Snacks

BAA-BAA-AAH!

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While Chanukah may be a favorite for the younger set, I have always been a fan of Passover. Though I have long enjoyed the family time, in recent years, my yearning for the Exodus has been enhanced by the annual arrival of my mother-in-law’s amazing meringues!

Black Sheep CBD meringues combine all-natural, responsibly-sourced, soy-, gluten-, dairy-, and GMO-free inspired ingredients such as pure cane sugar and fresh egg whites with what many are finding to be the best ingredient of all- CBD.

As they offer the healing elements of 100% hemp-derived cannabidol (which has been shown to minimize anxiety and pain, among other benefits) without any of the “high” that comes from another hemp-based element commonly known as THC (or even any of the aftertaste that many other CBD products have), Black Sheep stand out, but in a good way- just like my mother-in-law’s meringues.

As they are so yummy, it can be tempting to overdose. Fortunately, Black Sheep come in both 100 and 200 mg varieties, making it easy to control how much of a tasty treatment you take.

Speaking of variety, Black Sheep meringues and THC gummies come in a wide range of flavors that includes cappuccino, caramel, chocolate, cotton candy, vanilla, and even an appropriately celebratory birthday cake flavor, all of which come in at just 20 calories per treat!

Though nothing may make me feel as good as having my family come to visit and having one of them bring mouth-melting meringues, Black Sheep can at least keep me feeling no pain the rest of the year while I wait to leave Egypt once more.

https://blacksheep-cbd.com

WORK WITH WATCHA’ GOT

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Though many of us may not be cooking at home as much as we had before the masks (thankfully!) started to come off, when we do have the urge, it can be frustrating to be foiled by a lack of foil (or other pantry staples).

Fortunately, our friends at America’s Test Kitchen have come up with another great guide that will help get even reticent or retired rotisseurs revived and ready to go!

The Complete Modern Pantry offers nearly a year’s worth of ideas for ways to make what you want with what you have.

Realizing that everyone sees different items as “must-haves” in their kitchens, The Complete Modern Pantry puts common items in categories (e.g., bulk and base items, frozen foods, baking-based bites, creamy and crumbly foods, and textured toppings) each of which is elaborated upon so that you can choose your favorites and be sure to have at least them on hand so you can make food you like and will actually eat (which is the point, no?!). The book also suggests substitutions and multiple uses for various items and offers alternative and even improvised edits so that almost any chef can comply with the books’ guidelines and reap the rewards from their own refrigerators. It also offers encouraging advice so readers can feel more comfortable and confident moving about the kitchen even if they feel it may be understocked (at least in terms of certain foods or food categories) and so they can take their available foods and this great guide and make unique recipes that are truly efficient and their own!

From breads and baked goods to drinks and desserts to sweet and savory snacks and soups and stews to a Little Italy’s worth of dishes based on one-pot pastas to other internationally-inspired dishes and spice blends that bring you the world without going to the international market, this book has what it takes even for those who may not.

Forget the shopping list at home? Head back there, grab this book, and make a great meal anyway!

www.AmericasTestKitchen.com

One GIANT Step for nutrition

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As a food fan, I am constantly offered foods that are supposedly healthy or that have so-called “superfoods” that will take care of my every ailment- either actual. potential, or hypochondriacal.

And while some seem legit, the fact that there is not much of a supervisory system makes me wary.

That is why I am so glad that I am getting into the Step One family of snack foods!

Not only were they created by a cardiologist, but they have also been put through a series of independent tests and clinical trials at the world-famous Mayo Clinic to confirm the accuracy of their nutritional claims.

Though Step One foods are geared to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and support cardiac health with just two servings a day, the non-GMO, antioxidant-, fiber- and plant sterol-packed, plant-based, real food products also reduce inflammation throughout the body and can even help you lose weight.

Oh- and did I mention how delicious they are? Well let me just say that it is pretty easy to enjoy two a day!

