Spring is almost upon us.  As the weather moves from dark and moody to bright and (hopefully) sunny, try a natural progression from the deep, earthy flavors of winter to lighter and brighter flavors that go so well with our spring bounty in Half Moon Bay.  For me, spring isn’t officially here until I can buy peas grown on the Coastside.   Local peas straight from the pod are delicious in any dish, but they’re really best when the fresh flavors come through.  Katz Myer Lemon Olive Oil is a perfect light and bright olive oil to accompany those spring peas.  It’s in stock now, fresh from the press, and perfect for your kitchen or for a gift.  Come by and ask for a sample and you’ll be hooked.  (And here’s a link to one of my favorite pea recipes, Fresh Pea Sauce with Myer Lemon Olive Oil.  It makes a great dip straight out of the blender, too! www.MyToque.com/recipes.php). 

I also highly recommend trying some lighter curries from Whole Spice, such as the African Curry.  It’s a flavorful blend that works well with all kinds of meats, vegetables, rice, dried fruit, nuts, or lentils.  Try finishing with a little coconut milk for a bright but rich dish that is perfect for this time of year.  We also have a selection of great herbs for this time of year such as dried Savory, Herbs de Provence and Za’atar.

Toque Blanche is honored to have been featured in an article on cookware in the February issue of Gourmet News, and also selected by TasteTV to host a chocolate event in the store on April 5th.  There’s more info below under “events.”

We will be closed Easter Sunday.  Enjoy the holiday and meals with your family! 

Have Fun Cooking,
Stuart and the Toque Blanche Staff