Small Bites
Little Vittles
|
If the thought of accepting one more slippery white plastic bag full of consumables makes you shudder with liberal guilt, the answer is within reach. Mother and daughter team Joan and Emily Sugihara designed the Baggu, a stylish, reusable shopping bag that folds small enough to fit in your purse or pocket and yet can still carry two to three times the amount of the average plastic bag. Baggus come in pretty aqua or bold red for the flashy, and gender-neutral gray, khaki and olive for the subtle eco-shopper. Unlike Whole Foods' ubiquitous reusable shopping bags, these are small enough to keep on your person and come in handy for everything you buy on a daily basis. Pick your own shiny colors, look cool and feel good about keeping 700 plastic bags at the store and out of the landfill every year. Available individually or in sets of three or six at www.baggubag.com. —Felicia D'Ambrosio
|
The progression seemed natural at first. Kellogg's created Special K, a cereal so fluffy and nutritious you could actually lose weight by eating it (instead of meals, that is). They then gave birth to Special K Bars awhile back, and they pleased the people. But protein water? Seriously? Kellogg's Special K20 comes in three flavors — Strawberry Kiwi, Lemon Twist and Tropical Blend — and "helps you stay on track," according to the label on the bottle. Each 16-ounce serving contains 5 grams of protein, about the same amount you'd find in a tablespoon of peanut butter. And at only 50 calories per shrink-wrapped bottle, K20 beats out Vitaminwater and Gatorade. But what about taste? K20's Tropical Blend, the most palatable variety, is reminiscent of SunnyD with an extra 17 packets of Splenda. While it's true that enhanced waters are so hot right now, Kellogg's may have been slightly overzealous with this branding offshoot. (What's next, Special K-Y Jelly?) Oh, and if you're lactose intolerant, take heed: This sicky-sweet little number contains "a milk ingredient" — whey protein, to be exact. So you've got a good excuse to avoid it. —Carolyn Huckabay
|
Those seeking bitterness and crisp flavor from an authentic pilsner will delight in Hayloft Pils from California's Farmhouse Brewing Co. Master brewer Peter Licht blended Czech, German and domestic hops to create a smooth, European-style pilsner that doesn't overwhelm. The best way to experience it is in a tall glass — each 22-ounce bottle costs about $8, but it tastes so good it's worth a roll in the hay. —James Saul
|
With the exception of Degrassi: The Next Generation on DVD, there are few products capable of making me fall to my knees and shed tears of unbridled joy. But that all changed the moment I tried the latest offering from high-end chocolatier Vosges. The rich, 41 percent cacao milk chocolate that serves as the base of the bar is decadent on its own, but the real kicker becomes apparent only after you take a bite. Vosges owner Katrina Markoff's recipe includes teeny bits of applewood smoked bacon and a generous dash of alder salt — mixed right in. Though the mere mention of a bacon-laced chocolate bar might result in twisted-face ewws from your less adventurous friends, break it down to them this way: Haven't you ever indulged in a tall stack of syrupy pancakes with a big pile of pig on the side? Sure, toying with these kinds of flavor combinations can often result in disaster, but rest assured that Markoff knows what she's doing. Each taste is surprisingly balanced, as the chocolate unfolds to reveal a graduated saltiness more harmonious than the Vienna Boys Choir. Trust. Ingredient Specialty Foods (4335 Main St., Manayunk, 215-483-4888) carries the Bacon Bar in addition to other Vosges varieties, but you also can order up by calling 1-888-301-YUMM or visiting www.vosgeschocolate.com. —Drew Lazor
Also In This Week's Food Section
Pairs Well with Others
The Wong Way
Feeding Frenzy
You Ask We Answer
Comments
Be the first to comment on this article.