Zwirbel

What do you think of when I say the word Zwirbel? A Swedish electronica band? An evil wizard? The mutant progeny of a zebra, a worm, and a gerbil? Good try my friend, but wrong. Zwirbel is actually the name of an artisan-baked twisted bread loaf by the fine folks at La Danoiserie. The Zwirbel and its smaller cousins—the dinner-roll sized Krustino and the clover-shaped Burli—are baked in an alpine wood oven in the Austrian Alps. They are then flash-frozen and shipped here so you can finish the baking process from frozen in just 10 minutes. The result is a beautiful product that looks authentic, unique, and handmade. With a hearty crust and a tender, fragrant, and slightly sweet crumb, these breads will make the Zwirbel a household name before you know it.

Dan Landau-Taylor

Bloody, Bloody Oranges

Last week, Dole and Bailey proudly picked up the first few cases of blood oranges shipped to the Chelsea Produce Exchange from California. Our “first of the season” cases were gorgeous, even though they did not yet have the red color associated with them. The color becomes richer as the fruit ripens, at least a couple weeks or months into the season, depending on the climate. The cases delivered to D&B held a deep orange & pink rind along with bold color, sweet taste & fragrance, and they were captured by eager chefs in almost no time at all. We are all aware that you want to gear up for the season, especially Mediterranean infused menu’s, therefore we are now stuffing stockings for those blood orange savvy chefs and inspired bartenders. We will keep these seasonal specialties on hand until the very last bloody juice solemnly drips from those pink and purple hued rinds; typically until June, give or take. You may be intimidated about throwing a raspberry and strawberry hinted citrus fruit on a winter menu, and that is okay! As said earlier, this delightful produce is around for the next 6 months. So don’t worry. They’re not going away anytime soon :-)

Get to know the fruit!

These colorful fruits came to America in the 1930’s via Spanish and Italian immigrants. They originate from Sicily, just like Lemons.

The heavier the orange, the better.

A deep red skin does not mean the color of the juice/flesh inside will also be red. Deep red skin simply indicates the fruit is ripe.

Some types available to us are Cara Cara and my favorite, Moro. I find Moro to always hold the deepest red hues. Unfortunately, the Moro’s lifespan is about 2 months shorter than that of other blood oranges.

Identify! Blood oranges are slightly sweeter than regular oranges; they contain less acidity. They are small-medium size.

The distinctive red juice comes from a high volume of pigment called anthocyanin, which is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are believed to be responsible for cancer and other ailments.

The juice is ideal for making dressing, mixed drinks, purees, base for sauces, cheesecake, etc. Keep in mind to wear gloves when juicing by hand, unless you appreciate red toned skin!

-Wendy Matthews

D&B's 12 Days

My True Love Sent To MEEEE…….

12 Briskets Braising

11 Pastry Bags Piping

10 Ribs-a-Roasting

9 Lady Fingers Dancing

8 Local Farmers Milking

7 Chocolate Swans-a-Swimming

6 Nueske Bellies Smoking

5 Gooooolden Chantrelles

4 Organic Free Birds

3 Cornish Hens

2 Turtle Bars

And A Partridge in Every Tree!!!!

Happy and Safe Holidays to everyone from the D&B Team!

Local

Seems that buzzwords like local, sustainable, and all-natural are everywhere in our world these days. Problem is, sometimes you have to break the bank to create a menu focused on local foods produced the right way, especially when it comes to that center of the plate item. At Dole and Bailey, our Northeast Family Farms program features top-quality meats produced locally and responsibly, and our competitive prices make it an easy choice. If you’re looking to support responsible local agriculture and serve a high-quality product, all for reasonable prices, ask your salesperson about the following products:

Northeast Family Farms Beef Tenderloin
4 lb. average
D&B number 501890

Northeast Family Farms Flat Iron Filets
7-9 oz cleaned portions, by the 5 lb. bag
D&B number 501150

Northeast Family Farms Ground Beef
5 lb. tube
D&B number 501374

To learn more about Northeast Family Farms, visit www.northeastfamilyfarms.com

Dan Landau-Taylor

Ciao, Delizioso!

