I like a good potato chip as well as the next muncher, I guess.

So when I was on a trip to St. Pete for, sadly, a funeral for a too-young friend, I stopped at a sandwich shop downtown and picked up a bag of Madhouse Munchies chips to go with our pretty-good sandwiches.

Two chips, then the trash

I ate two of the Sea Salted variety, then tossed them. They were rancid. Then, I went back and pulled the bag out of the trash, to determine if they were past their freshness date.

The fresh date was a month away. After reading their fresh ingredient list, as well as the company owner’s email address printed on the bag, I decided to let the company know of my experience.

I’m not a leech

 I know that if a company isn’t aware its product is broken, it can’t fix it. So I write to companies when I have a legitimate gripe, or to let an owner know of a problem that may affect others.

My intent with my email to Madhouse Munchies was to let them know about their product in South Florida – maybe they were using a bad storage facility or trucking system that would affect freshness somehow.  I even included the batch coding and every other piece of info I could find.

Personal response

Instead of what I had expected – a form letter apologizing and asking for my address to send me a coupon for a free bag – this company sent me a personal email letting me know they were concerned that the bag had not been sealed – they were very thankful I had included the batch number, the location of purchase, and so on.

Then, fresh chips

They did ask for my address so they could have me try these chips at their freshest – direct from the factory. They were indeed fresh, and delicious. Not too greasy or salty.

I tried several varieties – the Sea Salt is my favorite and lives up to its name – Simple Natural Goodness. Crispy, not too salty, but salty enough – just right. I still prefer the Kettle brand of BBQ chips - but Madhouse’s Mesquite BBQ variety runs a close second.

All natural

The ingredients are all natural – no trans fats, no rotten stuff. The chip world in general is getting away from all that, but if you’re shopping, definitely take time to read the ingredient list on chip bags.

Look for Madhouse Munchies at select sandwich shops, delis, and Whole Foods Markets. Or, buy them online at Amazon.

So it was with reluctance I took the word of friends and checked out the Italian Oven Cafe in CityPlace. 

To say I’m pleasantly surprised is an understatement. So much about what I hate about fast-casual restaurants isn’t here.

Yes, it’s counter-service style — that’s the only indication that this isn’t a bistro-like sit-down.

The decor is modern and comfortable – in tans and crimson, with booths and tables and a counter, as well as outdoor seating.

After placing your order (there are seven selections each of salads, panini, pizzas and pastas – plus combos of some), you pick up flatware, and get your drink and then choose a seat to wait for your food to arrive.

Olives are gratis

Napkins and marinated olives with hot pepper flakes are on each table as a nibble — a nice touch.

I had a small chef’s salad ($4) — fresh and crisp with mixed greens, small tomatoes and a light Italian vinaigrette. Then, a combo ($8) of a small bowl of Italian wedding soup and half a Tuscan chicken panini. The soup was a light chicken broth with quite a few teeny meatballs and pearl couscous (it’s a pasta and works just fine in this). My panini was delicious — even after I let it get cold, talking with the chef. The ciabatta was crispy; and the chicken and tomatoes offset by the artichoke pesto. It could have used a tad more sauce, but they had me at the ciabatta.

Tomato tower is tops

Heirloom tomato tower salad

The chef wanted me to try the heirloom tomato tower salad — thick slices of red, yellow and purple heirloom tomatoes she buys from Walter Ross’ farm in Lantana, sandwiched with fresh mozzarella slices and anchored by a slice of onion that had been caramelized in balsamic vinegar. The whole affair was dressed with a slightly thick fig-balsamic vinaigrette that was both sweet and pungent. Caper berries provided just the salty bite that it needed for balance, and a fat olive speared the basil leaf on top. A mound of red and green lettuces on the side were great for sopping up the remaining vinaigrette.

I’ve had this dish in numerous other restaurants at a much greater price  and much lower quality — this was $9 well spent.

A plate of lobster-shrimp ravioli with a creamy pink sauce was also quite good and at $12, a bargain entree.  I had a similar dish at a nearby restaurant for $18 — and the ravioli were neither handmade nor did they contain as much seafood.

Individual pizzas are $6 and other salads, panini and pastas range from $4 to $10.

Uncommon touches

The real bargain is in the quality. Susan Bellucci, chef-partner, explained that better ingredients make the difference, and she’s willing to shop for the best. “I get the tomatoes from Walter and buy imported Italian vinegars for my vinaigrettes. We don’t make the ciabatta here because I can buy great quality bread, so I’ll do that. But everything else is made in-house – I’m the one coming in early to do it.”

The flatware is good quality metal, dishes are china and stylish — and though they could save a great deal of money by going to plastics and foam, they prefer to be “green” and serve with reusable tableware.

In a nod to the techno-savvy, there’s a kiosk out front where diners can order for pick-up or to be served outside. “A lot of diners think it’s an ATM machine, but some use it,” Bellucci said. They also offer catering.

