A New Type of Cone

Hong Kong’s egg waffles have become the newest, most adorable ice cream trend.

Waffle cones, flavored waffle cones, and fun-shapes are impressing ice cream lovers and becoming an Insta-worthy sensation. You can get fresh waffle cones with chocolate chips or other flavors and colors to complement your favorite ice cream flavor. Whilst Taiyaki, a popular Japanese waffle cone shaped like a koi fish, is quickly becoming popular with food bloggers worldwide.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Don’t let your imagination stop at traditional biscuits to sandwich your ice cream. We’ve seen ice cream sandwiches made with donuts, cronuts, croissants, cupcakes, cookies, fruit slices, cakes, marshmallow and macarons, layered decadently, dipped in chocolate, and crusted with crushed nuts, sprinkles, chocolate shavings or honeycomb.

An International Sensation

Straight out of Thailand is a rolled ice cream trend that is gaining traction all around the world. Liquid ice cream is poured over a frozen metal surface, then it’s mixed with your favorite add-ins such as chocolate chips, fruit, or candy right before your eyes. Once blended through, the flat ice cream is scraped off the frozen plate and into a roll. It’s then served in a cup or on a plate with toppings and/or sauce. Genius!

A Healthy Kick

Coconut ice cream’s melt-in-the-mouth creaminess is everything.

Think turmeric latte, green tea and matcha, ginger, avocado, coconut, yogurt, and vegan ice cream, sweetened naturally with honey or raw sugar. With a health-conscious population on the rise, these superfood flavors are ensuring that our favorite treat can be enjoyed guilt-free and with maximum nutrition and health benefits galore. These foods are good for you, as well as add a bit of variety to the old flavors you may be used to.

Savory Ice Cream Worth Savoring

Savory flavors of bacon, wasabi pea, sweet corn, chili, cheddar cheese, curry, and balsamic vinegar are making an appearance on popular menus. Why not also try interesting herb flavors such as rosemary, basil, coriander, thyme, or sage?

And adding weight to the argument that sweet and savory are a perfect combination is truffle ice cream. Truffle ice cream is making an appearance in some of the world’s top restaurants in a variety of different ways. It’s being served over tarts, quiches, and savory puddings, or with white chocolate and hazelnuts, or as a stand-alone dessert. Would you try it?

Visit our online truffle shop today for some culinary gems that are guaranteed to add an unforgettable impact to your next food experience, or browse through our blog for more fun, seasonal activities to do.

The post Cooler Than Ever: 5 Ice Cream Trends to Try This Summer appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

Find out some spring must-have’s, quick spring-time tips, and entertaining essentials for the season ahead in our latest blog.

Spring time is nature’s way of saying “Let’s party!”

Fantastic lighting

Prepare some candles, lanterns, torches, fairy lights or garden lights for a whimsical effect in the garden during dusk and night time. Add some incense burners to give off a beautiful scent and light some insect repellent burners to ensure the bugs are kept at bay.

Delicious cocktails

It’s not a proper party without a drink in hand! We recommend hiring a designated bar person to pour drinks. Often the host will be stuck pouring drinks for guests when their time is better spent enjoying the company and socializing. Otherwise, keep drinks simple so you have less to worry about and more time to mingle.

A springtime scene

Set the scene with bright and fresh décor, including the springtime essential – flowers. Brightly colored and seasonal flowers are one of the easiest ways to make an impact. Aim to choose flowers of similar color hues to what you already have in your home or brighten things up with a pop of yellow. Garlands are also all the rage this spring, so why not try string an ivy across the table or countertop and weave through some beautiful roses or daisies?

Truffle pasta – a simple and luxurious dish to crave for.

Outstanding food

Ever walk away from a party thinking ‘wow!’ about a particular dish? Create something for your guests to talk about with an outstanding dish packed full of flavor and/or a story behind it. Ideas could include adding a touch of truffle to your pasta salad, truffle oil for the bread basket, truffle popcorn in small boxes, or even a dessert station that wows guests as they help themselves.

Spreading out some dry finger food and snacks apart from each other is also a good idea so as to avoid a crowd at the food station.

