Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The 5 W’s of Running Yumminess
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Yum Runnerz Day on The Farm
The friendly staff, as well other volunteers, was welcoming and willing to teach us the ropes. The program has a several students that help maintain the farm during the week and Urban Roots will recruit about 30 students to be apart of the program next year. Urban Roots sets out to teach young people the value of working together in order to serve a community through sustainable farming. They also strive to show young people how to eat and cook healthy food.
Yum Runnerz learned that working on a farm sure does make you appreciate the convenience of picking up food at a grocery store. We picked spinach leaves that were being sold to Wheatsville and pulled weeds surrounding planted carrots.
In addition to some fresh squash, Yum Runnerz took home some unique skills and a strong admiration for the Urban Roots program. By the way, if you go to Wheatsville, be sure to pick up some spinach leaves. They were picked with great skill, of course!
If you are interested in volunteering for Urban Roots, their Web site details a calendar of events.
For more information of Yum Runnerz, you can visit www.yumrunnerz.com or contact Dana McCoy at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Lone Star Spirit
The city’s “Keep Austin Weird” motto and its support for small businesses are what give Austin its local flavor. This has several implications, but to Mary and Chris Halenza, it meant their family business had a chance to survive.
The Halenzas are an average Central Texas couple by day and kettle corn fanatics by the weekend. In an effort to add an extra income, as well as a little spice to their life, this couple established Lone Star Kettle Corn in February 2007.
The duo dreamed of seeing their homemade kettle corn on the selves of local grocery stores. For three years the Halenzas went to fairs and carnivals in the Austin area promoting their product, but they were soon ready to move into the retail sphere. The full-time working family handed the job of selling over to Dana McCoy, the owner of another locally grown business, Yum Runnerz.
Dana is local food broker, who set out this year to follow her foodie tendencies and take on the job of helping small food artisans in the Austin area grow their business. Living in Austin, where the influence of local business is celebrated, spurred Dana’s desire to explore honest-to-goodness food and create Yum Runnerz.
“I focus on specialty foods, but locality is most important,” Dana said. “At Yum Runnerz, we believe buying local is beneficial for so many reasons, including helping the small guy compete with the big guns.”
The Halenzas’ dream quickly came to life after Dana picked up the company. Lone Star was already in Motley Menagerie Tea Room in Kyle and with the determination of Yum Runnerz, Lone Star Kettle Corn was in six more stores within months. This Texas-spirited product can be found in both Royal Blue groceries, Callahan’s General Store, both Newflower Farmer’s Markets, and is available with Greenling’s Organic Delivery.
Mary said, “When we are asked where people can find us next, we are able to say ‘anytime at the following locations...’ and the customer is excited to have our kettle corn between our events.”
The couple also does popping demonstrations of their kettle corn in front of some of these locations. These are a fun way of displaying the process of producing the corn in a huge kettle.
“Their kettle corn has a nice balance of sweet and salty flavors,” Dana said. “The added Mexican vanilla is their secret weapon.”
The Halenzas hope to open a storefront one-day and possibly get involved with such Austin festivals as ACL or SXSW.
“It is my dream to see Lone Star Kettle Corn be the next craving people seek out in Austin,” Mary said.
The story of these two small businesses depending on each other represents the spirit of Austin, the local movement, and the ability for small businesses to thrive within a large city. The local businesses in Austin are what make it special; without them, the city might be more like… Dallas.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Holiday Season Pralines, Southern Style
What better way to end an amazing meal than with a hand crafted dessert made in the heart of Austin with a real “N'awlin’s” twist? If you are a chef, caterer, or in the hospitality industry and you are looking to source a specialty item that will put the finishing touches on an evening, authentic New Orleans style PRALINES are a sweet treat.
The Christen's Gourmet Pralines’ company is originally from New Orleans and moved to Austin after Hurricane Katrina. Their pralines are made fresh daily from the finest ingredients and every batch comes out of the kitchen hand stirred, dipped, and sealed. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives and all natural ingredients, which help give the pralines their rich and creamy taste.
They can come "dressed" for every occasion. The labels can even be tailored to an event. There are 20 different flavors available with the most popular flavorings being the original, chocolate, and bourbon.
Whether you use the pralines to accompany your own dessert or use it as a holiday dessert for an event that you may be catering for, add this scrumptious authentic Southern treat to any occasion. It is even acceptable on small budgets! Now, that's southern comfort at its best.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Poppin' Some Holiday Cheer
Reel Popcorn is a family owned and operated gourmet popcorn shop located in Southpark Meadows in South Austin. With a selection of 47+ savory, candied, and specialty flavors, Reel Popcorn represents true customization. Whether it is a kick-off snack of orange and vanilla popcorn to help those Texas Longhorns bring in a touchdown, or blush and bashful, the colors of a wedding, Reel Popcorn has the tin, bag, box, or bucket for any occasion.
