There are great new products on the horizon in 2010. The first quarter promises to bring a collection of great new introductions -- from the Winter Fancy Food Show to the New York International Gift Show, and Ambiente to the International Home + Housewares Show. I've included some of those here, as well as a couple of my own favorite selections from 2009 you may have missed.


New Entrees From Tasty Bite
Tasty Bite has added some wonderful new fully cooked entrees to its line of all-natural Asian-inspired meal solutions. One of my new favorites is Pad Thai. The entrees are packed in convenient pouches and can be ready to eat in just 90 seconds in the microwave. They contain no preservatives, additives or MSG, have an 18-month shelf life, and require no refrigeration. The other new flavors are Aloo Palak, Malaysian Lodeh, Vegetable Korma, Channa Masala and Mushroom Takatak. They are vegetarian, but meat or seafood could easily be added should one desire. They go very well with Tasty Bite's fully cooked varieties of rice, also packed in microwaveable pouches (Thai Lime, Jasmine, Tandoori, Basmati and Brown Rice). I tested these out on some finicky diners who have sworn off prepared shelf-stable food. And since I am a big fan of Indian food, I was questioned whether I made them myself. While I was tempted to pass them off as my own, I admitted the ease of creating the meal before them. These heat-and-serve meals offer a very tasty solution for people with busy lives who still want to eat delicious, exotic foods without having to rely on questionable takeout menus. For more information, visit www.tastybite.com.


The King's Cupboard Caramel
One of my favorite companies is The King's Cupboard, which features preservative-free, kosher-certified products as well as a new organic range. Its Coffee Caramel Sauce came just in time for my pre-holiday diet. Alas, I must dive in and do my job. So, I thought I would simply dip in a few slices of apples and test away. A couple of apples and a half jar later, I realized I was hooked. Coffee Caramel Sauce is handcrafted in small batches using premium, all-natural ingredients. Each 11-ounce jar of this kosher-dairy certified delight is $7.99. The addition of espresso adds another layer of flavor and complexity to this truly "caramelized" dessert sauce that uses no artificial colors or additives. For more information, call 800-962-6555 or visit www.kingscupboard.com.


Encore's Marcona Almonds
Encore Specialty Food imports fabulous Marcona Almonds from Spain, packing them up in a hefty 11-pound bucket and shipping it along with detailed round labels retailers can put on deli cups. There are 30 labels per box, each 11-pound pail equals 30 portions of 6 ounces each, in half-high deli cups. Each bite of these perfectly fried and salted almonds sent me back to a seat in a tapas joint in Barcelona when I first discovered the joys of a simple plate of food. For more information, visit www.encorefoods.com or e-mail sales@encorefoods.com.


Capresso CoffeeTEAM GS
I love freshly ground coffee. One of my favorite introductions to the residential appliance world was when grind-and-brew systems were introduced. Jura-Capresso now takes its CoffeeTEAM GS to the next level with new direct-feed technology, a first for coffee makers with built-in conical burr grinders. The coffee filter holder stays inside the machine during grinding, preserving even more aroma and reducing mechanical movements. Just before brewing, the grinder is automatically sealed off to keep steam and moisture away from the conical burrs. Sleek and streamlined, the CoffeeTEAM GS features a space-saving design, plus convenience features that make it easy to grind and brew fresh and flavorful coffee every day. The unit can be used with or without the grinder, accommodating pre-ground coffee, including flavored coffees or decaf. Choose Brew Mode for pre-ground coffee, or Grind/Brew Mode for whole bean coffee. It is easy to program to initiate brewing at a certain time for fresh coffee whenever you want it. It is available for immediate shipment, with an actual retail price of $189.99. For more information, contact Jura-Capresso at 201-767-3999 or visit www.capresso.com.


Bluebird Candy Dish Collection
Bluebird Candy Dish Co. is creating beautifully crafted glass candy dishes with a retro feel reminiscent of weekend visits to my grandmother's house. My favorite piece is the Margaux-Louise candy dish in aquamarine -- beautiful and bubbly, the details on this dish just leave me breathless. My sample came paired with navy M&Ms, gift boxing and ground shipping -- perfect for the holidays. Suggested retail for Margaux-Louise is $29. For more information, call 303-242-8367 or e-mail info@bluebirdcandydish.com.


New GoodBelly BigShot 50
I am an addict. At least it's something healthy. NextFoods' products are designed to keep bellies healthy and immune systems strong. GoodBelly BigShot 50 is a new supercharged dose of 50 billion live and active cultures, and features the powerful probiotic strain Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v (Lp299v), which has 16 years of use and over 17 clinical studies to support its efficacy. GoodBelly BigShot 50 is designed for an extra boost of protection to supercharge the immune system and help restore natural internal balance of microflora in the intestinal tract for optimal core digestive health. One 2.7-ounce single-serving "shot" is designed for occasional use during digestive flare-ups, pre- and post-antibiotic treatment, or during periods of feeling particularly run-down. Another favorite GoodBelly product is the GoodBelly Quart Probiotic Fruit Drink, which I use in my smoothies. It features 20 billion live active cultures of Lp299v and can be enjoyed daily to maintain strong digestive health. All GoodBelly products are made with antioxidant-rich fruit juice and are dairy-free, wheat-free, and soy-free. Perfect for anyone who is lactose-intolerant or simply prefers a non-yogurt product. To learn more, visit www.goodbelly.com.


