www.bistrogourmetfoods.com
April 2010

Happy April. I hope your taxes are done and you have a little money left over to splurge on good stuff for yourself. Our spare cash seems to go towards birthday presents this time of year. Our daughter turned 18 last month and our son will be 20 in just a couple weeks. Makes us really feel we are aging.

When you are talking about balsamic vinegar, "aging" is a good thing. Good balsamic vinegar is aged in wooden barrels that have open air vents. The liquid slowly evaporates while the remaining product absorbs the tannin and balsa of the wood, giving balsamic vinegar its signature dark coloring and hint of woody flavor. The longer a vinegar ages, the longer the sugars mingle. The vinegar becomes sweeter, smoother, and thicker. Aging is a good thing!

This month's recipe is a a decadant pleasure you will enjoy. It combines the flavor of raspberries and chocolate. Need I say more?

Raspberry Balsamic Chocolate Sauce

2 Cups white wine
2 TBSP confectioner's sugar
1 cup Bistro Blends Rasberry Balsamic Vinegar
1 TBSP butter
1/2 Cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels

In medium sauce pan, over medium heat, combine wine and vinegar. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Add butter and chocolate and stir until melted. Allow mixture to simmer over medium-low heat until reduced by half (approximately 40 minutes). Allow to cool slightly. Serve over cheesecake, ice cream, or angel food cake. Resist the temptation to just eat it with a spoon. Unused sauce can be kept refrigerated up to 2 weeks. Reheat to bring it back to pouring consistency later.

IDEAS
Bistro Blends Heirloom Balsamic Vinegar drizzled over fresh strawberries is a delight
Bistro Blends Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Meyer Lemon whisked with rice vinegar and water makes a light dressing to toss with romaine.
Cubed, leftover chicken tossed with fresh spinach, asiago cheese and Bistro Blends Sun-dried Tomato Balsamic Vinaigrette makes a super lunch dish.
Shrimp marinated in Bistro Blends Chardonnay & Roasted Garlic Marinade then grilled are delightful.

REMINDER
Are we coming to your town soon? Check our show calendar.

Live Deliciously!
DATES	CITY, STATE	EVENT	LOCATION
April 24-25, 2010	Plant City, FL	Buckler Craft Fair	Strawberry Festival Grounds
May 1-2, 2010	Deland, FL	Buckler Craft Fair	Volusia County Fairgrounds
May 15-16, 2010	West Palm Beach, FL	Buckler Craft Fair	South Florida Fairgrounds
June 3-5, 2010	Orlando, FL	Gay Days Expo	Doubletree Resort, Int'l Drive

This is always up to date on the Bistro Gourmet Foods website: www.bistrogourmetfoods.com

Live Deliciously!

Holiday gifts, housewarming, teacher appreciation, hostess gift, birthday present or just pamper yourself, go to www.bistrogourmetfoods.com

Bistro Blends Orlando LC dba Bistro Gourmet Foods, PO Box 163057, Altamonte Springs, FL 32716