Friday, November 15, 2013

Road Food: The Most Amazing English Muffin Ever!

English muffin or jelly donut? (Photo & Video Credit: Jefferson Graham)

In Napa for the third annual Napa Valley Film Festival, I've been blown away not only by the local wines and quality films (future must-sees for movie buffs: Saving Mr. Banks and Philomena) but the phenomenal local dining and food scene. At the center of the action is the 40,000-square-foot Oxbow Public Market, a mix of stores and restaurants selling everything artisan, organic, hand-crafted and local--chocolates, coffee, cheese, charcuterie, olive oil, spices, spirits--and much more.

Oxbow Public Market, Napa
Clearly, stories and blog posts could and should be written about each of these. But here is just one that captured my heart: an English muffin unlike any I've ever seen. When my husband and I first walked into Model Bakery, we were immediately taken with a plate of what looked like fresh jelly donuts on top of a display case filled with bread, rolls and pastries of every description. But we were fooled; the large puffy rounds were not donuts but rather English muffins--apparently famed far and wide.  After we sampled one, toasted with butter and jam, it quickly became clear why. It was indescribably fresh and light, as crispy as just-baked bread, yet soft and airy as the inside of a cloud and as tasty as a French croissant; we were ready for seconds immediately after consuming the final morsel. Take a look and listen to what our helpful salesperson, Emily Mills, had to say about these treats, which are not one little bit like Thomas' (though no slight intended to this venerable supermarket brand!).




Can't wait to go back to the Model Bakery for another English Muffin and to purchase their brand new cookbook explaining how to make them at home. Stay tuned!


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