Last week I covered both high and mid priced foodie gifts. Today it's going to be all about completely affordable presents for your favorite food lover. The best part of this is that you can create your own or even just go to your local supermarket. Even better is that you can come up with a wide variety that suits every taste and passion.
Themed food baskets are always fun to give and receive.Your local grocery stores can make them up for you whether they 're cookies and brownies or fruits. However you can be equally creative as well. Buy baskets at your local craft or dollar store and start piling in all the good stuff. Soup lovers may appreciate the colorfully packaged bags of dry soup ingredients along with a variety of crackers such as Oysterettes and Ritz. You can even add bowls and spoons too. A variation of this is with chili. Create a basket full of different chilis along with cans of different beans. Toss in a bottle of water for some laughs too. A pasta lover could have a goodie basket with both regular and whole wheat pastas along with fancy jarred sauces. Toss in some inexpensive pasta tongs and some cheese to give it some polish
For sweets lovers think about holiday baking or even candy making. You can come up with some lovely cookie trays, interspersed with candy canes and Hershey's holiday wrapped kisses.Luckily even packaged cookie mixes can be turned into a variety of different treats. Chocolate chips can be dipped in chocolate and simple sugar cookies can be turned into snickerdoodles or almond twists. A fresh made batch of fudge or haystacks, coconut mounds are another present worth thinking about giving as are chocolate dipped pretzel rods. Another easy treat is chocolate bark. Just melt either white, dark, or milk chocolate chips , add nuts and other candies such as M&M's, peppermint shards and toffee. Let set and then break into pieces.Put into a festive tin or on a tray.
You can still give a lovely foodie gift for pennies. All it takes is creativity to come up with baskets or freshly made treats. These will make any food lover smile .
Monday, December 12, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Holiday Nibble Time
These next two weeks are going to be filled with all sorts of parties from tree trimming to at home office gatherings. It's the time of the year to dust off all those hors d' oeuvre recipes and pick out what works. After all, a full blown sit down dinner is a bit too fusty for all that mingling. The best bet is to serve trays of nibbles, first savory and then sweet with coffee and liqueurs afterwards.
Savory appetizers are easy to serve and to make. They also go great with everything from non alcoholic punches and sodas to champagne. One of the easiest is bruschetta . This is just simply toasted rounds of sliced Italian and/or French breads with a scoop of chopped tomatoes , olive oil and spices. You can vary the recipe by placing slices of Italian cold cuts such as Genoa salami or soppressata under the tomatoes. For healthier fair try inch long celery bits stuffed with a mix of cream cheese and chopped hard boiled egg. These are tasty and fun without being oh so decadent.Another idea is getting trays of frozen nibbles. There are some great ones out there,especially from Target's Archer Farms brands. Try crab or chicken puffs which are easy to dip and easy to maneuver. Themed savories such as Japanese or Mexican also make for fun eating.
Nibbles aren't only relegated to the salty and savory. There's nothing like ending the evening with tiny bites of sweetness. A fun ender is stuffed dates. These are easy to make, with stuffing pitted dates with either creamy or chunky peanut butter and then rolling in granulated sugar. You can also make mini brittles which is forming small clusters or hills of nuts and then pouring a heated sugar syrup ove r them. Spiced nuts are also good. All it takes are any nut of choice and then dipping them in egg white. Later roll in a mix of cinnamon and sugar or for more zip and zing nutmeg and mace . Bake for twenty minutes for 25 minutes. Mini tartlets or galettes are a great dessert. These can be made with biscuit dough cut in small squares and filled with pie filling. Of course there are the traditional cookies and bars too. If you're serving these , then vary it with a melange of shortbreads, bars, sugar cookies and chocolate chips. You can add some sophisticated types such as madeleines and macarons.
This is the time for fun eating and fun parties. Try a night of nibbles to satisfy guests . Nothing beats a bize size treats to get a gathering going!
