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Ethel G. Hofman
Kosherfest Showcases
http://www.jewishworldreview.com --
IT WASN'T A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY or a convention that recently brought
hordes of rabbis and representatives from all branches of the kosher food and
wine industry to the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secausus, New Jersey.
The attraction was the annual Kosherfest, which this year reached its peak
as the biggest, most comprehensive kosher food trade show in history. Under
the direction of Menachem Lubinsky, president of Integrated Marketing and
Communications, Inc. the show has expanded from 100 booths and 2,100 buyers
in 1992, to this year's record breaking numbers - 450 booths and 12,000
buyers reflecting the booming popularity of kosher certified products in
mainstream as well as kosher American markets.
Packaging is an important criteria to attract
shoppers. This year there was a bright streamlined look on popular brands as
well as on the hundreds of newly certified items, making their debut. Most
should soon be in markets but when looking, keep in mind that most of these
kosher certified products will be displayed throughout the stores, not
necessarily in the kosher section, which is traditionally limited to
"Jewish" items such as matzo meal and Shabbes candles.
Chase's Buffalo Hot Dogs, a brand new item was awarded
1st place in the year round refrigerated category in the New Product
Showcase. Steve Chase, the grandson of Hebrew National founder, Lenny Pines,
has combined his famous family recipe with buffalo because he notes" buffalo
(bison) is one of the healthiest red meats in the world with less fat and
calories than chicken, lamb and many fish varieties.." The buffalo are farm
raised and are not fed steroids or hormones, a strong appeal to
health-conscious consumers. If you crave new tastes, and they are not yet
in your market, kosher buffalo hot dogs, regular or nitrate free, may be
ordered by calling 1-877-532-6283. 3 pounds costs $39.95 which includes
shipping and handling. Kosher Catch packaged fish targets homemakers, who
don't have the time or inclination to infuse flavors into their seafood.
Soy foods, high in protein, are flying off the supermarket shelves - but
for my money, choose those made by Yves Veggie Cuisine. Italian-style Veggie
Ground Round makes a superb spaghetti sauce, healthier and better tasting
than that made from ground beef. The company also makes Veggie Burgers,
Wieners, and entrees - all based on soy. Generous samples of Health Wealth's
vegetarian potstickers (dumplings) attracted SRO crowds, proving that you
don't have to be Chinese to love Chinese food. Kosher cooks can now
duplicate the punch of Spanish and Latin-American cuisine.
Besides spreading
on toasted Italian bread, spread spoonfuls over a slab of cream cheese to
serve with crackers, or garnish a vegetable or cream soup with a dollop of
Sweet Red Pepper topping. From Upscale Foods, Inc. The Old City Cafe
Burritos in five flavors including vegetarian beef and bean, are ready to
heat and eat. Great for office lunches or home from school snacks.
Amongst the huge display of matzos for Passover,
Rakusens cracker-like matzos are outstanding in crispness, good taste and
appearance. Manufactured in England, the three flavors Nice and Spicy,
Poppyseed and Onion, and Herb and Tomato will be in American stores in time
for Passover. Season Products Corporation have expanded their Passover 2000
items. Packaging is colorful and attractive especially in cake mixes. New
items include Chocolate Chip Pancake, No Salt Potato Pancake Mix
Sun-dried Tomato halves and Walnut Oil - a boost to gourmet Passover
cooking.
The Foods from Israel pavilion offered excellent cheeses such
as "Pastures of Eden" cream goat cheese and feta cheese, sensational olive
oils from The Old Oil Press Ltd. and from Silver Goose Industries, goose
liver products from humanely fed geese. Frozen Crushed Garlic Cloves from
Dorot, packed in a tray of twenty cubes, may be used frozen - just pop out
as many as needed to flavor soups and stews. A fabulous, timesaver with
superb natural flavor.
Great food needs wine to match and the kosher wines from
Lionel Gallula Wines from France were outstanding. Elegantly packed,
traditional French varietals such as J.P. Chenet Cabernet Sauvignon,
Chardonnay and Merlot exhibit the true French character - smooth, fruity and
aromatic. Under the Remy Pannier label, Anjou Red, Anjou Rose and Chenin
Blanc reflect the full fruit flavors and soft characteristics of the Anjou
region. From the Petite Chateaux Collection, Chateau Lestage(red) from
Montagne-St. Emilion has the soft richness of the region while the Chateau Le
Tertre (white) is crisp and cleantasting, typical of the Graves region. All
are OU certified for Passover and year round use. Martinelli's non-alcoholic
sparkling drinks now includes Apple-Grape as well as traditional cider and
apple juice. Bottled spring water, flavored with fruit juices, are favorites
but one of the best at the show was Geyser, in exotic combinations such as
Kiwi Watermelon, Wildberry and Strawberry Kiwi. Geyser has no sticky, sweet
aftertaste making a refreshing thirst-quenching drink.
With the number of kosher certified foods increasing
daily, the kosher pantry can be stocked as never before with products to
enhance family menus and make entertaining easy and
Products for the Millennium
Today's consumers are a selective, finicky lot with little time for
conventional cooking. So for supermarket chains, gourmet shops and
institutions, it's a constant quest to stock up with food items to fit in
with contemporary lifestyles. This year's Kosherfest was a buyer's bonanza.
The items below represent some of the best in new, convenient and top
quality.
The marinated salmon, haddock and flounder, contain no preservatives and the
Italian style salmon and Lemon Dill flounder were awarded 2nd place for
quality, appearance and taste. Ready to broil or bake, these marinated fish
make it possible to serve up a delicious meal in minutes. Taking wraps a
step further than the ordinary corn variety, a relatively new company,
WrapOle, a 3rd prize winner, is producing spinach, sesame, whole wheat and
honey, and rye wraps - each with it's natural flavor - rye tastes like rye,
spinach like spinach. They are kosher and parve, so that meat or dairy
fillings may be used as desired. The wraps may be refrigerated up to 90 days.
Chef Merito, Inc.
has brought out a complete line of unique blends including Fajitas, Adobo
and Turkey seasonings, adding effortless sparkle to bland dishes. Besides
pickled cucumbers and gherkins, D&A Kosher under the label The Little Valley,
produces pickled pattypan squash. Crunchy and tart, the unusual vegetable, is
packed in a 30 ounce jar and is found in the pickle and condiment section of
the supermarket. Miceli's Specialty Foods produces a variety of tasty
bruschetta toppings including Artichoke and Wild Mushroom.
JWR contributor Ethel G. Hoffman is the former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members include the likes of Julia Child. She is the author, most recently, of Everyday Cooking for the Jewish Home: More Than 350 Delectable Recipes.