by Cheyenne Cameron-Pruitt
Last week we had the chance to try Sacramento’s own Carmazzi Caramel Corn. Charles Schulz once said, “Love is sharing your popcorn.” I think if he had tried Carmazzi Caramel Corn, he may not have wanted to share! This caramel corn is so delicious I almost want to keep it a secret!
Carmazzi Caramel Corn was created out of necessity and mother’s love, as all the best things are! Karen Carmazzi wanted to make sure that her daughter, who suffers from nut and soy allergies, would not be left out when it came to treat time. With a recipe for caramel corn that had been passed down from generation to generation and the drive to make a change, Carmazzi Carmel corn was born.
The Carmazzi family whips up their creation in their own home kitchen, which is completely nut free, on a daily basis using only the best ingredients. Carmazzi Caramel Corn is not only nut free but gluten free, soy free and high fructose corn syrup free as well. It is also made with non-GMO popcorn. Basically, this is a delicious snack for people who have certain dietary restrictions or who are just very conscious about how they snack.
I am a big fan of caramel corn, kind of hard not to be, right? So, of course, I was excited to try this and I was in no way disappointed! Carmazzi Caramel Corn is delicious, it is the perfect amount of buttery, sweet and crunchy. We had quite a few bags to share around the office, and they were gone in a flash. This caramel corn is some of the best I have had, you can taste the quality and care that goes into each batch.
I was left wondering how to get my hands on some more, which thankfully is not all that hard! Carmazzi Caramel Corn is sold online and at many retailers around the Sacramento area. Pop on over to their website or Facebook Page for a location near you and news (I hear they may have a vegan recipe in the works!).
I recommend you try some now so that when this is big, you can be a snack hipster and say “I tried it first.” I know that’s my plan!
Curry Paradise
“Curry Para-, Para-, Paradise” – Coldplay, probably
For this week’s #saucyspot, the SacFoodies decided to check out Curry Paradise, a West Sac diamond-in-the-rough that boasts stellar Yelp ratings and delicious dishes. Due to a busy work week and a shortage of long lunch hours, we ended up ordering delivery to our downtown office.
The owner sent us his personal recommendations over email prior to our order and even put us in direct contact with the chef, Dino! It was clear that both the owner and chef were incredibly hands-on with their food and customer service.
We ordered butter chicken, jira masti (spicy shrimp), samosas and naan. It was delivered to our office within the hour, and we wasted no time in breaking out the forks! Straight up, the food was awesome. It was spicy. It was delicate. The portions were generous. Most of all, it was full of complex flavors and textures that made it a real treat to eat.
Laurel: I ordered the jira masti and absolutely loved it! I am a big fan of spicy food but often have to proceed with caution at Indian restaurants – sometimes I get in way too over my head and end up with a burning mouth and bruised ego. Thankfully, this shrimp dish hit the spicy sweet spot; not too hot, but definitely hit you with a building heat as you went on, which I really enjoyed. The sauce was rich without being heavy and was a nice addition to the shrimp. It was so good I ended up saving the leftover sauce in the office fridge to add to my lunch the next day! (P.S. – I didn’t get a picture of my shrimp because I ate it too fast. The struggles of food blogging are real.)
Cheyenne: I fancy myself an Indian cuisine connoisseur. I certainly have my favorite dishes and I usually stick with them before venturing off into un-tasted territories. Samosas are a must-have anytime I’m trying a new Indian restaurant, and Curry Paradise did not disappoint! They were perfectly crisp on the outside while leaving the inside warm and delicious. I think that was my favorite part of the meal, I almost had to call them back and ask for sa-more-sas! I also tried the butter chicken and you butter believe it was delicious! Butter chicken is generally a milder dish, but this had a nice little kick that complimented the dish so well and allowed every flavor to shine through. It paired so well with the basmati rice and naan, and most importantly, it wasn’t too heavy to leave me napping at my desk. I thoroughly enjoyed Curry Paradise, seriously, naan-thing but good things to say!