Fun Activities

If you’ve got some garden space to spare, set up some fun games such as ring toss, giant Jenga, potato sack races, face painting, football, or other sports gear.

Good music

One thing that many hosts forget is the music. Avoid any awkward silence by setting up some speakers outside to play during the event. This can easily be done with Apps such as Spotify or iTunes on a mobile device.

Use what you’ve got

If you have a great outdoor area, pool, or patio – use it! With the warm weather there is no excuse not to keep the party outside, avoid mess inside, and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

Springtime is prime time for throwing garden parties or any other special gatherings, and the weather is almost always just perfect to enjoy time outside with family and friends! Browse through our blog today for more seasonal activities & party ideas.

The post The Essential Guide to Easy, Breezy Spring Entertaining appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

Picnicking outdoors is a wonderful idea to refresh your mind and body.

The weather is warmer, the sun is out longer, and nature is in full bloom. It must be time for a family spring picnic! After all, picnics are all about enjoying your loved ones’ company and making wonderful memories. In this blog post, we’ll go over some tips on how to throw the ultimate family spring picnic.

Tip 1: Go all out to make it special.

Don’t be scared of setting the scene within a beautiful outdoor space. Think cute picnic rugs, blankets, a teepee or tent, sun shade umbrella, some wooden crates as small tables, and even pillows. You can even create a garden, Moroccan, or country theme. This added effort will not only add to the feel of the picnic, but will contribute to comfort levels, look great in photos, and of course add to the long-lasting memories of a fantastic family picnic.

Tip 2: Location, location, location.

Choose a fun and practical location for your picnic. Whether it’s a park, amongst the trees in a forest, by the sea, next to a lake, or at the top of a scenic vantage point, it’s a good idea to select a place where guests can easily access a bathroom, that has some shade, where guests can park cars close by, and potentially has a playground for children to play or a space to play games.

Spend sunny afternoons playing croquet.

Tip 3: It’s all fun and games!

Part of the fun of a picnic is that you have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Plan some games and share the responsibility of who brings what. Bocce, croquet, cricket, football, trivia games, cards, and ring toss are just a few fun games the family can play whilst enjoying the picnic and bonding.

Tip 4: Picnic survival essentials.

Don’t forget a few essential items to make your life easier during the picnic. Sunscreen, utensils, cutlery, tea towels, napkins, and sun hats are a must. Whilst insect spray and food nets will help to keep any bugs at bay and out of the food.

Bring some ice or an ice bucket to keep drinks and food cool, and of course – don’t forget to play some music to set the scene perfectly.

Tip 5: Graze all day.

Picnics are all about grazing rather than eating one big meal. Provide a wide variety of small nibbles that can easily be laid out and eaten at leisure. Small doses of foods with big flavors work well, and add crackers, breads, cheeses and delicious snacks. Think about what you’d put on your perfect platter of food, such as olives, quince paste, grapes, and dried fruits. You may also want to make some mini quiches or a frittata that can be easily cut into slices and served up as something a little more substantial, healthy, and sure to make an impression on the family.

And of course, don’t forget plenty of water and a sneaky bottle of champagne or wine!

Spring is one of the best times to get outdoors, throw down a picnic rug, and feast on yummy treats with the family. Browse through our blog today for more fun ways on how to step into spring.

The post 5 Tips for Throwing the Perfect Family Spring Picnic appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

Keep Calm. Spring is coming.

Here comes spring! And whilst the weather is warming up, we bet you’re feeling some renewed energy and vitality. After what’s been a cozy and chilly winter, it’s high time to get back to a healthy lifestyle. From exercising, to eating green, and changing your diet with the seasons, learn 7 tips for a healthy transition into spring.

1. Think seasonal.

Buying food that is in season right now is the best way to get the most nutritional value out of your food. Food that is in season is generally more affordable too as it’s available locally. It’s also cheaper as it’s easier to cultivate during spring, and long periods of transit are not necessary.

Examples of spring fruit and vegetables include citrus, berries, mangos, corn, snow peas, broccoli, and of course our favorite – truffles.

