Posts Tagged with gourmet

Christine’s Toffee – Munch Wisconsin’s best toffee

Monday, September 20th, 2010
Toffee toffee everywhere. It seems like you can’t go two feet without kicking a box full of toffee. We are swimming in toffee on our way to work and home. So this might not be even remotely true, because, lets face it – a good toffee is hard to find. From pharmacy checkout stacks to boardwalk salt water taffy places that happen to make toffee – something is just missing. People have tossed everything expect the kitchen sink into toffee trying to distinguish themselves from the rest out there, but the mixing and combinations were just not right. In steps Christine’s.

I’ve had lots of toffee; what makes this so special?

Lets start with where it comes from: the great state of Wisconsin. This toffee is made with real Wisconsin butter, not so surprising it being the butter capital of the world  A buttery toffee is always better and what is the first ingredient on their toffee? Butter; sweet delicious butter from the same state it is produced in – local confectioners building a product with the ingredients readily available to them. But not only is butter used from Wisconsin, but in their coffee and bacon bars they use Wisconsin coffee and bacon. It’s always nice to get locally made items, and when those who produce said item locally – all the better. Fantastic local ingredients can only take something so far, there must be magic in Christine’s kitchen because the toffee coming out the door is incredible. The bacon toffee is sweet with salty nibs of bacon, a decadent contract and who doesn’t love bacon? Then there is the coffee – chocolate covered toffee with splinters of coffee beans speckled throughout the bar in a flavorful crescendo of treatdom.

What of this curator of candy?

As Sam, the owner, tried to think of how honor his mom he tried to find his mother’s recipe for chocolate popcorn balls, but to no avail. Sam met a woman named Leanne, and they worked together to create Sam’s mother’s snacks. Together they forged Popular Snacks, the company that makes the ever delicious Christine’s Gourmet Toffee.

Where to get this delight?

Right here at Southport Grocery. As far as we know, we are the only place south of the Wisconsin boarder that carries their toffee. We carry two of their newest flavors: coffee and bacon – looking for more? Let us know we’ll do what we can to get you this great gourmet toffee.

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Red Pandora Popcorn – There isn’t a bag big enough

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

There is a popcorn out there made for real foodies, and it’s known as Red Pandora – handmade popcorn with gourmet flavors.

Popcorn? Sounds good.

Sure does. Yeah, we have more traditional popcorn but Red Pandora is much different. From the popping process – virgin unrefined coconut oil not air – to the flavors – like Chipotle Cheddar – this is a new spin on what you think of popcorn. Sitting in inconspicuous brown bags with hip art sticker-ed on, the popcorn is downplayed through a small window revealing the true facts – this popcorn is amazing. It’s not coated and layered like some popcorn, these bags have the right amount of cheese or caramel. This makes it a winner in our book, but Red Pandora popcorn has taken it further, with flavors that one would never expect from popcorn: real black truffle, chipotle, vanilla bean, salted caramel, bacon; melding them into special and unique layers and pockets of flavor that scream to eaten.

And the maker?

That’s Jimmy a Chicago based lad. He honed his palate while staging at Otom and Blackbird, he’s also devoted to good organic ingredients for a real quality and true flavor. We like it, that much is for sure.

Where to get his popcorn?

Here at Southport Grocery.  We do what we can to keep the three flavors in so if there is blank space where his popcorn should be, we can get on the horn to fill you with this awesome treat.

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Krave Jerky – What you really ‘crave’

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

In our ever growing search for great food finds we stumbled across Krave Jerky – a gourmet jerky from the lovely confines of Sonoma, California.

Jerky? What’s wrong with the stuff at gas stations?

This isn’t your uncle Buck’s jerky from the gas stop ‘down-the-way;’ filled with questionable ingredients, and even more questionable meat ‘products’ in them. Krave is strictly gourmet – great slabs of meat and the best ingredients. The slices are not that “shredded and processed type”, these are real cuts of great beef, pork, and turkey. You are getting a slab off the slicer and dried. So delicious are the flavors that we have a hard time not blowing through the whole bag in one sitting. We carry all seven flavors – from Turkey Lemon Garlic to Beef Curry, there is a flavor for all your taste buds.

Who makes it?

The great folks at Krave – with their hearts buried deep in gourmet they bring everything we could ever want out of dried meat. Jonathan, founder and maker of jerky, has been a runner for most of his life. After trying shakes, bars, and powders alike for protein struggling to find the right pre- and post-run food. “After about a year or so [he] came to realize that while there is a huge supply of ‘junk jerky’ on the market” that there wasn’t much of “any gourmet jerky with interesting flavors.” So like any smart thinking runner go-getter would do he did something about it. He “set out to develop an array of jerky products that [are] gourmet in nature (meaning soft, moist, with domestic beef) and launched it… in January.” Dedication to the jerky proved to be just the right thing. It’s all hand processed, no machine cuts or forms – the meat is dehydrated within the marinade, keeping their jerky rich and moist.

Gourmet Jerky, that sounds too fancy to munch on.

Trust us, you’ll want to munch – if it lasts that long. Not only are the bags the perfect size for gorging oneself on desiccated meats but enough to share. What is great is this jerky lends it self to be dressed up for black tie galas or way down for sweatpants and a night in front of the television. The other great part about Krave is that their Jerky contains half of the sodium content of most other jerky. Gourmet might have the stigma of being overly fancy, but trust us when we say you’ll want to take a bag with you wherever you go.

Where can I get it?

In the entire state of Illinois, Southport Grocery and Cafe is the only place that carries this lip-smackingly good treat. We’ve got all their flavors but have a hard time keeping it on our shelves – so if you are looking for a flavor we don’t currently have, let us know and we’ll get it!

