more deliciously!

At Commonwealth, Telegram and other companies will be participating in the Ready to Launch program that guides new food businesses through the steps needed to secure health permits in Boston and also teaches best practices in production, financial management, sales and marketing.

As such, you can be sure that their cookies are not only delicious but safe and healthy too! In fact, they are baked with only four simple ingredients- flour, butter, brown sugar, and salt. 

The way to. A person’s heart may be through their stomach, so why not take care of both with one sweet treat?

https://telegramcookies.com/

TWO GREAT TASTES THAT TASTE GREAT TOGETHER

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As a fan of diners and of local establishments with long histories, I have long been a regular at Johnny’s Luncheonette. 

For over 30 years, Johnny’s has been a staple of the Newton Centre community, drawing people in from far and wide and catering to such legends as David Mamet (who I saw there myself!) and the Kennedys.

With such worth-the-visit plates as the LEO (lox, eggs, and onion) omelette, avocado fries, an elegant burrata avocado toast, big, beefy, biohack-free burgers (including one made with fresh felafel), the Larry David (the good one- with pastrami with Swiss, of course!) and the corned beef-packed Langley sandwich that hearkens back to the eatery’s own history, as well as always-fresh and flavorful menu additions sourced from Johnny’s many farm friends, Johnny’s has something for everyone whether you want a wholesome family meal or a Formica conference table for an important meeting.

If you need more form the Johnny’s family, head over to the equally legendary Cabot’s Ice Cream which the Johnny’s team recently took over. Though the management is technically new, longtime owner Joe Prestejohn is still scooping a few shifts a week and the offerings are as wonderful and varied as ever- ranging from mile-high pies to their signature ice cream cupcakes and banana wheels, the almost fatally rich Chocolate Homicide, and the two-quart Newtonite that has ended many a local’s meal. Speaking of meals, Cabot’s also offers everything from Belgium waffles to hot turkey dinners- ‘cause you need to have something to have dessert after!

Drop by one whenever you are in the area. Or, heck- drop by both!

www.johnnysluncheonette.com / www.cabots.com

MAINE-LINING FLAVOR

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In New England, we are blessed with some of the best food and drink makers around. Among my favorites are Kane’s Donuts and UFO beers. And while these two companies may seem to share little more than a home state, believe me- When they combine forces- Look out!

Through the month of July, this dynamic duo is proving that one plus one can be way more than two with the debut of their limited-edition Maine blueberry donut. In addition to featuring the mind-melting cake-style donuts found at either Kane’s in Saugus or downtown Boston, the new offering adds fresh Maine blueberries (another reason to celebrate life in this area) and a reduction of UFO’s Maine Blueberry beer that takes out the alcohol while enhancing the flavor that much more for fans of all ages!

If you have had more blueberries than Sal, Kane’s still has you covered with their gluten-free Lime Rickey donut that comes loaded with real lime and topped with Kane’s legendary glazes, a vegan glaze-glistened Funfetti donut with patriotic sprinkles, the chocolate sauce and marshmallow-slathered S’mores donuts, and creamy, fruity Watermelon donuts that look and taste almost like the real thing!

If you want to enjoy UFO and its sibling sippers from Harpoon with another fun summer tradition, Harpoon has also partnered with HubSportsBoston to open a set of pickleball, shuffleboard, and cornhole courts that will offer lessons and leagues for new and experienced picklers and that will also feature selections from its League line of lower-alcohol beers.

Summer in New England offers many special treats. Fortunately, two of them are just over a mile apart and make for a perfect pairing, with pickleball or alone.
www.kanesdonuts.com / http://ufobeer.com / http://harpoonbrewery.com / https://hubsportsboston.com

Now MORE People Can See RED

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Whether it is offering lower-calorie or lower-sugar chocolate that tastes as good as (if not better than) anything else on the market or giving away that chocolate to worthy organizations like Project Insulin (www.ProjectInsulin.org) to allow their sugar-sensitive supporters a chance to enjoy the sweet taste of success, RED Chocolate knows how to serve and support its growing legions of foodie fans.

In an effort to engage and satisfy the (fortunately) growing groups of health-conscious eaters, RED continues to add to its luscious list of low-sugar, non-GMO, gluten- and palm oil-free, kosher-, keto-, and Weight Watchers-friendly offerings. Among the most recent revelations is a vegan chocolate that uses healthy oats instead of dairy at its still creamy and mouth-watering base and that also includes RED’s signature blend of sustainable Ivory Coast cocoa with immunity-supporting Spanish citrus and protein-packed Pacific coast almonds.