2. Green is your friend.

Spring means all of your favorite green vegetables are back in season and ripe for eating! Why not start your own salad or herb garden with the returning good weather?

Start an herb garden in early spring!

3. Work out in the sunshine.

With the warmer weather it’s possible to venture outside for exercise. Not only will you be enjoying some much-needed vitamin D, but you’ll also be getting fresh air. Even just going for a walk in the forest can lower your stress levels, whilst cardiovascular exercise will release endorphins.

4. Declutter your pantry and fridge.

It’s amazing how a good decluttering can put you back on the right path to health. Open up the pantry and fridge and throw out any food that has past it’s used by date, is unhealthy, or you know you’re not going to eat anymore. Replace with healthy fresh food and delicious flavors to add to your new healthy spring diet.

5. Spring cleaning is a thing.

We’ve all heard of spring cleaning, and this yearly tradition has most certainly earned it’s right as a to-do for the season. Washing all of your linens, clearing away dust, and airing out the rugs clears out allergy-causing dust mites that cause irritation. Don’t forget to dust your fans and change filters in the air-conditioning unit too.

6. Small changes are the way to go.

Large overhauls when it comes to diet rarely work, and you could in fact end up giving up and gaining more weight in the long run. The best way to maintain a healthy diet is to make small changes. For example, you can swap white bread for wholegrain, cows milk for almond milk, and make sure you always have nuts and fruit handy as a snack to avoid turning to sugary treats when hungry strikes.

7. Keep things interesting.

If you are making some healthy changes to your diet in spring, you can stay on track by mixing things up. Eating healthy most certainly doesn’t have to be boring. Elements such as flavor, texture, and spice can help. Why not make it a goal to try something new every week? You can add truffles, spices, and fresh herbs to take your meals to the next level.

For more information on truffles and ways to use them in your cooking, contact us today.

The post 7 Healthy Ways to Spring into Spring appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

When it comes to Easter menu, it’s best to keep things simple.

Easter is a fantastic time of year when you can plan the perfect menu, cook for the whole family and your friends, too. Whether you’re preparing a delicious brunch, a casual lunch, or a generous dinner, we’ve got you covered in our latest blog post. Here are some creative meals ideas perfect for sharing at Easter.

A Traditional and Fun Easter Brunch

Many families celebrate Easter in the morning, and now is your time to shine! Once the kids are back inside from their morning Easter-egg hunt, you can serve up a table full of delicious brunch treats. Think devilled eggs, fresh crusty bread, quiche, seafood bake, sliced fresh tomatoes, potato salad, and a frittata. You can add extra flavor with shaved truffle within the devilled eggs, or some mushrooms and herbs within the frittata.

And just because it’s morning doesn’t mean you can’t have something sweet too! Morning cakes such as Bundt cakes, muffins, cupcakes, and chocolate cake are a delicious way to end breakfast. Simply decorate Easter-style with mini-eggs, bright colored sprinkles and bunny ears.

Make your easter lunch a breeze with green salad.

An Easter Garden Lunch

Serving something substantial at lunch time is a great idea in order to give guests some time to digest throughout the day. Why not go with a garden theme and serve up a table full of delicious vegetables and salads that can be found in your homegrown vegetable patch? Serve up roast carrots, turnips, pumpkin and potatoes, seasoned with truffle salt and oil, and a delicious garden salad to go with your choice of protein. You can choose a lovely fresh pan-fried fish, roasted rosemary pork, or even a roast duck with crispy skin to go with this theme.

A Fresh Easter Dinner

Fish is perfect for Easter dinner, especially for those who are sticking to seafood only at Easter. Take your dinner to the next level this Easter and make a flavorsome truffle fish dish. You can serve this baked fish with a fresh cabbage salad or sauerkraut to complement it.

By this time of the day everyone might have had enough chocolate, so why not get creative with dessert and freshen up the palate a little bit. Now is a beautiful time of year to serve up berries and citrus fruits, flavors which are perfect after a day of heavy eating. Make a lime or lemon tart, berry cheesecake, or light white mouse and Jell-O to finish the night off.

Drinks anyone?

