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Visit New Food Blog Site - 360eats.com

Last week, Daily Olive was notified that we were joining 25 other food blog sites at the new 360eats.com website, a food blog aggregator.  When you visit the site,  you'll see excerpts of all recent posts from many popular food blog sites.

Visit 360eats.com regularly - it's good for you.

Jamón Ibérico - Coveted Spanish Ham to be Available in U.S.

Jamón Ibérico, a ham that Americans have only enjoyed overseas, has finally cleared USDA government regulations for import into the United States, possibly before Christmas.  Pre-orders are being taken now by Spanish gourmet food retailer, La Tienda.

(Via PRWeb.com)  The Spanish government has just approved the first Jamón Ibérico production facility that meets USDA standards for export to the United States. LaTienda.com, a family-owned gourmet Spanish food retailer based in Williamsburg, VA, will fly in the first Ibérico products as soon as they are available. In fact, the Harris family has worked for more than eight years to make this possible. Soon this prized Spanish gourmet food, perhaps the finest of all hams, will be available in the US. Jamón Ibérico, marbled with rich golden fat and infused with the flavor of acorns, is also remarkably good for you. The curing process converts the fat of the ham into heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. This gives the ham beneficial qualities similar to olive oil.

Read more about La Tienda's quest to bring Ibérico ham to the U.S.

Pre-order your Jamón Ibérico at LaTienda.com.

Continue reading "Jamón Ibérico - Coveted Spanish Ham to be Available in U.S."

Inspired Trail Mix by Sahale Snacks

Bored by the usual selection of trail mixes and quick snack choices?  So were Sahale Snack founders, Josh Schroeter and Edmond Sanctis.  Active outdoors enthusiasts, they were motivated to create their own natural and healthy snacks that tasted great too. 

Available in four mixes and sealed in 2.5 ounce foil bags, Sahale is available at local Whole Foods and health stores.  Their Valdosta Blend, pictured here, features almonds, flax seeds and dates lightly seasoned with balsamic vinegar and cayenne.

via CoolHunting.com

New Water with a Hint of Flavor

Finding a refreshing drink these days that's not loaded with corn syrup is near impossible.  And if you're a parent who wants to make sure that your kids don't drink soda all the time, you know it's hard to get them to drink plain old water.  All they're looking for is some flavor!

Well, here comes a new drink called Hint.  Their catchy slogan "Drink Water, Not Sugar" rings true to the ears of health conscious adults and children too.

Flavors include Apple, Grape, Cucumber, Tangerine, Lime, Raspberry-Lime and Pomegranate-Tangerine, and others.

For availability in your area, visit drinkhint.com.

Continue reading "New Water with a Hint of Flavor"

Cook for Google -- Two Executive Chefs Wanted

Google is searching for two new executive chefs.  It's news because Google provides free meals to all their employees at their Mountain View, California headquarters that goes above and beyond the standard cafeteria menu.  They've set a standard of using fresh and organic ingredients with some menu items like Ahi Tuna & Avocado Poke Salad, Eggplant Tomato & Onion Skewers, Pork Loin Steak, Pad Thai Noodles, Arugula with Dried Apricots, and Tropical Shrimp Bisque Soup.  The new chefs will be responsible for continuing to create such menus.

Click here to see a sample of Google's daily menu.

Read Google's announcement - We Want New Chefs - via Yahoo News

Dark Chocolate--Good for the Heart Says Researchers

FOOD SCIENCE: Some research suggests that the flavonoids found in dark chocolate may produce beneficial cardiovascular effects, much like those found in green and red fruits and vegetables, red wine and green tea.

Move over milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is commandeering real estate in the candy aisle, quite pleased with its deep, dark self.

It's not just pricey imported chocolate bars taking up shelf space and boasting how dark they are. Take a look at the dark chocolate M&M's and dark Hershey's Kisses.

There's method to this darkness. It just so happens that researchers recently have focused on the potential health benefits of dark chocolate, which ultimately could translate into ... cha-ching. In fact, candymakers are reporting an increased demand for the biting taste of dark chocolate.

So far, candy packaging doesn't claim such benefits, but some labels now billboard the candy's "percent cocoa" content -- 50, 60, 70 percent. That's because the higher the cocoa content, nutrition researchers say, the better.

Read "Heart-healthier Dark Chocolate Gains Shelf Space in Stores" (via DuluthNewsTribune.com)
More "Sweet! Study says dark chocolate has benefits" (via CNN)

Related article:  Chocolate Lovers' Websites 2005

 

Food & Wine Magazine's Top American Chefs of 2005

Food and Wine Magazine has announced their 2005 Annual Best New Chefs in America list.   The list includes:

• Tyson Cole of Uchi, Austin
• Seth Bixby Daugherty of Cosmos, Minneapolis
• Christophe Eme of Ortolan Restaurant, Los Angeles
• Shea Gallante of Cru, New York City
• Colby Garrelts of Bluestem, Kansas City
• Maria Hines of Earth & Ocean, Seattle
• Daniel Humm of Campton Place, San Francisco
• Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson of Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder
• Tony Maws of Craigie Street Bistrot, Cambridge
• Eric Ziebold of Cityzen, Washington DC

Read the chefs' profiles and recipes at Food and Wine's website:  America's Best New Chefs.