Braswell's new Braswell's Select is a new line of all-natural preserves gift packed in European drinkware. The retro, yet elegant glasses are perfect for entertaining or everyday use. Packaged in two- and four-pack gift boxes, the preserves are available in four flavors -- Fig Preserves, Seedless Black Raspberry Preserves, Spiced Apple Preserves, and Strawberry Preserves -- that arrive in 15-ounce highball or 13-ounce old fashioned glasses. Soon, additional flavors will be launched. For more information, call 800-673-9388, or visit www.braswells.com.
Restaurant LuLu Gourmet Products has gone loquat crazy. Also called Japanese plums and May apples, loquats are a sweet and juicy fruit that are often compared to apricots. A fragile fruit, loquats are typically used for preserves or other sweet sauces. LuLu took a different tact, however, preferring them with savory dishes and so developed a line of products designed to accompany grilled pork, mixed greens, or pan-fried foie gras. The line includes Loquat Chili Grilling Glaze with honey and spices, Loquat White Balsamic Vinegar spiked with ginger and coriander, and Loquat Mint Jam with Currants. For more information, call 888-693-5800, or visit www.restaurantlulu.com.
Dave's Gourmet had lots of new items, including an Adjustable Heat Hot Sauce that functions with just a turn of the cap to adjust the heat index from mild to super hot, allowing everyone to enjoy their own level of spiciness from the same bottle. The company has also announced a joint venture with J and M Foods to produce Insanity Cheese Straws. For more information, call 800-758-0372, or visit www.davesgourmet.com.
Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Blends announced a Rotisserie and Value-Added Seasoning Program that includes an array of choices specifically designed for deli operations. The new blends are all natural with no preservatives or additives and include combinations of herbs and spices ranging from Caribbean to South of the Border to Little Italy. The ten seasoning blends work well on chicken, turkey, Cornish hens, pork, meat, seafood, and vegetables. For more information, call 800-457-2857, or visit www.chefpaul.com.
Robert Rothschild Farm introduced several gift selections for the upcoming holiday season. Their Be Merry Hostess Gift Sets, which feature a beautiful ceramic dip bowl accompanied by one of the company's best-selling dips, are packaged in a metallic red box topped by a bright red ribbon. The A Taste For The Holidays Gift Set features gift jars of the award-winning Raspberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip, Ginger Wasabi Sauce, Roasted Pineapple and Habanero Dip, Hot Pepper Raspberry Preserves, and Onion Blossom Horseradish Dip. All are wrapped up in a bright red bow. Both gift set series will be available in September. For more information, call 800-356-8933, or visit www.RobertRothschild.com.
Chicago Importing Co. was receiving excellent response to the launch of their Lars' Own Crispy Onions. Imported from Holland, these all-natural crispy onions have a firm, crunchy texture and are the perfect topping for a wide variety of dishes, such as soups, salads, potatoes, sandwiches, casseroles, stews, burgers, hot dogs, or even on cheese pizza. Free of additives, preservatives, and artificial coloring, they are packed in a resealable 4-ounce clear container and have a 10-month shelf life. Also available in bulk quantities for foodservice. For more information, call 847-289-0180, or visit www.chicagoimporting.com.
From Rowena's of Norfolk, Va., comes a line of Willy's Sassy Sauces and they are sassy indeed. The BBQ, Steak, and Seafood Sauces all in 8.5-ounce sizes come in a six-pack packed in a handy wooden crate that is excellent for gifts. They also make a Sassy Bloody Mary Mix that will surely pair beautifully with anything coming off the barbecue. For more information, call 800-627-8699, or visit www.rowenas.com.
Vita Specialty Foods showed off several new products, including a wonderful tailgate kit or party box -- depending on how you want to use it -- that has Scorned Woman Hot Sauce, BBQ Sauce, and Wicked Wing Sauce, all guaranteed to jump-start any party. New from the Jim Beam line are two Salsas, Mild and Medium Heat, plus a new Honey Barbecue Sauce that is shrink wrapped with a basting brush. For more information, call 304-267-8500, or visit www.VitaSpecialtyFoods.com.
One of the highlights across the hall at the FMI Show was the presence of the "Soup Man" of "Seinfeld" fame with his new venture -- offering his critically acclaimed soups to the hungry public. Of course, the World Renowned Soup Man was well known to hungry Midtown New Yorkers long before the Soup Kitchen was spoofed on the popular sitcom. The new grab-n-go packages include the following flavors: Jambalaya, Turkey Chili, Seafood Bisque, Chicken Vegetable, So Many Beans, Crab Bisque, and Minestrone. For more information, call 877-SOUP-MAN, or visit www.ORIGINALSOUPMAN.com.
Jersey Mary Barbeque Inc. exhibited at the show at the last moment, but many attendees were glad they did. The company was founded by the daughter of its namesake Mary who created the BBQ recipe they now produce and whose photo (taken in 1943 at the Jersey shore) adorns the jar. The vinegar-based BBQ-Baking Sauce is sweet but has a touch of tartness. It can be used for grilling and baking in the oven, or makes a terrific sauce for pasta, or even serves as a Bloody Mary mix. The company also donates a portion of the sauce's sales to juvenile diabetes research. For more information, call 773-262-7007, or visit www.jerseymary.com.
Originally developed to give steaks a flavorful charred-like curst while sealing in the natural juices, the dry rub seasonings from Char Crust are excellent enhancements for beef, pork, poultry, and seafood. At the show, the company debuted a new Sun-Dried Tomato and Garlic flavor that melds two of the favorite flavors from Italy's Tuscany region with complementary herbs and spices for a bold flavor addition to any food. The new flavor joins their best-selling Roasted Garlic Peppercorn flavor, as well as eight other flavors from Smoky Spicy Southwest to Amazin' Cajun. For more information, call 800-311-9884, or visit www.charcrust.com.
Fine Italian Foods has a new line of organic extra-virgin olive oils in a variety of flavors, including Lemon, Chili, Garlic, Basil, and Plain. They also introduced a new Liquid Olive Oil Soap to accompany their regular Olivella Olive Oil soap. Fragrance free, they are all natural with plenty of vitamins A and E and come in several sizes. For more information, call 630-904-0002, or send e-mail to agron.k@fineitalianfood.com, or visit www.fineitalianfood.com.
Morton and Bassett Spices added three new products to their extensive line of 72 items that are all natural, salt free, MSG free, preservative free, and non-irradiated. Ground Coriander, Black Sesame, and Chili Flakes will all be hitting retail shelves this month. The company also announced a new foodservice line. For more information, call 800-646-8530, or visit www.mortonbassett.com.
