Local Product of the Week: Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar

 

Balsamic Strawberry Smash

photo by Kelly Carámbula of eatmakeread.com

After a nice long weekend break, it's back to work. We've been busy here at Yum Runnerz with meetings and tastings trying to get all our yummy clients into equally fabulous restaurants and stores. Our product of the week is perfect to be enjoyed at the end of a long and busy Hump Day like today.

I've talked about the delicious Balsamic Vinegar from Spicewood Food Company before, but today I'd like to share one of it's close relatives - Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar. The sweetness of the strawberries paired with the thickness of the balsamic is oh so delicious.

We all know the basic ways to use balsamic - salad dressings, marinades, sautes, etc. But have you ever tried balsamic in a cocktail? Now, before you make any judgements, check out a few of these delicious recipes:

Balsamic Lemonade & Vodka Cocktail
Balsamic Strawberry Smash
Tequila + Balsamic
Bufala Negra

Don't those sound amazing?! Stop and imagine them not just with plain balsamic, but Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar. I'm counting down to 5 o'clock!

Happy Wednesday! 

Local Products of the Week: Memorial Day Round-Up

It feels like just yesterday I was writing about springtime, and here we are in the last week of May thinking about Memorial Day!

For this week's highlighted product, we have a round-up of ways to use Yum Runnerz's local artisans' products at your Memorial Day celebration.

1. Use East Meets West TexAsian sauces to marinate some chicken or vegetables to throw on the grill. Try their Texas Szechuan for an extra kick!

2. Brew some Zhi iced tea. I've told you about two of our favorites in the past two weeks (here and here), but why not try their Berry Hibiscus or White Blueberry? Head over to their local tea shop to browse their extensive selection.

3. Serve up some of Pate Letelier's veggie pate with vegetables or chips - why not try their White Bean Pate?

4. Mix up a bowl of fresh fruit and serve it with some jam-sweetened whipped cream - wouldn't a whipped cream mixed with Blackberry Jam (with a Hint of Lavender) taste delicious?

5. And what's a party without a salad topped with some fruit, nuts, and a sprinkle of cheese, all tossed in one of Spicewood Food Company's vinaigrettes? I mean, come one... how good does a Blue Cheese and Pecan dressing sound?

These ideas will help make any summer BBQ or celebration a hit. For more ideas or info about any of the recommendations, just head on over to our Facebook page and leave us a message.

And don't forget to like us on Facebook. Our giveaway ends soon and we are far behind -- don't miss out on your chance to win a goodie basket filled with local products like the ones mentioned above. Like us before June 1st, and if we have 300 likes by then, we're giving a fabulous goodie basket away to one lucky person.

Local Product of the Week: Blood Orange Herbal Tea

Ok, so I know we featured a tea last week, but I tried a new kind of tea this week when sampling with a restaurant and I just fell in love. Zhi has an herbal tea called Blood Orange. Not only is the tea beautiful in the bag with chunks of orange peel, but it tastes wonderful also. I brewed a pitcher of the tea and poured to over ice... so good!

Pick some up and brew it hot for these dreary days and then pour it over ice once the heat comes back.

Check out Zhi and the rest of their tea selection on their website or at their tea shop at 4607 Bolm Road, Austin.

Local Product of the Week: Desert Blend

We started representing a new company and have been working like crazy to get their products into stores and restaurants. Zhi Tea is a local tea company that sells fair trade and organic teas that are made right here in Austin. Even you non-tea drinkers will be won over by the fruity Berry Hibiscus or fragrant Tropical Green Tea. Next time you're at Whole Foods, Central Market, or Fresh Plus Grocery be sure to pick up some of their awesome teas. 

This month, our Featured Local Product is one of Zhi Tea's most popular teas: Desert Blend (also sold as Sweet Desert Delight). Try it hot, try it cold... just try it!

And be sure to head over to our Facebook page and Like Yum Runnerz for your chance to win a basket filled with goodies like these. 

Local Product of the Week: Candy Apple Butter

 
Doesn't your mouth start to water just at the name of these preserves?

Letelier Food Company makes all sorts of amazing products like these preserves (as well as an array of other flavors), meat pates, and vegetarian pates.

Here are a few ideas on how to use the preserves (as if you needed help!):

As a filling for these homemade pop tarts.

Mixed into your favorite pancake recipe... check out this recipe for inspiration.

Make some little dumplings stuffed with the preserves.

Or just stay simple and spread it on a thick piece of toast.

The preserves are available at Fresh Plush Grocer on West Lynn, La Patisserie,  the SFC Downtown & Sunset Valley Farmers Market, and the Hope Farmers' Market.

Be sure to check out their website to read all about the delicious preserve flavors they are offering this season... you won't be disappointed!

And don't forget to Like us on Facebook!

Top 5 Reasons to Like Yum Runnerz

Yum Runnerz is on a mission: to gain more support from the community... in the form of Facebook Likes.

Why should you support Yum Runnerz? Here are just five of the many reasons:

1. We are a local company, pushing local goods, and spreading the word about local artisans... so in a way, if you like us, you like local. And anyone who's anyone knows that local is where it's at.

2. When you like us on Facebook, you will learn about new products that we are repping, exciting ways to use products we already rep, and every now and then we'll surprise you with an inspiring quote or a golden nugget of information.

3. Get connected with other local artisans by exploring our website and Facebook page.

(I just have to ask...)

4. Why not?

And, I saved the best for last:

5. You could win a goodie basket of local products! If we reach 300 likes, all new Facebook likes from April 12th to June 1st will be entered into a drawing for a wonderful basket filled with goodness from local artisans like Pâté Letelier, Spicewood Food Company, and others. Read more about the giveaway here.

Did I convince you, yet? If so, head on over to our Facebook page, check out what's happening, and Like us!

Happy Monday!

Local Product of the Week: Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Strawberries are starting to pop up in our CSAs and at the Farmers' Market and, while I know you don't need ideas of ways to eat them, here are a few ways to use strawberries AND support a local food artisan like The Spicewood Food Company.

The Spicewood Food Company specializes in infused oils, balsamic vinegars, and (this week's highlighted item) a Traditional Style Barrel Aged Balsamic Vinegar that has been aged twelve years.

Oh my... we just got so excited here at Yum Runnerz just talking about everything it would be good with.

Here are a few ways to pair strawberries and aged balsamic vinegar:

Cut strawberries in half and toss with a bit of balsamic. Let sit so juices from the strawberries can mix with the balsamic. Toast a few pieces of bread and spread a thick layer of goat cheese on top. Add a few pieces of prosciutto and top off with strawberries.

In a large bowl, toss together some spinach, sliced strawberries, walnuts, some goat cheese crumbles, a little bit of olive oil, sea salt, and a drizzle of balsamic.

Or, our favorite:
Slice up the strawberries, put them on top of a few scoops of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle with some aged balsamic.

You can find their products on the shelves at Specs or taste some of their other products at local restaurants like Cippolina, TRIO, and Siena.