Uncover the Hidden Treasures of Christmas Taste
Tesco Finest Wensleydale with Aged Brandy Soaked Fruits
This cheese is a unique concoction that brings together the essence of an Indian sweet shop's carrot halwa and candied fruits. It's a rather strange combination that leaves a rather grim taste. The flavors don't seem to meld well together, making it a rather unappetizing choice. No stars.
The texture and taste are just off, as if the different elements are fighting for dominance. It's a cheese that fails to live up to expectations and leaves one questioning its very existence. It's a definite miss in the Christmas cheese lineup.
Morrisons Caramelised Onion Cheddar
The description of this cheese is quite perplexing. It's as if onion puree has been forcefully incorporated into cheddar, resulting in a disgusting taste. The caramelised aspect only adds to the confusion, making it a cheese that one would rather avoid. No stars.
The very idea of such a combination is enough to make one's taste buds revolt. It's a cheese that fails to bring any joy or satisfaction, and instead leaves a lingering sense of disappointment. It's a cheese that should be left on the shelf.
Waitrose White Stilton with Limoncello
Upon first taste, the little bits in this cheese are quite a mystery. The dominant flavor is that of booze, with a hint of white wine and champers. But what exactly is limoncello doing here? It's an abomination to cheese, as the flavors don't seem to work in harmony. No stars.
The texture and taste are both off-kilter, making it a cheese that is difficult to enjoy. It's a cheese that seems to have gone astray in the Christmas cheese selection, leaving one wondering what went wrong. It's a cheese that is best left untouched.
Lidl Deluxe Christmas Dinner Wensleydale
The smell alone of this cheese is enough to make one's nose wrinkle. It combines the flavors of Wensleydale, cranberries, and some spices in a way that is truly horrific. The thyme adds an extra layer of unpleasantness, making it a cheese that is hard to stomach. No stars.
The combination of flavors is just too much, and the texture is not particularly appealing either. It's a cheese that fails to capture the essence of Christmas and instead leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. It's a cheese that should be avoided at all costs.
Farm Shop Boxing Day Chutney
This chutney offers a delightful balance of heat, spice, and mustard. The apple flavor is prominent, along with a nice sweetness and a hint of cinnamon. It's a chutney that packs a punch and leaves one craving for more. A true delight! ★★★★★
The combination of flavors is expertly crafted, with each element adding to the overall enjoyment. It's a chutney that can enhance any Christmas spread and add a touch of excitement to the table. It's a must-have for any Christmas enthusiast.
M&S Collection Bloody Mary Chutney
The taste of this chutney is reminiscent of tomato juice with Tabasco on a plane. While it delivers on the promise of a bloody mary, it's not a flavor that one would crave. The celery and tomato flavors are present, but they don't quite come together in a harmonious way. ★★★
The texture is smooth and spreadable, but the overall flavor is just not that exciting. It's a chutney that is better suited for those who are looking for a unique flavor rather than a truly delicious one. It's a chutney that has its moments but falls short in the end.
Tracklements Fresh Chilli Jam
This chilli jam is hot and spicy, with a texture similar to pepper jelly. It's a great accompaniment to a hard cheese, such as an aged cheddar, and can add a kick to any toastie. It's a chilli jam that knows how to make its presence felt. ★★★★
The spiciness is well-balanced, and the flavor is rich and complex. It's a chilli jam that can add a touch of excitement to any dish and is sure to please those with a love for spicy foods. It's a chilli jam that is worth trying.
Co-op Irresistible Blood Orange and Chocolate Frangipane Mince Pies
The mince pie has a dry brownie top, which gives it a unique texture. However, the mince itself is heavy on sultanas and orange, making it quite acidic and unpleasant. It's a mince pie that fails to live up to the expectations of a traditional Christmas treat. No stars.
The flavors are just not well-balanced, and the texture of the brownie top doesn't quite complement the mince. It's a mince pie that is in need of some serious tweaking to become a truly enjoyable treat. It's a mince pie that is best left on the dessert table.