James Frye is owner of the company that has one other Italian Oven in Pittsburgh. Frye is pleased with the success of this one in CityPlace — even though its tucked-away location makes it somewhat tricky to find. “I’m looking at several other locations here,” he said. “Wellington, Boca, Palm Beach Gardens. We’ll see. We definitely are going to expand, though.”

Italian Oven Cafe

• 477 S. Rosemary Ave. (CityPlace),  West Palm Beach
• (561) 804-6624; web site: www.italianovencafe.net
• Lunch and dinner daily.

(Photos provided by Italian Oven Cafe.)

I remembered the mixers our neighbors had when I was growing up. My mom didn’t bake much, so a hand-mixer was fine for her. Our neighbors both had big families, and baking was a part of their everyday cooking. On one side, there was Mrs. Smiggen, with her old KitchenAid — a workhorse. On the other side, was Mrs. Davis, with a sleek Sunbeam Mixmaster. Both were stand mixers — no hands required — and both had powerful motors that could even mix stiff bread. Both hummed along as they did their jobs. I thought they were magical.

I read up on them and decided I wanted one of those two brands. I dropped serious hints to my husband before the holiday.

The Baker’s Gift

I use my cobalt one for almost all my baking; it sits out all the time on the special baking station I designed in my new kitchen. I have a classic, 4-quart white one from the ’50s (thrift-store find) next to it.  I use it for icings and meringues and other small jobs. My cousin Mike wants one just like it, so I’m on the hunt for another one again. They’re a little harder to find these days.

Frankly, I can’t imagine my kitchen without these mixers – they’re on my list of “things I must take” when I evacuate for hurricanes. I’ve hauled them to numerous cooking demos, and squired them to friends’ kitchens to prepare things on the spot. 

This is one of the few kitchen appliances that I can endorse without hesitation, and that I will tell you is worth the big money. Parts are still available for those that need them — they rarely do unless you get a really old one that’s been neglected. Repairmen have no trouble working on them, though, since they’re a simple, great design. The motors are made from metal — nothing plastic in them to wear out. That they work reliably after 60-plus years on the job is testimony that speaks for itself.

The Amazon Black Friday Deal

The reason I’m going on about them is because a friend told me that there’s a special sale on Amazon called Black Friday deals, and if you order the 5-quart Artisan KitchenAid in certain colors (metallic chrome, onyx black, red, or like mine – cobalt blue) through them, it’s only $209 after a rebate. That’s quite the deal; they’re normally around $350. It’s an investment — but it’ll be the last mixer you need.

Note: You have to click on the special colors for the deal price – the deals don’t come up automatically from the chrome one that’s first displayed – and the others are regularly priced, or discounted only marginally. Full disclosure: If you click on it from my site, I earn a pittance for sending you there. But you can go there on your own through www.amazon.com - and fish around for the Black Friday deals. The deal is the same either way. This is one, however, that isn’t really being advertised – you must hunt for it. I’m just pointing it out; it’s a short-term special — and I hear jingle bells in the distance.

A copper manatee cookie cutter. (I made molasses “Joe Froggers” cookies for a story in the December issue of The Coastal Star newspaper — and used this cutter.) Florida friends will like this one. Check out their flamingo and seahorse cutters as well.

A silicone spatula. This is one of the most-used tools in my kitchen. The shape of this Tovolo is ideal for cooks — it has a curved side for getting the last scrape from dough bowls (sorry kids!) and a flat, pointed-end side for getting to the bottom of a jar of mayo or sauce. I can saute with it without it melting — I use mine for omelet-making, too, or soft-scrambling eggs.

A Silpat baking sheet liner. I don’t know how I baked cookies without this non-stick mat that the pros use. I  first saw it in the bakery area at the Four Seasons Palm Beach. It’s environmentally friendly – you’re not throwing away parchment paper — its equivalent - after every few batches of cookies. I can cut cookies directly on it, lift off the excess dough, and not have to worry about breaking the antlers off my reindeer cookie getting them to the pan. Get two so you can have one going while the other is in the oven. (The large sheet fits my quarter-sheet baking pans.)

A really good roasting pan. For years, I used a stainless pan with only a lip for a handle, with a flimsy fold-up rack that collapsed once, sending hot grease onto my forearms. Then I got smart. For beef roasts, big hens, ducks, small turkeys — this one from Calphalon can’t be beat. it’s rack is very sturdy and the pan is stable, too. You can get a non-stick version that’s cheaper, but I don’t like non-stick pans — the gravy-making is a lot more difficult in them. Plus, I like the browned potatoes that come out of this pan, when roasted under the beef or duck (My, my! It’s only a couple times of year — won’t kill you).

A burr coffee grinder. I’m a coffee nut. But beans are expensive, so I shop around for great beans at good prices on the web. Once I get them, I use a burr grinder to grind them. You really shouldn’t use a flimsy spice grinder — it heats the beans and really does a lousy job anyway. (They’re great on cumin seeds and other small spice nuts, though!) Cuisinart is the one I use at home; I’ve also bought the Breville for gifts and it’s just as good.