Reel Popcorn offers a Holiday Mix bag of Cherry, Green Apple and Vanilla flavors. This blend is a bright and colorful addition to any bash. The White Chocolate Candy Cane flavor is great for any Christmas party.
The Rocky Road flavor is a delicious combination of caramel, pecan, almonds, cashews, marshmallows, white chocolate, and milk chocolate. Companies can always buy sample bags to give out for employee appreciation or customer appreciation.
Some other Reel flavors include the Savory flavors of Creamy Dill, Loaded Potato, Wasabi Ranch, BBQ, Cheddar, Pizza, and even Cinnamon Toast; the Candied flavors of Grape, Vanilla, Strawberry, and Orange; the Specialty flavors of s’mores and toffee almond; and any flavor mix you can think of. This is only a small portion of what Reel Popcorn can make.
In addition to the specialty “Texas Longcorn”, Reel offers Aggie Corn, black cherry and vanilla, and Cowboy Corn, blueberry and vanilla. Reel can pop any corn in the colors of your favorite team!
Reel Popcorn is having their 2nd Anniversary Celebration this Sunday, Nov. 14th from 12-6 pm. Come celebrate the history of the company and the Master Kernels’ passion for popcorn as they are sure to have some money-saving deals.
Reel Popcorn also offers a unique addition to special occasions: a Popcorn Bar. This is similar to a drink bar, but instead of alcohol, would include a variety of colors and flavors of your choice to suit any party’s theme.
Gear up for the holiday season with specialty popcorn from Reel Popcorn. We invite you to mix and match flavors until you find your favorite!
For more information on prices and flavors for your next group event, contact Yum Runnerz at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Locally Crafted Oils and Vinegars
We offer a White Truffle Oil that will add a strong flavoring to any dull meal. Currently the Four Seasons is using this oil in their macaroni and cheese dish. Although this is an essence of truffle, the right price and lingering flavor has made this oil the most popular.
We also have, in order of popularity, fig balsamic vinegar, tangerine-orange balsamic vinegar, and even strawberry balsamic vinegar. Like I said before, the look on people’s faces when they taste these products speaks to the quality taste.
We are offering a lemon infused olive oil and roasted garlic oil as well.
Last week, I made honey mustard dressing with the Spicewood Truffle Dijon Mustard ($4.75/jar). I mixed the mustard with red wine vinaigrette and honey. This perfect combination of Dijon, an intense truffle taste, and a light honey savor, is just right for a salad topping.
I also made faux fried chicken strips rolled in the Truffle Dijon mustard, coasted in crushed corn flakes and baked it. This is a great healthy alternative to fried chicken.
Any of these oils and vinegars are perfect additions to desserts, dressings and the like.
A minimum order of a case (6 bottles) is required and the bottles can be mixed. For more information or to sample these oils and vinegars contact Yum Runnerz at foodiemccoy@gmail.com or go to http://www.yumrunnerz.com/.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Heart of Texas Winery: Stonewall
The spirit of the Texas is one of independence and integrity. This spirit is embodied not only in each Texas town, but in each Texas winery as well.
Yum Runnerz was lucky enough to explore some of the Texas wine country this past Friday. We just picked up Pedernales Cellars and will be representing their new Stonewall line.
Right around the corner from Johnson City and just west of Fredericksburg, lies the little town of Stonewall, Texas. Although it doesn’t hold much within its bounds, Pedernales Cellars furnishes the small town. The winery describes itself as “distinctly hill country.” Making the drive out there, I’d say so.
Throughout the beautiful hills, one will find this 15-year family-run business that prides itself on skillfully working with the Texas soil and climate to provide exceptional wines. Even the tasting room presents pictures of many family members doing various things on the vineyard, such as picking grapes.
This three-generation family has recently branched off from their normal brand and created the Stonewall line, which Yum Runnerz represents.
This line includes a Viognier, which has a clean and crisp taste with notes of floral and a taste of citrus and tropical fruit also. This wine is great paired with warm goat cheese with roasted garlic and herbs.
The Stonewall Merlot is a soft, but opulent red wine with ripe blackberry, plum and vanilla flavors. The demand for this Merlot has been strong and the winery is working to meet this influx.
The Stonewall Muscat is also available as a perfect dessert wine with notes of passion fruit, grapefruit, and a light perfume. Couple this Muscat with a hazelnut crème brulee for a strong ending to any meal.
The company is also arranging to release a Tempranillo with the Stonewall line. This Spanish red wine will carry the tastes of cherries and coffee with a rich mineral finish.
