We know that many of you have fun keeping tabs on the North Market through our website, blog, Facebook page and Twitter. But some of you appreciate the tactile distinction of printed pieces too.  With the help of some special friends, we’ve printed the North Market Holiday 2009 guide to celebrate the season and inform you of all the fresh, local goodness the North Market has to offer!

This edition includes holiday sentiments from David Wible, our Executive Director, plus gift guides, recipes, upcoming events, wine suggestions and a preview of the upcoming School of Cooking and Chef Series classes. Stop by your favorite merchant and pick one up!

Jeni Britton-Bauer has a way of turning ingredients from the most ordinary to the extraordinary into tongue-tantalizing taste combinations in her artisan ice creams. Her talent has won her accolades from multiple Food & Wine magazine mentions to a coveted Gallo Award.

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.