News from the Deli!

By Todd Giesler, Boise Co-op Deli Correspondent

When I returned to the Co Op after a two-year absence, I was pleased to see that two of my oldpals were still there, and  would be working with me. Jane is our resident Cheese buyer, and privy to the local food scene for many years. When apprised that I would be covering what is new in the Deli for the Newsletter, the first thing she wanted to express her excitement about was the cheese offerings from Ballard's a family operating in Gooding, Idaho. Jane asked (rhetorically) "Who knew that Gooding is the home of such a delicious line of LOCAL cheeses?"

 Ballard's Dairy has been producing cheddars, feta, swiss, and a halloumi-style Greek cheese since 2004. Jersey Cows provide the rbst-free milk. Jane recently ordered their truffle-salt cheddar after the Ballards kindly dropped off a sample to try. They collaborated with RITROVO, a distributor of food products, who supplies them with the truffle-flecked sea salt used in this cheese. The result of marrying this unique salt with the Ballard's Jersey cow milk is just outstanding, and has been an unmitigated smash hit when sample out at the demo table inside the Co-op in days past. The price is $16.99 per pound, and is hand cut by the Ballard's into roughly half-pound packages. This truly is a cheese that competes with the finest cheddars out there, whether from England or the New World. Trust me!

Also available from Ballard's are the Jersey Dream (Greek Style ) Feta, the Holy Cow Swiss, and the Pepper Cheddar, all priced at $6.99 per pound.
Another friend of many moons is Lucy, who has been our head of the Bakery for almost 3 years. She is on the verge of churning out batches of Hot Cross Buns, which have a history dating back longer than this country's existence.

The first recorded use of the term shows up in 1733, although it is believed that the buns marked with a cross were eaten by the Saxons in honor of the goddess Eostre ( the cross on the top is thought to gave symbolised the four quarters of the moon). "Eostre" is probably the origin of the word "Easter," and Good Friday, with the cross on top signifying the Crucifixion. They will be offered in 9 piece pans, ready to reheat if you wish. They will go fast.

Other fun things to find in the Deli: Fruit and yogurt parfaits, currently being made by Brandi herself, our Deli Manager. Being offered in 9 oz. cups, at $2.99 they are a great idea for a "grab and go" breakfast, and they are to be found in our "grab and go" retail case! They're made with whatever fresh fruit is available each morning, along with lowfat vanilla yogurt. They're already a big hit!

The new grilled paninis have been making the entire store smell good. This is a new lunch offering and is currently available only from 11am- 2pm at the Deli salad counter. With standard options like Italian Meat and Cheese, and Chicken Pesto, Brandi has also been "zigging and zaggin" with various whimsical productions using whatever fresh and interesting ingredients she finds. Using the Village Loaf and Ciabatta breads from Zeppole, always keeping the pieces local, these sandwiches are $7.99, and are truly delicious. Just another way the Co-op is your North End lunch time destination!

Take care!

Todd