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| (From www.trendymods.com) |
Holidays are a
wonderful time of the year to gift the cook or foodie on your list. And while the choice(s) for gift giving may
pose some challenges, my hope is that in this year’s guide I’ve eliminated this
quandary with some of my gift suggestions. This year’s guide includes
food, wine, kitchen prep and cooking tools that add those extra touches sure to
add some sparkle to the holidays. Enjoy!
~IN THE KITCHEN ~
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| (Photo by T. Herman) |
Lamson Sharp ~ 3.5” Paring Knife With Rosewood Handle
Since 1837, Lamson Sharp
has been making precision knives in the USA.
Made of high-quality forged German steel, this ergonomically and
well-balanced designed implement includes a tang
extension into the Natural Rosewood
handle; the brass rivets further add to the stabilization; the bolster makes it easy to grip the knife
for ease of cutting and wrist action. The super sharp blade and balanced weight
make for precise peeling, cutting, mincing, or coring of fruits and vegetables.
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| (Photo by T. Herman) |
Microplane Kitchen ~ Food Slicer, Herb Mill 2.0, Master Series
Coarse Grater, and Zester
Microplane
Kitchen implements are a must-have for the cook or chef, regardless of
their level of culinary proficiency. Herb Mill is made of dual-action super
sharp stainless steel blades that finely mince herbs with a simple twisting
motion without bruising or blemishing the delicate herbs; there's also a
stripper with holes for threading herbs and stripping leaves from stems; works
also with dried herbs. Food Slicer is made of durable ¼”
serrated blades ideal for uniform slicing of softer fruits (including
tomatoes), vegetables, and HB eggs without bruising the flesh; non-skid stabilizing
bottom; dishwasher safe. Grater
and Zester are made from precision 18/18 stainless steel blades for
precision grating or zesting, and genuine oiled walnut handles with brushed stainless framer; balanced and
ergonomically designed for ease of use and handling. The
Grater is perfect for grating soft cheeses, coconut, carrots, garlic, and chocolate, and yields more substantial results; the Zester is ideal for zesting citrus
fruits, ginger, chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon bark, and cheese, and yields finer results. These Master Series implements are beautifully designed and culinary work of art.
~ FOOD ~
Field Roast Grain Meat ~ Hazelnut Cranberry Roast En Croute
Even if you’re not a vegan, this delicious plant-based roast
makes for a filling and nutrient-dense meat alternative. The fillings of this loaf are savory and
sweet with just the right amount of delicate flaky pastry crust. Traditional sides make for the perfect
holiday meat alternative feast. This is
so tasty, that you won’t miss the meat!
Claxton Fruit Cake ~ Old Fashioned Traditional Fruit Cake
Hands down, this is the finest Fruit Cake I’ve ever tasted!
Premium quality ingredients like golden
raisins, cherries, walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, lemon peel, and orange
peel are baked in a rich golden pound cake batter. The taste result will definitely change any
fruitcake naysayer's attitude with the first bite!
Cobram Estate ~ Australia Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil and
California Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Both the Australia Select
and California Select are first
harvest and cold pressed, which preserves the delicate fruity aspects of
the olives and integrity of the oil. I
found the Australia Select to have a
grassy and tomato taste with a pronounced peppery bite in the back of the
palate; overall, it was delicious and aromatic.
I found the California Select
to have a fruity and floral taste with a pronounced peppery bite throughout the
palate; it was also delicious and aromatic.
Both were great with crusty Italian bread, or used in a simple Caprese
salad or simple garden salad. I also
loved the beautiful green color of each, as well as the clever built-in pour
caps that dispensed just the right amount of this liquid gem. Be sure to check the website out for retail locations in your area that carry these outstanding products. Meijer, for example, is a major retailer of Cobram Estate products.
Echelon Foods ~ Bacon Wrapped Turducken Premium Roast
This Turducken Premium Roast
is a meat-lovers dream come true. Layers
of succulent and meaty deboned Turkey, that’s
stuffed with a deboned Duck, then
stuffed with a deboned Chicken;
between each of these flavorful layers are additional layers of spicy Italian
sausage stuffing. The final “tah-dah” is
a Premium Roast that’s generously
wrapped with Bacon!
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| (Photo by T. Herman) |
Honey Ridge Farms ~ Honey Crème Blood Orange Honey, and Serrano
Chile Balsamic Honey Vinegar
This organic Honey is
at home used as a sweet or added to a savory dish, and the Blood Orange flavor is like biting into a juicy segment of the
fresh fruit. It’s perfect in hot tea,
yogurt, hot cereal, on pancakes or French toast. If you want to jazz up a quick vinaigrette,
add the sweet and savory Serrano Chile
Balsamic Honey Vinegar to some good quality olive oil and dress up garden
fresh greens; to accentuate the sweetness, try adding some of the Honey Crème Blood Orange Honey to the
mix for a sweet and savory vinaigrette!