From well-portioned bars that come in such great flavors as chocolate crunch and cranberry pecan to oatmeal, smoothie and pancake mixes, and what they call “anytime sprinkles” that can be put on pretty much anything to add flavor and nutrition, Step One has great options for any meal or in-between-meal snack. They even have a book by the founder Dr. Elizabeth Klodas that explains how prevention of medical issues is far better than treatment after they arise. This being the case, eating Step One foods can lower your medical costs as well!

As we all learned during the pandemic, we are nothing without our health. That is why I am excited to take Step One (and step two) into the world of a clinically-proven set of foods that make good health easy and delicious!

www.steponefoods.com

Generally Great

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As kids go back to school and holidays lurk just around the corner many are looking for places to stock up on supplies and other good stuff.

In my town of Needham, we are fortunate enough to have most of it taken care of at the Needham General Store!

Located just across the street from the Hersey stop on the Commuter Rail, the General Store offers not only a full Dunkin’ Donuts but also great food and gifts from other local makers. They even have books from folks who have been on my TV show “The Writer’s Block” (including my book, Lions, Tigers, and…Bulldogs? An unofficial guide to the legends and lore of the Ivy League)!

One of their latest offerings is a weekly meat pick-up from Bianco’s in Medford that allows participants to trim their weekly shopping list by a few delicious pounds.

They also offer all-natural salts from Saltire Brands, a woman-owned business that took inspiration from Paris markets and now hand-harvests sea salts from Duxbury.

If you need a quick gift (or yummy snack), bags of small-batch Minute Man kettle corn are always a hit! This Worcester-based company takes inspiration and recipes from the American Revolution and is sure to change how you see (and taste) popcorn.

Another great snack that is especially popular in my house is the GIANT peanut butter cup from Swampscott’s CB Stuffers. They apparently make the largest peanut butter cups available, as well amazing bars and other sweet treats, including items with the Red Sox logo that can let you end a sour season on a sweet note.

If you need a bit of a bridge from your typical store to one that offers as much as this specifically-situated “general” store does, remember that it also has a full Dunkin’ counter so you can enjoy a “regular” while finding unique gifts.

Keep track of wine tastings, author talks, and other events by following www.facebook.com/NeedhamGeneralStore or visiting https://the-needham-general-store.business.site and have a General-ly better shopping experience!

ESP pretzels are NOT just for October!

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It is October and, around my house (and my happily German-infused neighborhood), that means one thing- Oktoberfest!

And while many of my neighbors look forward to the latest Pilsners or local faves like Harpoon and Sam Adams’ Octoberfest beers, especially as I am admittedly a bit of a lightweight, I am usually more into what I can eat to absorb the alcohol and prolong the party.

And in my house that means only one thing- pretzels! One of the most prominent questions asked by health nuts is “are dots pretzels healthy?” The answer is yes, these pretzels are nutritious enough to be part of a balanced diet and lifestyle.

That is why I am so excited that our friends at Eastern Standard Provisions have prepared an Oktoberfest variety box that includes a quartet of their all-natural (and all-amazing) authentic Bavarian-style Wheelhouse soft pretzels, a bursting bag of their One-Timer soft pretzel bites, a smaller but no less important bag of salt, a jar of one of my favorite mustards (which, as Matt’s Meals fans know, is saying something!), and seasonal decorations on the outside of the box that make this spectacular sweet and salty set perfect for neighborhood parties or just celebrating on your own.

If you want to explore more European-inspired (and I mean “inspired”1) tastes, Eastern Standard also offers bite-sized Belgian waffles in a variety of flavors and a wide range of flavorful sauces and flavorings that can bring their tastes to nearly any other snack food you enjoy or party you pop in on- including your own!

