Scardello Artisan Cheese and JJ&B Artisan Spreads

So it’s time to join me on a food adventure where we will tour the top artisans in Dallas that will be featured through Artizone — this week I will be featuring Scardello Artisan Cheese and JJ&B Artisan Spreads.

Scardello Artisan Cheese, rated by D magazine for Best Cheesemonger has a selection that would impress even the pickiest foodie. Rich searches for the best European and local cheeses in so many different varieties that the combinations seem endless.  At JJ&B, Kathy makes magical combinations through her artisan spreads — Apple Pie Jam perfect over ice cream or Sweet Onion Jam to garnish a steak.  It adds the perfect touch of elegance and wonder into any meal or dessert.

I decided to combine their artisan powers and produced two simple recipes.  Using a creamy brie from Jasper Hill Farms in Vermont, the Moses Sleeper has a mild, gentle and savory flavor that taste of milk, hay and butter.  I melted the brie and paired it with JJ&B’s Toasted Pecan Pepper Jam and crackers– a simple, elegant, heavenly appetizer that would serve well for any occasion.  I also made beggar’s purses made of phyllo which I stuffed with goat cheese and JJ&B’s Sweet Onion Jam.  A sweet and savory combination that would please any crowd!

Ingredients for Warm Brie and Toasted Pecan Pepper Jam Appetizer: (serves 10-12)

• 1 lb Scardello’s Moses Sleeper Brie
• 1 jar  JJ&B Toasted Pecan Pepper Jam
• crackers for dipping

Preheat oven to 350F.  On an oven-proof plate, place the Brie in the oven for 5 minutes or until fully melted.  Place jar of Toasted Pecan Pepper Jam on top and serve with assortment of crackers.  Best served immediately.

Ingredients for Beggar’s Purses with Goat Cheese and Sweet Onion Jam: (serves 10)

• 1 package of Phyllo dough
• 16 oz Scardellos’ On Pure Ground Goat Cheese
• 1 jar JJ&B Sweet Onion Jam
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 package of chives, blanched

Cut the phyllo dough into 3″ squares and brush with melted butter.  In each square place 1 tablespoon goat cheese with 1 teaspoon sweet onion jam.  Gather phyllo around filling and tie 1 or 2 blanched chives in a knot to close the purse.  Trim the ends of chives if necessary.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until phyllo is a golden brown in color.  Serve immediately.

Artizone is coming to Dallas!

For the past few months I’ve been working on an awesome project for an international company called Artizone.  It’s been very hard to keep this a secret but now that the launch is near, I can finally tell the whole world.  Artizone is coming to town in November 2010, Dallas get ready to have your mind blown.

Soon residents will be able to purchase artisan goods from various top vendors in Dallas and have it delivered in ONE convenient package right at your doorstep.  That’s right, I know, it’s freaking awesome. 

No more being stuck in annoying traffic, or rushing around town to plan that perfect dinner, forget dealing with lines or wasting time driving across town — artizone has it all taken care of so sit back, relax and shop.  (aaaah…my favorite word!)

Well what the heck will artizone going to be selling?   Let me introduce you to the vendors!

 Owners Nancy and Gary from Flavors From Afar carries the best imported products from Italy (as well as local products) for everyone to share. You will find delicious homemade pasta sauces and dried pastas, and the best olive oils you’ve ever tasted both from local farms and imported from Italy. 

Nancy and Gary personally tour different olive vineyards in Italy and around Texas every year to discover new products and to make sure that the flavors are always spot on.  Flavors From Afar always aims to make entertaining elegant and simple through a wide selection of antipastas, dips, oils and spreads.  Zero hassel entertaining?  Sounds like my kinda party 🙂

 

Aaaah cheese, the perfect partner for wine.  Having a girl’s night?  Order the perfect cheese plate at Scardellos where you can choose from over 200 different varieties of cheese!  Talk about endless possibilities people and if you’re a cheese newbie, head over artizone’s community page for reviews and tips for guidance. 

Rich not only carries every cheese imaginable but has the perfect pairings to go along — dried fruits, canned vegetables (personally made by Rich), a variety of crackers, mustards and honeys. Melt yourself into a cheesy heaven and indulge after a long day’s work with a little lot of wine, cheese, and bread — what could be better?  Oh right, nothing.

Time and time again I’ve reiterated the importance of a good butcher.  Artizone not only found the best butcher in Dallas but one of the best in the state of Texas.  If all-natural quality meat is what you love, VGs butcher shop is where you go.

No artificial colors, flavors or ingredients here — just free range chickens, dry-aged steaks, tender veal and lamb chops.  Greg cuts his meat fresh every day, ensuring top quality every time.  Beautiful isn’t it?  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I usually buy my herbs from the grocery store and it wasn’t until I met Tom that I learned the true beauty of fresh.  At FM 1410 you will experience the art of a constant gardener — the flavors of his herbs and vegetables are so powerful and bold it will leave you speechless. 

Tom shows you the true experience of fresh produce — where the fruits and vegetables you eat actually taste alive.  No genetically altered, pesticide ridden produce but wholesome, naturally happy produce.  Why happy?  Because Tom is also a talented musician — you literally taste the passion in his herbs and vegetables which he cleverly instills through his music. 

One of my favorite snacks is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Pump it up a notch with one of JJ&Bs artisan creations like the Plum Jam or Apple Pie Jam — which goes perfectly on vanilla ice cream and pairs great with a juicy pork chop.

 

At JJ&B, Kathy makes her jams, jellies and butters in small batches so every experience is fresh, delicious and wonderful.  Using widely organic ingredients and locally farmed produce, the spreads at JJ&B will leave your mouth happily intrigued and begging for more.  Don’t believe me?  There’s only one way to find out!

And of course I save dessert for last!  My rule of thumb every time I go out to eat is always save room for dessert.  Artizone has found the best pastries and desserts at La Duni — which currently holds the title for Best Chocolate Cake in America ranked by Food Network. 

Are you drooling yet?  You should be!  Make any day sweeter by choosing from a variety of delicious cupcakes, like the Nutella or Quatro Leches.  Party it up like rockstars with one of La Duni’s decadent layer cakes like the Triple Truffle Chocolate cake (Chocolate lovers it’ll put you in heaven) or the moist Venezuelan Rum cake.  The perfect ending to a beautiful meal. 

Stay tuned for recipes from yours truly made from the products purchased from these vendors.  It’s going to be wild yall so get ready, get set and go to Artizone to sign up now for early registration!