If D or If D is for Dr Pepper and A is for Alamo, “This is
Texas, Y’all!” is the book for all of us. Misha Mayerick Blaise offers the Lone
Star State from A to Z in a fun book that’s fun for all ages. She’s got our
flavors, cultures and holidays down. This week, let’s flip to P for Pecan in
honor of the Groves Pecan Festival.
We
learn that there are more than 1,000 varieties of pecans, which is Algonquian
for ‘hard-shelled nut.” Many are named for Native American tribes such as the
Apache, Chayenne, Shawnee and Mohawk. Hardly like a true Texan, a pecan tree
canlive to be more than 1,000 years old and grow more than 100 feet tall. Of course, y’all knew the pecan tree is
the state tree of Texas.
Hot news in syrup
What do you know about Merquén chili
peppers? Perhaps not much if
you’re in Texas, the land of jalapenos. Here’s a quick lesson about Runamok Maple’s experiment, which I say is a
success. These folks in Vermpont
barrel age syrups with exotic flavors and this, as predicted, has been my
favorite of those I tried. Smoked Merquén Chili Pepper Infused maple syrup is
available from runamokmaple.com.
The syrup, in a beautiful bottle, uses a spice
blend centered on chili peppers from the Mapuche region of Chile, which are
first ripened to a dark red color in order to develop a rich flavor, then slowly
smoked over a fire., is what makers say.
“We trialed many
different chili peppers to find one that would result in a unique, superior
product,” said Eric Sorkin, Co-Founder of Runamok Maple. “When we infuse the
Merquén into our maple syrup it adds a balanced amount of richness, heat and
smokiness that is enhanced by the natural caramel tones of the maple. I
recommend using this new variety over cheddar cheese, on BBQ, roasted
vegetables and meats, and even eggs. It also lends an exotic and sweet element to
cocktails.”
Now, here’s how I
first tired it. I toasted oatmeal bread, fried an egg and heated a banana. I
dipped banana and toast into this lovely colored syrup and the experience was
something that people would pay big money for in a restaurant. I was relaxed in
my own house, making yummy sounds.
Popcornopolis
is a place, on the web at least, where someone else will pop for you, and you
will thank them.
The
Red Snowflake gift basket is something that will get you in the door of
parties, or create a party right where you are. Look for this 5-cone gift
basket with Caramel Corn, Kettle Corn, Cheddar Cheese, Cinnamon Toast and
Zebra. Thee are listed in no particular order of yumminess, but come on, the
Zebra is black and white drizzles of chocolate.
I
was actually able to share a sample with two taste testers and one proclaimed
joy through the fluffiness. The other one just kept his mouth full of popcorn.
It’s five kinds of good for $41.99 in an eye-popping package.
Visit
this magical pop place at www.Popcornopolis.com
Sounds
Good: High Brow
It’s amusing to see Halloween makeup featured when
cobalt mascara and neon purple lips are the fashion year-round.
I grew up in an era where thick eyebrows
were downplayed and now “bold” brows are the thing. Remember “The Good Wife” TV
series? Everyone wanted the look those actresses carried and Dermelect
Cosmeceuticals has the tools to make it easy. You may be surprised that there
are multiple steps, but they’re all easy.
Brow
Transformer & Revitalite Brow Lift are attractively-packaged double-ended
tools to enhance sparse or thinning brows. The lift is a defining and
highlighting crayon. One side gets swept, dabbed and blended above the brow
arch and the other tip goes below. I love the feel of the Transformer with an
angled tip to fill in Oak Brown or Ashe Blonde colors, you order your
preference. The brush of the “spooley” to sculpture your work feels soft and
feathery. Now you’re good to go for the office, dinner, the Groves Pecan
Festival or even Halloween. Be “The Good Wife!”