As they are made in an award-winning “green” facility and have already been approved by professional dieticians, RED chocolates are also perfect for your favorite personal environmental conditioner and nutritionist (i.e., your mom) and make a great gift for her day (or any other)! In fact, if you enter RED4MOM when you order, you BOTH get a special treat!

While many people have been finding RED through Matt’s Meals and in a growing set of stores that now includes  Kroger, Hy-Vee, BJ’s and also on many military bases (and that always includes www.red-chocolate.com), RED is reaching out even further through their growing line of top chef ambassadors who take part in RED’s monthly Chef Series (www.red-chocolate.com/chef-series). Though the chefs come from all over the world, they all share one thing in common- a love of RED and a desire to use their favorite varieties in all of their desserts and other dishes. From barks and brownies to cakes and cookies, RED fits in nearly any recipe and also in nearly any lifestyle with ease and flavor!

So order some today and tell ‘em you RED it on Matt’s Meals!

Back to the Track

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I have long been a fan of Rail Trail Flatbread Company and its sister ice cream stop New City Microcreamery and so was thrilled to hear how successful the Valentine’s Day event that we recently promoted was.! 

Apparently, people came from miles around to pick up the special heart-shaped pizzas they made that we decorated with poems by neighborhood second grade students. Speaking of students, Rail Trail’s recent Teachers Appreciation Day event on May 2 was another hit, with scores of area educators dropping by for a well-deserved free lunch.

To keep the good vibes going (and the event calendar full), New City will be participating the Best Buddies walk at Polar Park in Worcester on Saturday, May 13, to help even more neighbors in need get support. On the 13th and 14th, they will also offer special Mother’s Day meals featuring their famed flatbreads and other delicious delights. The next weekend, Rail Trail will join their newest neighbors in Milford, MA (which was recently added to their sought-out addresses in Hudson, Sudbury, and Cambridge) by participating in that town’s terrific Milford Day festivities. As usual, proceeds from sales of their flatbreads and nitrogen-smoothed ice creams will go to support community organizations. May 21 also marks the eighth birthday of the talented team and their terrific treats- I can hardly believe it has been so long since I first fell in love with them!

As they are so dedicated to offering great food and doing so much good for others, it is no surprise that Rail Trail and New City have so many fun and productive events planned. There is even talk of presentations of a book about the Ivy league in the works!

Even if it is just an allegedly average day, however, Rail Trail and New City make any meal special and any day worth celebrating!

https://railtrailflatbread.com / https://newcitymicrocreamery.com/

The Brothers are BACK ;)

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Many years ago, I sang the praises of a great restaurant just outside of Boston called Brothers. It not only offered great food made by – you guessed it – a set of brothers, but it also featured amazing music by two of the most talented brothers in the area – Bill and Bo Winiker. 

When COVID shut the restaurant down, I was worried that the music would be over too. Fortunately, not only have the restaurant and the band returned, but they are now even closer to where I live!

The talented team behind Brothers recently took over Cook in Needham center. While I had not been there basically since Covid started, my return to the restaurant was well worth the wait! 

Not only does the simple but ample menu feature such tempting treats as charred broccoli with chimichurri sauce, a pita and dip set with creamy whipped feta cheese and zingy za’atar sauce, and an intricately-flavored sesame, mandarin salad that can be topped with falafel, chicken, shrimp, or salmon, as well as great burgers, pizzas and specials, but also great drinks, like the tequila and Mezcal-based Cactus Cooler, a spicy pineapple Margarita, and the wicked fresh Cranberry Bog.

Though the kids menu is less ample than that meant for older eaters, all the options are spot on and well-made. Our girls loved the chicken fingers and pasta, but suggested that they may get burgers or mac and cheese next time.

And then, of course, there is the music! Not only have Bill and Bo played at the White House, the closing of the old Boston Garden, and the opening of the new one, and at Symphony Hall, they also played my wedding and are booked for a number of future family celebrations. They are, to put it mildly, the best of the best! So to be able to hear their music while enjoying delicious quality food in a comfortable neighborhood place (that just happens to be in my neighborhood) made for a great way to spend an evening and I look forward to doing it again soon and often.

www.cookneedham.com / http://www.winikermusic.com