No alcohol, no sacrifice
Kedem’s Sparkling Juices offer a non-alcoholic way to toast the new year. They’re made with wine grapes but contain no alcohol. Most tasters liked chardonnay best, but the rose and merlot garnered approval too; one dissenter found them too sweet. Each 750-milliliter bottle costs $4.60 at Dominick’s.
Cheesecake buzz
Marzipan “honeybees” and candied almonds decorate Eli’s Wildflower Honey Cheesecake, which puts a lighter spin on the company’s classic dessert by using a blend of cream cheese and ricotta cheese. It also incorporates a little honey, which is purchased from the working farm at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. Tasters liked the lighter approach, though two wanted more honey flavor and/or richness. The 9-inch cheesecake is $45 by mail-order only: Call 800-354-2253 or go online, elischeesecake.com.
Spread the love
Rising Sun Farms cheese tortas (the name of the product as published has been corrected here and in a subsequent reference in this text) delighted tasters with their luscious, rich flavor–and holiday hosts will love the convenience of these good-to-go layered spreads, ideal for crackers, tortilla chips or bread. The two newest flavors are sweet pepper and chipotle and artichoke-lemon; sweeter options include Key lime with cranberries, and marionberry with hazelnuts. Each 9.5-ounce package costs $7-$8.20 in the refrigerator and/or deli case at Sunflower Market in Lincoln Park, Dominick’s and Sunset Foods.