Impress your guests any time of day with a home-made compote. Simply boil berries, prunes, apples, or plums with water, lemon juice and sugar to taste. You can use just about any fruit for compote, with berries and stone fruit being a popular choice.

If you’re after something with a bit of alcohol for the adults, you can mix up a fresh cocktail with prosecco, lemonade, and mint to pack a punch!

Easter is just a few hops away, and menu planning is never difficult when you have quick and easy recipes to guide you. Browse through our blog today for more food tips and recipe ideas.

The post You Can Plan the Perfect Easter Menu: Brunch, Lunch and Dinner appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

Slip into your green attire & celebrate St. Paddy’s day by eating green.

Want to feel good about the food you’ll be eating on Saint Patrick’s Day? It can be hard to eat healthy when everyone around you is downing green beer and eating green sugary desserts. But it doesn’t have to be impossible! Here are some truly green and healthy recipe ideas to balance out the bad with the good, whilst still staying on theme for Saint Patrick’s Day.

Potatoes Galore

There’s few things more Irish than potatoes. Potatoes are packed full of good nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C and B6, with not an ounce of fat in sight! If you’re hosting a party, you can serve up potatoes to your guests in a variety of different ways.

Try a potato salad with greens such as peas and beans added for color and health. Or why not mash them up and add a touch of truffle and chives for an elegant boost of flavor? You can also roast them and serve up with other vegetables from the oven, seasoned with truffle oil and salt – perfect! As for appetizers and finger food, you can serve up potato cakes that cater to vegans and are super green and healthy too.

Healthy Pizza?

Feel refreshed with this mint and lime smoothie.

A sneaky way to get those greens is to hide them in foods which are normally very popular, like pizza. A potato, brussels sprout and goat cheese pizza, for instance, sure makes a perfect way to nourish your guests whilst also making things easy on yourself with an easy food item to make and serve. Serve on tortilla bread to bring down the calorie count.

You can also mix things up a little with other green and healthy toppings such as rocket, fennel, truffle, pumpkin, pesto, zucchini, broccoli or eggplant. And of course, you can make options for vegans with vegan cheese and gluten-free bases for those intolerant of usual pizza bases.

Hearty Cabbage and Vegetable Dishes

Bring in some good old fashioned hearty Irish food with warm cabbage dishes and vegetables. Quinoa and lentil stuffed cabbage rolls are a good a spin-off of the usual Irish cabbage dishes. It is meat-free, and it sure will keep guests full and help soak up the alcohol, too, if guests are drinking.

Another way to make sure vegetables taste hearty and flavorsome is to add an ingredient such as truffle to the dish. Think green beans with parmesan and shaved truffle, roasted pumpkin and squash with truffle oil, or corn rubbed with truffle butter.

Something Sweet?

If you’re after something sweet that keeps your diet in check, stay on theme with a green and reasonably healthy dessert too, like pistachio, matcha and chocolate cups! They are vegan and have double the greenness!

Or if you’re after some traditional minty flavor for Saint Patrick’s Day, try whipping up green monster smoothies for a sweet and healthy treat.

St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect excuse to add a little green to your diet! Browse through our blog today for other delicious green food ideas, or get in touch with us for truffle food tips and advice.

The post Naturally Green Recipe Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

Guacamole Devilled Eggs

Level up your devilled eggs game with some delicious guacamole. Instead of your traditional filling, replace with blended avocado, garlic, lime, lemon, and cilantro. Simply pipe into the boiled egg halves and serve up with a sprinkle of pepper, paprika, or freshly shaved truffle and you’re good to go!

Mint Chocolate Meringues

Super easy to take to work or a friend’s house on St. Patrick’s Day, you can’t go wrong with minty green meringues. A drop of green food coloring and a dash of mint essence make these delicious treats a stand-out hit.

Spinach Cup Bites

You can take it to the next level by whipping up a spinach cake.

Easy little puff pastry cups with a spinach mix inside will ensure your guests are greeted with a perfect bite-size appetizer. Why not include some truffle to add a more elegant flavor to this dish, too?