Great Lakes Gourmet Zip-It
I prepared these Great Lakes Gourmet sauces three ways, following the instructions: first by adding butter to the steak sauce while heating, then substituting the butter with olive oil, and then using a bit of each. Anyway you prep 'em, the sauces are packed with flavor and provide a restaurant experience at home. These all-natural sauces come in five flavors of heated, cream-based steak sauces for beef, and are to be prepared with unsalted butter. Additional items include five delectable heated finishing sauces for chicken, pork, fish and seafood, as well as four sweet and spicy gourmet glazes. For more information, visit www.zipitsauce.com or call 877-919-2886.


Aglow Eco Living
It was a sweet arrival on my desk. A couple of beautiful samples from Aglow Eco Living's Love Collection, which encompasses candles, fragrance diffusers, note cards and decorative vases that are meaningful and green. Each item is handcrafted, reusable, made from recycled glass and paper, and formulated with soy and essential fragrance. New introductions include the company's Peace Collection, which also features a multitiered charitable donation with each product sale on both the wholesale and retail levels. Each time a retailer and consumer purchases an item from the Peace Collection or the company's Web site (www.aglowcandles.com), a cash donation is made to the Peace Jam Foundation, an organization dedicated to inspiring youth to create positive change in themselves, their communities and the world.


French Feasts
It's not often that a cookbook makes the ranks of our editor's picks. I have a couple to add in this year, but wanted to start first with Stéphane Reynaud's stunning collection of 299 classic French recipes: "French Feasts" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang; October 2009; $40 U.S./$49.95 CAN; ISBN 978-1-58479-794-4). This book has become coffee table, kitchen table, bedtime reading. We just can't put it down. It's a must-have for any serious home chef, professional chef or anyone who simply loves food. From classic stews like navarin and boeuf bourguignon, to foie gras prepared six different ways, to crème brulée and gateau Basque, the recipes come from all corners of France, and even some former colonies (couscous is, after all, a national favorite). This book is filled with beautiful, earthy photographs and whimsical illustrations, as well as profiles of local winemakers, farmers, cheesemakers and butchers. The book includes humorous guides to cognac and Armagnac; tips for how to make the perfect croissant; directions for opening oysters; and step-by-step instructions for making yogurt. For more information, visit www.abramsbooks.com.


Fagor's Portable Induction Buffet Warmer
Fagor America's new Portable Induction Buffet Warmer features two independent induction zones in one convenient appliance. We put it to the test during an open house during Halloween, preparing smoked pork loin with pumpkin ravioli and caramelized onions. The beauty of this piece is that it heats up in a flash and performs all the functionality of a cooktop, but can also serve as a classy buffet warmer. It lived up to all the marketing messages that spoke to me on the package. The Portable Induction Buffet Warmer also offers some unique and notable features such as a built-in timer, digital touch controls and the added security of a child safety lock feature. The surface is constructed from high-quality heat- and shock-resistant ceramic glass. For more information about Fagor, visit www.fagoramerica.com.


Knuckle Sandwich
Food Network star and chef Guy Fieri recently partnered with cutlery company Ergo Chef to create the new "Knuckle Sandwich" knife series that addresses the most common of kitchen ailments: the repetitive stress injuries that result from constant cutting and chopping. We love the look of these knives. We were fans of the offset Ergo Knives from the beginning and were pleased to discover Fieri's new collection. The top-quality Ergo Chef knives are made of high-carbon German stainless steel (X50CrMoV15) for long edge life, durability and stain resistance, and include a meat tenderizer on the grip. The Knuckle Sandwich Series includes two knives -- the 8-inch Chef knife with crisscross crusher and the 5½-inch Utility knife, which Fieri has nicknamed the "Dragon Dagger." Both knives are forged and feature a black and red handle, and a flame-wave design. The "Guy Fieri Knuckle Sandwich" logo is etched into the extra-sharp blade. The 8-inch knife is listed at $76 and the 5½-inch knife is listed at $45. These new knives slice up just as well as their less decorative predecessors and add a little bling to the kitchen. More information on the Knuckle Sandwich series can be found at http://ergochef.com/GuyFieriKnives.asp.


HimalaSalt
Sustainable Sourcing offers ethically sourced, artisan-harvested natural products from the world's most remote, pristine lands. HimalaSalt is the only pink Himalayan sea salt to be ethically hand-harvested, kosher Passover certified and made by 100 percent Green-e Certified Renewable Wind and Solar Energy. Sustainable Sourcing is continually looking for ways to further reduce its environmental footprint and donates 5 percent of its profits to environmental causes. After looking through a wide array of its products, I'd have to say my favorite selection is a great new gift set featuring both a perfectly filled salt grinder and organic Tellichery peppercorn. The beautiful packaging tells the story of HimalaSalt and its origins. Both grinders are refillable. Suggested retail: $16.99. Sustainable Sourcing carries eco-friendly gourmet gifts including 100 percent zero-landfill gift sets, holiday gourmet gift sets, salt plates and slabs, organic travel sets for those on the go, and -- for the healthiest option in luxurious relaxation and gentle detox -- Organic HimalaRose Healing Rituals bath salts and massage stones. For additional information, visit www.sustainablesourcing.com.