Raspberry Swirls

A perfectly plump treat.  Perhaps, more so than any of the other berries, the raspberry is the top berry to adore.  Delectable, decadent, and sweet raspberries have an air of them enabling a transition to inhabit any dessert one graces. Raspberries should be used more often than they are, it is time for top billing of the berry sort.  

Raspberries are the absolute best for the most particular, gorgeous shade of (natural) dye for pink icing. Simply warm them in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove top and gently press and strain the juice from the berries. Use the same approach for a gorgeous addition of color and flavor to any favorite drink.  

The raspberry has been gracing the marquee of the health industry for the hefty benefits it contains.  Beyond being near top of the list of power packed fruits, having a wide range of minerals and vitamins, and claims of lower risk for obesity this small fruit contains a ton of antioxidants.  Certainly enough information to justify any dessert that includes the healthy raspberry.  

A bit of an homage to the Raspberry Swirl gelato flavor gracing our case, and to all things this wonderful berry turns to complete joy... engage with our Raspberry Swirls Pinterest board open to public pinning for all things raspberry hued.  Celebrate the color, the fruit, and the recipes along with the bevy of happiness the raspberry produces.  

Please, add your raspberry themed pins to our delight! 

Mud and Gelato

One of the better ways to celebrate Earth Day, is to be covered in mud! Mud runs with variables meant to test physical, mental, and social strength have become a fitness trend across the nation. The Citadel's 17th annual Bulldog Challenge this Saturday, April 20, 2013 is the ultimate endurance course featuring The Lowcountry's pluff mud or "life draining marsh" as it is referred to on the challenge official website. Pino Gelato is proud to be on board as a sponsor of The Bulldog Challenge hosted by The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Bulldog Challenge is self described as a grueling six mile (10k)endurance course that will push a competitor and their three team mates to the limit with obstacles encountered throughout meant to cause "friction" to those daring to compete. Previous course involvement has boasted a USMC rope climb, carrying 25 lb sand bags through pluff mud, and wrestling of giant truck tires. With The Citadel, known as The Military College of South Carolina, playing host to the event participants should expect the extreme (one obstacle is dubbed "The House of Pain") as far as difficulty. Luckily, the enrolled and truly brave, Citadel Marines and NROTC cadets are on course for encouragement along the way.


Bulldog Challenge competitors!

The Bulldog Challenge has grown in popularity with national awareness attracting 724 competitors to last year's event, this Saturday's event is likely to surpass that number according to The Citadel. The growing attendance and attention is welcomed with the clause of the race proceeds raising a donation to Semper Fi Society Scholarship Fund, which provides financial aid to a participating member of the society enrolled in NROTC and working toward a commission in the United States Marine Corps.

Ready to Scoop this Saturday!

Mud runs certainly engage contestants with Earth and are widely used as recreation to commemorate Earth Day. Beyond the climate of race day, even beyond the mud, is a celebration of community and encouragement played out with prizes given by numerous sponsors and donations. To sweeten the finish line Pino Gelato will be at The Bulldog Challenge with our gelato cart Scooping Happiness to participants as they breathe in relief after completing the grueling course.

Yes, join this military style mud run or perhaps spectator at this event whilst consuming gelato and engage in another activity in spirit of Earth Day, say by planting a small tree.

For more information or to register for The Bulldog Challenge visit: www.bulldogchallenge.com

For info on Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2013 visit: www.Earthday.org/2013

Happy Mardi Gras!

Today is Mardi Gras!

The party of the year, the largest free show on earth, and a day we are all reminded to eat cake.

Mardi Gras is much more than bead clad crowds, parade floats, or masked parties, though those staples provide for a swell time. Mardi Gras, which translates to "Fat Tuesday" is a Christian holiday that dates back thousands of years in order to celebrate the days leading up to the religious season of Lent. Also known as Carnival, the party of the year is a worldwide cultural phenomenon-especially those with large Roman Catholic populations- and is host to famous festivities inclusive of parade floats, beads, and symbolic foods.


King's Cake photo courtesy of LA Times

Mardi Gras allows for the perfect themed party. If it is entirely too last minute (it is today after all, but the sponteneity could be well worth it) to make it to New Orleans, rally your masses and host a party right at home. For basic decor start with the three colors Purple (representing Justice), Green (representing Faith) and Gold (representing Power), that mark the Carnival season. A very popular custom is the King's Cake which holds a tiny plastic baby for one lucky attendee to find in their slice of cinnamon filled dough with glazed topping sprinkled with sugar in the aforementioned colors. For the brave, try this authentic King's Cake Recipe, or for the savvy create a personal rendition of the dessert by using single portion cinnamon buns or alternate type of cake served in a sundae glass topped with gelato in carnival colors or King's Cake flavors. Go ahead and wrap those sundae glasses with beaded necklaces (perfect for favors) and use this version as a kid-friendly opportunity to hide a tiny plastic baby for each to find in their single serving. Incorporate a little jazz music, a decorate-your-own mask station, and serve up some cajun for a full blown Carnival soiree.  

Serve this

in something like this!

New Orleans hosts one of the largest gatherings for Mardi Gras, a popular place in the US to travel the last few weeks. Recent attention to the city allowed for many renditions of signature NOLA drinks, particularly this sweetened up version of The Hurricane. Bring a bit of New Orleans to the neighborhood and host a Mardi Gras affair to remember. 

Today is an opportunity to celebrate life with a bunch of glorious food/drink, music, and color required to create an authentic representation of The Cresent City's famous entertainment.

Sweet Super Bowl Sunday

America’s sport has transcended over time with glorifying the championship game to include much more than football.  The NFL’s Super Bowl Sunday is just as much about the food and the entertainment as it is about tossing the pig skin making the event enjoyable, all-inclusive, and indulgent.  New Orleans is the host city this year allowing for an amazing influence on food and beverages served at parties across the nation.  While there are certain food staples associated with Super Bowl Sunday, dessert is often overlooked amongst them.  Gelato is a superb way to sweeten up the fare and drink for Super Bowl XLVII.

We have dessert covered this year.  For an impressive yet simple option serve or bring our Pino Gelato custom gelato cake shaped and made to look like a football for guests to ogle over until dessert time.  The cake itself adds instant thematic décor and is a favorite for all ages.  Another convenient option for hosting or attending a party is to bring pints or quarts of various gelato flavors that can be used to top just about any dessert.  An idea would be to have handheld mini pies, cakes, and other assorted favorite treats with a station for guests to self-serve scoops to accompany their selection.  Similarly, the gelato can be used with a coffee bar set up to allow guests to create a pick-me up with espresso or coffee and a variety of after-dinner liqueurs poured over their gelato flavor of choice. The possibilities for gelato and dessert are endless and an ideal fit for wowing people over on food-day/game-day. 

New Orleans lends easy menu selection in terms of drinks this Sunday with an array of drinks representative of The Big Easy.  Gelato can be used to add a fun and sweet flair to the traditional preparation of The Hurricane, rum and tropical juices, topped with a mini-scoop of coconut gelato will provide a sensational presentation.  NOLA is bustling with stands peddling Frozen Daiquiri’s acclimating tourists with the local’s adoration of the sweet concoction. Serve up vodka (or leave it out for a great non-alcoholic option) blended with ice, fresh berries, and a scoop of fruit flavored gelato or sorbetto to do the same for your crowd.  Additionally, Craft beer and the Pimm’s Cup, Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur and lemon-lime soda with a cucumber garnish, are important drinks to the local region but are likely to be gleefully over looked against the gelato infused beverage options.

Eat and drink a bit sweeter this Super Bowl Sunday courtesy of gelato!