Green Truffle Pasta

Perfect for a main course or a tasty side dish, your guests will love a simple green pasta with fresh truffle. You can make the green pasta yourself, or you can visit your nearest grocery store and buy a high quality ready-made green pasta to boil up. Heat butter in a pan, add al dente pasta, parmesan and seasoning, then serve with shaved truffle on top.

Pistachio for the Win

For a unique sweet treat, why not make a pistachio dream cake? Add pistachio pudding as a frosting with your favorite pack-mix cake to take this cake into the St. Patrick’s Day theme. We’ve found a recipe that is very simple, yet very delicious!

Don’t Forget the Drinks

Everything is so much better with mojitos.

Of course, don’t forget about drinks if you’re hosting a party, too! Mojito’s are always a hit, and you can add mint, apple, kiwi, and lime to your favorite soda or lemonade cocktails to give them a twist. Here are some green-powered cocktails to get you started.

So Much Green!

There are so many other green-themed recipes you can make to get into the spirit of the occasion. Put a twist on your current favorite sweet recipes with an addition of green food coloring and mint essence. Biscuits, shortbread, jelly, cupcakes, lime fudge, cookies, and green sorbet and ice cream can all be altered to the St. Patrick’s Day theme.

Use green ingredients such as broccoli, spinach, kale, beans, herbs, green leafy vegetables, and pasta to get savory dishes in line with the theme. Then you can pack some extra flavor in with key standout ingredients such as truffles.

A good chunk of enjoyment of any celebration is the type of food served. Browse through our blog today for other food musings and recipe ideas.

The post Delicious Green Food Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

With a turkey this big, there’s bound to be leftovers!

Turkey soup: Throw the turkey carcass into a pot and boil up a delicious Turkey soup with vegetables and shredded turkey meat. Try this recipe on for size.

Pasta master: There’s nothing like digging into a fresh bowl of pasta. Put a twist on it this time by keeping it simple. Just boil some quality pasta al dente, then mix in some shredded turkey meat, shaved truffle and parmesan.

Salad heaven: Left over salad? Freshen that salad up with some sliced pear and truffle oil to add a punch of flavor, crunch, and freshness.

Potato Pancakes are easy to make.

Potato pancakes: You can easily make potato pancakes from the mashed potato left over from the day before. Try with different sauces, and even leftover gravy instead of marinara sauce.

Grilled sandwiches: Grab that turkey meat again and prepare sandwiches for lunch! Slice in some brie, shaved truffle, and even a dash of apple butter to create a masterpiece no one expected!

Stuffing: Did you sprinkle a little truffle into your stuffing this year? If you’ve got some leftover stuffing, don’t let those delicious flavors go to waste. Make small balls, batter in bread crumbs, and fry up for a delicious snack for when guests drop by the next day. Try gravy or cheese fondue for sauce and you’ll be in heaven.

Pot pie: The go-to for leftovers can’t be ignored. Try a pot pie for all that turkey meat and you can’t go wrong. Mix a sprinkle of truffle into the pie to add a varied flavor.

Breakfast sensation: Refresh left over bread by popping it onto the toaster. Top with some mashed avocado, poached egg, and a shaving of truffle for a gourmet breakfast like no other.

Pasta bake: Boil up some pasta, take out a casserole dish, and pop your leftover vegetables and turkey meat inside. Cover with some cheese and a sprinkling of truffle and you’ve got yourself a delicious meal with no wastage. Try this recipe for inspiration, just add truffle.

Dip: All you need is a blender and your roasted sweet potatoes, a can of white beans, olive oil, parmesan and a drizzle of truffle oil to pull off a day-after-dip that is sure to impress. Blend all ingredients until smooth and dip in toast or crackers.

If you’re feeling a little creative post your traditional Turkey Day meal, get your hands on some truffles or truffle products now. Visit the Susan Alexander truffle shop here.

The post Thanksgiving: Aftermath or Opportunity? Creative Recipe Ideas for Leftovers appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

It’s Turkey Day!

Entrees and nibbles to start

To add a little glamor to your menu, try a dash of truffle amongst your entrees and nibbles. Some grilled truffle and cheese sandwiches never go astray, simply slice into tiny squares, char-grill, and serve skewered with a pickled onion to give them a classy edge.

