NapaStyle Fennel Spice. So he won’t be the Next Iron Chef, Michael Chiarello is still one of the most talented chefs in the country, and his Fennel Spice Rub reflects his almost alchemical ability to blend disparate flavors. Combining roasted fennel, coriander and white peppercorns, this rub my go-to seasoning for anything from chicken to veggies to fish. Check it out for $8.50 atwww.napastyle.com.
Robert Rothschild Farm mustards. As a sandwich junkie I’m on constant patrol for ways to keep sammies from becoming boring, and the best way to do that is to slather them with outrageously tasty mustard. Like any of the Rothschild mustards, whether tarragon-peppercorn, raspberry-wasabi or Anna Mae’s smoky. There’s more too, all at www.robertrothschild.com for $7.99.
Sarabeth’s Kitchen preserves. I don’t remember where I first tasted these luscious, all-natural fruit preserves, but that was the last time I ever purchased the standard grocery store stuff. My current fave is strawberry-rhubarb, but the tropical-tasting pineapple-mango and tangy blood orange marmalade are knockout too. Get ‘em at www.sarabeth.com for $10.
Gli Aironi Carnaroli Rice. If Arborio is the Cadillac of rice, Carnaroli is the Lamborghini. Essential to making a proper risotto are these short-grain Italian rice, and while Arborio is better known in this country, I find Carnaroli from Italy’s Po Valley rice belt to make a richer, creamier risotto while still retaining its requisite al dente texture. Available at Amazon for $11.95.
Michael Recchiuti chocolate truffles. Picking the best chocolates is like arguing politics or religion, but I’ll dive in and say San Francisco-based Michael Recchiuti’s confections are, if not the best, certainly not second place to anyone. Among the most heavenly of his divine chocolate truffles are the sublime tarragon-grapefruit, rose caramel and cardamom nougat. Surrender atwww.recchiutti.com beginning at $11.
La Rustichella White Truffle Paté. The essence of luxury in a tiny jar, this blend of white truffles, olive oil and salt is the one specialty food I could least likely live without. A couple teaspoonfuls turns an ordinary risotto or pasta cream sauce into something extraordinary. And what it does to mac ‘n’ cheese or mashed potatoes. . . Bellissimo! Find it at Amazon for $32.99.
