April 8, 2021 | Posted by Village

Just like The Masters original homemade pimento cheese, my favorite and most coveted recipes have family imprimaturs: Alma’s Tomato Sandwiches, Mrs. Gossett’s Coconut Frosting, Mrs. Swann’s “Jimmy Carters,” and on and on…tried and true, handed-down perfection. When we opened Nest, I thought it would be fun to offer a thoughtfully curated collection of delicious, small-batch Southern fare with heirloom pedigrees….quick pick-ups you could count on as the pièce de résistance for cocktails, a lovely hostess surcie or additions to a great gift basket.

I think I sampled at least fifteen different cheese straw sources before deciding on Dee Dee’s Handmade Cheese Straws…reminiscent

of the straws I grew up loving and out of this world! Great with a cocktail or cup of tea.

New to the shop this season and a fast favorite are Belmont Peanuts. The Marks family has been growing peanuts for three generations and every can is still roasted, hand-seasoned and canned on the family farm in Southampton County, Virginia. There are peanuts…and there are peanuts. If you are a nut lover, you must give these a try. Pair with our artisanal Real Dill Bloody Mary Mix….a spicy mix of nine ingredients including FRESH habaneros, horseradish, dill, garlic and cucumber infused water. Delicious as is or mixed with your favorite spirit.

As we come into iced tea season, check out Oliver Pluff’s luxuriously packaged teas hand-packed in Charleston, SC. Founder Kyle Brown shares “I wanted the packaging to feel almost like an invitation to a special event or experience. We buy pallets of beautiful paper, and then hand cut labels by order.” So beautiful! Their tea is supplied from the same plantations that supplied the British East India Company in the 17th century. The minute you pop the lids on their teas you’ll immediately notice a difference in the vibrant freshness. All orders are packaged by hand, one product at a time, no machines. An elegant gift for any tea drinker on your list. Passionfruit Peach and Hibiscus Petals Cold Brew are two of my seasonal favorites.

In addition to lots of new small batch pestos and yummy things to toss with pasta, we are now carrying Cipriani pastas! After an intensive pasta-making course in Italy, I would opt for Cipriani pasta over my homemade pasta every time! To die for!

And last but not least, one of our very own southern traditions: homemade shortbread cookies from the Fearrington House kitchen! Always a delicious treat!

In store or online…..lots of southern tradition packed into small-batch yumminess!

~daneen