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| (Photo by T. Herman) |
Wild Hibiscus Flower Company ~ Flower Extract, Rose + Hibiscus
Flower Extract, and Wild Hibiscus Flower Pyramid Salt Flakes
These pure Extracts
are delicious, and the perfect addition to special drink creations, smoothies,
desserts, yogurt, brewed teas, or fruited waters. The Salt
Flakes are also delicious, and add a taste dimension to any grilled or
roasted meats and seafood. They’re also
delicious added to roasted vegetables, or dips, and ideal for rimming a
margarita glass for that special libation.
~ WINE ~
Mercer Wine ~ Mercer Estates Rosé 2015 (Washington)
This is a crisp and fruity dry wine that complements any type of
food, and is delicious chilled. Frozen
fruit cubes are the perfect add and make for a beautiful visual effect. Try adding one of the Wild Hibiscus Flower Extracts for added taste and visual pizzazz.
Mommy’s Time Out Wine ~ Garganega 2015 Pinot Grigio (Italy)
This is another crisp and fruity wine semi-dry wine that
complements any type of food, and is delicious chilled. It’s also ideal for adding frozen fruit cubes
for a beautiful visual effect. Try
adding one of the Wild Hibiscus Flower
Extracts for added taste and visual pizzazz.
~ ENTERTAINING OUTDOORS ~
BakerStone ~ Pizza Oven Box
If you have someone on your gift list that’s a grill-meister
that wants to impress their guests with making gourmet pizza outdoors, then
this is the perfect gift item for them.
The Pizza Oven Box works best
on a three-burner (or larger) gas grill, although it can be used on a large
charcoal grill. The Pizza Oven Box converts a gas grill to perform like a super hot
wood burning pizza oven, from 450 deg F to 750+ deg F; it also can be used to
bake bread, roast meats, fish, or vegetables.
Picnic Time ~ Highlander Picnic Basket
The perfect Picnic Basket
to dine in style outdoors. Includes
everything you need to service four; includes hand-blown wine glasses, porcelain
dishes, stainless steel flatware, stainless steel salt and pepper shakers,
hardwood cutting board, stainless steel knife, corkscrew, lidded food storage
container, insulated wine duffel, and blanket throw. Made of sturdy willow with rattan collapsible
handles.
~ DON’T FORGET THE GIFT CARDS ~
While some may not appreciate these, sometimes the gift-giver
isn’t quite sure what that perfect gift might be. Trust me, if the recipient is a cook or
foodie, there’s no end to the possibilities of gift cards available to add that
glimmer in their eyes; those unlimited possibilities include restaurants,
specialty shops, import food and wine stores, cooking classes, food-related
trips, cookbooks, etc. And, while I
rarely return gifts I’ve received, I’ve always welcomed receiving gift cards,
and using them.
~ RESOURCES ~
~ IN CLOSING ~
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| (From www.wallpaperwide.com) |
While this festive
season may have your thoughts focused on finding the right gift for someone,
let’s not forget the best gift to give, which doesn’t cost any money, and
that’s the gift of our time with those we love and care about…family and
friends. Lastly, don’t forget those in need…find a local or national
charity and contribute what you can…that might even include volunteering for
special projects, or sponsoring a food or clothing drive in your neighborhood,
place of worship, or at your work place. To you and yours, I wish you
peace, joy, and love!
That’s it for this edition.
Until the next one, remember to always celebrate yourself and your
culinary curiosity. Happy creating…happy cooking…happy eating!
By Terry Herman
TERRY HERMAN continues perfecting her passion for food and
wine. She has been covering culinary
related for many years as it relates to wellness and a healthy lifestyle. Her popular blog, Terry's Spa, Beauty and Wellness
Go-To has featured formidable reviews of cookbooks, restaurants, wine and
food, food prep and tools, chef interviews, and coverage of prestigious events
such as International Home+Housewares Show, National Restaurant Show, Sweets
and Snacks Expo, United Fresh, and Food Marketing Institute. She has served as a food judge at the
Bellavita Italian Expo Excellence Awards (Chicago). She has been published since the mid-1990s in
both consumer and trade publications, and is regarded as an expert in spa,
beauty, wellness, travel and lifestyle, and is frequently interviewed by
publications for her expert content. She
has also presented at major industry conferences, and has served with
distinction on numerous governing and advisory boards. She has a background in strategic and qualitative
management, consulting, and motivational speaking. In addition to her blogs, her social media
outreach also includes Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, Terry’s Second Helpings. Please note that the “Comment Section” has
been disabled. For additional
information, email her at terry.herman@gmail.com.
ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
(Photo credits as indicated, or as represented by the
specific brand.)
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