FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Touch of Europe

829 Pickens Industrial Drive

Suite 13

Marietta, GA 30062

770-794-4933

info@touchofeurope.net

Web-based retailer Touch of Europe announces 1^st Annual Open House

Marietta, GA- November 12, 2008

Save the date! Touch of Europe, a web-based retail operation with a large fan base announces its 1^st annual open house on November 28 and 29 from 9:00-6:00 in our fully stocked warehouse located at 829 Pickens Industrial Drive, Suite 13 Marietta, GA 30062, off of Allgood Road. Avoid the malls with their long lines and traffic delays, and instead  peruse our clearance room, our “good deals” room and our 5000 square foot warehouse packed to the gills with fine imported European antique linens, gourmet food items, office, paper and craft products, beautiful melamine dinnerware, unique table and kitchen linens, kitchen accessories…the list goes on and on!  Our items are unique and rarely seen in stores.

We will have a “close-out” area featuring beautiful French pajama sets and robes, adorable athletic type shorts, flannel boxers and pajama bottoms. We have great ideas for all of the children on your shopping lists including some of the cutest stuffed animals around! Our office items from Vera Bradley are in some of the best patterns of the season. Additionally, we have some handbags that are to die for! You will find items for everyone on your shopping list, including those hard to buy for people! We feature products from Baekgaard, Cavallini, Punch Studios, Reisenthel, Laguiole Cutlery and many, many more great names.

We encourage you to leave the kids at home (remember, we are in a warehouse…maybe not the safest place for your little ones!) and bring your friends for a fun-filled shopping experience. We will offer many incentives and door prizes to add to your enjoyment. You will not be disappointed with our selection and products! For additional information, and to see a preview of what is in store for you please see our website: www.touchofeurope.net. You may also call 770-794-4933 locally or 866-764-2975 toll free between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you at what may become your best shopping experience of the year!

Sign up for our newsletter at www.touchofeurope.net to get the latest news as fast as it comes out and get all the details for this unique holiday event.

We just got back from a 2 week vacation in Italy and it’s amazing how a few weeks outside of our usual environment can recharge and re-energize. Of course being in Italy is always helpful….

Between amazing sites and cities, the always wonderful ambiance and charm and of course the food, we’re in a state of shock at being back home. But all is not lost. Just a few touches will help keep the trip memories alive.

1. Pasta ~ Mangia Mangia!

Pasta of course. And some wonderful sauces. I doctored a pot of our Pesto by simply adding in diced tomatoes and a little bit of half and half (about 1/4 cup, tomato quantity to taste, I used 3 for a regular jar of Pesto). Top with Parmesan and shredded arugula for a bit of a bite. Serve with chilled white wine. Delicious!

While in Cernobbio on lake Como, we had this amazing pasta sauce made with saffron, cream, tomatoes, a few small pieces of bacon (they used pancetta but bacon will work fine) and some walnuts. Also topped with arugula. Once I’ve experimented and come up with the right taste, I’ll post it here.

2. Grilled vegetables.

Vegetables always seem to taste better in Italy. Of course they usually do because they use seasonal vegetables and they aren’t as processed as what we find in the US. Strips of zucchini, eggplant, tomato, red peppers, slivers of potato. With a dash of olive oil and some coarse salt.

One thing they’ve started serving in several places (we had it in Rome, in Parma and in Varese, up North) is grilled radicchio lettuce. I thought it a bit strange but in fact it tastes quite a lot like Belgian Endive and since Endive is so expensive here, it seemed like a good alternative. I’ll try it next time.

Usually the vegetables come to the table either at room temperature or cold. And that is quite nice when the weather is as sweltering as it was in Rome.

3. Prosciutto, mozarella and more

Marinated mozarella, marinated mushrooms, finely sliced prosciutto, incredible salami and other cold cuts. Strong tastes prevent one from going overboard, everything in moderation. But all oh so good. Because we just can’t find the same bold flavors here, doctor what you find with good quality olive oil, coarse salt, fresh black pepper and lots of herbs. Marinate mushrooms in good balsamic vinegar. Use lemons and enjoy the tang!

4. Set the scene

For some reason it all tastes better when enjoyed outside under the stars. Candles create the right lighting. Citronella candles will help keep mosquitos away. A pretty table, set with simple linens and tableware. Comfortable chairs, some music (preferably Italian of course, but not a must). And just sitting there enjoying the evening and talking about the trip…. while sipping delicious coffee and dreaming of gelato.

Pictures soon….

The flower of salts

Fleur de Sel

literally translates as Flower of Salt and is hand harvested sea salt.

The name ‘Fleur’ arose because the salt has a slight scent of violets as it dries. ;

Traditional harvesting, time and labor consuming

Workers (known as Paludiers) collect or scrape only the top layer before it sinks to the bottom of the larger salt pans.

Tradtionally, Fleur de Sel is harvested by hand in Guérande off the coast of Brittany. It is slightly gray because of the presence of minerals collected in the harvesting process.

Other countries today produce Fleur de Sel, known for example in Portugal as ‘Flor do Sal’ (Portuguese Fleur de Sel is white).

Other well known Fleur de Sel

come from The Camargue, in the South of France.

Fleur de Sel from the Ile de Re, also off the Atlantic coast in France, is another well known salt, and also snowy white, like Portuguese Flor do Sal.

Fleur de Sel is not inexpensive, but it is sought after by chefs throughout the world for its taste and consistency. The naturaly rich flavor enhances grilled meats, fish and vegetables. Sprinkle lightly as a finishing touch on salads or appetizers. Many companies are now producing Fleur de Sel with added flavorings, herbs and spices.

While any sea salt is tastier than regular supermarket salt, it’s the particular type, region and maker that will distinguish the truly fine and outstanding salts. Each region will produce a salt with a unique taste or texture as well as color. Some examples include Himalayan Pink salts, Madagascar Diamond Salts, Hawaiian Red and Black salts. Fleur de Sel is but one of the wonderful gourmet salts appearing at a table near you.