Savory appetizers are easy to serve and to make. They also go great with everything from non alcoholic punches and sodas to champagne. One of the easiest is bruschetta . This is just simply toasted rounds of sliced Italian and/or French breads with a scoop of chopped tomatoes , olive oil and spices. You can vary the recipe by placing slices of Italian cold cuts such as Genoa salami or soppressata under the tomatoes. For healthier fair try inch long celery bits stuffed with a mix of cream cheese and chopped hard boiled egg. These are tasty and fun without being oh so decadent.Another idea is getting trays of frozen nibbles. There are some great ones out there,especially from Target's Archer Farms brands. Try crab or chicken puffs which are easy to dip and easy to maneuver. Themed savories such as Japanese or Mexican also make for fun eating.
Nibbles aren't only relegated to the salty and savory. There's nothing like ending the evening with tiny bites of sweetness. A fun ender is stuffed dates. These are easy to make, with stuffing pitted dates with either creamy or chunky peanut butter and then rolling in granulated sugar. You can also make mini brittles which is forming small clusters or hills of nuts and then pouring a heated sugar syrup ove r them. Spiced nuts are also good. All it takes are any nut of choice and then dipping them in egg white. Later roll in a mix of cinnamon and sugar or for more zip and zing nutmeg and mace . Bake for twenty minutes for 25 minutes. Mini tartlets or galettes are a great dessert. These can be made with biscuit dough cut in small squares and filled with pie filling. Of course there are the traditional cookies and bars too. If you're serving these , then vary it with a melange of shortbreads, bars, sugar cookies and chocolate chips. You can add some sophisticated types such as madeleines and macarons.
This is the time for fun eating and fun parties. Try a night of nibbles to satisfy guests . Nothing beats a bize size treats to get a gathering going!
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Elegant Algonquin Hotel
New York City at holiday time is magical. There are the Broadway lights sparkling against a winter's dark night. There's Bryant Park, agog with shoppers and skaters. 30 Rock has the magnificent tree and more skaters. Then there's the classic Algonquin Hotel, one of the city's most famous and home to literary legends.It also has one of the best dining rooms as well.
I got the chance to eat at this marvelous Beaux Arts style hotel built in 1902 and home to the famed Round Table. This was the place where famed writers such as Dorothy Parker , Alexander Woolcott, Harpo Marx and Robert Benchley spent every Wednesday exchanging sharp words over good foods and drinks. The Round Table is still there and I was privileged to eat at it . The food is just classy and elegant. No trendy dishes or wild creations. I ordered off their vegetarian menu and received portabello mushrooms in a balsamic reduction along with a vegetable Napoleon (layered veggies interspersed with mozzarella cheese). There is also a delicious penne with asparagus that is heavenly and worth trying too.
Since the hotel is only a couple of blocks away from the Theater District and Times Square, there is a prix fix theater dinner. Several of my guests ordered from it and were not disappointed. Soup du jour and Caesar salad were served in elegant bowls and plates followed by such dishes as linguine with shrimp and a fabulous crunchy chicken scallopini. Others had the pepper crusted salmon filet with ricotta gnocchis. There was an apple galette and decadent three chocolate mousse for dessert. The real stars were the cocktails, again elegant, celebrating the hotel's history (and the hotel cat Mathilda) . These were the most expensive starting at 20 dollars however the glasses that they are served in are huge.
If you're in New York for the holidays, stop at this famed hotel for at least a drink . It's like going back to a more elegant time where cocktails were had along with witty bon mots. What a perfect Christmas present for literary buffs and foodies together.
I got the chance to eat at this marvelous Beaux Arts style hotel built in 1902 and home to the famed Round Table. This was the place where famed writers such as Dorothy Parker , Alexander Woolcott, Harpo Marx and Robert Benchley spent every Wednesday exchanging sharp words over good foods and drinks. The Round Table is still there and I was privileged to eat at it . The food is just classy and elegant. No trendy dishes or wild creations. I ordered off their vegetarian menu and received portabello mushrooms in a balsamic reduction along with a vegetable Napoleon (layered veggies interspersed with mozzarella cheese). There is also a delicious penne with asparagus that is heavenly and worth trying too.
