Mexican Cool
While other parts of the country dig through their closets for fall gear, in the East Bay we have yet to savor our best days of summer weather.
Always in search of a flavorful twist, what better way is there than Mexican-style?
Mexican Coconut Popsicles
A refreshing treat on a hot day, these are lightly sweetened and simple to prepare.
Ingredients
One can of coconut milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Popsicle Mold
Slowly simmer the coconut milk. Add the sugar, stirring occasionally until dissolved. Remove the mixture from heat, and pour into a large measuring cup. And add the ice, and stir until it is melted and the coconut milk is cooled. Add in the milk, heavy cream and vanilla.
Pour the coconut mixture into the popsicle molds, and freeze until solid.
Tamarind & Date Agua Fresca
Here is a great recipe from Bon Appétit Magazine
Ingredients
1 pound tamarind pulp (with seeds)
18 pitted Medjool dates
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
Combine tamarind, dates, and 2 1/2 quarts water in a medium pot and bring to a boil; simmer briskly, stirring often and mashing pulp and dates with the back of a spoon until they break down, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 2 hours.
Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible (you should have about 4 cups). Transfer tamarind mixture to a pitcher. Stir in sugar and 3 cups water. Chill until cold.
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Laura Chenel Cheese helps define the culinary landscape of Northern California. They reflect the fresh, bright flavor of our California climate and geography.
Laura Chenel's clean, full- flavored cheeses are such a staple at Piedmont Grocery, we sometimes must remind ourselves not to take them for granted. This is really special cheese!. Read More...
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Piedmont Grocery will be closed for Labor Day, September 2nd, so our employees can spend the day with families and friends. So, please make certain to complete your purchases by Sunday evening when we close at 7.
We will resume our regular hours on Tuesday morning at 9 AM.
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As August turns to September, and our thoughts turn to school lunches, we will be certain to pack Wedemeyer sandwich breads. Their German Rye and Sourdough make fantastic sandwiches. Then there is the Hamburger Schwartzbrot, a traditional and delicious black bread. All are brick-oven baked and delivered fresh to Piedmont Grocery.
This South San Francisco company, crafts breads have that "old country" taste. Generations of German-Americans in the Bay Area have grown up with and enjoyed their wonderful wares since their founding in 1936 by German immigrant Friedrich Wedemeyer. Read More...
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From Amy and our What's For Dinner Wednesday recipe blog
My recent ice cream odessy started when I discovered these really yummy ice cream bars at our local hispanic grocery store. Every time I am in that store, after picking up some of the world's freshest tortillas, I buy a few. (You know, for the kids. wink, wink.) They are Mexican Paletas made out of super fresh and all natural ingredients. The flavors range from Strawberries and Cream to Guava and Tamarind. Not to mention Spicy Mango and Corn. Totally refreshing and a great treat.
At a recent Cookbook Club Dinner, we were treated to some fabulous Avocado Ice Cream made by the same company as the ice cream bars. Now, I know what you're thinking. Avocado Ice Cream? Hmmmmm. That's kinda pushing the boundaries of the ice cream comfort zone. I am here to tell you it's tasty. It's really tasty. It's creamy, sweet and so good on a hot day. Even my 9 year old loves it. He chose the Avocado flavor over the Mexican Chocolate. What kid passes up chocolate? Crazy...
The other day I found myself walking down the street with some time before an appointment, so I wandered around and did a little window shopping. I noticed a new creamery selling small batch artisan ice cream. I stepped inside to see what flavors they had. I was floored. While the traditional Vanilla and Chocolate was available, they also had a variety of interesting flavors that changed daily. My choice that evening was the Thai Iced Tea ice cream which was phenomenal. But, Thai Iced Tea? Huh?
Most recently at the store, we had the pleasure of tasting a new product that is made locally called Genuto. It is a dairy-free 100% nut based "ice cream" and it is FANTASTIC. As an unrepentant lover of fat and other things that are bad for me I was super surprised at how good this was. You would never know that there was no cream in this. It's totally nuts. Yes, pun intended. The Lemon Almond was my favorite.
I have been having so much fun on this adventure and I encourage you to go on an ice cream adventure of your own. Whether you make it or buy it, do yourself a flavor (ha ha ha) and seek out the unusual. You will be glad you did.
Get the recipe for Avocado Gelato...
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