Salt and Clover Cheeses
There’s terroir to be experienced in the various fromages made at a sheep farm in Cape May County, a sense of place achieved by cheesemaker George Castle.
Chinese Roasted Duck
At a modest grocery in Middletown, poultry and pork are slathered with sauces and accents, subjected to blazing heat, then displayed at a small counter where wise shoppers snap them up. When duck’s on tap, the wisest of them are Johnny-on-the-spot.
Inspiring Accents
Found at Garden State farmers’ markets are condiments that bring polish and refinement to everyday foods. When something rivetingly delicious also can be versatile at mealtime, it’s a sure-bet purchase.
A Better Kimchi
Pop open the jar and find tightly, densely packed carrots, cabbage, scallions, ginger and garlic – beautiful vegetables expertly fermented and processed to deliver a product that’s far superior to mass-produced brands. This is what artisan is about.
Vegan Tree Fried Rice
Both black and white rices form the base of what could be a staple at more plant-based restaurants if only thoughtful flavor-layering methods and not short-cut shots of salinity are employed. At this modest storefront in Matawan, vegan fried rice is done right.
Nasturtium Cashew Pesto from Spotted Horse Provisions
The leaves of this edible flower shouldn’t be tossed but, rather, blitzed with a supporting cast of ingredients into a fresh sauce ready for action at the table. Be inspired by this one made by elite food artisan Amanda Newman and consider it a model to follow.
Aleppo Lavash Crackers
Unadorned crackers may have their place in the eating world, but one speckled with a flaky red pepper that’s fruity, tangy, smoky and packs a bit of heat is a cracker that merits contemplation. It’s new in the bakery at Windy Brow Farms in Fredon.
Blue Moon Farm Garlic Powder
A Garden State-grown crop is turned by its farmers in Hunterdon County into a savory, useful and endlessly complementary value-added product – a seasoning for all seasons.
Gorditas de Nata
A Mexican breadstuff proves its mettle – and versatility – in a partnership with a market’s homey queso crema. For starters, that is.
Chocolate Chip Cookie from Benchmark
Consider this an official proclamation: New Jersey’s best Triple-C is made by bread bakers in Little Silver. The search is over.
Ideal Lasagne
At Porta Rossa in Maplewood, the layering of flat noodles, tomato sauce and cheeses reaches its apex thanks to a process that requires a couple of extra steps. It’s time that proves very well spent.
Ohsung Yes! Chips! (Garlic Shrimp)
These crispy little critters of shrimp and garlic plus tapioca flour and seasonings are making noise on our snack scene.