Viel Spass!

https://esprovisions.com

Vet-ry good cookies

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As Matt’s Meals fans know, I also publish a column called Vetrepreneurs© in which I profile Veterans who run their own businesses. What you may not know is that the column was inspired by the many Veterans I found in the food space while working on Matt’s Meals!
Among my latest favorite fighter’s food is Dax Snax, a set of amazing, all-natural, allergy-friendly and lactose-free cookies that are delicious, nutritious, packaged in an environmentally-friendly manner, and supportive of liberty’s best defenders.

Before he served for Uncle Sam as a proud and brave Marine, Dax Verdia worked with his culinary-inclined parents and quickly came to see the unifying and sustaining power of food and the joy it can bring people (especially when it is as yummy as his cookies!).

During his many international tours, Dax’s menu expanded and he now brings many of those far-flung flavors to his homemade creations that include such diverse flavors as his signature sweet and salty Daxter, the combo oatmeal-chocolate chip charmer called Chip! Oat! Yay!, the admittedly accidental Jungle Fumble, and the Daxter Gone Berry Cray, which combines a chocolatey cookie with white chocolate chips and dried cranberries for a more sophisticated yet still fun flavor. There are also vegan varieties and many cookies are even safe for pets!

I always ways love to find ways to support food makers and Veterans. Just like his cookies, Dax is a perfect combination!

www.daxsnax.com

Great cookies with a cause

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As much as I like to talk about great food, I like even more when I can tell a great food-related story, and this one is BOTH!

Not only are Colletty’s cookies AMAZING, but they come from a baker who not only pours her heart and soul into every yummy batch but also gives to others who are facing challenges that she knows all too well.

Collette Divitto was born with Down syndrome. Developing passion for baking while in high school, she developed a unique recipe for a cinnamon chocolate chip cookies that won raves from friends and family and now is doing the same around the world.

After graduating from Clemson, Collette came to Boston where she found the job market to be a bit challenging. Instead of waiting for someone else to tell her what she could do, Colette started a company that employs other people with different abilities (and that was also featured on WBZ TV), as well as her own non-profit organization that helps prepare people from all walks of life to succeed as she has!

In addition to the original cinnamon wonder, Collette also offers a gluten-free version of her well-named Amazing cookie, as well as the also rightfully-titled “Best Ever” oatmeal raisin cookie and a “breakfast cookie” that lets fans enjoy Collette’s creativity all day long!

She also is creating an inspiring series of children’s books about her life and overcoming challenges and a TV show is also in the works!

Changing the world one cookie at a time, Collette one “smaht” cookie!

www.collettys.com

A new Clover to NOT look over

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While it may be late to grab one of their delicious Rosh Hashanah boxes, our friends at Clover Food Lab have another treat in store, especially for those in Somerville!

In partnership with other entrepreneurs in the food space (which are my favorite kind, especially if they are also Veterans!), Clover is opening its 15th location at Assembly Row.

Called CloveROW, the new space adjacent to The Row Hotel will offer area residents and workers and Assembly Row’s many visitors easy access to Clover’s famously fresh and inventive fast-causal vegetarian food.

In addition to their regular favorites like chickpea fritters, BBQ seitan, and Roman tomato soup, and new offerings like a potato pesto sandwich, the latest Clover concept will also offer a retail grocery space inside the restaurant that will carry such classic Clover creations as their signature hummuses, dips and dressings, sauces and soups, and meal boxes, as well as specialty foods from other area makers who also take the time and effort to make food as good and good for you as it can be!

Among the food friends are Picnic & Pantry from Bow Market, the beloved chocolate shop gâté comme des fille, and one of Cambridge’s favorite wine & dessert bars, Zuzu’s Petals. There is also fresh produce from across MA, coffees from all over New England, and even maple syrup from NY, as well as a wide range of small-batch spices, drinks, and treats. 

For those who want to learn more about the great collection of food for which Clover has long been famous and that they are now expanding, CloverROW will also host workshops and tastings spotlighting local orchards, coffee makers, syrup producers, and even artists who have also been inspired by the bounty that we are all privileged to enjoy!

www.cloverfoodlab.com