If you’re on the hunt for a flavorful #saucyspot, than this is your jam. Aren’t close to West Sac? They also just opened a second location in Roseville, so you’re in luck. This National Sauce Month is shaping up to be naan-tastic!
Let's Get Saucy!
It’s National Sauce Month, everybody! If the SacFoodies love anything, it’s getting #lostinthesauce (in the most culinary sense of the phrase). We’ll be featuring a different kind of sauce each week of the month, ranging from barbecue to chocolate. Bring on the ranch, marinara, caramel, and curry – we’re hunting down our favorite sauces, and all the delicious food that goes under them!
For our first saucy spot, we stopped by – you guessed it – Sauced BBQ & Spirits on 7th and K. Sauced takes pride in the quality of their meat, the integrity of their smoking process, and their generous (i.e., gargantuan) portions. We had a great time at our lunch, which included great service, a lively atmosphere, and an overall satisfying work-day meal. Below, we each talk about our favorite part of the meal, and of course, our favorite sauce!
Laurel: For my lunch at Sauced, I ordered the appetizer Smoked Wings plate. As someone who doesn’t like my meals pre-drenched in sauce, I was happy that the wings came spiced, smoked, and with sauce on the side. This meant that I could add as much sauce as I wanted, and experiment with different kinds! Sauced has four house BBQ sauces – Tin Roof, Hot Tin Roof, Pig Candy, and Georgia Gold. I felt like the Georgia Gold, which is mustard-based, went best with the smoky chicken, but I definitely liked all four. Disclaimer: I also love mustard and vinegar, so it wasn’t suprising for me to pick this as my favorite!
Cheyenne: When I see tater-tots of any form on a menu, I’m blinded by their golden light and know that I have to have them. Even with the incredible number of menu options at Sauced, tater-tots had my heart. I ordered the Tot-Tas for lunch. “What exactly are Tot-Tas?” you may be wondering. Well, according to the menu it is a plate of tater-tots covered with cheddar cheese, bacon jam (yes, bacon jam!), sour cream, green onions and jalapenos. If you ask me what a Tot-Ta is, I’ll tell you it’s how Sauced made me say goodbye to plain tots forever. I’m counting bacon jam as the sauce on my meal, because there was really no need for anything extra on that plate. Every single thing – from the crunchiness of the tots, to the sweet, salty, smoky flavor of the bacon jam – made me fall in love with each bite. I probably could have used a little more sour cream, but that is a personal preference. If you are going to stop by Sauced I cannot recommend the Tot-Tas more, whether you plan on keeping them to yourself or sharing. Though I didn’t need anything extra on my meal, you can’t go to Sauced and not try the BBQ Sauce! If I had to choose one I would go with the Tin Roof, it is a classic ketchup-based sauce and I’m a classic kind of girl, but they were all delicious in their own special ways.
We can’t wait to go back to Sauced and try more #saucyspots throughout the rest of March. Word to the wise: Sauced is the spot to go before Golden 1 events, but be ready for crowds! We liked going for lunch to reap the rewards of a Sauced lunch without dealing with the pre-game rush. Tot-Ta for now! (Get it?)
The Road to Beervana – February Showers Bring March Growlers
By: Laurel Harrison
If the weather over the weekend was any indication, spring is making its (highly anticipated) way to Sacramento! There’s nothing like a cold beer on a sunny day, and the SacFoodies are getting very excited about all of the things that March brings –mainly, Sac Beer Week and Capitol Beer Fest. The saying is “February showers bring March growlers,” right? Join us today for the second round of our Road to Beervana series, where we check in with five more breweries, talk to the brewers, and learn about their Sac Beer Week events. Cheers!
Yolo Brewing Co.
Located in West Sac, Yolo Brew Co. is an award-winning craft brewery that delivers delicious beer, a rotating selection of food trucks and a personal brewing experience. With 11 year-round beers on tap and a variety of seasonal and limited release beers, Yolo Brew offers a wide selection of styles sure to satisfy any beer fan! Those who are in the mood to bike and beer can visit Yolo Brewing on the West Sac Brew Bike Tour on March 12, which also includes stops at Bike Dog and Jackrabbit Brewing.