Overall, if you’re looking for a Texas wine with affordable prices to add to your store, restaurant, or even your life, Yum Runnerz will connect you with this truly unique line.
For more information, contact Yum Runnerz at foodiemccoy@gmail.com or go to our Web site at www.yumrunnerz.com.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Acadian Family Farms' Produce
Acadian Farms is located in Lavaca County and run by a family dedicated to growing the most flavorful and beautiful vegetables. With over 20 years in growing experience, Acadian Farms grows great vegetables and is growing in popularity also.
For more information on Yum Runnerz or Acadian Family Farms, contact me at foodiemccoy@gmail.com or visit my Web site at http://www.yumrunnerz.com/.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Local Spread
It was an eye-opening experience to witness some of the best farmers in Texas, which provide the healthiest food out there, encountering misfortune and inconvenience from all sides.
This brings me to two points: the Food Inc. Revolution and my own mission as a local food broker.
Food Inc. has exposed the inhumane conditions of factory farms, the environmental impact of transporting our food, and the horrors of the food we eat. The movie has shed light onto the importance of supporting your local community by purchasing local food. It gave a voice to those sickened by food-borne illnesses and, most importantly, the movie offers ways to change the system and Americans’ eating habits.
This brings me to my own mission here in Austin. I’m so thankful to live in a city which can be considered the “hub” for supporting local and organic food. This is why my foodie tendencies brought me to become a local food broker and create Yum Runnerz. I want to help artisans creating the healthiest food in the world with tender love and care to establish themselves and sell their food. I want to spread the gospel of the local movement to all willing ears through education and awareness.
I also want to help consumers understand that season changes will alter menu offerings and that paying a higher premium for local food is important not only for your body, but for your environmental surroundings. This does not mean that the food should be so expensive that the lower-income population is alienated and driven to buy fast food. It means that if supply and demand increase, the price should naturally fall and allow local food to become more accessible to those willing to buy it. Most of all, I want to spread my passion for healthy food.
Within the next couple of weeks, I will buy a few hens and attempt to create a garden and a compost pile for my backyard. This is my simple step toward change. What’s yours?
For more information about Yum Runnerz visit www.yumrunnerz.com or email me at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Knock Knock- It's Fall's Fresh Produce
This week, as the farmers are gearing up for Fall, Yum Runnerz has local produce available from Fredericksburg and Lavaca County.We have Louisiana shallots ready for order. For those of you who don’t like onions, this is milder and perfect for adding flavor to a bland meal.
If you are looking to spice up your dishes, we have orange and yellow banana peppers, as well as Serrano, jalapeno and bell peppers.
Zucchini, yellow squash, and large pickling cucumbers are also ready for purchasing literally from the farm to your table! All you fancy foodies will loooove the squash blossoms we have. They are perfect for decorating any meal by stuffing the blossom and frying it.
Last night, I used the fresh yellow squash and zucchini, pictured, to make a delicious soup. As the weather is transitioning into Fall, the colors and taste made it a perfect seasonal dinner dish.
For more information on buying local products, contact Dana McCoy at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Peggy Sue’s Debut: Goat Cheese with Style
Tonight, I will cook a Grecian-inspired meal with the feta cheese. First, I will roast one red bell pepper. After it cools, I will peel the skin, slice it in half, and sandwich a few slices of the feta cheese into the middle. I will then drizzle olive oil onto it and put it back into the oven. The result: a sweet and salty, but still soft and creamy, perfect compliment to my Mediterranean chicken salad. Delicious.
If you would like to taste any of Penny Lane’s cheese, email me at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Med Chefs, Here’s Your Answer
Mediterranean Cuisine: Healthy Living with Gusto
For the past two weeks I’ve been toting around Greece on a food excursion specifically aimed at “research and development.” Or, more importantly, guileless pleasure! My vacation took me to the heart of an ancient culture, walked me through the statuesque lands surrounding the Mediterranean, and showed me a way of life that includes, simply stated, a lot of good food.
Coincidentally, I recently picked up a Mediterranean line that provides an endless list of diverse Mediterranean ingredients, distinctive antipasti, more olives than one can imagine, and some of the world’s finest vinegars, mustards, and oils.
Many of this line’s products can be easily incorporated into unique recipes and innovative meals, or served singly.
The exceptional antipasti available include a varied selection of peppers, artichokes and more. For example, roasted Florina peppers, feta-stuffed Kardoula peppers, and stuffed cherry peppers are purchasable. Italian Pomodoraccio tomatoes are also available; they are hand-picked and have unrivaled natural sweetness.
Artichokes are known to be a fine addition to any antipasti platter. This line provides anything from artichokes marinated in oils, brine and herbs, or long stem artichokes whole or sliced.
