2012
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I Might Just Wake Up
At least that’s definitely what I kept thinking when I heard the restaurant Malibu & Vines had ordered my Fig Balsamic Jam to be used as an appetizer on their menu – served on a Pizzetta with melted Gorgonzola and Duck Prosciutto (which to me is like being nominated for an award along side Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett – just happy to be in the category!)
Now, let me say I understand there are many talented contributors to very reputable restaurants who equally started off novice, with just their passion and pure abandon. And in all humility, many of them have provided more than just a “jam” (I’m talking the likes of the accidental lobster purveyor for The French Laundry and so on). But I would also like to believe they each felt exactly the way I did when I heard we received that first official order from a restaurant. A real, live restaurant! That day I actually had many feelings all rolled into one. Like a Turducken of emotions – excitement stuffed with amazement wrapped in validation. And I’m not going to lie, I did jump up and down a little bit.
Of course to serve anything to anyone I must be confident in it. And I have always been confident in the jams I make and have served. However, when you make something with your own hands, without any training and only modest knowledge, I think it’s natural to have a little doubt. And I think that that questioning can actually push you to be better, more efficient in what you’re creating.
But in the last few weeks I must say, when I start to have a little bit of that doubt, I think of a certain Pizzetta in Malibu that has something I made with these hands, untrained and all, and it’s Turducken time all over again.
Pizzetta with Gorgonzola & Duck Prosciutto
Delivery of our first official Restaurant Order!
2011
By nikki_admin
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Give the Gift of Salsa & Jam!
Friends,
Your yule tide gift solution has arrived.
After weeks of canning, site building, and shopping for the perfect gift set accompaniments, our online marketplace is here!
This season, skip the mall and the overpriced, mass produced gift baskets. Luko Foods’ quirky savory + sweet gift tins and crates will guarantee to please.
Start your shopping here!
www.luko-foods-market.myshopify.com
We hope you enjoy our site and welcome any comments and suggestions you may have.
We are ever-so-grateful for your continued overwhelming support.
Heidi & Nikki
SALSA + JAM SMALL TIN: $25.
SALSA + JAM MEDIUM TIN: $36.
‘CALIENTE’ DELUXE CRATE: $120.
‘BRAMBLE’ DELUXE CRATE: $145.
‘DEBONAIRE’ DELUXE CRATE: $145.
2011
By nikki_admin
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testing another NEW flavor – STRAWBERRY JALAPENO!
Lots of trial-ing going on here at Luko Foods!
We pulled together yet another focus group to test out 4 versions of Nikki’s ‘Strawberry Heat’ served with warm buttery biscuits. The color is coming out such a lovely vibrant red, perfect for a holiday table!
Heat variations trialed: Jalapeños, Cayenne in varying amounts
Strawberry variations trialed: Muddled strawberries, Quartered whole strawberries
*The Preferred Strawberry/Heat Combo: Muddled strawberries and Jalapeños
Round 2 testing of both Fig Balsamic and Strawberry Jalapeño to continue TODAY.
Stay tuned!
2011
By nikki_admin
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Testing out a NEW Flavor – FIG BALSAMIC!
Nikki’s jammin’ on a new jam flavor for fall….. Fig Balsamic.
Chef Matthew Zubrod from Malibu & Vine Restaurant suggested this combination to Nikki and she just HAD to try it. So, we gathered 15 of our trusted tasters and put together a fabulous fall spread of green apples and pears, goat and manchego cheeses, french baguette, roasted almonds, and two types of prosciutto.
And … (drumroll)… the results are in!
__
NIKKI’S JAM TASTING RESULTS
Fig Balsamic
(star* = a ‘favorite’ vote. note: some tasters voted for 2 favorites.)
(3 stars)***
#1 ROASTED FIGS, RAO’S BALSAMIC, THYME, SHALLOTS, ORANGE, PORT
feedback:
“tart”
“tastes like cherries”
“too subtle, too mild”
“too mild to be a stand alone jam”
“could be a little sweeter, more fig”
(5 stars)*****
#2 ROASTED FIGS, BROWN SUGAR, PORT, RAO’S BALSAMIC, ORANGE ZEST
feedback:
“tastes like tamarind”
“strong citrus flavor”
“you can taste the balsamic most in this one”
“this has the most different flavor, doesn’t taste like a traditional jam. which is good”
(7 stars)*******
#3 GASTRIQUE, SMASHED FIGS, CAROLIVA BALSAMIC, WATER, ORANGE
feedback:
“great blend”
“traditional”
“tangy”
“essence of the two flavors”
(3 stars)***
#4 ROASTED WHOLE FIGS, BROWN SUGAR, THYME, CAROLIVA BALSAMIC, ORANGE ZEST
feedback:
“too sweet”
“too herby”
2011
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Blueberries getting a bath
Nikki’s Blueberry Lemon Lavender jam starts with the finest local berries. WE LOVE BLUEBERRIES. Why? … They bring an incredible sweet + tart flavoring to our jams AND they turn out a beautiful jam consistency as a result of their silky skins! ooh la la la.
Blueberries + Lemon + Lavender + Love + Simmer + More Love = Some Damn Delicious Jam.
2011
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Bacon Maj: Up close and personal
Bacon Maj. Everything you know about Jam, but backwards.
With ingredients that include maple syrup, carmelized onion, fresh brewed coffee, and of course, bacon, we like to say its like having breakfast in a jar!