Tesco Finest Frangipane Mince Pies
The filling of these mince pies is quite nice, with a hint of booze adding to the flavor. However, the pastry is a bit powdery, which takes away from the overall experience. It's a mince pie that is overpowered by the pastry and lacks the depth of flavor that one would expect. ★★
The texture of the pastry is a bit off-putting, and the flavors don't seem to come together in a seamless way. It's a mince pie that has potential but falls short in execution. It's a mince pie that is worth a try but may not become a favorite.
Aldi Specially Selected Maple and Pecan Mince Pies
The maple syrup flavor in these mince pies is extremely strong, making them extremely sweet. While the pastry is sweet and crumbly, it's hard to ignore the horrors within. The flavors are just too overpowering and don't seem to work together. No stars.
The combination of maple and pecan is a bit too much for the taste buds to handle. It's a mince pie that is more about the sweetness than the actual taste. It's a mince pie that is best enjoyed in small doses or not at all.
BEST BUY: Konditor Mince Pies
The pastry of these mince pies is flaky and rich, adding to the overall indulgence. The filling may not have a lot of depth of flavor, but it is plump and juicy, without being cooked down too much. It's a winner in terms of texture and overall quality. ★★★★★
Konditor has truly mastered the art of making mince pies. The combination of flavors and textures is just perfect, making it a mince pie that is sure to please. It's a mince pie that is worth every penny and will become a favorite among Christmas treat lovers.
Lidl Deluxe Brandy Crumble Mince Pies
These mince pies look appealing with their hard and crumbly texture. The orangey flavor is quite rich, but it doesn't quite scratch the itch of a traditional mince pie. It's a mince pie that is more about the appearance than the taste. ★★★
The crumbly pastry is a nice touch, but the overall flavor is just not that memorable. It's a mince pie that is okay for a quick snack but not one that will leave a lasting impression. It's a mince pie that is worth trying if you're in the mood for something different.
Asda Exceptional Whisky, Fig and Spiced Honey Mince Pies
These mince pies are boozy, with flaked almonds adding a nice texture. They are a great option for those who don't love traditional mince pies but still want to enjoy a festive treat. The flavors are well-balanced and the texture is perfect. ★★★★★
The whisky and fig flavors combine to create a unique and delicious taste. The spiced honey adds a touch of sweetness and warmth, making it a mince pie that is sure to please. It's a mince pie that is worth adding to your Christmas spread.
Lidl Deluxe All Butter Mince Pies
The pastry of these mince pies is crumbly and nice, giving them a solid and reliable feel. They are a great choice for any occasion and can be served with confidence. Lidl has truly delivered a value-for-money mince pie. ★★★
The buttery flavor is prominent, and the mince filling is quite good. It's a mince pie that is both delicious and affordable, making it a popular choice among Christmas shoppers. It's a mince pie that won't disappoint.
Morrisons The Best Cherry Bakewell Mince Pies
The combination of a bakewell tart and a mince pie is a bit of a strange collab that Christmas may not need. The flavors don't seem to work together seamlessly, and the overall taste is just okay. ★★
The pastry is decent, but the cherry and mince filling combination is a bit of a letdown. It's a mince pie that is not particularly memorable and may not be worth the price. It's a mince pie that is best left on the shelf.
Experience Tarlow's New Manhattan Culinary Journey
Introduction to Borgo
Borgo, Tarlow's first new restaurant in Manhattan, is a significant shift. It offers a more brightly lit space with fine serviceware and tailored linens compared to his Brooklyn spots. The live-fire oven in the open kitchen adds to the charm.When you step into Borgo, you might notice the first name of the reservation-maker scrawled on the white paper atop the linens, reminiscent of Diner's menu dramatics. The Martini No. 2 also gets an elaborate tableside preparation, adding to the overall experience.
The kitchen's wood-burning oven is a star here. It cooks the "focaccia Borgo," a simple yet delicious flatbread with a hidden layer of cheeses. It also imparts its smoky essence to various dishes like the sweet, tiny beets and the veal sweetbreads.
