Since it seems that we will indeed have spring and perhaps summer to follow, Ive moved into my pre-gardening mode, which means sessions of water aerobics with frequent stops at Nicholes Fine Pastry to refuel. Going there always lifts my spirits, whether its for a croissant and cafe au lait or one of their delicious lunches or for a truly fine pastry to take home.

At a recent stop for sustenance at Nicholes, 13 8th St. S. in Fargo, I had my first taste of panna cotta, an Italian custard made with cream and flavorings, with gelatin added to set it up.

Of course I chose the chocolate version first and then sampled the divine lavender edition and then decided to make it at home.

I found a recipe online and proceeded. It called for some milk along with more than a quart of heavy cream, sugar and gelatin, but only a few tablespoons of good cocoa powder.

When that didnt combine smoothly or look very chocolaty, I added a good-sized handful of Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips, stirred and strained it into a large souffl dish to rest before refrigerating. Fortunately, the man in my life didnt like it, so I got to eat the whole bowl.

When I stopped at Nicholes to see how many kinds they made, I was told there were at least 20 versions plus maybe 10 more created by someone in the kitchen as the spirit moved him or her.

Panna cotta is a wonderful substance for creativity, as the cream, when its cooking, may be infused with herbs such as lavender, rosemary, mint, lemon verbena, scented geraniams or the zest from lemons and oranges, grated ginger root or instant espresso. And a garnish of fresh fruit is always tasty.

As for the way panna cotta is served, I just used a bowl because I dont like unmolding things and the only oil I have in my kitchen is from olives. I dont use oil spray in a can.

But if I was going to make it for guests, Id pour individual servings into stemmed wine glasses, which dont have to be unmolded.

And Ill keep sampling the various kinds of panna cotta at Nicholes.

Here is the original post:
Halgrimson: Panna cotta makes for creamy dessert with flavor options

VoA - News Wednesday 16th April, 2014

Hundreds of them, in fact, descended on Ho Chi Minh City this weekend for Saigon Tex, a garment and textile expo. Sharing a border with China, Vietnam boasts geographic convenience, as well as political stability and low costs. Those attract companies like Spain-based Jeanologia, which showed off its laser-on-denim technology at the expo.

"It is becoming such an important hub for American and European brands," Jeanologia area manager Borja Trenor Casanova said of Vietnam.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) helps, too. As one of 12 countries negotiating the trade pact, Vietnam stands to benefit most from a clause that would cut tariffs on textiles and apparel, which are among the nation's top exports.

To take advantage of the tax reduction, foreign companies are shifting their factories to Vietnam. Nguyen Thi Cam Tu is general manager at Thach Anh Vang, which represents manufacturers from Germany, Turkey, the United States, and others. She said the TPP is part of the reason her company saw a 50 percent increase in annual turnover in 2013,

"I see a lot of investment going on, because we see quite a lot of inquiries recently," Cam Tu said, as a giant yarn spinner roared at the vendor slot next to hers at the expo.

The growth is reflected across the country. Textile exports increased 20 percent in the first quarter of 2014, compared with the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office.

While production and revenues have risen steadily, Vietnamese companies and officials recognize a gaping weakness in the garment industry: It buys most of its materials from other countries. The Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa told an audience at the expo that Vietnam must set targets to produce more fabrics on its own.

"These targets demonstrate an urgent need for technological innovation, improvement of quality control, labor management, environmental management, as well as improvement in the textile and garment supply chain in accordance with international standards," Kim Thoa said.

If it doesn't develop more local suppliers, Vietnam won't be able to tap the full potential of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The agreement is likely to include a yarn-forward rule, which requires Vietnam to make clothes with materials from TPP member countries in order to receive tax-free import benefits.

See the original post here:
With an Eye on TPP Garment Companies Flock to Vietnam