Just Picked

Highlights from our "Meet the Winemaker" Dinner Featuring Milbrandt Vineyards

Every so often we are fortunate enough to have winemakers come and co-host our Wine Dinners here at the Milton store. Attendees can nosh on four courses of amazing food and sample terrific wines, all while they learn about how the wine is cultivated, vinted and bottled. Last Thursday night we were joined by Joshua Maloney, Director of Winemaking at Milbrandt Vineyards in Washington State. In the past decade, Washington State has emerged as one of the premier winemaking regions in the U.S. I think that the happy people at our dinner would agree that the decadent reds and refreshing, elegant whites that they sampled from Milbrandt Vineyards are proof positive that Washington State wines are a force to be reckoned with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The menu, developed by our own Wine Buyer and CIA graduate, Tim Paulus, was tailor made to highlight the featured wines from Milbrandt Vineyards. Guests started the evening by sampling the Traditions Riesling, paired with a Creamy Pear Soup garnished with Crème Fraiche, French Tarragon and a Parmesan Crisp. For the second course, attendees sipped on Traditions Pinot Gris and the Brothers Red Blend, both of which worked perfectly with the Crispy Prosciutto, Goat Cheese and Peach Pizza with Arugula and Honey. Traditional Penne Bolognese was the main course, joined by two delicious reds: the Traditions Cabernet and Estates Cabernet.

 

 

 

 

Our ace team of servers assist to ladle out and carefully garnish the Pear Soup.

 

 

 

 

 

The Penne Bolognese garnished with shaved Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but certainly not least, dessert was the stunning and potent Late Harvest Riesling Ice Wine, which was not to be outdone by its companion: a “Drunken” Apple Cupcake with Riesling Buttercream Frosting, garnished with a single leaf of deep fried basil.  On their way out the door guests gushed about the cupcakes, the warm and welcoming service and of course, the wine.

 

 

The cupcake: pretty and pretty delcious.

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone who came out for another great Wine Dinner! We’re looking forward to welcoming back Clay Fritz of Fritz Winery on Thursday night May 24^th. Contact Mike Dwyer at the Milton Store to sign up (617) 696-5274. Hurry! Spots are quickly filling up.

Ingredient Spotlight: White Flesh Sweet Potatoes

Our produce department has loads of these delicious, elegant sweets! They're a terrific size and they taste amazing...slightly more firm and just a touch less sweet than your average orange yam. These are practically reaching out and begging you to slice them into wedges and make some baked sweet potato fries.

For another inspired take on that to do with these radical root vegetables, try these "Jacket Potatoes" posted on Porky Dickens, the food blog of our very own Jessica Pithie who works in the Milton Fruitcenter's wine department. The Jacket Potato is a great way to turn a humble starch like a sweet potato into a delicious, filling and budget-friendly meal idea.

Come in and grab some of these great sweet potatoes today!

A Fresh New Idea for Asparagus



Our produce department is bursting at the seams with fresh spring produce right now! And is there a better harbinger of spring than our lean, green friend: asparagus? When it’s this fresh you really have to do very little to it to make it shine. Take, for example, this Shaved Asparagus Salad, which we cannot get enough of right now. Shaving the asparagus into thin ribbons lets it retain a fresh crunch. Dressed simply with bright lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil, the greenery is complimented by shavings of tangy Parmesan and toasty sliced almonds. Taste testers in our Milton store last Monday couldn’t get enough of this refreshing spring side dish. Incorporate this into your spring menu planning while the asparagus is at its best!

SHAVED ASPARAGUS SALAD

1 lb. asparagus

¼ cup sliced, roasted almonds

1 lemon, halved

Olive Oil

Kosher salt

Cracked black pepper

Grated or shaved parmesan cheese

Roast almonds at 350˚ for 10-15 minutes, until fragrant, stirring occasionally. Using a sharp vegetable peeler, hold each stalk of asparagus by its tough end and shave thin slices up the stalk towards the pointed tip. Helpful hint: anchor each stalk to your cutting board with your non dominant hand and use your dominant hand to shave the “ribbons.” Collect these “ribbons” in a bowl as you go. Squeeze the juice from your lemon over, add a generous drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt and cracked pepper. Toss well and top with roasted almonds and parmesan cheese, tossing once again to incorporate. Serve immediately. Make this salad a full meal by dropping a poached egg on top or serving alongside roast chicken or fish.

Thanks for stopping by to check out the blog! We've got a LOT of great ideas brewing for resurrecting this particular area of our website, so stay tuned for many more blogs to come!

