Ford's Produce Supply Update

August 2, 2010 Week

Last week’s high heat, followed by this week’s rains, have caused a short term gap on many local products.

Cantaloupes, watermelons and honeydews are all at peak season, both locally and nationally.

Great supplies from Salinas and Santa Maria are keeping strawberry markets low.

Eastern Peach growers are having one of the strongest harvests on record.

Onion farmers have been plagued by poor weather and too much rain all season long.

Q:What did one plate say to the other plate?

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Meringues, Phyllo & More

 

Puff Pastries - Sweet
Hafner Tartshell #24240 - HA 976
#24410 - MC406
Meringue Cup

66 per case
Diameter: 2.5"
Height: 1.6"
Sweet
This Meringue cup can to be used for dessert with a small portion of filling inside and a liquid decoration around it.  The meringue is very solid, and the chef will have no problem pushing ice cream inside of it.  Unusual because of its white color, the Meringue can be used in the most elegant settings.
Phyllo (Fillo) Dough
Hafner Tart Shell #24250 Fords Produce
#23730 - DP 360
360 per case
Diameter: 1.75"
Height: .9"
Savory - Margarine
Phyllo Dough can be used for Sweet or Savory.  For Sweet, use for Baklavas with nut and nut chunks and honey.   As a savory, it can be filled with sea food or any other filling for an elegant finger food.  Phyllo items can be prepared long in advance and then frozen and re-heated.  Ideal for caterers to avoid the deadline rush.
Melba Toast
Hafner Puff Pastries by Fords Produce
#23710 - CT688
Melba Toast

688 per case
Diameter: 1.75"
Height: .4"

If you fill this with chunks of white meat, it is expected to have a white sauce (possibly with tarragon).  With red meat, customers will want a dark sauce with mushrooms and possibly black pepper.

In general, puff pastry can be re-heated up to 250F without any damage to the shell.  They'll always improved in taste when warmed.  In the Mini-Bouchee, the Mini-Fish or the assorted Mini-Bouchees, one would expect a warm appetizer or warm finger food.  For example, a filling made with melted cheese with herbs, some meat or sea food, a mushroom preparation or anything which does not release much water.

In the Mini-Fish, a salmon mousse or a crab salad will look beautiful with fresh herbs.  Our favorite is to fill the Mini-Fish with cocktail sauce, and put peeled and de-veined shrimp into it in an arch shape.  Or course, this would be served cold.

The advantage of the assorted Mini-Bouchee is that you only need to purchase one case to feed up to 72 people, with each person receiving 3 different pieces.

Our Large Savory shells are very useful during the creation of your weekly medley of items to serve in a thick sauce.   Whether sea food, beef or chicken, any sauce based entrée will benefit from this elegant presentation.

Crispy Fried Dough
Hafner Tart Shells by Fords Produce
#23790 - FN100
Bite Mini Cocktail Cup
180 per case
Diameter: 1.25" Height: 0.6"
Savarin Babas - 1 Bite
Hafner Tart Shell
#24210 - HA 941
Bouchee

150 per case
Diameter: 2" / Height: 1.3"
Savory-Margarine
Puff Pastries - Savory 4 Bites
Hafner Tart Shell
#24110 - HA 552
Individual Baba

100 per case - with plastic cups
Diameter: 2.5"
Butter

The Savarin is very economical, and allows you to offer desserts for any low budget situation.  To serve, all you need to do is to dip the Savarin into a pain of boiling water and light syrup, let them swell to their full size in a matter of seconds, and then with a slotted spoon deposit them into their plastic case.  The Savarin will continue to swell and fill the serving cup.   When cooled, splash them with rum, decorate, and serve!  The Savarin can be held in the hand if you glaze to seal in the flavors.  

Very low labor and ingredient costs...yet a very successful dessert directly proportional to how much alcohol you lace it with! Hafner offers the Savarin in two sizes:  Individual finger food or as a full size individual dessert to be plated.

 

 

We look forward to serving you.