Deglingos at Gourmet Fusion

The Gourmet Fusion store really is a fusion of fun and entertaining products, and not all of our products are kitchen related - we carry some products because they are popular, and our customers enjoy the unexpected variety of items they find in our store.

If you are not familiar with the Deglingos, they are funky, quirky animals each with their own unique personality and design. BigBos The Wolf is shown here, and he comes dressed in a pinstripe suit, with red and white spotted tie, pink herringbone vest, and beige checked socks.

Deglingos have been manufactured with the highest quality and finishing in mind. They have been tested in one of the most recognized laboratories in the world and comply with EN71 European regulations which guarantee a high level of safety. As such they are suitable for all ages except for Original Pikos and Chikos which are recommended for 3+ year olds.

We also now carry the new mini-clip Deglingos, which are just as quirky, and just as much fun as the full sized Deglingos, but you can take them anywhere - clip them on your bag, belt or use them as a key chain. A great gift idea!

You can find the Deglingos family, together with the mini-Deglingos at Gourmet Fusion inside the Leaping Lotus, 240 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, California, or at Gourmet Fusion online.

Start shopping for the holidays!

Gourmet Fusion has just received a new shipment of beautiful cast iron teapots, great gifts for the upcoming holiday season.

All the designs are handcrafted in cast iron, with a food-safe enameled interior, and due to the strength of their construction, they can be used as a teapot, or placed on a stove top as a kettle to boil water. They all have a removable stainless steel infuser that fits just under the lid, so you can easily use whole leaf tea (or tea bags) in just the same way as you would use our ceramic infuser pots (i-pots).

The cast iron teapot has its origins in China, and later became popular in Japan in the 17th century, where it became known as "Tetsubin" ("Tetsu" and "bin", meaning iron and vessel).

We also carry a cast iron trivet, featuring a hobnail design, to use with our cast iron teapots, so you can enjoy your pot of tea without damaging your table.

All of our cast iron pots can be found, together with our range of teas, at the Gourmet Fusion store in the Leaping Lotus, 240 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, and at our online store.

We also carry a small range for sale at our popular Farmers Markets in San Diego's Little Italy on Saturday mornings, and at La Jolla's Open Aire Market on Sunday mornings.

I-Pot Sale at Gourmet Fusion

It's tea time again at Gourmet Fusion, and all our 17oz and 24oz I-Pots are on sale through January 31.

A great way to start the new year and brighten up your kitchen ready for spring - our new stock of spring colors has just arrived, including Pink Blossom, Sky Blue and Sugar Coral. I-Pots are not only modern, but practical, as well. The lead free ceramic contemporary teapot is dishwasher and microwave safe, and comes with a detachable flip-up stainless steel lid and double mesh infuser, also dishwasher safe.


They make a great gift, so why not stock up now for Easter and Mother's Day?

Both sizes are available online or in our Gourmet Fusion Store at the Leaping Lotus, Solana Beach.

Cinnamon Applesauce

Making applesauce is a great way to spend a fall afternoon, and if you make it before Thanksgiving, it's a great gift for your guests.

It is basically making the very simple sauce, and preserving it in jars. Once made, it can be sealed and stored in jars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The applesauce is great for using as filling in pies and tarts, and can be served as a side with pork and ham.

Cinnamon Applesauce - Ingredients

• 16 unpeeled red-skinned apples, such as MacIntosh or Rome Beauty (cored and quartered)
  
• 1 1/4 quarter cups fresh lemon juice (about 8 lemons)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 4-inch cinnamon sticks, broken in half
• 2 cups water

Method

1. Put the apples in a large, heavy saucepan.
2. Sprinkle them with lemon juice and toss thoroughly to coat.
3. Add the sugar, cinnamon sticks, and water. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low.
4. Cover the pot and let simmer until the apples break down to applesauce, 30 - 40 minutes.
5. Remove from the heat, uncover, and let the apples cool slightly in the pot.
6. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
7. Using a rubber scraper, gently push the apples through a coarse-mesh sieve or food mill. Discard the peels.
8. Return the applesauce to the pt, and heat until it begins to bubble. Transfer to hot, sterilized jars.
   
9. Seal and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Tea and Coffee Month at the Gourmet Fusion Store

May is tea and coffee month at my Gourmet Fusion store and we have just added these white ceramic stackable espresso cups. I really like these because they have a modern look, and if you are short of cupboard space, they are attractive enough to leave on display. They don't take up a lot of room on your counter top because they stack in the chrome stand - the cups fit in the middle chute, and the saucers fit neatly into the bottom part of the stand.

May is also the month for receiving a free $5.00 Starbucks Gift Card when you buy anything valued at $5.00 or more from the Tea and Coffee Products range. The espresso cups shown here can be purchased online for $15.99 and shipped to anywhere in the US.