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![[Noshing]](/images/boston/food/noshingandsipping_header.gif)
Miss Meringue cookies
Lighten up
by Nancy Kalajian
Contrary to its name, Miss Meringue’s product — a plastic tub of nearly 20 fat-free or low-fat meringue cookies — is not just for females. As I ate a few of these cookies with tea on one frosty evening, I wondered if the “Miss” — rather than the chic “Ms.”— in their name reflects on the traditional, elegant feel of a simple, lightweight meringue. Although at least six flavors are available — chocolate chip, cappuccino (my colleagues’ absolute favorite), strawberry, lemon, coconut, and vanilla — most of the meringues include just three ingredients: sugar, egg whites, and a natural flavoring element. The low-fat coconut meringue, flavored with shredded coconut, left a sugary but irresistible feel on my teeth. They contain no preservatives, artificial colors, or ingredients and cost $2.99 to $3.99 for a five-ounce tub.
Available in grocery stores such as Johnnie’s Foodmaster and Bread & Circus.
Allagash Dubbel and Tripel Reserve
Use a glass, buddy
By Mike Miliard
You know a beer is fancy when it comes with a cork. Or when it’s released in hand-numbered batches. Or when you’re told to let it breathe before serving.
Nifty features, to be sure. But the flavor’s the thing with these exquisite, meticulously crafted Belgian-style ales from Portland’s Allagash Brewing Company. Their complex flavor comes from multiple fermentations — one at the brewery and one in the bottle. When you remove the wire stay and feel the cork explode skyward, that’s the yeast from the second go-round talking.
The Dubbel Reserve, with its deep, rich reddish-brown color and heavy malt flavor, is an excellent winter beer — ideally suited for hearty meals or chocolate desserts. Age it for a while, and it begins to take on the qualities of port and sherry.
The Tripel is lighter, more in keeping with most people’s conceptions of Belgian beer. Pop the cork, admire the beer’s translucent golden cloudiness, and then let its flavor explode on your tongue. Savor the hints of passion fruit, banana, and honey between bites of shellfish or fruit. And remember: it may be light, but it’s far from weak. At nine percent ABV, the Tripel packs a punch.
For more information, check out the Allagash Brewing Company Web site at www.allagash.com.
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