In Praise of ... Fresh Ginger

Ginger is certainly one of the more versatile roots and one that is frequently associated with medicinal benefits.  Among its attributes, ginger is used as a remedy for travel sickness, chills, and flu and has also been linked to reducing the affects of arthritis, headaches and lowering blood-pressure. Add minced ginger to veggie stir-frys or combine ginger with tamari, olive oil and garlic to make a simple salad dressing.

Mango Salad with Ginger-Raisin Vinaigrette

Whole Roasted Carrots with Fresh Ginger

Grilled Shrimp Scampi Style with Soy Sauce, Fresh Ginger and Garlic

Stir Fry Ginger Beef

Fresh Lemon And Ginger Muffins

In Praise of ... Jicama

With a mild flavor that’s like a cross between an apple and a potato, Jicama is a South American root that’s great for adding a bit of crunchy texture to fruit salads and salsas. Jicama can also be steamed, baked, boiled or added to stir-frys. For some quick ideas read these "Top Ten Ways to Enjoy Jicama" or try one of these recipes:

Strawberry Mango Jicama Salad

Jicama "Fries" (a raw-food recipe)

Spicy Crab Salad with Carrots and Jicama

Grilled Chicken, Mango and Jicama Salad with Tequila-Lime Vinaigrette

 

 

In Praise of ... Celery Root

Sure, its not one of the prettiest items in the produce department, but it's subtle flavor make it a must-try item. Also called celeriac, celery root not surprisingly has a celery-like flavor.  Boiled and mashed, celery root is a nice alternative to mashed potatoes.  It can also be braised, sautéed or baked.  You may want to try grating or shredding raw into salads too.

Need some recipe ideas - try one of these:

Celery Root, Apple and Tangerine Salad

Celery Root and Winter Root Vegetable Stew

Apple, Fennel and Celery Root Salad

Celery Root Lasagna

Last Minute Gift Ideas - Stocking Stuffers

Who enjoys the last minute hunt for stocking stuffers?  These are some of the most fun gifts to give (and yes - get!).  We still have plenty of great items that are perfect for the stockings.

You can't go wrong with chocolate and candy.  We've got so many different varieties, some from local New England companies such as Taza, Equal Exchange, Vermont Nut Free Chocolates and Lake Champlain.

 
 
 
 

And we have our own line of Fruit Center chocolate bars

 

Here's a couple ideas for the kids - our friends at Ginger Betty's have a Make-Your-Own Gingerbread Man kit that includes a large gingerbread man cookie, frosting and plenty of candy to stick on the cookie.

 

We also have our own hand-dipped caramel apples

 

For wine lovers, we have half-bottles of great wine and wine accessories

 
 
 

Last Minute Gift Ideas - Stonewall Kitchen Edition

It's no secret that the Fruit Center loves Stonewall Kitchen.  Great flavors, elegant packaging and they're a local New England company (just north of us in Maine) - you really can't go wrong if your gifting these items. We've got the widest selection of Stonewall products on the South Shore so you're bound to find something for everyone on your list.  Here's just a small selection of what you'll find on our shelves this year:

Grill Sauces and Marinades

 

Hand Soaps and Hand Lotions

 

We've even wrapped some of soaps and lotions ... how easy is that??!!

 

Mini Jams - a great stocking stuffer

 

No Christmas morning should be without SK Pancake and Waffle Mix

 

We offer nearly every variety of Stonewall Kitchen Jam available

 

And you'll find some of SK's best baking mixes

 

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Everyone has their opinions about holiday shopping - some enjoy every moment, others not so much.  Whatever your personal feelings, take heart in the fact the Fruit Center has you covered.  Even just five days before Christmas, we've got plenty of gift options for everyone on your nice list.

Stonewall Kitchen Gift Sets

 

Traditional Holiday Treats

 

Gift Ideas for the Kids

 

 

 

Here's a special gift for wine lovers: we've got Veuve Clicquot at an amazing price. See our monthly flyer for our sale price.

 

Centerpieces and Decorative Plants

 

Fruit Baskets and Gourmet Gift Baskets

 

 

Locally-made Items

 
 
 

Don't forget, we've got party platters and gift cards as well. 

Happy Holidays from everyone here at the Fruit Center!

 

Berries of Summer - Strawberries

 

Sure, they're available year-round, but there's something alluring about strawberries in the summertime. Their brilliant-red color and their bright sweetness are the perfect match fro the summer's heat. Nutrition-wise, strawberries and packed with vitamin C and antioxidants.

Here's some recipe suggestions for your summer strawberries: 

Strawberry and Brie Bruschetta

Strawberry and Avocado Salad with Orange Dressing

Jasmine Risotto Spring Rolls with Vanilla Dipping Sauce

Stir Fried Scallops with Strawberries