Chef's Corner

A healthy lifestyle consists of getting regular exercise, doing things that make you happy, and maintaining a healthy diet (for the most part). Salads have always been a huge cheat code in the healthy lifestyle game because they provide so many benefits, check tons of healthy diet boxes, and can be made a million and one ways. Personally, my favorite part about a salad is a great dressing. It’s the most important aspect to make your salad reach its fullest potential. Have you ever eaten a salad that you would have paid any price to bring home a jug of the dressing that was on it? Yeah, me too. Well, your days of searching for the perfect salad dressing are over. Here are some salad dressing recipes that you can make at home to compliment just about any salad you whip up!

As we delve into the heart of Italian cuisine, it's impossible to ignore one element that transcends the realm of mere food: wine. Steeped in tradition and deeply ingrained in Italian culture, wine is much more than an accompaniment to a meal – it's a vital part of the Italian dining experience. Here at As Fine Foods, we're passionate about delivering an authentic taste of Italy, right down to the wine that graces your dinner table.

There's no tradition more emblematic of American summer than the time-honored ritual of the 4th of July barbecue. When the summer sun bathes the country in golden hues, and the scent of freshly mowed grass mingles with the smoky aroma of a backyard grill, you know it's Independence Day. Let's dive into some mouth-watering 4th of July grilling tips and recipes that are sure to get your taste buds tingling!

 

In the world of barbecue, the delicious, slow-smoked pork butt holds a place of honor. Despite its name, pork butt doesn't come from the back end of the pig but from the upper part of the shoulder. It's a cut of meat that, when cooked properly, yields tender, flavorful results that make for an unforgettable meal. Here's our comprehensive guide to smoking a pork butt.

Few things signify a glorious barbecue like a rack of delicious, fall-off-the-bone smoked ribs. From selecting the right cut to the final, flavor-packed bite, each step in the process of smoking ribs is both an art and a science. Here's our ultimate guide to help you master this barbecue classic.

The distinct culinary tradition of Italy has enamored food enthusiasts from around the globe for generations. Among the rich cornucopia of Italian delicacies, Salumi, a collection of cured meat products, stands out. Let's delve into the intricate process of producing Salumi and understand what makes it an integral part of Italy's gastronomic lineage.

Italian cuisine is a cornucopia of flavors that never ceases to impress. Every region and every town has the culinary traditions that make it unique. One such tradition is the production of Culatello, one of the most prized Italian cured meats. Dive with us into the world of Culatello to understand what makes it a gastronomic masterpiece.

Black summer truffles are a great way to add flavor, opulence, and culinary magic to many dishes. This summer we highly encourage you to use black summer truffles at your dinner gatherings. Not only with you taste buds thank you, but your guests will be impressed with your newly found culinary "weapon."

Everyone and their mother has heard and or tried lasagna, but maybe not everyone has heard of the classic Italian pasta dish: stuffed shells. The classic preparation of stuffed shells includes a cheese filling, however, you can add a number of different ingredients to the filling to add a new element to the dish...

Many of you probably already know or have tasted the classic beef and farro soup. But have you ever wondered what it would taste like if you substituted the beef for cured Guanciale?...

Pumpkin marinara sauce may sound a little daunting and quite unique but I assure you it is absolutely delicious! You can pair the pumpkin pasta sauce with just about any pasta you like. Just choose your favorite! However, I recommend pairing it with our pumpkin ravioli to accentuate the sauce and the pumpkin filling’s flavor. Garnish with some grated parmesan and you have yourself a full pumpkin plate!

 

What is Speck?

Speck is a cured smoked ham originating in South Tyrol in Northeastern Italy. South Tyrol is known for its snow capped mountains and heavy German-Austrian influence. Speck is not considered in the same category as our well-known and beloved prosciutto. It gets its own category when it comes to cured hams.