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1. BLACK GARLIC Definitely not your ordinary garlic, Black Garlicboasts a sweet molasses taste, yet still retains the undertonesof garlic flavor that one would expect. A month-long fermenta-tion process that uses a heat treatment and controlled humidi-ty creates the rich, black color and chewy texture. Lacking theacrid bite prevalent in regular garlic, this version can be snackedon or used as a less pungent alternative in recipes. $14.99,www.cookingenthusiast.com or 800-792-6650 2. SALTS FROMAROUND THE WORLD Each of the salts in this set were select-ed for their unique flavor profiles and includes: Cyprus Flake (aMediterranean salt with a mild taste and texture), Himalaya PinkRock Salt (beautiful color and high mineral content), Red Alaea(mild flavor that's great for roasting), Murry River Flake (meltsquickly with a mild taste), Oak Smoked Sea Salt (cold smokedover oak), and Black Lava Sea Salt (luxurious and exotic flavorthat is suitable for roasts and vegetables). $29.99,www.cookingenthusiast.com or 800-792-6650 3. SCHARFFEN

BERGER Once declared "America's best dark chocolate" byJulia Child, Scharffen Berger uses the highest quality cacaobeans sourced from the best places in the world. Some of thebrand's high-end chocolate and baking products includeRoasted Cacao Nibs, 99% and 70% cacao baking bars, as wellas both Sweetened and Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder,gift baskets and chocolate bars. For years, Scharffen Bergerhas been repeatedly noted as a standout brand — one thatsome consumers are leery to spend the extra money on untilthe noticeable difference is tasted first-hand. Priced from $4.95and up, www.scharffenberger.com. 4. MIL KIMCHI Based on anold family recipe, Lauryn Chun's MIL Kimchi grew out of a laborof love and the desire to share a delicious, artisanal kimchi withthe world. Kimchi, by definition, is Korean fermented andspiced cabbage, and this version is super-spicy with rich com-plexity. Serve it with appetizers, layer it in a sandwich, or use itto brighten a dish of grilled meat or fish. $20 for two jars,

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www.foodzie.com 5. VITACLAY MULTICOOKER Old meets newas the time-honored clay pot method of cooking fuses withcomputerized electronic rice cooking and programmable slowcooking to make meals more healthy, time-efficient and deli-cious. The VitaClay utilizes a mineral-rich liner made from all-natural, hand-selected Zisha clay that retains and enhances thefresh, natural flavor of food and preserves its natural juices andnutrients. Unlike non-stick aluminum or ceramic cookware, theclay liner is pure and free of metals and chemicals like lead orTeflon. In addition, its unique microcomputer and precisionbuilt-in thermostat enable the VitaClay to self-adjust heat up ordown based on the ingredients in the pot, their volume, and theset time. $139.99, www.vitaclaychef.com 6. SOUSVIDESUPREME" The SousVide Supreme™ is the world's first wateroven designed specifically to bring the gourmet sous vide cook-ing method into home kitchens. Sous vide cooking involvesvacuum-sealing food in airtight pouches, then submerging it in

a low-temperature water bath and cooking it at a consistenttemperature. The result is perfectly cooked foods withenhanced flavors and nutritional benefits. Unlike previoushome sous vide products, which require clunky set-ups withmultiple components, the SousVide Supreme™ is a sleek,all-in-one solution that makes this respected culinary tech-nique easily accessible to the home chef. $449,www.sousvidesupreme.com 7.2006 MASSETO A rare and exclu-sive Cru made entirely from Merlot grapes, Masseto has gaineda reputation as one of the world's most sought after wines. The2006 Masseto reflects the particular conditions of the vintage:ripeness, concentration and balance. The intense nose — withripe fruit and jam — reflects the summer season. On the palateit's powerful, rich, and opulent, sweet and polished tannins bal-anced perfectly by acidity, which leads to a long finish markedby elegance. Suggested price: $400. Visit www.ornellaia.comto locate a retailer. B

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