The cookbook, Cooking Up a Storm – Recipes Lost and Found from the Times-Picayune of New Orleans. Read my review here. I like it because it’s an heirloom-recipe collection, and I’m all over preserving recipes from our past.

What A Cookie! Cornucopia

The willow basket is filled with 10, 12 or 15 cookie designs: pumpkins, Indian corn, grape clusters, acorns, fall gourds, autumn leaves, apples and of course — the fancy feathered Tom turkey.

For a table setting, you could use the cookies as edible placecards or party favors – have them inscribed with the names of your guests. Prices range from $55 to $70 per arrangement.

To order by phone, call (561) 547-5707, or go to the website, www.whatacookie.biz, for more information and for mail-order shipping costs. (Thanksgiving orders must be place by Nov. 20.)

Leah and her cookies can be found at the Oceanside Farmer’s Market Saturday mornings in Lake Worth on SR A1A, in the parking lot behind John G’s.

So the ones that make it onto my blog are good: You have my word. If our tastes differ, that’s one thing, but the product itself will be good quality and/or good value, or I’ll tell you otherwise.

Today, I’m happy to recommend the brunch breads from Cake Kingdom Bakery in Stuart.

 I know the owner, Jaye Norris (no relation, but much confusion to a mutual food person, Byron Russell of Cheney Brothers). Jaye knows I bake, and so she wanted honest opinions about the brunch breads that she’s marketing and selling locally.

First, the packaging. It’s lovely — and says, “I chose this for you.” Perfect for a Thanksgiving hostess gift.

Cake Kingdom breads and muffins. Photo/styling by Barron/Norris

But more importantly, the breads deliver on texture and flavor — both crucial to a bread like this. They are so moist, yet each is cooked to deliver a nice “crumb” when you cut into it.

I like the Cranberry Pumpkin — sweet, spicy and tart all in one. (Maybe too tart for those who don’t like cranberries.) I would have liked nuts in it, but nuts are so subjective these days — so many people can’t eat them, I understand why she omitted them.

She did use them in the zucchini -cherry nut bread.

Zucchini nut bread. Photo/styling by Barron/Norris

 Zucchini has long been one of my favorite quick breads – it has the moistness that the squash brings to the spiced loaf, and gets a bite of sweetness with the cherries, then the natural crunch of the nuts. A winner!

The lemon blueberry with crumb topping was also delicious. A tad sweet, I thought – but once I poured some coffee to try it with, I changed my mind. Big blooming blueberries that explode in the muffin as it is baked, and a hint (could use a tad more) of lemon flavor, too, give it a nice balance. The crumb topping gives it some texture.

None of them had the off-flavor that indicates cheap oils, margarines or last year’s nuts. They tasted of good quality ingredients, and were fresh, moist and like they were right out of the oven. (They actually were three days old when I got them.)

Muffins an option

Lemon blueberry crunch muffin. Photo/styling by Jan Norris

  I’m part of a two-person household, and we don’t need any sweets laying around with all the cupcakes I’m baking. So I explained that these loaves were way too huge for two. She suggested the muffins. They’re the same flavors, and also very good looking, and a generous size (I halved one to share with MealMusic Man, who said that was plenty for us).

Sweet, homestyle goodies are baked with real cookie ingredients (pure butter, no margarine, real chocolate, not that waxy stuff) and really deliver on the flavor.

We got an assorted box of four flavors: Oh My! Molasses — a rich, spicy chewy that does have you saying, “Oh my!” They’re tops in my book, but my significant other preferred Aunt Katie’s Mocha Double Chocolate Bomb — which originate from St. Mary’s County, Md. (We’ll have to let CB Hanif and Leslie Streeter, two PB Post friends, know about these — they’ve both got Maryland connex.)

These did not bomb in the flavor department — they are SO chocolatey, you can barely eat one these rich  bad boys — but I guarantee your hand will dip back into that box before long. Whoo hoo!

The Pure Peanut Butter Passion cookies had a crispy snap to them, and were indeed peanutty — and perfect for popping after play or other pursuits – with a tall glass of chilled milk.

For toffee lovers, try the Maple Pecan Chews: They have that mapley sweetness, coupled with the rich nut overtones. Chewy and yum.

The cookies arrived packed so prettily, it was hard to break into the box. A beautiful hand-written notecard accompanies each order with your personal message.

The cookies are $28.95 a dozen with free shipping around the U.S. and you can order all of one kind, or an assorted box as you like, and do it all online!

Go to her web site: www.LainesKitchen.com, or call toll-free, (888) 612-4831 (if you prefer: 888-61-BITE1)

Oh, and you can get homemade doggie treats here, too! Woof!

When you order, tell her Jan sent you!