Ask Jeni Bauer what the ice cream business is like in the winter and her eyes light up. “Winter is just another opportunity for bold flavors - we move from the crisp flavors of the harvest season into the warmth of the comfort season.” With richly spiced delicacies like Spiced Pecan Praline (the pralines are hand-made in our kitchen using Krema pecans) and Blue Jacket Dairy Goats’ Cheese with Fig Sauce, Jeni has created ice creams that, if not warm in the bowl, are warm in the soul. Jeni’s Saignon Cinnamon ice cream pops with a bright, red-hot flavor. Her Apple Cider Sorbet - plucked straight from the Saturday farmer’s market - is spiked with Chinese Five Spice.

This December, Cognac Ice Cream will be an enticing companion to any holiday pie. Jeni’s Cranberry Royale Sorbet uses fresh cranberries and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. “It is amazing and definitely my favorite sorbet we’ve ever made. Try it in a champagne float for New Year’s or serve next to a scoop of our Blood Orange Ice Cream, also available this winter,” Jeni recommends.

This January, Jeni will offer a new flavor: Smoked Dark Chocolate with Handmade Marshmallows. “It’s meant to bring back the winters of your childhood - sitting by the hearth with a big mug of hot chocolate,” Jeni says.

New flavors are always appearing at her shops; sampling is not only encouraged, it is expected! Jeni’s offers 30 flavors daily, about 15 “signature” and 15 “seasonal.” Jeni invites patrons to stop by to try a taste -”like all North Market Merchants, we love giving samples. It’s part of the market experience!”

For holiday traveling or gift giving, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams will ship a beautifully wrapped box of ice creams anywhere in the United States. Each box comes with a lovely handwritten gift message and will delight any recipient! Customers can order at any Jeni’s store, on her website (jenisicecreams.com) or through the Dean & Deluca catalog. December 16 is the last day to order shipments for the holiday season. For large corporate orders, please contact the kitchen at 614.488.3224.

As retailers across the nation post dismal sales figures for the first three quarters of 2008 and predict a dire retail holiday season, I can’t help but wonder if our country’s economic crunch (aka, recession!) is corresponding to an overall fatigue with consumerism. Have we reached the saturation point in accumulation of material goods? Have we had our fill of the latest and great electronic widgets and gadgetry? Is a return to simpler times and simpler values ahead, or even in place now?

Many North Market shoppers are turning to comfort foods and small treats, like delicious handmade chocolate truffles, a scoop of ice cream in a waffle cone, a bag of seasonally flavored popcorn. They are staying at home more and cooking good, hearty meals like stew, pot roasts, vegetable terrines, and charcroute garni – big, one-pot meals that are comforting, healthy, and satisfying.

At the North Market Cookware, we are seeing an increased interest in the big, Le Creuset enameled cast-iron Dutch ovens and skillets. Or, the big enamel over steel 12, 16, and 20-quart stockpots meant to hold family-sized amounts of soups and chilis.

Le Creuset cast-iron 6 3/4 quart Dutch oven available for $239.99 at North Market Cookware

Another item receiving more attention than ever this year is the Swissmar raclette. The name “raclette” comes from the French word, “racler” meaning to scrape off. Its origins go back centuries to when Swiss mountain shepherds moved their cows high up into the Alps for summer grazing. The shepherds carried only basic supplies such as potatoes, pickles, dried meats/sausages, and always a big round of cheese. By the evening campfire, the shepherds would cut off slices of cheese and place them on a rock near the fire. Just before the gooey, melted cheese slid off the rock and into the fire, they would scrape it off and put it over the roasted meats and potatoes! Doesn’t that sound delicious, and fun? Now, a raclette is an all-in-one unit that allows the consumer to easily grill a combination of meats, vegetables and fruits on the top grill plate while melting slices of raclette cheese, Emmental or Appenzells in small pans beneath the grill.

Swissmar raclette available for $99.99 at North Market Cookware

It’s a great way to share a cozy meal with family and friends. Curds and Whey sells raclette cheese for perfect meltability.

North Market Cookware has received a “special buy” shipment from All-Clad. Many popular items are now available at 25% off – or more! If you’ve always wanted a 4 or 5 quart sauté pan, now is the time to buy it (or ask Santa). Or how about an All-Clad crepe pan to complete your set for only $29.99?

Amidst all those dire predictions for a dismal retail holiday season, I am making a prediction of my own. I predict a season that brings families and friends together for a holiday filled with simple pleasures and meaningful gifts meant to comfort and inspire.

Happy Holidays from Kay, Jacki and Jess at North Market Cookware.

At North Market we’re all about local: going local, eating local, acting local, supporting local. It’s simply the right thing to do. With some of the uncertainty we all might be facing, it makes even more sense.

First and foremost, eating local makes lots of sense. It’s fresher, healthier and has far less impact on our environment. It also supports local businesses, local economies and provides the opportunity for our community to grow and become more sustainable.

When we act locally, we act responsibly for or our families, our community and our environment. This holiday season, as every holiday season, North Market is all about local. (more…)