Food Processing - December 2007 - (Page 10)

bY DIANE TOOPS, NEWS & TRENDS EDITOR ROLLOUT a A new wave of sea salt Natural sea salts are one of the hottest culinary trends and add elegance to home-cooked meals. Hunt Valley, Md.-based McCormick introduces an exciting new line of Gourmet Collection Sea Salts, each packaged in a wide-mouth tin for sprinkling ease. French Grey Sea Salt, a moist salt hand-harvested in Brittany, France, is renowned for its light grey, almost purple color. It’s an elegant finishing touch to roasted or grilled meats, seafood and vegetables. Sicilian Sea Salt is handharvested off the coast of Sicily. Rich in minerals and with a lower percentage of sodium chloride than regular table salt, its delicate flavor highlights salads or finishing roasts and sauces; Asian Style Spiced Sea Salt is sea salt paired with an Asian spice blend (garlic, ginger, orange peel, coconut, red bell pepper and sesame seeds); it enhances Asian stir-fries, salads, noodles, rice and veggies. And Mediterranean Spiced Sea Salt is infused with Mediterranean spices (garlic, basil, oregano, lemon peel, red bell pepper, and a touch of red pepper heat). Sprinkle it on salads, pasta, fish, chicken and meat. “People are intrigued by sea salts and love the idea of using them but aren’t totally sure how to incorporate them into their everyday cooking,” says McCormick executive chef Kevan Vetter. “Sea salt is far more versatile than many think; it can be used at the stovetop during the final stages of cooking, sprinkled on meats, fish and vegetables while on the grill or as a last minute seasoning at the dinner table.” They also make great stocking stuffers for the foodies on your holiday shopping list. Suggested retail price is $3.79. a Comfort food without the fuss Sweet potatoes are synonymous with holiday meals, but with the ever-growing interest in health, they are finding a place in the family diet year-round. Minneapolis-based General Mills rolls out boxed mashed potatoes in two varieties: Betty Crocker Sweet Potato (6.3 oz.) and Betty Crocker Yukon Gold (4.8 oz.). The latter is a good all-purpose potato with a texture somewhere between Idaho and red mashed potatoes. Made from real potatoes, each box serves six people. Simply heat milk, hot water and butter or margarine, add the potatoes, mix and serve for a potato side dish in less than 10 minutes. “Sweet potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes have traditionally been holiday favorites and restaurant specialties,” says Andy Kroll, associate marketing manager. “Now, consumers can enjoy these two delicious varieties of mashed potatoes at home year-round, without the hassle of preparing them from scratch. And since they’re coming from a trusted brand like Betty Crocker, these potatoes will come out perfectly every time.” Suggested retail price is $1.89 a Make Santa happy Santa will do a double take and probably add an extra present or two if you leave him a supply of new mini versions of traditional pure butter Walkers Shortbread Rounds and Chocolate Chip Shortbread Rounds (with dark chocolate chips) to savor with his glass of milk. Made by Walkers (Aberlour-on-Spey, Scotland), Mini Shortbread Rounds are baked in perfect little bite-sized rounds in small batches for the utmost quality control. Each variety is made using a treasured family recipe that the Walker family has used for more than a century containing pure butter, flour, sugar and salt. Certified Kosher OUD, the cookies use no artificial flavorings, colorings or additives. Presented in 7-oz. hexagon-shaped cartons with two individually wrapped trays, suggested retail price is $6.50. 10 • FOOD PROCESSING DECEmbER 2007 WWW.FOODPROCESSING.COm http://www.foodprocessing.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Food Processing - December 2007

Contents Editor's Plate NewsBites Rollout Food Biz Kids Processor of the Year: Mars Snackfood U.S. Mass Production Meets Custom Manufacturing Product Development: Bone appetit! Show Report: Pack/Process Expo and Worldwide Food Expo New Product Profiles Toops Scoops

Food Processing - December 2007

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