Since the hotel is only a couple of blocks away from the Theater District and Times Square, there is a prix fix theater dinner. Several of my guests ordered from it and were not disappointed. Soup du jour and Caesar salad were served in elegant bowls and plates followed by such dishes as linguine with shrimp and a fabulous crunchy chicken scallopini. Others had the pepper crusted salmon filet with ricotta gnocchis. There was an apple galette and decadent three chocolate mousse for dessert. The real stars were the cocktails, again elegant, celebrating the hotel's history (and the hotel cat Mathilda) . These were the most expensive starting at 20 dollars however the glasses that they are served in are huge.
If you're in New York for the holidays, stop at this famed hotel for at least a drink . It's like going back to a more elegant time where cocktails were had along with witty bon mots. What a perfect Christmas present for literary buffs and foodies together.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Sassy Drinks
The New York Times Dining section yesterday ran their annual spirits issue. This was and is the perfect guide to holiday cocktails and gift giving. One article featured different cocktails and another featured some very sassy wine labels. All in all it made for some fun reading.
I liked the article about the nontraditional and unorthodox wine labels.William Grimes wrote this fun piece that featured brands such as Bitch and Fat Bastard - perfect for friends - however not for your boss.The taste is the same for any wine. There are shirazes and Cabernets which are lovely additions to any holiday table.These also make good presents between office mates too. Just don't get Big Ass Wine (which sounds like a Letterman joke) for anyone who's weight sensitive.it is a robust red but stick with the reds with the more genteel names.
Another fun article was the one about home cocktails. This is Jeff Godinier's take on creating the perfect cocktail no matter what the cost. His comic zeal in making a heavenly drink takes him to all sorts of liquor stores , wracking up $135 dollars to create the Mount Vernon, This is a drink that features a mix of cherry liqueurs such as Cherry Heering and Kirschwasser. The ingredients are expensive and the recipe made for more advanced mixologists. However it seems worth it. Mr. Gordinier did create his ambrosia.
The holidays are meant for merry drinks and The New York Times knows this. It's a time to have fun with holiday spirits. Make your own or buy some with sassy labels.
I liked the article about the nontraditional and unorthodox wine labels.William Grimes wrote this fun piece that featured brands such as Bitch and Fat Bastard - perfect for friends - however not for your boss.The taste is the same for any wine. There are shirazes and Cabernets which are lovely additions to any holiday table.These also make good presents between office mates too. Just don't get Big Ass Wine (which sounds like a Letterman joke) for anyone who's weight sensitive.it is a robust red but stick with the reds with the more genteel names.
Another fun article was the one about home cocktails. This is Jeff Godinier's take on creating the perfect cocktail no matter what the cost. His comic zeal in making a heavenly drink takes him to all sorts of liquor stores , wracking up $135 dollars to create the Mount Vernon, This is a drink that features a mix of cherry liqueurs such as Cherry Heering and Kirschwasser. The ingredients are expensive and the recipe made for more advanced mixologists. However it seems worth it. Mr. Gordinier did create his ambrosia.
The holidays are meant for merry drinks and The New York Times knows this. It's a time to have fun with holiday spirits. Make your own or buy some with sassy labels.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Spirits Of The Holidays
Today's New York Times Dining section has it's holiday spirits guide. The section, commandeered by the Pour section editor, Eric Asimov, has a variety of interesting and helpful articles. There is one on malt whiskey which I'll cover today and some others which will be mentioned in tomorrow's blog. All in all it's a keeper to be brought out when buying gifts or stocking up for one's own holiday blast.
Eric Asimov wrote about the malt whiskey. a perfect chill chaser during these cold December days. His article takes him to the isolated Scottish isle of Islay (pronounced Eye-lah) where some memorable bottles have been produced. Whiskey depends on peat ,a composition of decomposed bog soil to give it its' smoky flavor and here assertive peating or peat roasting helps. Another factor that makes any Islay whiskey different is the seaweed taste or salty air aroma most of the whiskies have (Islay is located on the Irish Sea). This makes it more bolder than just the average Scottish whiskey.