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Gary Poppins – Magiclly delightful popcorn

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Garry Poppins is gourmet Popcorn made here in Chicago with the best ingredients around.

Oooo, I love popcorn! I usually get it out of microwave bags though.

You have never had popcorn this good. Gary Poppins is some of the best popped corn we’ve had, and thankfully it’s made here – so we don’t have to go far to get out fix. Great popcorn without the fear of ‘popcorn lung.’ There is something about the kettle corn that makes us reach the bottom of the bag before we know it. The cheese isn’t heavy or too light, it’s the perfect coating over each popped kernel. We love them all!

Who is this popcorn alchemist?

Gary, a man who has loved popcorn all his life; even going to the movie theater only to focus on the popcorn, without caring much about the movie! His father was a baker and influenced him to go to culinary school – and even on to the Culinary Institute of America to hone his taste buds. After school he wanted to explore his love of popcorn with his new knowledge of food. Fighting through the torrents of seeds, cooking methods, and ingredients he came upon what is Gary Poppins.

Gourmet popcorn? This has to only be for dinner parties…

We love to snack on Gary Poppins any time. It’s sweet, crunchy, buttery, everything you could want from a snack. Though, it is the perfect fancy morsel to put out for any event. That is the best part about gourmet popcorn; it can dress up or down, from tuxes to sweatpants it is always fits in.

So where can I get my mitts on a bag?

On our shelves! If we don’t have or carry a flavor you want, let us know – we ship too. Pick up a bag and take it walking around Chicago, or grab one for movie night at home – these munchies are a must try.

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Potter’s Crackers – taste Wisconsin in a cracker

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

Potter’s Crackers are organic artisan crackers that bring the flavors of Wisconsin to your table.

Artisan crackers?

These are not your typical crackers. These lovely parallelograms can stand on their own, great flavor and not overbearing with butter or saltiness. Don’t count these out with your favorite cheese either, they are enough to stand up to any Wisconsin cheese – but won’t overwhelm. We love them because they are fantastic crackers that can go with anything.

Where are these fancy crackers made?

Wisconsin. Madison, Wisconsin to be exact. Potter’s Crackers are deeply connected to the local farmers in the area – which supply the ingredients for their organic crackers. So not only are they delicious but organic and local; from the flower milled nearby to the milk at the grove stand.

Who makes these crunchy rusks?

Peter Potter, aptly enough. A food science graduate from the University of Wisconsin, his passion for local food stuffs, and a little help from mom – owner of New Glarus Bakery for 28 years – helped create what we think are delightfully delish crackers.

What should go on them? Just cheese?

Well sure, cheese is good. But you don’t have to put anything on them if you don’t want to. Potters Crackers are made with seasonal ingredients that are good enough to eat with or without your favorite dip, cheese, or anything you can imagine. Or use what you’ve got around; take a six seed cracker and put a dollop of hummus, a nice hunk of brie on the wheat is just dandy, or just nibble on the toasted sesame – anyway is the right way.

Where can I get these nibble-ables?

On our shelves! Want a flavor we don’t have, or thinking of a type of cracker not there? We can always order for you, and do what we can to get you these amazing crackers.

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The Spice House, Vulcan Salt & Pilsen – give your dishes a punch of flavor

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

The Spice House provides hand selected spices with flavors of all the tasty parts of Chicago and more.

Why these spices over supermarket types?

For one, they are hand picked and selected by local spice merchants. An age old tradition that the owners of the Spice House embrace, even owning many antique spice trade books. The folks over at The Spice House choose each indigent and blend them to ‘just right’ perfection. We pulled two off our shelf at random: the Pilsen Latino Seasoning, and Vulcan’s Fire Salt. The Pilsen is great, smooth and spicy with a enough kick to not fade away on chicken or burgers – perfect seasoning when making fajitas or burritos. The Vulcan’s Fire Salt… as it sounds, it’ll put the ‘nerve pinch’ on your tongue. A dash goes far and we welcome the heat. With the fire comes a surprise splash of flavor like a phoenix from your burnt tongue from citrus to vinegar. It’s a real left hook to any dish – great on pork chops or sprinkle on top of roasted veges. The heat will wake your taste buds, and the flavor will have you going in for more.

Who makes these Spice blends?

Tom and Patty, two soothsayers of spice. Patty’s parents started the business in 1957 and passed on the business. The young couple grew and spread their business to Evanston and Chicago. To have such a wide array of spectacular spices here in Chicago and up in Milwaukee is great; we’re thankful they are here to share their knowledge and seasons.

What should they be used on?

We like the Vulcan’s Fire Salt in burgers, or dashes on popcorn – nearly anything. The Pilsen seasoning is great for meats. It couldn’t be better for seasoning a cut of steak, or mixed in with oil and vinegar for a zesty salad dressing. Don’t be afraid to try something different or new – you might surprise yourself.

Where can I get them?

Here at Southport Grocery and Cafe! We carry the Chicago neighborhood spices and a few of the others – including Vulcan’s Fire Salt. Pick up your favorite or a few to find your favorite – there is a Spice House blend for you. Midwest Living loves the Spice House too! the

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O Zinfandel Vinegar – As Seen in ‘Gourmet’

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

A ‘good living obesession’ in the July 2008 issue of Gourmet Magazine is the O Zinfandel Vinegar.  This vinegar is so good tha you could drink it out of the bottle…handmade in small batches & aged in oak barrels for over two years.  It’s smoky, spicey & cherry notes are great with grilled meats, in a dressing for a spinach salad  or as a finish for roasted vegetables.

For our entire selection of  vinegars and information on their uniqueness in flavor visit here.

If you are interested in this vinegar call us at 773-665-0100 and we will be happy to help you.
—Paul Grimes, Gourmet Magazine

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