The Menu
The menu at Borgo is fundamentally Italian and built around the live-fire oven. Dishes like the fava purée, a crisp-skinned half chicken, and various pastas showcase Tarlow's culinary prowess.The fettuccine in a guinea-hen ragù is rich, while the baked cannelloni with braised beef cheeks offers a comforting taste. However, the pastas' portions seem a bit large given their strong flavors. For example, the ravioli filled with sunchoke and mushrooms is an explosion of umami initially but might feel overdone by the end.
Desserts by Adam Marca are gracefully simple. The nutty affogato with pistachio gelato and the bittersweet Sachertorte with candied apricot are delightful treats.
The Ambiance
The room at Borgo is sophisticated without being pretentious. Decorated in shades of wood and white with gently curving ceilings, it has a unique charm.There are interesting art pieces on the walls, including a Cézanne-ish still-life painted by Tarlow's daughter and an abstract work by him. A double-sided fireplace connects the two dining rooms, adding to the cozy atmosphere.
Although they haven't quite figured out how to light the fireplace without overheating or creating a smoky haze, it still contributes to the overall mood. Borgo evokes the warmth and sophistication of earlier Manhattan Italian restaurants like Beppe and Cesca.
In the Heart of Skiing, a Battle with Food Insecurity
Cost of Living and Housing: Squeezing Residents' Income
Recent years have witnessed a significant explosion in the cost of living and housing for locals in Summit County. As grocery prices in Western states, including Colorado, increased by nearly 10% between 2022 and 2023, and food prices remained high even as inflation subsided, residents found themselves struggling to make ends meet. The median home price in Summit County shot up by 30% from mid-2023 to mid-2024, making it increasingly difficult for locals to afford a place to call home. Breckenridge, now the third-most-expensive town with a population under 50,000 in America, exemplifies this trend.
This surge in housing costs has sucked up most of residents' income, leaving them with little to spare for other essential needs like food. As Calvin pointed out, "People's needs skyrocketed during COVID, and that hasn't changed." The seasonal nature of the economy also adds to the insecurity, with workers like those cleaning hotels or bed and breakfasts often not getting enough hours to make ends meet, especially in the off-seasons of spring and fall.
Food Insecurity: A Growing Problem
In the same place where people pay as much as $225 for a one-day lift ticket to ski, the demand for food assistance has seen a 600% increase since 2019. Summit County now has eight different food bank programs, with organizations like CAFE Food Rescue playing a crucial role. Smart Bellies, for instance, is serving 565 families and 1,150 kids weekly in Summit and Lake counties, with 58 new families enrolling in just the past two weeks.
The Family and Intercultural Resource Center went from about 24 visits a day to its food market to more than 363 daily visits in six years. Despite this, many locals don't qualify for federal SNAP benefits because the aid is based on a national standard income with a maximum of $39,000 for a family of four. As a result, they find themselves in a no-man's land, needing aid but not qualifying for it.
Community Response: Filling the Gap
The community of Summit County has responded in an extraordinary and collaborative way to address this issue. CAFE Food Rescue, for one, opened The Hub in Silverthorne on Oct. 24, a repurposed Pizza Hut equipped with commercial-grade kitchen equipment and a walk-in refrigerator and freezer. This spacious building serves as the county's nerve center for collecting food and getting it to those in need.
CAFE Food Rescue recovers excess food from various sources such as grocery stores, event centers, restaurants, cafes, and caterers. Volunteers regularly pick up food from Whole Foods with sell-by dates that are three or four days past the packing date but are still good for another two to three days. This food is repackaged and delivered quickly to families in need before it expires.
The community has also supported CAFE Food Rescue financially, with one-third of their support coming from local and county government grants, one-third from local and state foundations, and the rest from individual donations from Summit County residents and visitors. Calvin's presentations to wealthy visitors have opened their eyes and wallets, demonstrating the community's care for each other.
In conclusion, Summit County's story is a complex one, highlighting the challenges faced by communities with a high cost of living and food insecurity. But through the efforts of organizations like CAFE Food Rescue and the collaborative spirit of the community, there is hope for a better future.