Archive for October, 2010

Some good cooking in Rhode Island

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Some old, false perceptions are slowly and surely changing in the world of home cooking, especially the one that claims you have to be a trained cook to work with french stocks and sauces.  You know, that “french cooking thing”.  Au contraire,  we say!   (That’s just about the extent of my French speaking skills, by the way).   Our customers are disproving this myth every day. The truth is,  the kitchen novice to well trained gourmand can prepare our products and enjoy a wonderfully simple, great tasting soup or entrée as well as a genuine gourmet meal.  And yes, feel like a chef, too.  Here’s a comment from Michelle in Rhode Island:

“Hey Bill…  dude, you guys are awesome.  I have already received my shipment — super fast.  I have to tell you, I have tried a few other demi-glace products on the market and yours is superior to all the rest.  I’ve been told that I’m a pretty good cook but your products have pushed me over the top.  Using your products, I have been able to produce dishes of such complexity and richness that everyone thinks I’m a professional chef.   SNAP! I can’t wait to try the ready to use wine sauces because I think practically everything tastes better with wine in it.  In any case, thanks again.  Michelle

Thanks for the note, Michelle, we’re more than happy to be your secret saucier.  Good cooking! Add some fresh herbs to the wine sauce, perhaps sauté some mushrooms with a bit of fresh parsley for an easy enhancement.

Minnesowtaaaaaah!

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

That’s the sound of a happy cook in the Land of 10,000 lakes – not the way the locals up there pronounce the name of their great state. You know, I’ve always wondered who counted all those lakes.  I mean, it’s an even number for goodness sake.  How can that be?

We love Minny.  We enjoy a very dedicated following of home cooks there and we are truly grateful for their loyalty and feedback. Recently, Shirley from Burnsville added a post, and we received this nice comment from Louise P. Finander (she calls herself Saucegirl Lu):

“This morning I opened my MTG package….. couldn’t wait.  So my critique of the packaging (and, trust me, I am accustomed to opening plenty of packages here at the store).  Outside box – clean (important for food shipment, but it is not uncommon for me to receive boxes here at the store that are of a thin, brittle cardboard that look as though they were dragged behind a truck on a gravel road).

The Inserts – I like that the inserts are of cardstock.  More substantial. Reflects quality, attention to detail.  Provides some great info about product and contact info. Short and sweet. Easy to read. Not too much info. Just enough.

Looking forward to Exploring the Sauceablilites!

—Saucegirl Lu

Saucegirl indeed!  Thanks, Lu, and good cooking.

New(s)

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

We’re going to add a new category where we invite you to rate the products and share your comments.  It’s called From Our Customers, and we hope to hear from you.  After all, your point of view is the one that matters most. The first ones will be shared in our next posting.

Look for us in the news, shortly.

Early notice:  we’ll be announcing a new promotion early next week.  Seems our team cooked up a “more than” special Thanksgiving holiday promotion for our customers while Brad and I were in France.  They’re always up to something, especially when were on the road.  Since we have a lot of travel through the end of this year, it’s a fair bet they’ll be doing more of these sauce special shenanigans while were away.

The new SauceMaker’s Dozen pack has been a big hit, and we thank you.  Some have expressed concern these packages were going to be a limited time offer only.  No worries, we’re keeping them in our pantry for you.

Paris Day 2

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

It’s been quite an experience here. Packed trains that pull into the station and then, well, stop. Everyone gets the boot- it doesn’t matter if you planned to end your journey at that particular station. Work stoppages we’re told are not uncommon. No worries, in the end you somehow get to you destination albeit much later than planned. Dining is a relaxed affair- restaurants seem uninterested in turning tables and you usually have to ask for the check. Twice.
We’ve been calling this our “Discovery Tour”. Here to study food and packaging trends and new product innovations. What we find interesting is that the SIAL expo, with food manufacturers from virtually every continent, “clean label” is the phrase du jour. The new is what’s old, so to speak. A return to real food ingredients, simple. This discovery we find reaffirming, for it’s what MTG is all about. Let’s hope what some see as a trend in fact endures as the standard.
More show time today. We found a few very intriguing concepts we think our customers will love and we know we can craft in the Kitchens of More Than Gourmet.

Sauce Guys in Paris

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Quick note from a packed train in Paris. We’re at the SIAL international food expo exploring new product concepts for MTG. We’re also getting re-acquainted first hand with French cooking and cuisine, from rustic to elegant, “take away” to full tasting menus. The whole time here we’re reminded that while the core of MTG is classic French stocks and sauces the application is universal.

Foundation Sauces – in the news

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

We love Chicago.  I lived there for a few years; Brad and I travel there often and enjoy the vibrant and innovative culinary scene. We’ve always thought cooks in the Windy City have great taste, and were delighted to earn the accolades of Chicago Sun Times staff writer Denise O’Neal in her review of our Foundation Sauces.  Check them out on our site, we’re offering a terrific deal with a six pack and two pack option.  Our Foundation Sauces are easy to work with, ready to heat and savor as is or, in just a few minutes with easy to find ingredients can be transformed to a culinary delight by you.

A Happy Customer

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

We’ve received a couple of messages from “Boo” Larroo – a devoted follower of MTG and she cooks with our products often.  Recently she ordered our new SauceMaker’s Dozen 14 pack of Gluten Free stocks and sauces and she sent us a picture to “show us what she thinks of it”.  Thanks, Boo, for sharing.  Hey, we have no objections at all if you share the great news of our new multi-packs with friends and family.  Good cooking!

Gluten Free and Great Taste

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

A lot of home cooks have been delighted to learn that the majority of our classic stocks and sauces are gluten free.  And a very qualified expert in gluten free cooking likes our products, too.  Here’s what the the talented Jacqueline Mallorca, noted cook book author and food enthusiast, shared recently:  “Turkey stock, when made at home, is often a pallid, wishy-washy affair, which is probably not surprising if it’s made from the neck and evil-tasting giblets, or the picked over bones after a week in the refrigerator. Your company’s product on the other hand, proved to be outstanding.  Wonderfully rich and flavorful, and so convenient!”.  Try our wonderful, gluten free turkey stock.  Check out Jacqueline’s gluten free web site, or her cookbook The Wheat-Free Cook.

Pumpkin Risotto

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

This pumpkin risotto is based on a recipe from Baur B&B and includes classic white chicken stock.  It is simple and fun to prepare and most tasty. A terrific dish in cooler weather, great as a side dish for a party or a main entree.  The recipe will be posted soon – look for it – try it and tell us what you think.

One thing to remember is to S-L-O-W-L-Y stir in the chicken stock as you’re cooking the risotto!

Mercato del Pesce

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

Here’s a photo of the famous fish market in Venice.  It’s a fascinating place, especially in the wee hours of the morning as the fishermen unload the fresh catch and set up their stalls in the market.  Get there early, with the locals, to hear the banter, the bartering, and see the displays.  A memorable experience!