Ingredients: Basil Primer

Common Basil
This variety of basil is the most commonly used in cooking, and comes in a number of varieties. The most widely available in the markets is Sweet Basil or Lettuce Leaf Basil. Characterized by their large, sometimes thick leaves and underlying sweetness on the palate, these varieties are ideal for salad, and the Genovese is particularly lovely when used in pesto or a seasoning and garnish. The characteristic fullness of aroma and flavor is reminiscent of mint, spice, citrus, and even anise.

Bush Basil
Shorter varieties, commonly referred to as “Bush Basils,” include the popular Spicy Globe, and are characterized by small, narrow leaves and a less pungent aroma. Because the flavor is delicate, these varieties do not stand up well to long cooking processes. We recommend they be used in their raw form, or incorporated into a final product as a finishing component. (read more)

Ingredients - Avocados: Nature's Butter

Suffice it to say we’ve had a lot of fun with this dossier. We’ve always loved the texture and flavor of avocado, but the sassy origin of its name takes it to a whole new level for us.

Avocados are a pear-shaped fruit featured in dishes around the world, from ice cream in Brazil to guacamole in Mexico to sweet drinks in Vietnam and the Philippines. Avocado trees are known as Persea americana, with the fruit itself categorized as Lauraceae. These verdant beauties are not only cholesterol free, but are also rich in monounsaturated fat (15% of the recommended daily allowance), making them a healthy and delicious addition to your cooking; we like to use them as a substitute for butter on our bread. They are also rich in vitamins B, E, K and folate. (We don’t need these excuses, but if they work for you, go for it.)

Avocados are also renowned for their skin-enhancing properties, and are used in numerous beauty products.

The avocado’s reputation as an aphrodisiac is legendary, and it is uncertain which has contributed more to this: The visual of the opened avocado or the etymology of the name itself. Whatever the case, we are happy to promote sensual stimulation of any kind, at any time. (read more)

Ingredients: Mmm...morels

Morels are found in various wooded places, mostly throughout North America and Europe, but as they are unpredictable and somewhat elusive (they must have chatted with the truffles), there is indeed a hunt involved in getting them to the table for feasting.

Dedicated mycophagists (people who eat mushrooms) head out in packs for spore sightings, and there is even a National Morel Mushroom Hunters Association in the U.S. to coordinate the effort. Though such hunters are always in search of the ultimate morel mother lode, if one is lucky enough to find a dozen, one has discovered a bounty. Such scarcity has led to a high price in the marketplace, but thankfully they are nowhere near the price of truffles.

Important note: There are “false morels” to be found in the woods, some of which are highly toxic, so we suggest that unless you plan to go with an experienced forager to hunt these, please purchase them from a reputable grocer. You can also buy them dried if they are out of season. Lest we have not yet included enough legal disclaimers, there will be at least one more in this dossier. (read more)