Device Brewing Co.
Device Brewing Co. got its start after owner and head brewer, Ken Anthony, decided to give up a career in structural engineering and dive into the craft beer industry. Since its inception in 2013, Device has amassed a dedicated fan base, won several awards at the California State Fair, and expanded its taproom. If you’re a trivia buff, Device’s Wednesday night trivia is definitely worth a visit. Head to Device on March 5 to try the last keg of their barrel-aged Brits in Moscow Russian Imperial Stout – it’s a fan favorite, and it’ll go fast!
EDH Brewing Co.
After seven tours conducting surveillance flights in Afghanistan, Dennis Dovala settled in El Dorado Hills and began home brewing as a way to pursue his interest in craft beer. With the support of his wife and friends, Dennis opened EDH Brewing Co. in 2015 with the intent of creating a place in El Dorado Hills that provided great beer in a family environment. EDH Brewing will be hosting a variety of fun and informative events for Sac Beer Week. Groove on by on March 3 for Retro Night and enjoy their newly released Magic Bus IPA and Mojo Ale.
Mraz Brewing Co.
Michael Mraz got his start as a home brewer in 2006, and quickly rose up the ranks to be named California’s “Home Brewer of Year” in 2008 and 2009. His success as a home brewer and desire to turn his passion into a profession led to the opening of Mraz Brewing Co. in 2013, located in El Dorado Hills. Mraz Brewing Co. has since brought home 2 gold medals from the California State Fair for its Window of Opportunity Belgian Tripel and the Cardinal Flanders-style Red Ale. Sour beer fans, look no further: Mraz Brewing will be hosting an All Sour Day on March 4 featuring more than 17 sour beers on tap!
Track 7 Brewing Co.
Since its founding in 2011, Track 7 Brewing Co. has earned a reputation as an award-winning brewery and established itself firmly in the California beer world. Track 7 added to their Curtis Park brew-pire (brew empire, get it?) with the opening of the Natomas taproom in 2015, which now operates as the main production facility. From a Bee Line Blonde to a Left Eye Right Eye Double IPA, there’s something for everyone at Track 7. We count ourselves lucky to have this award-winning brewery in our backyard! Track 7 will be hosting the 2nd Annual Brewery Invitational & Competition on March 5, a highly-anticipated gathering of some of the top brewers in the Western United States.
For more Sac Beer Week events, click here.
For Capitol Beer Fest information, click here.
To see the previous edition of “The Road to Beervana” brewery bios click here!
Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates
By: Laurel Harrison
If you forgot to make reservations, buy flowers, or write your S.O’s name in the sky today, don’t fret. Instead, head to Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates, located on 18th and L. Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates features signature and seasonal creations sure to satisfy any sweet tooth, and is holding extended hours today from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. SacFoodies decided to stop in and ask Alison, the executive pastry chef, a few dessert-related questions to help us hone in on the perfect Valentine’s dessert. Valentine’s Day procrastinators – this one’s for you!
If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Ice cream. There are endless possibilities for flavor combinations and textures you can add. I will never tire of eating it.
If someone was having Ginger Elizabeth chocolates for the first time, what would you recommend they try?
Our bon-bons and macarons. We have 24 flavors of bon-bons, and always have special flavors rotating. The bon-bons are my babies and we have spent years perfecting them. The macarons are delicate, not overly sweet and are an extra special treat as well. We have 7-8 different flavors at a time.
What’s your favorite dessert to make for Valentine’s Day?
I love making our Valentine’s Day entremet cake every year. It is a different flavor each year, and the recipe developing and testing is one of my favorite things to do. This year it is a salty caramel cupcake entremet that has a caramel custard, salted butter caramel, devil’s food cake, and 62% Valrhona bittersweet chocolate mousse.
You can see more dessert options at Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates.
Need more sweet treat ideas? Check out past SacFoodies Valentine’s features below:
Where to Get Something Sweet for your Sweetie in Sacramento
Sweets for the Sweet
More Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
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