Products perfected

[snousle]

Very pleased with the results on these...

The new and improved ravioli. So pretty:



And the new dinner box format. I poured some scotch and spent some time with my Ekiben book, and came up with this. It's about 24 oz of food and makes for a fairly hearty dinner. Finally I feel like I have something worthy of $19 in a gourmet shop. And it doesn't take a nervous breakdown to make it happen.



Pictured is roast pork tenderloin, pickled baby vegetables (no, the white ones are not hemlock), potatoes au gratin with gruyere, and a tomato, parsley, and garlic salad. The trick to the perfect box is controlling the moisture in each ingredient so it isn't dry, but doesn't spew fluid all over the place. For example, the tomatoes are marinated first in salt, and drained, then in olive oil, then drained. So they are juicy but have no "extra" juice to drown the rest of the box. This is ready to eat from the fridge but is "best when gently warmed". A warm tomato salad is unconventional but actually quite delicious. It is surprisingly unlike a meal on an airplane.

It's harder than it looks. Even if this retail thing goes nowhere, getting these totally right was worth every bit of effort.

Comments

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Still working on the thin wood idea for the box, or has that proven impractical?

[snousle.livejournal.com]

Eventually. The hemlock experience has left me feeling skeptical of anything that is not an FDA approved food product. We shall see.

[broduke2000.livejournal.com]

I wasn't aware you were attempting retail. You gotta come up with a name.

Tony's Awful Good Food™ ?
Tippe A Canoe With Tony's Two™ ?
Tony, No Baloney™ ?
Eat This, Allah Demands It™ ?


(Ravioli looks scrumptious, by the way)

[men-in-full.livejournal.com]

That's one beautiful tomato salad. And a guest appearance by your tasty little carrots! :D

[twobraids.livejournal.com]

The presentation looks really great. The box looks well stocked. Same boxes as before?

How did the chicken ones sell last week?

[snousle.livejournal.com]

Six of the chicken boxes sold. Then I had a grand total of 2 orders for the next box. I think these will move somewhat better because I can make some extra for impulse shoppers.

[p0lecat.livejournal.com]

Do you know how to make beef won tons for soup? I must be doing something wrong.

[snousle.livejournal.com]

Yes, there are a number of methods, and it's particularly easy if you purchase pre-made skins. What is wrong with your wonton? (Oooh, that sounds dirty doesn't it?)

[p0lecat.livejournal.com]

Hmmm Dirty can be gooooooood!

As for the won tons, they keep breaking apart while boiling.
When your up this way, would you be kind enough to give me some pointers about them?

[albear-garni.livejournal.com]

Aboslutely fuckin' beautiful! and they look delicious, too!

Glad you got both the salad thing and the raviolis figured out. I'd suggest visting the Mariposa market in Willits, as another possible outlet for your raviolis. Don't know about the salad, but you never know. I'll remember to give 'em your card next time I stop by.

Hope you're "weathering" this heat spell OK, too.

[beastbriskett.livejournal.com]

Yummy looking ravioli! Hope the boxes catch on. They're artful as well as satisfying.

[h0gwash.livejournal.com]

That box dinner looks great with the leaves.