It was a sheer spectacle, one that included Cat Cora sightings, costumed sports-water hawkers, even a “Mona Lisa” made from jelly beans. One hall was devoted entirely to cheese — and the smell was impossible to describe. The annual event serves as a culinary litmus, a chance for retailers to get instant feedback on new products, as well as a preview of what we can expect to find on store shelves in the coming months.

This year, trends were easy to spot. The aisles were awash in good-for-you chocolate, vegetable chips and crackers, and all things gluten-free, sustainable, fair-trade, humane and eco-friendly. It was a veritable frenzy of hyphenated hype.

Here’s the scoop on the top 10 bites that captured my attention.

1. O Olive Oil’s Honey Apple Vinegar: This little bottle is pure magic, a perfect balance of sweet and tart that turns ordinary vinegar into a gorgeous burst of flavor. It would be great for dipping spring rolls or pot stickers, and perfect for drizzling on a crunchy Asian salad. $12 at specialty grocers.

2. Savory Choice Beef Demi-glace: This super-concentrated, all-natural pouch is like a pot roast in the hand. Yes, you can get the same flavor by braising meat for three hours. Or just open this pouch, add water and drizzle it over pasta, top off a potato, or finish a quick-cooking cut of meat. $3.99 at Whole Foods and Draeger’s.

3. Just Desserts Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie: This Oakland-based company has been delivering great desserts for years, but this year they’re moving into the mini-treat category, selling grab-and-go cupcakes, small Bundts, whoopie pies and brownie bites that are fresh, all-natural, and irresistible. The whoopie pies are like two perfect cupcake tops sandwiched with rich icing. Just yum. $2-$2.50 at Andronico’s, Mollie Stone’s, Whole Foods and Costco.

4. Divina Citrus-Stuffed Green Olives: After nibbling through dozens of substandard olives in search of something extraordinary, I bit into a refreshing, surprisingly citrusy olive, hand-stuffed with strips of lemon and orange zest. The olives hail from the Halkidiki Peninsula in Greece. Unfortunately, these don’t come in retail packaging, but you can find them at olive bars at Whole Foods stores.

5. Good Habit Gluten-Free Granola Cookie: This tiny Southern California-based startup makes just three cookies and a granola, all of which are gluten-free and so delicious that you’d never know they were made for those on a restricted diet. Their secret, it seems, is garbanzo flour, which provides a nice hit of protein and a light, pleasing texture. I enjoyed the carrot cake flavor, but loved the chocolate chip even more. This is a cookie you’ll have to track down online at www.goodhabit.com.

6. Green Valley Organics Lactose-free Sour Cream: This Sonoma-based company, a division of Redwood Hill Farm, has figured out how to make a deliciously fresh, creamy cow’s milk sour cream that is entirely lactose-free. The company started with yogurts and kefir, but is launching the sour cream line this week. You should be able to find it soon for $6-$7 per 16-ounce tub at Whole Foods and other specialty grocers.

7. New Tree Snack Bars: This company’s line of feel-good, lower-sugar chocolate bars are infused with herbs and aromatics, but this year they one-upped themselves by stirring all kinds of crunchy, healthy little bits into the chocolate. The result is a smaller bar that’s better than the sum of its parts. Varieties include Belgian Biscuit, Superfruit and Flax. $2 at specialty grocers.

8. 34 Degrees Crispbread: If you’re looking for a crispy little something to serve with artisanal cheese or any kind of sweet or savory dip, these thin little biscuits are the perfect pick. They come in six subtle, yet distinct flavors, including pepper, lemon zest, rosemary and sesame, all of which I tried since they were served at nearly every cheese booth at the show. Ten crackers have just 65 calories. Find them at Whole Foods and at cheese shops for $3 for a box of 80 crackers.

9. Tryst Gourmet edamame Hummus: This tiny company attracted crowds of tasters eager to try its range of hummus flavors, including lentil, white bean and edamame. All are good, but the edamame is the clear winner. It has great flavor — a pinch of garlic, a dash of tahini and just the right amount of lemon. The hummus is not widely available yet, but when it arrives at major retailers, you can expect to pay about $7 per 16-ounce tub.

10. Timoteo Salsa Verde: Mix a jar of this with chicken and the result is something delicious that tastes like you spent hours at the stove. The North Carolina-based company suggests adding a bit of cream cheese or sour cream to the mix before serving. Find it for $5 a jar at Whole Foods.

We are now making Gluten Free Cupcakes!

This week we have:

Mexican Chocolate with Cinnamon Ganache Frosting

Apple Spice with Brown Butter Frosting

Our Specials today:

Hot Carrot Ginger Soup

Hot Mexican Chicken Soup

Homemade Gluten Free Cornbread

Grilled Portabella Mushroom Sandwich

Join us every Tuesday at Good Habit Foods for freshly made Tacos.  

Today we have:

Salmon Street Tacos 

Wild Coho Salmon, Citrus Slaw, Sour Orange BBQ Sauce, Chipotle Crema and Queso Fresca

Tilapia

Tilapia and Cucumber-Avocado Salsa

MONDAY
September, 26, 2011

Soup…
Mexican Chicken Soup

Sandwiches & Wraps
Tuna Sandwich

Nina’s Tuna served on whole grain Ezekiel bread, or fresh baked gluten free Rye bread.
*Gluten Free upon request of GF Bread

Grilled Portabella Sandwich w/ Red Pepper Aioli
*Vegetarian
Grilled Portabella Mushroom, sautéed Red Onion, Spinach, Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette, Red
Pepper Aioli. Served on whole wheat bread, or fresh baked gluten free white bread.
*Gluten Free upon request of GF Bread

BBQ Chicken Wrap
A Whole Wheat tortilla topped with a Yogurt-Cilantro slaw, grilled Corn, and Chicken.
Sprinkled with Queso Fresca, Chipotle Crème, and Sour Orange BBQ Sauce.