Bruschetta is also a wonderful starter, which can easily be taken to the next level with a dash of truffle oil instead of olive oil. Stack fresh bread garlic bread, with gorgonzola and a splash of truffle oil.

Or, why not simply add some truffle flavored popcorn on the table as a unique nibble to get the guests talking?

Side dishes

The options for side dishes with truffles incorporated are seemingly endless! Truffles are best used in dishes which will absorb or showcase their flavor. In this case, consider adding a simple truffle pasta side dish, as the pasta will absorb the flavor beautifully.

Truffle in salad, alongside pumpkin, potatoes is a hearty idea great for colder weather. Try frying some sweet potato chips and drizzling with a dash of truffle oil and salt. Or if you’re after something lighter, consider adding truffle to your green salad dressing or shaved into the salad. Here’s a great idea for a simple, refreshing salad side dish from Good Food.

The main event

When the bird is the word, it’s time to bring out a special kind of flavor this year! There’s no need to be shy about it, over-the-top is the way to go! Add a dash of truffle to your main event, and you can’t go wrong with impressing the guests and creating a wonderful talking point.

To incorporate truffles into your turkey, simply grab some truffle butter and rub underneath the turkey’s skin, this will ensure a moist turkey meat, with crispy skin when roasted at a higher heat. Alternatively, you can add some truffle shavings into your stuffing to create a subtle essence. Here is a recipe you can try from the Food Network.

That unmistakable truffle flavor we love is a gorgeous accompaniment to any dish, whether you decide to use truffles subtly in a side dish or during the entrée, or decide to fully commit to a truffle-turkey ensemble, your guests are sure to talk about your menu for years to come!

For more information on truffle products you can easily add in time for Thanksgiving, you can visit our shop here.

The post Turkey Day Trends: A Surprising Truffle Twist for Your 2017 Menu appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

Get your home ready

Get into the spirit of the autumn season with a little home décor refresh. Add some pumpkin spiced candles to the home, make a wreath for your front door out of colourful orange, red, and yellow leaves, and bring some scented pinecones inside to sit on the mantle. Now is also the perfect time to plant some spring bulbs in the garden as well as put away the summer clothes and bring out the winter wardrobe just in time for the cooler change in weather!

Enjoy the leaves

Rake them, play in them, jump in them or use them for decoration. Leaves are one of the best parts of autumn! Try your hand at some arts and crafts and involve the kids too. Leaf rubbings, window decorations, and garlands are a great place to start.

Enjoy the fall leaves.

Enjoy the last of the warmer weather 

Head outside and enjoy the last of the warm weather before winter truly sets in. Head out for some apple picking, visit a vineyard, check out a corn maze, or take the family for a nature walk and hike.

The leaves are changing colour at this time so make sure to take in the beauty of the season. If you like photography, why not take your camera out and capture the vivid display of nature too.

Take the opportunity to picnic in the park, have the last BBQ of the season, and go camping with the family whilst you still can.

Use seasonal produce in your cooking 

Prepare your cupboards and your kitchen for winter now! Autumn vegetables and fruits are ripening and it’s time to do some picking and pickling.

Head to a pumpkin farm and pick out your favourite pumpkin to use to carve out a jack-o-lantern for Halloween. Visit an apple orchid and pick your own apples whilst the weather is still nice. Prepare some vegetables for pickling. And of course, don’t forget to gather some delicious truffles to warm up and delight the taste buds this fall.

Your freshly gathered ingredients can then be used to host a seasonal dinner party!

Make toffee apples, apple pies, pumpkin pies, preserves, brew apple cider and throw together some amazing dramatic dishes with the truffles. Truffles can be incorporated into just about any dish such as:

• Shave on top of pasta, fondue, and risotto
• Include in roast dishes
• Incorporate into a pumpkin salad
• Flavour popcorn or nuts
• Use in oils, salts, and butters
• Pair with eggs for breakfast and brunch

Are you ready to indulge in a wonderful truffle experience this fall? Get in touch with Susan Alexander Truffles to get started.

The post Fun Activities to Help You Make the Most of the Fall Season appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.