I found these Ile de France “Brie Bites” yesterday while grocery shopping and decided they would be the one impulse buy I would allow. I’m a big fan of The Laughing Cow Babybel cheeses as well as any brand of pepper jack cheese sticks. It’s what a I grab when I feel like I’m crashing in between meals. They’re a quick way to get back on track without indulging in scones from the coffee shop across the street or the perpetually full candy dish that sits in your co-worker’s cubicle taunting you every time a stressful email comes in.

I just tasted one of these delicate bites and I’m throughly in love. It was creamy, tangy, and seriously hit the spot. I’m a little worried though since I bought these in the suburbs yesterday and not my usual grocery store. I’m going to be very mad if I have to book a Zipcar now when I want to stock back up on Brie Bites. At only 70 calories though they might be worth the extra effort.

I also think that they would be a super cute appetizer to serve at parties. I love making baked brie for the holidays but you could definitely arrange these small rounds on a pretty crystal tray (either wrapped in pastry and hot or simply at room temperature) and allow your guests the gift of brie that they don’t have to share with anyone else.

Ile de France Brie Bites is a post from: Yummery

Foodzie describes their Tasting Box program as “serendipity delivered to your doorstep” and I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been participating in their monthly program since November and it’s incredibly exciting to receive the email which alerts you to the shipment of your special box full of fabulous treats.

This month’s package was carefully packed with delicious samples from the following mouth watering vendors:

Madagascar Single Origin Chocolates
Gary West Jerky
Effie’s Homemade Oatcakes (which deserves a special shout-out as they’re based in Hyde Park, Massachusetts)
Granola from Flour Craft Bakery
A large selection of salt samples from The Spice Lab
A Square One Brownie from Chocolate Gourmet
Amella’s Cocoa Butter Passion Fruit Caramels

The tasting program is only $19.99 each month for individuals, or you can sign up in increments of 3, 6, or 12 months. The tasting box can also be gifted to friends and family so if you’re still looking for a unique present to buy for that person who simply has everything I’d highly recommend checking out this service.

Foodzie Tasting Box is a post from: Yummery

Eureka! I’ve found it at last! Egg Nog Bubblegum: the perfect stocking stuffer. I’m an egg nog fiend this time of year, and since those delicious Egg Nog lattes only last so long during the long work day wouldn’t it be nice if you could pop a cute little gum ball in your mouth and enjoy some instant holiday cheer without having to bundle up and walk down the street to your favorite coffee shop? You better believe it!

Egg Nog Bubblegum is a post from: Yummery

As a thank you for those of you who’ve stuck by Yummery and my sporadic posting over the past year I have a special holiday treat to giveaway. Actually I have 10 treats! The super sweet folks who produce the Edy’s/Dreyer’s brand of amazing ice cream have generously sent 10 free coupons (5 of each brand) for any of their 1.5 quart products. FREE ICE CREAM!

This means you could be very shortly savoring a dish of festive Egg Nog, Cookie Dough, Rocky Road, Peanut Butter Cup or even Hot Cocoa which just happens to be my new personal favorite. The little marshmallows in the rich chocolate ice cream are simply heavenly, but really the skies the limit! You can choose whatever you find in your grocer’s freezer section.

To enter the contest please leave a comment on this post letting me know if your area carries Edy’s (which is how this ice cream is branded east of The Rockies) or Dreyer’s (which appears west of The Rockies). If you aren’t sure visit: http://icecream.com/

You can also receive up to two additional entries in the contest (for a total of three chances) if you become a fan of Yummery on Facebook, tweet about the contest, or simply add Yummery to your favorite RSS reader. Don’t forget to leave additional comments on this post alerting me to each action. By the way, if you already subscribe to Yummery in some manner just let me know that in your comment(s).

All winners will be selected via the nifty random number generator on Friday, December 10th at 8:00 PM EST, and then I’ll promptly arrange to have the coupons mailed to your home. Best of luck!

Edy’s/Dreyer’s Ice Cream Giveaway is a post from: Yummery

I’ve never been a big ketchup person, at least when talking about traditional varieties and applications. But when a ketchup like Sir Kensington’s Gourmet Scooping Ketchup comes around with such personality and sense of style, I am immediately intrigued.

