Phillips Brothers Country Hams of Asheboro

Phillips Brothers Country Ham in Asheboro is a family-owned business serving North Carolina since 1947. What began as a meat processing center today specializes in curing hams and side meat. Hams are hand-rubbed with a curing mixture and then cured the slow, old-fashioned way for robust country ham flavor. Phillips Brothers sells a variety of cuts of ham, side meat, sausages, jellies, jams and gift boxes. Phillips Brothers Hams can be found in grocery stores across the south. You can visit their online store at www.phillipsbrotherscountryhams.com/pbch_gifts.htmlto view their products, get recipes or order online. Prices range from $34.95 plus $7 shipping for a 13-16 pound whole ham to $17.95 plus $4.50 shipping for “Midnight Snack” gift box containing biscuit cut ham slices, pancake/biscuit mix and fruit syrup. Call (336) 625-4321.

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Perfectly Plum dressings and sauces in Morehead City

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative member Priscilla Livingston, a former restraunteur and caterer, has created a line of original dressings and sauces using plums. The Perfectly Plum line, inspired by her travels to France and Taiwan, consists of six sauces and dressings: Original Plum sauce, Asian Plum dressing and sauce, Vinaigrette Plum dressing, Provencal Plum dressing, Chocolate Plum sauce and Barbecue Plum Sauce. Use the sauces on meats like smoked turkey or pork tenderloin or use it for dipping egg rolls or glazing roasted vegetables. The Perfectly Plum line can be found in Livingston’s store in Morehead City, Priscilla’s Crystal Coast Wines (www.crystalcoastwines.com), in specialty shops across the state as well as most Lowe’s Food Stores. Their online store offers nutritional information and recipes. A 12-ounce jar is $5.99. The Chocolate Plum Sauce is $6.99. Call (888) 582-7586 or purchase online at www.perfectlyplum.com.

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Forge Mountain Foods

Forge Mountain Foods and Gifts take you back to grandmother’s kitchen with syrups, preserves, jams, jellies, relishes and pickles. Other products available include Homebaked Cake In A Jar and Buttery Scottish Shortbread. The Flat Rock-based company sells a variety of gift baskets, such as its “Hotter Than Heck” Basket, which includes Habanero Four Pepper Jelly, Hot Honey & Mustard, Scorned Woman Cheese Straws, Hot Habanero Pepper Relish and Hot Southern Vegetable Garden Salsa, for $29.95. Call (828) 692-9470 or visit www.forgemountain.com

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Making a better sprout

BroccoSprouts are the only product that guarantees a consistent level of sulforaphane GS, a natural compound found in broccoli that supports the body’s own antioxidant function, says Brassica Protection Products. Developed by scientists, the broccoli sprouts taste a little like radishes and can be used in a wide variety of dishes. Recipes on the company’s Web site include stuffed portabellas, grilled chicken wraps, smoked salmon focaccia wedges, vegetable pizza and paisano rigatoni. Stores in North Carolina that carry BroccoSprouts include Harris-Teeter, Fresh Market, Bi-Lo, Lowes Food Market and Wal-Mart SuperCenter. Sunny Creek Farm in Tryon is the company’s North Carolina grower. To contact Sunny Creek Farm, call (828) 863-2963. To find out more about BroccoSprouts and other health-oriented food products, call (877) 747-1277 or visit www.brassica.com

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Microwavable sweet potato

B&B Produce in Benson bills itself as “Home of the Microwavable Sweet Potato.” B & B individually shrink-wraps its sun beauty “micro sweets” sweet potatoes in plastic wrap so that they’re ready to cook as soon as you receive them. Individually wrapped, these sweet potatoes have a shelf life of six to eight weeks. B & B has been in business for more than 20 years and sells its sweet potatoes at grocery stores and vegetable markets across the northeast. Their supply is sufficient for year-round delivery. Available in 5-pound gift boxes for $5 or 20-pound boxes for $16 plus shipping and handling. Call (800) 633-4902 or visit www.bbproduce.com

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