Store-bought glaze vs Natural Honey

If you are a ham lover, it is very likely that you have had a honey cured ham. Have you ever looked at the ingredients in a ham glaze pack for a honey cured ham?  You would be shocked at the ingredient list.  The ingredients include:  sugar, high fructose corn syrup, water, honey modified food starch, soybean oil, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives), cellulose gum, caramel color, spice, natural and artificial flavor, calcium disodium EDTA.  Compare this with Mrs. Bryant's approach to glazing a ham.  Simply open a jar of Mrs. Bryant's Cherry Apple Sauce (no sugar added - just cherries and apples) or if you want that "honey" taste - just use the monk's Monastery Creamed Honey (pure raw Virginia honey) or combine the two.  You pick- you will be surprised as how much better the healthier choice tastes.Other natural alternatives include:  Wildwood's Hickory Syrup and Virginia Chutney Company's Chutneys.  Simply coat your ham and bake, grill, or broil.  Order your ham and glazes on-line today!

Serves 9

Mrs. Bryant’s Lentil Soup Mix

4 Slices Edward’s Bacon Steak

1 Chopped Onion

2 Sliced Carrots

1 Sliced Celery Stalk

9 Cups Water

1 Tsp Mrs. Bryant’s Colonial Williamsburg Heritage Spice Blend & Rub

1 Diced Potato

¼ Pound Edward’s Hickory Smoked Ham

Freshly Ground Mrs. Bryant’s Rainbow Peppercorn

Cut bacon into small pieces and cook in a large saucepan until partially done.  Next, add onion, carrots and celery.  Cook an additional 3 minutes.  Add the remaining ingredients to the saucepan, seasoning to taste with spice packet.  Cover and simmer for 1 hour.  For a creamier soup, puree a portion of the lentils in a blender and return to the saucepan.   Garnish with Virginia Gourmet’s Cheese Straws or Mrs. Bryant’s Sweet Potato Crackers.  

During our visit to the 2013 International Fancy Food Show, we made some interesting observations.  Based on these observations, we believe that the trendy and popular foods for 2013 will be those that have locally derived and healthy ingredients.  Our top 10 predictions for these types of food include:

1. Fresh from the farm yogurts and cheeses
2. Raw super foods - specifically dried berry mixes, nutrition bars & juices
3. Pickled & preserved fresh fruit and vegetables
4. Coconut water
5. Olive oils & flavored vinegars
6. Chocolates blended with various fruits & spices
7. Popcorn
8. Edamame and other beans
9. Flavored sugars, cupcakes and gelato
10. Organic & all natural ketchups, barbecue and hot sauces

This year follows the decade-long trend towards healthier foods which are gluten free and with less allergens.  Recognizing that obesity and food-borne diseases have become a real problem, food manufacturers around the world are attempting to meet the needs and demands of the consumer by minimizing over-processed foods and those containing high fructose corn syrup.  More than ever, companies are willing to more rapidly change their ingredient lists and quickly create products that the company believes will be popular and trendy. 

We at Mrs. Bryant’s and Virginia Gourmet visit the Fancy Food Show every year, gathering information so we may create and stock the “trendy” foods for you to experience and enjoy.  As your local specialty food store, we strive to stay many steps ahead of the supermarkets, bringing you healthy, tasty, delicious and nutritious foods for you and your family to enjoy.  Throughout the next few months, stop by Virginia Gourmet or check-out our website where you will find many new foods added to our shelves.  If you have any additional observations or trends, e-mail us and let us know.

This new raw dry super food fruit mix of mulberries,golden berries, goji berries, and blueberries and will be one of many new foods available at Virginia Gourmet.  This super food mix is a healthy snack by itself or may be added to yogurts, oatmeal, salads, granola, in baked goods, and as dessert toppings.

Resolve to eat healthy - eat local - Shop at Virginia Gourmet

We will share some delicious new recipes using Virginia's Finest foods and ingredients.

In January, find Virginia Gourmet & Mrs. Bryant's at these events:

January 10 - Governor's Legislative Dinner - Richmond, VA - We will be presenting the Governor and the Virginia legislature with a taste of Mrs. Bryant's specialty foods & sauces.

January 12 - My Time Women's Show - Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, VA 10:00am-4:30pm

January 20-23 - International Fancy Food Show - San Franciso, CA

January 31 - Virginia Symphony Orchestra - PBK Hall at William & Mary - Williamsburg, VA - Virginia Gourmet will be serving concessions at the concert

Of course, Virginia Gourmet is open Monday-Saturday 11am-3pm.