Sides…
Tuna Provencal *Gluten Free
Albacore Tuna, Cherry Tomatoes, and Haricot Vert tossed in a Lemon-herb Vinaigrette.

Chickpea Tabbouleh with Dried Cranberries *Vegetarian
Wheat Bulgur, Chickpeas, Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes, and Dried Cranberries tossed with
fresh Herbs, Olive oil

Salads…
Chinese Chicken Salad *Gluten Free
Shredded Nappa and Red Cabbage, Roasted Chicken, Carrots, Cilantro, Scallions, Sesame
Seeds. Served with a Sesame Vinaigrette.
$8.95

Italian Chopped
*Vegetarian/Gluten Free
Romaine Lettuce, Endive, Basil, Parsley, Dried Oregano, Garbanzo Beans, Cucumber,
Cherry Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Mozzarella Cheese. Served with a Lemon Vinaigrette.
$7.95

Avocado Citrus Salad
Arugula, Grapefruit segments, Parmesan Cheese, Avocado, Olive oil, Pepper
$6.95

Today’s Menu
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
SOUP…
Carrot Ginger Soup *Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten Free
Carrots, Ginger, Onions, Garlic, Curry Powder, Chili Flakes, Cilantro, Agave Nectar, Almond Milk,
Toasted Almonds.

SALAD…
Farmers Market Salad *Vegan/Vegetarian
Mixed Greens, Roasted Beets, Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes, Radishes, Shelled Peas, Haricot Verts.
Served with a homemade Green Goddess Dressing.
$7.95

Soba Salad *Vegetarian
Buckwheat Noodles, Egg, Cucumber, Carrots, Scallions, Cilantro, Sesame Seeds. Served with a low-
fat Sesame Vinaigrette
$7.95

Avocado Citrus Salad *Vegetarian/Gluten Free
Arugula, Grapefruit segments, Parmesan Cheese, Avocado, toasted Almonds, Olive Oil, Pepper
$4.95

Sandwich…
Nina’s Tuna Sandwich *Gluten Free
Nina’s Homemade Gluten Free Bread, Albacore Tuna, Carrots, Scallions, Parsley, Mayonnaise, Dijon
Mustard, Lemon
$6.95

SIDES…
Nina’s Tuna *Gluten Free
Albacore Tuna, Carrots, Scallions, Parsley, Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard, Lemon
$4.95/8oz

Roasted Beet Quinoa *Vegetarian/Gluten Free
Quinoa, Roasted Beets, Red Onions, Haricot Verts, Goat Cheese, Red Wine, Olive Oil
$4.95/8oz

Chickpea Tabbouleh *Vegetarian
Wheat Bulgur, Chickpeas, Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes, Feta Cheese, Scallions, Mint, Basil, Parsley,
Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Salt, Pepper
$4.95

Japanese Inari
Tofu, Soy Sauce, Mirin, Brown Rice, Bamboo, Shitake Mushrooms, Sesame Seeds
Grilled Salmon
Gobo (burdock root) *Vegan/Vegetarian
Egg *Vegetarian
Assorted Inari
$5.95

Today’s Menu
Monday, September 19, 2011

SOUP…
Carrot Ginger Soup *Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten Free
Carrots, Ginger, Onions, Garlic, Curry Powder, Chili Flakes, Cilantro, Agave Nectar, Almond Milk,
Toasted Almonds.

SALAD…
Italian Chopped Salad *Vegetarian
Red Leaf, Romaine, Basil, Parsley, Endive, Cucumber, Garbanzo Beans, Kalamata Olives, Heirloom
Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese. Served with a Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette.
$7.95

Soba Salad *Vegetarian
Buckwheat Noodles, Egg, Cucumber, Carrots, Scallions, Cilantro, Sesame Seeds. Served with a low-
fat Sesame Vinaigrette
$7.95
Add Roasted Chicken $8.95

SANDWICH…
Nina’s Tuna Sandwich *Gluten Free
Gluten Free Bread, Albacore Tuna, Carrots, Scallions, Parsley, Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard, Lemon
$6.95

SIDES…
Nina’s Tuna *Gluten Free
Albacore Tuna, Carrots, Scallions, Parsley, Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard, Lemon
$4.95/8oz

Chicken Pesto Farro
Farro, Roasted Chicken, Haricot Verts, Parsley, Basil, Garlic, Thyme, Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar,
Parmesan Cheese, Lemon
$4.95/8oz

Roasted Beet Quinoa *Vegetarian/Gluten Free
Quinoa, Roasted Beets, Red Onions, Haricot Verts, Goat Cheese, Red Wine, Olive Oil
$4.95/8oz

Japanese Inari
Tofu, Soy Sauce, Mirin, Brown Rice, Bamboo, Shitake Mushrooms, Sesame Seeds
Options:
Grilled Salmon
Gobo (burdock root) *Vegan/Vegetarian
Egg *Vegetarian
Assorted Inari
$5.95

Last week, I promised to give feedback on Good Habit’s gluten-free cookies. I was sent three varieties: carrot cake, chocolate chip, and dark chocolate chip peanut butter. Each came packaged individually to maintain freshness — perfect if you buy a bunch but don’t plan on eating them all at once.

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