This line has the perfect Med spread for any recipe. Gigandes beans grown on the mountain slopes of Northern Greece are available to add flavor to any pasta or salad, or served as hummus.
Olive oil is essential to a healthy diet. Olive oil from Crete, on the other hand, is essential to an amazing dish. The origins of this Grecian olive oil speak to its exceptional quality and taste.
This company is dedicated to providing only the finest olives from the Mediterranean’s best groves. These olives are never labeled simply as green or black, but represent the important and distinctive characteristics of their geographic location. A myriad of high quality olives are accessible: Mt. Athos Green Stuffed Olives w/ Feta Cheese/Blue Cheese/ Citrus/ Garlic/ Toasted Almonds, Greek Olive Mix, Kalamata, Cracked Green. And the list continues…
Samples are always available upon request.
Happy and healthy cooking comes from the heart, or the Mediterranean. In the last 20 years, the Mediterranean diet has gained popularity as a compliment to healthy living. According to the Journal of American Medicine, after a 10-year study it was found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet and healthful lifestyle was associated with more than a 50% lowering of early death rates.
The diet is comprised of foods rich in natural ingredients and with abundant health benefits. This Mediterranean line supplements a lifestyle of healthy eating, enjoyment, and simplicity.
The ancient Greek philosopher Plato once said, “Knowledge is the food of the soul.” Sorry Plato, but I’m convinced that food is the knowledge of the soul. One must know their love of food in order to feel a love of life.
For more information contact me at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.
For more information on Yum Runnerz, visit www.yumrunnerz.com.Friday, July 30, 2010
A local lovely snack to POP into your mouth!
When I first started Yum Runnerz food brokering services I began with a local company in Kyle, TX. A good friend of mine referred them to me and the rest has become history.
Lone Star Kettle Corn is their name and they have mastered the art of KETTLE CORN. Before Yum Runnerz you could find them at any local festival, children's sporting events near the Kyle area and at the Motley Menagerie Tea Room in Kyle. Lone Star Kettle Corn has a secret ingredient that makes their Kettle corn different than any other Kettle out there.
The first week Yum Runnerz had them in Thom's Market, New Flower, Fresh plus grocery, and Royal Blue. These puppies couldn't stay on the shelves. With a shorter shelf life due to the natural ingredients and fresh popped nature of this decadent treat they are now becoming a staple at most stores around Austin. Today they can be found;
1. ALL ROYAL BLUE STORES downtown
2. NEW FLOWER BEE CAVES
3. GREENLING
4. Starting August 2, 2010 CALLAHAN'S
So if you are headed downtown for some shopping or to visit a friend in those newly designed condos stop into Royal and for under $4.00 you brought your appetizer for the party.
If your headed to Llano, Hamilton pool or Lake Travis stop by the New Flower in Bee Caves and grab an afternoon swimming snack or a road trip snack for under $4.00.
If you are too lazy to leave the house due to this lovely humidity, sign up on Greenling and have them deliver fresh natural Kettle corn to your door.
Better yet, driving through East Austin to the airport and back? Stop at that great little General Store Callahans and pick up a treat to go!
Supporting a local company who has passion behind the product and controls the quality of each kernel you pop into your mouth is a real treat. This town is made for this snack and this snack is made for this town!
Ladies forget the portion control on this one, the flavor alone makes it uncontrollable.
Enjoy and thanks for buying local!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Cashaw squash from Comanche Oaks Farms
Comanche Oaks Farms is located in LaGrange Texas. His produce is all organic and if you have followed this blog or my facebook before you have seen his produce. Last week he gave me a squash from an heirloom seed from Costa Rica. Last night I turned the squash into curried squash soup, vegtable squash soup, and roasted squash for a meal later this week.
The name of the squash, Cashaw winter squash. Similar to a butternut squash. Enjoy the pictures below and yes it was delicious!
He has many cashaws ready for purchase, if you are interested let me know and I will provide you with the curried soup recipe.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
mmmpanadas
mmmpanadas
Friday, July 9, 2010
Comanche Oaks Organic Farms
Thursday, July 8, 2010
REEL POPCORN
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Added 2 new clients
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
BUYING LOCAL
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
GET YOUR POPCORN, NICE FRESH POPCORN
and ROYAL BLUE......but if you are in Barton Springs head down to THOMS market and grab a bag!
Monday, May 24, 2010
LONE STAR KETTLE CORN
THOMS MARKET BARTON SPRINGS ROAD
ROYAL BLUE ON NUECES
HURRY BEFORE THERE GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, May 21, 2010
PRODUCTION LIST
We appreciate our current producers, thank you for doing business with Yum Runnerz!