It’s no secret that I love to cook, but I often just do not have time and my kitchen is usually full of food being prepared for the rest of the world. During the Christmas craft shows of last year, Jonathan and I decided we wanted to carry a line of dips, spices, rubs, etc. We wanted something that could be quickly and easily prepared and didn’t require a lot of thought or extra ingredients. With Jonathan growing up in Bud’s BBQ, he has a passion for grilling and BBQ. He also wanted more home-cooked meals in the midst of the Confection Company growing like crazy!
It has taken us this long to do it, but finally, we have Mr. Amy’s Gourmet Dips and Spices! We brainstormed names from the day we came up with the concept and we finally settle on this one just a few weeks ago. Why “Mr. Amy?” When I do dessert caterings or go to set up a cake or even just when we work together at the shop, everyone always says to Jonathan, “Oh, you must be Mr. Amy.” Of course, each person thinks they are the first one who has ever said and they get a kick out of it. Jonathan being the great man he is has always taken it in stride and loves to tell people he is Mr. Amy. Many of our customers do now know what his name really is. So, it made perfect sense to us to call them Mr. Amy’s.
I don’t often write about what I am selling at the Shops of Steele Street, but I just love these mixes, so I wanted to share the info with everyone else!
By far, my favorite one is J.B.’s Best Garlic Butter (Jonathan finally got to use his real name in there somewhere!). It is excellent with olive oil as a bread dip or…and best of all…it makes awesome scampi! We are not big shrimp fans, so I just cut up a couple of chicken breasts into bite-size cubes. I then put the spice/oil mixture in a saute pan and brown the chicken. I then add the sauce to a pot of cooked pasta and mix it all together. Add a salad and some italian bread and it is an amazing dinner! You could use it for a delicious shrimp scampi instead of the chicken.
Jonathan also used it on ribeye a few nights ago on the grill and it was the best steak I have ever had! I want to try the Tuscany Blend on chicken on the grill this weekend.
Our other current favorites are the Key Lime Pie and Royal Hawaiian dessert mixes. I put them in the mini graham cracker crusts (in the Jello section of the grocery store) and we each have our own personal dessert. The Hawaiian is great with a can of crushed pineapple added.
As we find new uses for each of the dip mixes I will post the recipes! I hope you enjoy!
UPDATE: There will be samples of many of the new dips available for tasting at Shops of Steele Street tomorrow from 10 to 5:30!
UPDATE II: Probably no dip samples today! I couldn’t find anything I loved to put them in and keep them cold. I’m making it my mission today to find something and next Saturday will be “Sampling Saturday!”
Melissa W said,
May 9, 2008 @ 10:35 pm
My husband says he plans to be there — and that he WILL be buying my cake truffles! I cannot wait!!!
Kim Pritt said,
May 10, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
I’m gonna try to get in there today for a “truffle fix” and check out the new dips – they sound yummy – but, then, everything you do is so yummy!!!!
BTW – I notice on your web site that you are “booked” on Oct 9-10 — please tell me you blocked it out for the Gala!!!! Please don’t say you have a conflict and can’t do it this year!!!! If that is the case, what do you need to tell the conflict to move their need date — can’t offer my first born (don’t have one) — I’ll parade up and down Steele Street for a month straight with a sign telling all of Sanford how wonderful you are!!!!
burnsblog said,
May 10, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
You are so funny Kim! I actually have a wedding cake on that Saturday, but I am doing the gala — I wouldn’t miss it. When people ask about how my business started, grew, etc., I always tell them that I owe so much to the CIS Gala and the people involved with it. My business literally exploded after the first CIS Gala. I can’t wait until this year! I have a few new dishes I’m trying out.
Melissa — I hope you like them. Let me know what you think!
Kim Pritt said,
May 10, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
Oh, Thank Goodness!!!! I had visions of taking out a second mortgage to pay off your conflict to move their wedding date out a week!!!!
Your table is ALWAYS a hit at the Gala and I’d hate to think of a Gala without you!
burnsblog said,
May 10, 2008 @ 3:57 pm
That is so sweet!! Jonathan and I both look forward to it every year! I am so excited about the location this year. I hope CIS makes a ton of $$!! It is such a good cause!
On a side note, we are also doing the desserts for the Temple Theater Gala next Saturday. I think it will be great! The meal is catered from B&B and I have heard rave reviews on them.
Melissa W said,
May 10, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
Oh.My.Gosh. These things are HEAVEN on earth! This is not good news for my hips. But totally worth every single calorie. yummmmmmmmmmmm…
burnsblog said,
May 11, 2008 @ 12:16 am
I am so glad you like them!!!