Mealtime Magic - Beans and Asparagus

 

Hot off the presses with the literary release of “Marie Sharp: Made in Belize (The Authorized Biography) by Deborah Wagnon (Cognella Press), Sharp shares her love of her native Belizean cuisine, hospitality and flavors with a curated seasonal recipe to enjoy in home kitchens across the globe. This deeply personal, inspiring book chronicles Sharp’s humble yet extraordinary rise to create her multimillion-dollar global enterprise, Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods, Ltd. The company boasts multiple hot sauces, jams and jellies, and even a special habanera pineapple blend called “Pure Love”. Proceeds from the sale of this particular sauce are earmarked to support women and children struggling with domestic violence issues through the Haven House Belize. The company prides itself on employing over 125 native workers, ethically and organically sourcing only the finest and freshest peppers, fruits, vegetables, vinegars and other ingredients for her unique, gourmet blends. The 84-year-old Marie Sharp and her product line are fast becoming household names celebrated by discerning restauranteurs, chefs and hot sauce aficionados around the world, including former U.S. Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, and is available both online and in fine food store outlets.  Check out Marie Sharp's in the US Online: https://mariesharpsusa.com/

Just in time to celebrate Mother's Day, Marie shares a  recipe for everyone to try at home.  Ingredients:  1 bunch trimmed asparagus  1 can cannellini beans drained 1 tablespoon lemon juice  1 lemon juice  1 teaspoon lemon zest  1 bunch of Italian Parsley finely chopped  1 teaspoon Marie Sharp's Garlic Habanero Pepper Sauce 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and Pepper to taste Directions: Pre-heat grill to 400 and brush with oil  Grill asparagus and season with salt & pepper. Once cooled, half the asoaragus lengthwise and cut into 1" piece In a mixing bowl, combine cooled asparagus, beans, lemon juice & zest, parsley, hot sauce and remaining olive oil.  Serve as main course with crusty bread or as an easy side for any grilled dis Click here for the full recipe online.

This perfect Summer read is a collaboration between Sharp and author Deborah Wagnon, Esq. The two powerhouse women met in Central America, forming an affinity when Wagnon brought her annual International Classroom Initiative program to Belize. The spunky Hot Sauce Hall of Famer began planting Belizean native vegetables, fruits, and especially peppers on the 400 acre farm called Melinda Estates that she and her husband inherited. With the bumper crop of habanero peppers, she thought,“What am I going to do with all this habanero pepper that I planted?” So, I had to take out my little blender and start adding salt to store in pails and barrels," she remembers with a laugh. She gave the excess samples to friends and family to rave reviews. At first, she worked out of her home for several years later building a factory in 1985 and, the rest, as they say, is history.

About “Marie Sharp: Made in Belize (The Authorized Biography)”: Deborah Wagnon’s “Marie Sharp: Made in Belize (The Authorized Biography)” tells the story of an extraordinary woman from Belize who overcame societal barriers, as well as personal and professional setbacks, to build a hugely successful worldwide business, Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods, Ltd The book traces Marie’s life from her early years in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and Dangriga, Belize, through her 50-plus years of marriage, the creation of her first habanero pepper sauce, the development of her business, and her ongoing advocacy of and support for efforts to empower the young women and girls of Belize and Central America. The book describes how Marie overcame devastating events throughout the course of her career, including the loss of her first trademark, betrayals by business partners, the loss of her husband and the murder of her eldest son. Through it all, she persevered and continues to serve as a shining example of what is possible with hard work, passion and the will to succeed. “Marie Sharp: Made in Belize” is a powerful and highly personal story that not only recounts an incredible life, but also highlights the ways in which Marie and other women like her are helping their cultures and societies evolve into more inclusive and supportive spaces for woman entrepreneurs and leaders.

About Marie Sharp's Fine Foods, Ltd. As a woman-owned, women-led business, Marie Sharp’s farm currently employs more than 125 full-time staff, with 85% of her workforce being female. At age 84, Marie proudly relishes her status as the “Queen of Habanero” across Belize and in kitchens around the world. At the start, Marie didn’t set out to become an influencer in the international hot-sauce market. But, her 40-year-long obsession with creating a high-quality habanero pepper sauce blend with her Melinda Estate fresh fruits and vegetables solidified her title. Marie started using habanero peppers from her family’s farm in Stann Creek Valley, Belize, to make hot sauce in the 1980s. Soon, word of mouth spread about the irresistible flavors of her sauces and demand for her products grew. Eventually, she emerged as a renowned Belizean businesswoman. Today, Marie Sharp’s products are sold in more than 30 countries and have received multiple awards for outstanding quality and flavor. To purchase Marie Sharp's Fine Foods, Ltd. products in the USA, click here. To purchase globally, click here.

Deborah Wagnon About Deborah Wagnon: Deborah Wagnon is a Stanford Law graduate (Palo Alto, California) with an undergraduate degree in Business from Georgia Tech (Atlanta, Georgia), and an MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont’s Goddard College.  She is an entertainment and IP attorney and has represented with her various law partners internationally known clientele including Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Olivia Newton John, and Reba McEntyre. Wagnon is the mother of Guatemala-born Gianna, now a 22-year-old graduating film production major. After decades in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Nashville as a partner in high end entertainment industry law firms, both large and boutique, as well as serving as General Counsel of Landmark Entertainment Group, a 400-employee production house for film, theater, TV and amusement parks around the world, Deborah now divides her time between Savannah, Georgia, on her farm “Finca de la Casita” and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where she is a tenured full Professor of IP and International Law in the College of Media & Entertainment Department of Recording Industry. Wagnon has owned and practiced via Portia Entertainment Group LLC, specializing in music, film and literary IP since 2007. Wagnon has authored historical fiction, nonfiction, academic textbooks and now the approved biography of business icon Marie Sharp in Belize, as well as writing the screenplay adaption of her historical fiction novel about the life of one of the first women lawyers in Georgia (Great and Wide Sea a/k/a Neva Majette). Wagnon is regularly interviewed and published as an expert in high profile entertainment and IP matters (New York Times, Boston Globe, and Wall Street Journal MarketWatch). Wagnon is founder of the International Classroom Initiative held at the University of Belize and at Universidad Francisco Marroquin Escuela de Cine (Film) y Artes Visuales in Guatemala City. Since its inception in 2013, the initiative has focused upon the development of creative opportunities for talent in Central America and other developing regions around the world.