Meet the Maker: EMVI Chocolate

With the holidays rapidly approaching, Santa isn't the only working overtime. Victor Gelman and his chocolate loving family own and operate EMVI Chocolate in the foothills of the beautiful Adirondack mountains in upstate New York.  I had the opportunity to tour the EMVI factory earlier this fall, as Victor and his team of master chocolatiers were busily preparing for Halloween.  The shelves were lined with chocolate.......ghosts, witches, jack o' lanterns and black cats, all from the finest fair trade certified chocolate, were getting ready to make their journeys to select retailers across the country. Hand crafted from old world European molds collected by Gelman over the years, each intricate chocolate creature has a personality all its' own.  In looking at them, you get the impression they are getting ready to talk.  It's as if they know the passion and care that has gone in to giving them life, and they don't disappoint on any front.   Victor graciously spent an afternoon in our Saratoga Springs location in early October, where he introduced his Halloween confections with great success to our shoppers.....a tasty teaser for what's to come!

Our Saratoga shelves will soon be stocked with giant chocolate santas, snowmen and more.....delicious, whimsical chocolate creations designed to bring the joys of the holidays out in all of us.  In the meantime, take a behind-the-scenes peak at how these chocolate fantasy's are made.

EMVI chocolate's video showing how to make a Giant and not-so-Giant Chocolate Santa.

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Recipe: Hazelnut Spread & Olive Oil Bruschetta

Back in June we visited Prune Restaurant in New York with some fellow olive oil aficionados and were taken with their "bread and chocolate" dessert.  At our store in Saratoga Springs, Tina made our very own version of this dish using our Granellona Brut Coarse Chocolate Hazelnut Spread and Ravida Extra Virgin Olive Oil on top of crusty bread.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  Sophisticated entertaining doesn't get any easier!

Click  here to get the full recipe > 

For another interpretation of olive oil & chocolate pairing, try our recipe for Extra Virgin Chocolate Sorbet

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Christmas Cookies to Make & Share

'Tis the season to gather your favorite cookie recipes (and boxed cookies for those of us with an ever-growing "to-do" list) to make and share.  Traditional chocolate chip cookies enhanced with fine Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla will impress even the most discriminating cookie aficionado.  Amy's Cookies Classic Gift Tin makes for a lovely gift for just about anyone on your list with a wide variety of flavors.  Explore our cookie recipes and gifts for a very sweet holiday!

CLICK ON A COOKIE TO GET THE RECIPE OR PURCHASE >

Download the free printable version of our holiday cookie roundup here >

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Recipe: Savory Cheesecakes

With holiday entertaining looming in the no-so-distant future, it's time to gather ideas for sharable party foods that will impress.  Our savory cheesecake recipes are a sophisticated alternative to traditional party dips. Served with crackers of any kind, they make a beautiful presentation.  The corn relish cheesecake has a bit of a spicy kick to it, while the tomato artichoke version is milder with a creamy richness.

CORN RELISH SAVORY CHEESECAKE

  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups Cherith Valley Hot 'n Spicy Corn Relish
  • 1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 green onions (tops only), chopped
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  1. Cream together cream cheese and eggs until smooth.
  2. Stir in next 4 ingredients.
  3. Pour into well-greased 6-inch springform pan or oven safe baking dish.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees fro 45-60 minutes, until center is firm.
  5. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.
  6. Serve with corn chips or crackers.

Artichoke Tomato Bruschetta Savory Cheesecake

  1. Beat cream cheese and eggs until smooth.
  2. Stir in bruschetta and cheese.
  3. Place in a 6-inch spring form pan or in a small baking dish.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-60 minutes, until center is firm.
  5. Turn off oven and let cheesecake sit for an hour in the oven with door closed.
  6. Garnish with shaved parmesan cheese and chopped red bell pepper.
  7. Serve with crackers.
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The Savory Pantry Guide to Dijon Mustard

Dijon has long been a staple of our pantry.  But dijon has come a long way and with more flavor infusions than ever before!  Below you'll find all of the varieties we carry and some of our favorite ways to use them. From salad dressings to meat dishes you'll get alot of mileage out of each and every option. 

The Savory Pantry Guide to DIJON MUSTARD
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