Like most chefs, making and baking bread can often be a challenge. What seems like a simple philosophy of basic ingredients like flour, water, yeast and salt, often proves to be a sticky mess accompanied by a tsunami of flour. So when Ken Davis and his partner Chuck Graf, the men behind Davis and Davis Gourmet Foods, sent me their beer bread mix and their Tuscan Cooking and Dipping oil to try, I was beyond excited at being able to make a high-quality product without worrying about any margin for error.
After leaving the corporate world, Ken decided to spend his free time making high-quality jams that were reminiscent of his childhood days. After the orders from his family and friends started to grow, he decided to start Davis and Davis Gourmet Foods. “I never expected to grow to be this large. It just happened,” said Ken. Now in almost 2,000 retail outlets, Ken credits his success with selling his products at local farmer’s markets and food shows, including the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show, where they have been a vendor there for almost 11 years. Said Ken, “being at markets and shows gives us the chance to get feedback directly from the customer. He continued, “we take great pride in using only the highest quality items in our products and since everything is made by hand, our company is very much an artesian product produced in Pittsburgh.”
LGBT-owned and operated, Ken and Chuck have developed some really unique products. From their Peach Bellini to their Wacky Cracker line, they offer many solutions that will save you time and guess work and will make you look like a star at your next dinner party!
Be sure to stop by the Davis and Davis booth at the upcoming Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show, March 7-16 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. For more info, visit davisanddavisonline.com
Recipe
Ginger Bread with Honey Sesame Butter
1 box of Davis and Davis Original Beer Bread Mix
1 12 oz. can of any ginger beer
Directions
Prepare the beer bread mix according to the packaged directions using the can of ginger beer. Once baked, allow the bread to cool. Serve with Tuscan Dipping oil on the side.
Honey Sesame Butter
2 sticks of Irish or European or sweet cream butter at room temperature
2 tbsp. Organic honey
1 tsp. sesame oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Directions
In a mixing bowl, add the room temperature butter and beat on medium speed with a mixer for two minutes until fluffy. Scrape down the sides and add in the salt, honey, and sesame oil. Mix together on low speed until everything is incorporated. Serve butter alongside the bread.
