In a Jam

Bernard Le Gulvout is a master jam maker and the force behind L'Epicurien, carefully recreating the flavors of bygone days using the traditional techniques of open jelly pans and small scale production for his extra fruity French jams.  His methods allow beautiful, ripened fruits which are sweetened the old-fashioned way with cane sugar, to retain the richness of their mouthwatering aromas, flavors and colors.  The concentrated fruit flavors that will top your morning toast and delight your palate are the result of the jams' high fruit content, usually between 55% and 70%, depending upon the jam.  Our new selections include Green Tomato Jam, White Fig Jam, Apricot Jam, Sweet Orange Jam with Orange Blossoms and Blackcurrant from Burgundy Jam.  More marvelous confitures are arriving soon.  This is just the start of our very own jam connection.

Traditions : Easter Ham

Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, little peeps . . . everyone has a favorite Easter tradition.  Mine is Easter ham.  Growing up, our Easter celebration always included ham.  It was the star of my grandmother's Easter table (along with the good china and silverware that was only used on holidays), served alongside traditional side dishes, relish trays, and rolls. 

There's a whole world of ham.  Fresh roasted ham is really a fresh pork roast, often thinly sliced and served with a hot gravy.  Cured and smoked hams can be wet-cured or dry-cured.  Dry-cured hams are also known as "country hams".  These hams are coated with a dry mixture of salt, sugar and preservatives which remains on the ham for several weeks, causing the meat to dehydrate which results in a more concentrated, saltier taste and a firm, dry texture.  Country hams take a good deal of prep time before eating, including soaking the ham in several changes of cold water over 48 hours to leach out the salt, then poaching it for several hours until fully cooked. Often, the ham is then baked with a glaze before it is served.

Wet-cured or brine-cured hams are also known as "city hams".  These hams are cured in a solution of water, salt, preservatives, and usually sugar, then smoked over hickory, apple or maple hardwoods.  Wet-cured hams are often referred to as ready-to-eat if the internal temperature achieved during the smoking process is at least 155 degrees.  However, these hams are easily re-heated in a 325-350 degree oven (8 to 10 minutes per pound) which enhances the flavor.

McArthur's honey glazed spiral sliced hams have been delighting our customers for generations.  If your Easter dinner plans include ham, you will love our ready-to-eat applewood smoked hams.  Fine Food Now offers a variety of McArthur's half hams, whole hams, and party hams -- we have a ham that's perfect for your Easter table.

Watermelon Rind Pickle

Watermelon is not just for slicing and eating.  Rind pickles and preserves celebrate melon season year round and evoke memories of growing up with the unforgettable aroma of pickling spices in grandma's kitchen on a warm summer day, stacks of canning jars and lids, and treasured recipes written on slips of paper, passed down from mother to daughter. Watermelon rind pickles were regulars at county fairs, transcending Southern geography.  For a delicious twist, wrap the rind pickles in bacon and cook in the oven on a high heat for an extraordinary appetizer.

Bar-le-Duc

The origins of Bar-le-Duc go back as far as the 14th century. The first mention of this extraordinary jam dates from 1344, with judicial origins. It was said that when the nobility and the middle class won their court cases, judges were given a few precious jars in thanks. Very soon, these jams received the reputation of luxury items. It was, in fact, an honor to serve these famous French jams in little crystal jars.

Since inception, the manufacturing process has not changed. The red currants or white currants are seeded by hand with the help of quills by skilled artisans, then thrown into a boiling sugar syrup, a process that keeps the gooseberry intact with all its flavor and clear color. After this transformation, the only thing that remains is the flower of the fruit. This is what you notice in the small, beautiful jar that is the perfect offering for your own prince or lady of the court.