Another interesting fact about Islay blends is that the various distilleries cater to different age groups. There is one called Smokehead which has a powerful and smokey taste. For a more mellower crowd Bruichladdach Islay 12 years hits the spot. This is a blend that is milder with tones of honey citrus and surprisingly a butterscotch aftertaste. for hard core lovers buy a bottle of Ardbeg Islay 10 years which has a strong medicinal flavor along with a brininess taken from the nearby sea.
Whiskey is the perfect holiday chill chaser along with being the perfect gift. Read Eric Asimov's guide to decipher what you want to serve and give . It's a great way of picking out the best.
Eric Asimov wrote about the malt whiskey. a perfect chill chaser during these cold December days. His article takes him to the isolated Scottish isle of Islay (pronounced Eye-lah) where some memorable bottles have been produced. Whiskey depends on peat ,a composition of decomposed bog soil to give it its' smoky flavor and here assertive peating or peat roasting helps. Another factor that makes any Islay whiskey different is the seaweed taste or salty air aroma most of the whiskies have (Islay is located on the Irish Sea). This makes it more bolder than just the average Scottish whiskey.
Another interesting fact about Islay blends is that the various distilleries cater to different age groups. There is one called Smokehead which has a powerful and smokey taste. For a more mellower crowd Bruichladdach Islay 12 years hits the spot. This is a blend that is milder with tones of honey citrus and surprisingly a butterscotch aftertaste. for hard core lovers buy a bottle of Ardbeg Islay 10 years which has a strong medicinal flavor along with a brininess taken from the nearby sea.
Whiskey is the perfect holiday chill chaser along with being the perfect gift. Read Eric Asimov's guide to decipher what you want to serve and give . It's a great way of picking out the best.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Foodie Gift Pyramids
Yesterday I wrote about some of the world's most expensive foodie gifts. Today I'm taking it down a notch by mentioning mid priced foodie gifts. These are usually those fun pyramids and baskets filled with every kind of treat from hams to nuts, cookies to popcorn. They're not only great for the receiver, they're excellent for givers on a budget. For a certain price you can give a lush looking gifts for only a few pennies.
One of the oldest and most famous is Hickory Farms. It started in the late Forties with Richard Ransom and his cousin, Earl, started to sell cheese wheels and summer sausage at home shows in Toledo. It paid off. Today the e company offers baskets and pyramids along with boxes of just truly yummy foods. For one hundred dollars you can send family and loved ones the snack tower which has everything from their signature beef sticks to smoked cheeses to almonds along with sauces and mustards. You can also give gift packages that just feature cooked ham and turkey or ones that features sweets. Another great company is Figi's They have a variety of different baskets and pyramids that features flavored cheeses and sausages.
For those sweet toothed foodies think about a nice pyramid of cookies and brownies. Blue Chip Cookies which produces the best chocolate chip ever has a holiday cookies pack with customer faves. Cheryl's Cookies offers a huge variety of home baked sweet treats. Their pyramids offer an entire kitchen of holiday faves from richly iced brownies to buttery spice balls. They also make rich butter cookies frosted with an even richer frosting. Of course there are fruits you can send as well Harry and Davids offers healthier treats such as a pyramid of pears and apples. They also sell oranges,perfect for the cold weather.
You can give a food pyramid for a good cost this Christmas or Hanukkah. It can be savory or sweet, decadent or healthy. Whatever you give it's a lot of treats for an affordable price.