My favorite purveyor of icy treats recently announced their new winter flavors! Each season I eagerly await the list to find out what delicious, funky flavors Ciao Bella has come up with next, and this winter hasn't let me down. I'm very excited to check out a sample kit when they arrive here at D&B next Wednesday. We'll definitely order in Eggnog and Peppermint Chrunch for stock. Please be sure to let your salesrep know by Monday morning if you would like to have any of our other flavors added to the order.

Winter Flavors - Stock
All Natural Peppermint Stick Gelato - White Mint Gelato speckled with red peppermint bits.
Eggnog Gelato - Italian Zabaglione and Nutmeg

Winter Flavors - PreOrder
Tangerine Pomegranate Sorbetto - South American Tangerine Puree with POM Pomegranate juice.
Pomegranate Champagne Sorbetto - POM Pomegranate juice with Champagne.
Date and Walnut Gelato - Award winning gelato base combined with pitted dates and walnuts.
Single Origin Venezuelan Chocolate with Cayenne Pepper Gelato - Felchlin single origin Maricaibo chocolate spiced with cayenne pepper.

Heidi Keating

Little Bundles of Joy

I want to introduce you to a friend of mine. He’s a little odd. Sure, he’s kind of miniature and petite compared to the other members of his clan, but don’t judge a book by its cover. He’s filled with vibrant personality! He’s plump, round, and extremely cute. You just want to pinch his cheeks! Unlike us, he doesn’t have cheeks. He’s actually filled to the rim with a certain seasonal veggie, but don’t be fooled. Not only is he around for the gorgeous foliage, but he likes to stay ALL year long! On the flipside, he has likes and dislikes, like you and I. For one, he is extremely temperature sensitive. He is most comfortable in either cold/freezing temperatures or boiling water. In fact, he likes to bathe in boiling water. What a weirdo! But keep your eyes open. If there were an instance where he was left in a temperature not to his liking, his egg-based flesh would become gooey and sticky. If that happens, it’s highly likely that this little guy should go back to the freezer, separated from his friends (for they might stick together) or he will die a miserable, painful death.
Oh no!
He has an exceptionally strange obsession with restaurants, especially plate settings. Actually, instead of sitting at the dinner table to enjoy the meal, he prefers to plop himself on the plate to be eaten. He especially loves bowls because they are deep, and it allows for all his relatives to sit closely and bond with him for an appetizer or entrée. Can you picture minute bundles of joy in a dish surrounded by a creamy sauce? I’m getting hungry.
Sometimes he is self conscious because of his size, and in turn he feels lonely. For some reason, restaurant-goers prefer bigger things on their plates because they think it would be more filling and satisfying to tame the beast. But he is just as tasty, just as filling, and he and his friends offer the mouth a great battle to fight. And there are plenty just like him to go around the table. Besides, the best gifts come in small packages, don’t they?
Give up?
Try our Mini-Butternut Squash Ravioli by Drakes this season. Dole and Bailey product number 730101.

Wendy Matthews

Keeping it Kosher

Put on your yarmulka, its time for Hanukkah! That’s right; the Jewish festival of lights has arrived. This eight day candle-kindling, dreidel-spinning extravaganza celebrates a fearless Jewish army called the Maccabees, and their small flask of olive oil that burned at the altar for eight days when it was only expected to last for one. To honor this miraculous oil, the Hanukkah meal features items fried in olive oil. Here at Dole and Bailey we have our own amazing olive oil: Divina extra virgin. Well balanced, fruity, silky smooth, and competitively priced, Divina extra virgin is the perfect oil for crisping up potato pancakes, blending into a vinaigrette, or searing off that Hanukkah brisket. And don’t forget all the other great products from Divina, like their great line of antipasti items, a variety of high quality olives, and other excellent oils and vinegars. Whether you’re a Jew or gentile, I recommend some festive frying this holiday season.

Happy Hanukkah!
Dan Landau-Taylor