Herma’s News – This Week in Herma’s Kitchen – Loving Italian, Taleggio, Father’s Day

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. – Marcus Aurelius

Dear Customers,

Italy is home to the world’s best olive oils, Balsamic vinegars, tomatoes, meat, pasta and even, arguably, cheese too. At Herma’s, we love creating Italian. All you have to do is look around at our shelves which are filled with foods imported from Italy to see evidence of that.

Of course, we also love enjoying foods prepared by those who specialize in creating delicious Italian dishes just as much. This Saturday Herma is excited to offer up, once again, something special in her kitchen. We hope you will join us for another amazing food tasting.

Saturday, June 10th, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Herma is looking forward to welcoming you into her kitchen again this Saturday. She will be sharing food tastings from Sino’s line of delicious Italian Entrees along with a salad involving Sino’s Caesar Salad Dressing.

About Sino’s Fine Foods

Ilir Sino, founder of The Original Spaghetti House of Peterborough, takes pride in the creation of authentic, flavourful Italian dishes that have been a favourite of many for over 35 years. We now carry his frozen entrees which are nutritious, delicious and made-from-scratch. Their very tasty French and garlicy Caesar Salad Dressing have also fast become our NEW favourites.

In our freezers find…Spaghetti in a Bolognese Sauce – Fettuccine Alfredo – Meatballs – Meat Tortellini in a Bolognese Sauce – Veal Parmesan – Manicotti. In our coolers find…French Salad Dressing – Caesar Salad Dressing – Baklava.

If you have an Italian grandmother and you love her cooking, you’ll also love Sino’s Italian Frozen Entrees which have been made with love using recipes that have been passed down through the ages. – Maria, customer

NEW Arrival – Giuseppe Giusti

Give the ancient gift of Balsamic Vinegar. The Family Reserve of Giuseppe Giusti have created a collection of their balsamic that is housed in beautiful bottles shaped like small, old fashioned flasks and inkwells.

Plum jam intertwines with sweet hints of vanilla, creating a delicate and enveloping aromatic bouquet. It is ideal for seasoning different types of recipes involving risotto, fresh pasta, vegetable soups, eggs, fresh and matured cheeses, white and red meats, fresh fruit salad and desserts.

The choice of grapes, the quality of casks and the aging process are fundamental choices when creating Giusti Balsamic Vinegar. In the Giusti attics there are 600 barrels from the 1700s and 1800s which are still producing Balsamic Vinegar. The older the better, as the essences of the wood and the balsamic aromas matured together over centuries are united with continued living production. – Giuseppe Giusti

Herma’s Cheese Shop – Viva l’Italia!

Cheese is the fabric of Italian cuisine, woven into many traditional dishes.  Parmigiano-Reggiano (sliced fresh and placed in our coolers), the king of all cheese, elevates the flavor of most any and every Italian dish including salads.  Then there is Buffalo Mozzarella (in our freezers), the shining star of Italian pizzas. Desiring a little blue? Gorgonzola, both Dolce and Piccante, have just arrived which we are excited to offer. And waiting to be sliced in coming days when the time is right? Beppino Occelli’s Grappa and Barolo Cheeses. And let’s not forget Pecorino Romano and Pecorino with Peppercorns.

Featured Cheese

Taleggio DOP (Lombardy, Italy)

Taleggio is a soft, springy-textured washed rind cheese named after the caves of Val Taleggio. Once a week during its 6-to-10-week aging process, the blocks of cheese are turned and sponged down generously with salt water. This practice keeps the rind soft and protects it from undesirable molds.

Taleggio has a strong, pungent smell and tastes sweet and nutty with a slightly sour taste involving fruity undertones and a truffle aftertaste. Use a soft cheese knife for this semi-soft cheese which may be found in Herma’s Cheese Shop (straight blade with holes to keep cheese from sticking). Pairs well with dry white or light and fruity wines.

Cooking Ideas

It may be baked with vegetables like potatoes or cauliflower, or in a quiche, savory pie, casserole or souffle. Its melting properties make it delicious with pasta, pizza and risotto. Enjoy with sandwiches and on a cheese and charcuterie platter with Prosciutto and salami. It is also said to be lovely enjoyed with firm, juicy cherries.

Types of Gorgonzola

We recently received a shipment of two types of Gorgonzola, both of which are lovely on their own or used in recipes. Ask to have yours sliced at our cheese counter.

The Dolce (aged two months) is sweet, buttery, mild and milky with soft, creamy, spreadable texture and distinctly blue veins.

The Piccante (aged three months) is relatively stronger, more intense and sharp, with a pungent, spicy bite coming early on in the tasting process. It has a compact, crumbly texture with blue-green veins.

Sweet Gorgonzola Cheese Dip Recipe

Mix Dolce Gorgonzola with a little bit of heavy cream until the mixture is the consistency of yogurt. Add a pinch of salt and top with a drizzle of olive oil before serving.

It is a delightful dip to use with sliced veggies, crisp Italian bread stick crackers, gourmet potato chips, Buffalo wings or used as a salad dressing.

Charcuterie

Also from Italy? Fresh Prosciutto DOP and Porchetta Ham. Ask to have it sliced special at our cheese counter. Other sausages, salami and meats may be found packaged in our coolers.

Taco’s Find

Dreamfarm’s BBQ Tools

BBQ Brizzle

Unique, flexible Head scoops sauce and juices with ease. – 80 durable silicone bristles deliver maximum flavour distribution. – Bristles have high heat resistance of 260 degrees Celsius/500 degrees Fahrenheit.

BBQ Chopula

Sleek, flexible head easily slides under food for a clean lift and flip. – Its unique serrated edge lets you slice directly on the grill to check doneness. – Extra-long 15” handle is designed to keep your hand away from heat. – Rust-resistant stainless-steel head is perfect for scraping the grill clean.

BBQ Clongs

Tongs come with unique, built-in sausage skin cutter and sausage prick. – Tips are cleverly shaped to pick up small pieces of food. – Tongs are durable enough to use for scraping, cleaning, cooking and serving directly from the BBQ. – Open and lock your BBQ Clongs easily with one hand involving click-lock button.

Set of BBQ Grill Tools

Set of BBQ Grill Tools by Dreamfarm includes all of the above tools plus a heavy-duty magnetic holder that sticks to your BBQ (no assembly required). The holder comes with built-in bottle opener that catches bottle caps with magnet so they don’t fall on ground.

Father’s Day – Sunday, June 18, 2023

At Herma’s we carry many gifts from which to choose for your Father on Father’s Day…Mistral for Men Face Wash, Soaps, After Shave, Eua de Toilet and more, BBQ Tools and Sauces, Whiskey Glasses and Barware, Gift Baskets, Wrapped Gift Certificates and so much more.

Have a wonderful weekend! We look forward to seeing you in coming days.

Sincerely,

Meredith Ender

Communications Coordinator

Herma’s Fine Foods & Gifts