Jewish World Review Dec. 1, 1999 / 22 Kislev, 5760


Ethel G. Hofman

Kosherfest Showcases
Products for the Millennium


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.


Econophone


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.

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.

Trakdata


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.

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.


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.

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 fun.




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.


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©1999 Ethel G. Hofman