Sir Kensington’s is made from quality ingredients, including vine-ripened pear tomato puree, honey, apple cider vinegar, and chipotle and cayenne peppers. Noticeably absent is, as they point out, High Fructose Corn Syrup. The ingredients put in (and left out) make for a ketchup that is not only healthier (33% fewer calories and 75% less sugar), but also one that they consider a “higher caliber.”

I’ve had the chance to taste Sir Kensington’s, and found it to indeed be a step above traditional ketchups. The Classic formula that I tried has almost a cocktail-sauce flavor to it and makes a fantastic complement to everything that I put it on.

Sir Kensington’s is available in Classic and Spiced Varieties through their online shoppe, as well as select retailers.

Sir Kensington’s Gourmet Scooping Ketchup is a post from: Yummery

My love affair with duck fat knows no bounds. If you haven’t had a potato cooked in this amazing substance than you simply haven’t lived. In the past I’ve had to meander over to our local butcher shop to get my fix but it appears that every cooks favorite store to splurge in (Williams-Sonoma) is now offering Rougié Duck Fat. This is a product of Canada and the fat is filtered and rendered from Moulard ducks raised in Québec.

If I were you I’d stock up. Imagine all of the compliments you’ll receive from holiday guests when you use duck fat to roast, saute and fry their meal. I think you might even get picky kids to try Brussels sprouts if you caramelize them with a dollop of added duck fat. It truly has a magical effect on food.

Rougié Duck Fat is a post from: Yummery

I think I have a little addiction to all of the designer discount sites that are popping up everywhere. It started with Rue La La and progressed rapidly since then. The thing is I don’t tend to buy sexy stilettos and leather handbags. Instead, I’m on the prowl for great deals on kitchen gadgets, cute dishes, and colorful utensils. Most of the time I’m able to curb my desire to impulse shop my way into the poor house but sometimes a girl can’t control herself and I hit the “submit” button on a great order of fabulous things.

One Kings Lane happens to be one of these addicting sites. Generally they specialize in designer décor, furniture, accessories and gifts, but they’ve recently announced that they’ll be expanding into kitchen goodies. Every Sunday (beginning on August 29, 2010) at 5:00 PM PDT, One Kings Lane will offer the latest in gourmet food. The debut “Surf and Turf” themed event will feature products from Estancia Beef, Lobster Anywhere, East Coast Gourmet and Cranberry Island Kitchen. Are you getting hungry yet? Then I think it’s time that you signed up!

One Kings Lane is a post from: Yummery

Oh God, these are gooood! That’s exactly what I said moments after biting into a limited-edition, red-and-white striped, Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss. It must be true what they say, that good things come in small packages, because these scrumptious mints in classic kiss shapes are positively divine. Flavored with mint and swirled with attractive red ribbons, candy cane kisses—which are made from a creamy fondant—melt in your mouth, but include sprinklings of tiny, red nonpareils to add a satisfying crunch. I passed these around the workplace and the vote was unanimous: Hershey must’ve figured out how to put invisible halos of mistletoe over our heads, because none of us could get enough of these Christmas-themed kisses!

Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses is a post from: Yummery

Attention fitness-minded foodies: it’s not just chocolatiers and gourmet gift basket makers who are jumping on the seasonal flavor bandwagon. Clif Bar—the best-selling energy and endurance brand in grocery and natural food stores—is spicing up the holidays with a trio of limited-edition energy bars. Made with wholesome organic ingredients and free of trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives, the seasonal release of Clif Bars in Cranberry Orange Nut Bread, Spiced Pumpkin Pie, and Iced Gingerbread flavors makes for a healthy way to enjoy the classic tastes of the holiday season.  To pick up these bars (which have the mouth-feel of a cookie) as a special treat for yourself or as a stocking stuffer for athletes and active friends and family, order online or check out the health food and energy bar aisle at your favorite grocer.

Clif Bar Holiday-Inspired Flavors is a post from: Yummery

Let’s ponder for a second the possibility that maybe this year Santa doesn’t want you to set out milk and cookies for his annual trip down your chimney. Perhaps the big guy will go into sugar shock somewhere over the Pacific Ocean and he’d simply relish a small break from sprinkles and chocolate chips? If you think this might even be a remote possibility then might I suggest a well-timed bowl of piping hot Snowman Macaroni and Cheese should be left fireside instead? While all of that gooey Gruyère certainly wont lessen Santa’s waistline one bit it will definitely perk him up for the long toy delivery journey ahead.

Snowman Pasta is a post from: Yummery