One of the oldest and most famous is Hickory Farms. It started in the late Forties with Richard Ransom and his cousin, Earl, started to sell cheese wheels and summer sausage at home shows in Toledo. It paid off. Today the e company offers baskets and pyramids along with boxes of just truly yummy foods. For one hundred dollars you can send family and loved ones the snack tower which has everything from their signature beef sticks to smoked cheeses to almonds along with sauces and mustards. You can also give gift packages that just feature cooked ham and turkey or ones that features sweets. Another great company is Figi's They have a variety of different baskets and pyramids that features flavored cheeses and sausages.
For those sweet toothed foodies think about a nice pyramid of cookies and brownies. Blue Chip Cookies which produces the best chocolate chip ever has a holiday cookies pack with customer faves. Cheryl's Cookies offers a huge variety of home baked sweet treats. Their pyramids offer an entire kitchen of holiday faves from richly iced brownies to buttery spice balls. They also make rich butter cookies frosted with an even richer frosting. Of course there are fruits you can send as well Harry and Davids offers healthier treats such as a pyramid of pears and apples. They also sell oranges,perfect for the cold weather.
You can give a food pyramid for a good cost this Christmas or Hanukkah. It can be savory or sweet, decadent or healthy. Whatever you give it's a lot of treats for an affordable price.
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Most Expensive Foodie Gifts
It's that time of year for foodie gifts. What's great about any food or alcohol product is that they come in all price ranges. If you're extravagant you can buy your sweetheart something amazing. If you only have a few pennies, you can still present a really yummy surprise for that someone special. In the next few weeks there will be articles reflecting this . Take from this what you will and use it in gift giving.
Expensive gifts are always memorable. They make a lasting impression and are talked about for years to come. One of the most expensive is Angel Champagne, created by Britalian Stefano Zagni (he's fourth generation Italian bred in England) and American songbird Mariah Carey.One 75 ml bottle can set you back $575. The most expensive goes for quarter of a million (yes, it does) and comes in a diamond encrusted bottle. Another neat thing is that Angel was featured on that ultimately trashy show "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" however don't let this deter you. Some royals and celebrities also are big Angel fans too.
For the most expensive food gifts think caviar and truffles. Petrossian is one of the best online stores to get a variety of different roe. One of their most expensive is the Alverta , a buttery and nutty tasting caviar that costs $863 for just two to four servings. Planning for a party? Then the Alverta is $6,800 . However you can buy a cheaper version of it for only $63 dollars for the Tsar Imperial Transmontanus California bred white sturgeon. Truffles are every foodies X-mas fantasy gift. These gems, mined, in my great grandparents' province, Piedmont Italy can go for $340 for just one. There is also jarred truffle sauce that sells for $34 and can be used as a sauce for gnocchi or risotto.
If you want to score big with your foodies, then gift them with the best. You can try a bottle of Angel champagne and serve it with caviar or truffles. There's nothing like making a gourmet's holiday wishes come true.
Expensive gifts are always memorable. They make a lasting impression and are talked about for years to come. One of the most expensive is Angel Champagne, created by Britalian Stefano Zagni (he's fourth generation Italian bred in England) and American songbird Mariah Carey.One 75 ml bottle can set you back $575. The most expensive goes for quarter of a million (yes, it does) and comes in a diamond encrusted bottle. Another neat thing is that Angel was featured on that ultimately trashy show "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" however don't let this deter you. Some royals and celebrities also are big Angel fans too.
For the most expensive food gifts think caviar and truffles. Petrossian is one of the best online stores to get a variety of different roe. One of their most expensive is the Alverta , a buttery and nutty tasting caviar that costs $863 for just two to four servings. Planning for a party? Then the Alverta is $6,800 . However you can buy a cheaper version of it for only $63 dollars for the Tsar Imperial Transmontanus California bred white sturgeon. Truffles are every foodies X-mas fantasy gift. These gems, mined, in my great grandparents' province, Piedmont Italy can go for $340 for just one. There is also jarred truffle sauce that sells for $34 and can be used as a sauce for gnocchi or risotto.
If you want to score big with your foodies, then gift them with the best. You can try a bottle of Angel champagne and serve it with caviar or truffles. There's nothing like making a gourmet's holiday wishes come true.
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