Jan 13, 2010

The article begins:

For Some, ‘Kosher’ Equals Pure

By KIM SEVERSON
Published: January 12, 2010

THIS year, for the first time, glatt kosher food will be sold at the Super Bowl.

Certainly, faith will prompt some of the fans at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., to line up at one of two carts selling grilled salami sliders and garlicky knoblewurst. But for others, the appeal of a kosher hot dog will have nothing to do with religion.

In an era of heightened concern over food contamination, allergies and the provenance of ingredients, the market for kosher food among non-Jews is setting records.

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To see this article go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/dining/13kosh.html

FROM KOSHER TODAY, MONDAY, JAN 11, 2010

The Never-Ending Saga of the War Against Schechita in Europe Continues on the Web
London…It used to be that the battle against animal rights extremists were fought in each country, but since the founding of the European Union (EU), the battle has shifted to the EU. The organization that represents the kosher practice of slaughtering animals has lodged a complaint against a European Commission project that claims to facilitate the adoption of good religious slaughter practices. Schechita UK is accusing DIALREL, a project funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Consumers, of defaming the practice of schechita online. DIALREL aims to promote dialogue between faiths but Schechita UK chairman Henry Grunwald OBE QC said it has refused to remove defamatory information on a website affiliated with the project.
The website description says: “Schechita: Animals are slaughtered without stunning. Before slaughter, all cattle are restrained and mechanically turned on their back and all poultry shackled.” Schechita UK insists that the DIALREL project has an “anti-schechita” agenda and said it would be calling on the European Union to ensure that the project is not abusing government funding “to promote its own agenda by purporting to present academic research”. Grunwald said: “This matter has tainted DIALREL and Schechita UK can have no confidence in what is supposed to be an academic study.
In June 2009 the EU passed a law that safeguarded schechita by recognizing the validity of religious slaughter practices.

FROM KOSHER TODAY- MONDAY, JAN. 11, 2010

Freshly Baked Goods Go Cyber
Flushing, NY… by Elie Appleson, Feature Editor…Several decades ago, every neighborhood had local milkmen who delivered milk, eggs, and other necessities right to their door. As grocery stores advanced, the convenience of having products delivered regularly seemed to have been lost… until now. Violet’s Bake Shop in Queens has expanded to the internet and brings their customers freshly baked goods to their doorstep.

Having 25 years of bakery management, Violet opened the doors to her own bakery, specializing in Hungarian desserts, just one year ago. The bake shop has quickly become a fixture in the neighborhood, as a place to pick up anything from delicious homemade tasting challah to more exotic desserts. With the help of her son and partner, Violet has made her freshly baked goods available to the entire country by launching her website last month, www.violetsbakeshop.com. All goods are baked in Queens and can be delivered from coast to coast, as early as the next day. “We are thrilled to be bringing our delicious kosher bakery into the homes of so many Jews who are looking for something extra special for their shabbos meal or special occasion,” Violet’s son, Michael said.
The kosher industry is becoming more innovative than ever. Not only are unique products available, but new and convenient services within the kosher market are being offered in a way we never could have imagined.
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We had an email directly from the company, but we liked this article in KT much better. Check out the bakery.

We have enjoyed just about everything they sell.

FROM A/Z CENTRAL

3 cups finely chopped cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup honey-mustard salad dressing
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
2 cups grated fresh carrot
8 ounces cooked pasta shells

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Fill a large salad bowl with ice water. Add broccoli to boiling water and cook 1 minute. Immediately transfer to ice water for 1 minute; drain water and leave broccoli in bowl. Return water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta and run under cold water to cool. Add cooled pasta to broccoli in bowl. Add chicken, cranberries and dressing; toss well. Serve immediately or chill up to 24 hours.

Active time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

Per serving: 458 calories, 9 g fat, 59 mg cholesterol, 29 g protein, 66 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 265 mg sodium, 17 percent calories from fat.

by Nicki Gostin

Old-time soda aficionados and those curious to try something new have reason to celebrate in the New Year. Pepsi will be distributing a limited edition of Throwback Pepsi and Throwback Mountain Dew.

The Throwback contains real sugar instead of HFCS. HFCS stands for high fructose corn syrup–used to make all mainstream sodas (and lots of other foods, like ketchup) sweet. For those of us (i.e. nearly everyone) worried about calories, do not fear. Pepsi Throwback has the same amount of calories as regular Pepsi.

As BevReview.com notes, this conversion is remarkable news in the soda guzzling world because until now if you wanted a soda made with real cane sugar, you had to buy an import like Mexican Coke or wait until Passover for kosher for Passover Coke or Pepsi.

Throwback was first rolled out last spring for a limited period, and the response was so positive that PepsiCo Company decided to reintroduce the sodas for another restricted period.

“Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback feature natural sugar with a taste that gives consumers an idea of how the brands tasted back in the 60’s and 70’s,” says Nicole Bradley a spokesperson for the company. “Consumers have told us that they enjoy taking a nostalgic trip back in time with these special retro versions.”

Once again the fizzy beverages will only be available for a limited eight-week run which started on December 28th.

Not only will the taste be different but the look of the bottle has also been tinkered with. Gone is the smiling circle that currently graces Pepsi sodas. It will be replaced by a retro Pepsi logo as will the Mountain Dew bottles.
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So, boys and girls- it’s either buy now or wait until Pesach!