Picnic Time!

06/19/2009

It is summer, it is the solstice
The crowd is
cheering, the crowd is laughing
in detail
permanently, seriously
without thought. William Carlos Williams

Summer Solstice, Father’s Day and picnic season are here, and it’s about time! This is my favorite email to write because we have so much fun food here, come try these picnic ideas:
Ciao Italia
Thinly sliced sweet sopressatta, rich in taste and a chunky texture; and rosemary ham are both a delicious change from prosciutto.
Add 2 of the most addictive Italian cheeses we carry: Piave, a full-bodied hard cheese similar to Parmesan, but sweeter, and Taleggio…ah Taleggio! A tangy, meaty, fragrant melt-in-your-mouth washed rind cow’s milk square. Spread on a crunchy fresh ciabatta, add fig jam, achidenti!
The fire roasted tomatoes are sweet and tender, and our balsamic cipollini onions will add just the right crunch to your picnic.
Don’t forget the wine: Il Cavalire, Ruché, 2007. An ancient indigenous varietal from northern Italy, lighter in body, while keeping its solid tannin structure and food friendly acid. We love it! (Tip: chill this slightly before serving). $15.99, mention “picnic” for an additional 10% off.
Toujours France!Make it easy with a Parisian, a favorite Marczyk sandwich:  Brie, French ham, and butter on a French baguette. Our baguettes are baked fresh daily, warm when they arrive.
A pâté de Campagne with tart cornichon is so very French. You might also like the terrine du Perigord: a very rich little jar of duck and foie gras pate, found in the cheese section.
Add bouche du Poitou, a luscious goat’s cheese log with a delicate nutty flavor, and the mild, sweet sheep’s milk cheese Petite Basque, et voila!
Rosé of course!  Jacqueline Rosé Brut, NV. How about some rosé bubbles? Jacqueline will knock your socks off paired with this picnic! It’s bright and fruity with notes of fresh strawberry; the mousse is creamy and refreshing. Sale Price: $9.99, mention “picnic” for an additional 10% off.

All American
Cold Niman Ranch roast beef, roasted here, (we have a customer that drives from Lyons just for this) served with a creamy horseradish sauce will have the people next to you wishing they had brought something so simple and delicious.
Haystack Mountain Goat Peaks, and Paul’s favorite, Bravo Farm’s Chipotle Cheddar, are perfect cheeses to pack.
Pete’s Mom’s Potato Salad, classic!
For dessert, the easy to carry, fun to eat whoopie pies. A real all American treat, 5280 Magazine just wrote about the whoopie resurgence: http://www.5280.com/issues/2009/0906/feature.php?pageID=1784
Wine: Thomas Henry, Russian River Valley, Zinfandel, 2006. It doesn’t get any more American than Zin when it comes to wine. Thomas Henry is an excellent value for a grand slam wine! It is rich with ripe fruit and subtle black pepper notes without being super heavy and cloying to the palate. Here’s to our sweet land of liberty, good food, and good wine! $12.99, mention “picnic” for an additional 10% off.Father’s Day

Kids take note: “CHICAGO—Forget the power tools, golf shirt or terry robe as the ideal Father’s Day gift this year. A new survey shows more than 90 % of dads with a child under 18 in the home would like a top quality prime steak this Father’s Day.” Well well, what a coincidence, we happen to have the city’s best tasting steaks right here at Marczyk’s. Niman Ranch T-bones, Porter Houses, and Kansas City’s: the names alone conjure up images of dads in shirtsleeves, grilling outdoors, beers in hand.
Papa’s Porterhouses. Cut 1” or 2” thick, impressive!
Niman Ranch Kansas City, aka Bone-in New York, the finest grilling steak.

New!
Bufala mozzarella from Italy. Now you can choose our fresh daily mozzarella, or authentic bufala, made from the milk of water buffalos.
Ready to go picnic cheese plates for 2.  Rotating seasonal cheeses, always something different!

Cheese Love

Truffle Tremor is a new cheese from Cyprus Grove, maker of the famous Humboldt Fog. It combines the classic flavor of truffle with velvety goat’s milk.
Lincolnshire Poacher is a salty, sharp hard cheese from Neal’s Yard in England. Like cheddar only beddar, best with a dark beer.