Cupcake Catch-Up

Though Rhode Island may be more than a decade behind the curve on cupcakes—

New York’s first “cupcakery” opened in 1996—Kristin Brennan is out to change all that. A design major, Brennan decided to combine her culinary interests with her desire to design and experiment. She launched The Cupcakerie in May at the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Kennedy Plaza and quickly developed devotees of her made from-scratch cupcakes. Brennan uses local seasonal produce in some cupcakes, such as the Razzle Dazzle, a yellow cake with raspberry filling and raspberry/chocolate ganache. Other flavors include Cinco de Mayo, chili chocolate with Mexican vanilla buttercream; and Brennan’s personal favorite— Wake Up and Smell the Cupcake, mocha with espresso cream cheese frosting.  Brennan also makes a giant cupcake for special occasions, such as birthdays.

Available at the Wintertime Farmers’ Market in Pawtucket; Blue State Coffee & White Electric in Providence; and in her new shop at 1860 Broad St., Cranston, opening mid-December; 401-835-0311; thecupcakerie.net

Local Dish

The next time you are preparing a masterful menu from local foods, bring it full circle by resting your culinary creations atop locally crafted artistry on the dinner table. Ceramic designers Michael Roseberry and Bruce Winn create their elegant and fanciful pottery in high-fired vitreous porcelain and each handmade piece is sturdy enough for everyday use—plus they are dishwasher- and microwave-safe. The two turned to nature for inspiration, evident in the petals that parade geometrically around their plates, bowls and cups. The Roseberry- Winn designs are available in 14 colors with several that come right from the kitchen, including mint, butter and spring green. From tumblers to teapots,pitchers to platters, dinner plates to dip bowls, their pieces will lend more beauty, and credence, to your next 100-milemeal.

Roseberry-Winn Pottery and Tile,
3842WestMain Rd.,Tiverton; 401-816-0010; roseberrywinn.com

Date Night … To Go

What could be better than taking your work-weary partner out for a gourmet meal? Bringing home a multi-course gourmet meal to him or her! Your options at Tom’s Market are endless, from salad, grilled pizzas or stuffed mushrooms as starters to at least two dozen entrées in the deli case. Creativity rules, as store manager Glenn Place emphasizes, so entrées shift daily but examples are sun-dried tomato grilled chicken, raspberry glazed salmon, beef tenderloin with mushrooms and pork chops Rhode Island style—with vinegar peppers.

There are many traditional seafood items to choose from, such as a fillet of sole stuffed with lobster and scallops, which can all be re-heated or baked at home. Family owned and operated, Tom’s makes a point of supporting local food purveyors and farms as well. A multitude of other items, including desserts, can be special-ordered from the extensive online menu for pickup in their new Warren location and in the Coventry store. So plan that party for two, complete with wine and candles, and let the pampering begin!

821 Tiogue Ave., Coventry; 401-826-0050 or 137 Child St., Warren;
401-289-2852; tomsmarket.com

Yes, Soup for You!

When your breath mists in the chilly morn and it’s dark when you’re back from work, nothing warms down to the bone like a hot bowl of soup. No time for the stockpot you say? For a quick and inexpensive fix with homemade taste, and from good ol’ Rhody too, try one of nine drypacked varieties from Millie’s Soups. Millie Pezzillo put her first quick-fix soup, lentil, into production 30 years ago. Millie and John Pezzillo (along with sons John andMichael) have added plenty of others since then but garden vegetable remains a huge customer favorite; orange lentil with spinach and ginger is a popular new flavor. They also make rice mixes and several Italian specialties.

Millie’s Soups are low-fat with no meat products or derivatives and no MSG. They are simmer-ready in 20 to 30 minutes, just enough time to slice the Italian bread and call the family. They’ve been on the QVC shopping channel since 1997, as food ambassadors for Rhode Island, according to John Jr. So, do as the Pezzillos do: Sit down to lunch or supper and mangia Millie’s!

Available at Dave’s Markets, Brigido’s Fresh Market, Christmas Tree Shops, Whole Foods and Eastside Marketplace. 401-949-3558; milliessoups.com

Chocolate Chic Farmstead Cheese

When you ponder the choices of Laurent Vals Handcrafted Chocolates, they almost look too beautiful to bite. The purple-tinged Rochambeau dome hints at the strong raspberry flavor embedded in a dark chocolate truffle. The Passionata is a flat-topped pyramid, stroked with gold leaf and sparked with passion fruit. The glowing wedge of Sunset is milk chocolate with a candied orange confit. The white chocolate rectangle, Desire, has a rosy blush, with a filling of strawberry and orange blossoms. Laurent Vals began his chef training in France, came to the States when he was 20 and settled in Rhode Island in 2001. He worked at an upscale hotel, where his pastry skills led him to concentrate on chocolates, and he formed his chocolate-making company in January 2008. Six of the dozen chocolates in Vals’ box of delights are dark variations, including the Barajas, with 72 percent Venezuelan chocolate. Ay, caramba!

Laurent Vals at Newport Chocolates, 82William St., Newport; 401-841- 8975 or 401-846-1388. Also available at Sweet Lorraine’s, 211Waseca Ave., Barrington; 401-245-1168; laurentvalschocolates.com