FOOD AND WINE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

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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 will have eliminated this quandary with some of my gift suggestions.  This year’s gift guide includes food, wine, kitchen prep, cookbooks, and cooking tools that add those extra touches sure to add some sparkle to the holidays, while making just the right gift for that special someone, including yourself.  Enjoy!

COOKBOOKS

Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen, or a seasoned culinary wizard, cookbooks are the perfect gift, resource, motivator, and go-to for the home cook.  I know home cooks that collect cookbooks just for the pleasure they experience while leafing through the pages, or looking at the gorgeous color photos, or reading the detailed recipes.  Many also get inspiration to expand their culinary horizon and venture into taste palates unknown.  Many also get inspiration on making adaptations to the printed recipe to conform to either a specific taste palate or dietary need, or ideas on modifying ingredients to be frugal and use up what they have on hand in their pantry or refrigerator.  The latter is something I regularly do; truth be told, however, my changes don’t always yield the final results I was hoping for, but a lesson learned will bring better results next time, guaranteed.  Whatever motivates your gift recipient, or yourself, cooks books are a multi-faceted gift that keeps on giving!  Enjoy the following round up of three exceptional cookbook gift ideas from the definitive editors and cooking icons at America’s Test Kitchen.

“The Complete Slow Cooker”

Since the 1970s, the “crock pot” has had many reiterations and redesigns.  Today’s cooking vessel does more than just “slow cook” with digital features that back in the 1970s would’ve been considered science fiction.  The culinary wizards at America’s Test Kitchen share in this cookbook the recipes they’ve perfected through extensive testing and tweaking…recipes for traditional favorites, while also showing the cook how to manipulate the basic recipe into multiple recipe versions, or recipes that are a bit of an adventure by using the “slow cooker” for the once considered impossible…like Pork Pad Thai, Paella, sauces, vegetable dishes, breads and desserts, macaroni and cheese, rice and grains, appetizers, dips, granola, and of course, soups, stews, roast meats, poultry, and fish.  America’s Test Kitchen also shares with the cook shortcuts they’ve perfected over the years that will help them simplify and streamline complicated, time consuming, and often-intricate cooking steps.  If there’s a way to speed-up the perfecting process, these geniuses will have discovered it, and perfected it.  While the book contains delicious and nutritious recipes, it begins with a detailed primer, “Slow Cooker 101”; every conceivable aspect of this kitchen staple appliance is included, from the basics to the advanced; and, within this broad section, there are also subsections that demystify the “all about” equipment categories, including the food categories and unique aspects to how this appliance performs depending on the type of food being cooked; it’s not just about temperature, it’s also about texture, thickness, and food types, and why it’s important to know the differences; then there’s a great section on how America’s Test Kitchen tested and reviewed common brands of the appliance, including what features were favorable, and which ones weren’t; they dissect every aspect of construction and performance, too; and, rounding out the test and review process, is their recommended winning appliance; large, small, and mini cookers were included.  The cookbook’s recipe chapters are broken down by food type and dish type.  In addition to the beautiful color photos for each prepared recipe, there’s a thumbnail on serving portions, length of cooking time, and the size of the vessel you’ll need; each recipe explains why the recipe works in addition to step by step prepping and cooking steps.  Maybe it’s time to dust off that “slow cooker” you’ve stashed from when your Aunt Martha gave it to you as a wedding shower gift all those umpteen years ago.  There are also two important sections on “Conversions and Equivalents”, plus “Nutritional Information for Our Light Recipes”.  Even if you’re not ready to delve into the finer aspects of “slow cooking”, spend some time with this beautiful cookbook and reacquaint yourself with this wonderful cooking option. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to start making a tasty dessert.

“Nutritious Delicious”

In the quest for a healthier lifestyle that includes making choices that are longevity-friendly, food choices have steadily increased as one of the easier ways to achieve a major component of this goal.  Whether the food choices are organic, sustainable, fresh, local, non-GMO, gluten-free, calorie modified, non-processed, plant-based, vegetarian, etc., making healthier food choices can pose its own set of challenges and isn’t necessarily that easy.  In this latest cookbook, America’s Test Kitchen has found a way to simplify the quest for healthier living through better food choices and simplified recipes.  Before delving into highly tested and tweaked recipes, America’s Test Kitchen first delves into the nitty-gritty of healthy eating…included are categories on how to transform a recipe into a healthier one, even when using fats, flours, and sugar; understanding the impact of minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients on you and your food choices; and, introducing the cook to proven “50 Everyday Superfoods” that are a must for any healthy eating quest.  Recipes are broken into main categories like breakfast, lunch, mains, vegetables, sides, snacks, and even decadent desserts; this breakdown makes it easy to isolate those recipes a cook is interested in trying, or perfecting; each recipe provides serving size, and all nutritional aspects, such as calories, fat, sodium, cholesterol, carbohydrate, and sugar content; each recipe fully explains why it works, ways to modify it while still maintaining the recipe’s health-quotient, and easy to understand instructions; there’s even a “Conversion and Equivalents” section, further simplifying the entire process; the cookbook also has beautiful photos for each recipe.  This just might be the cookbook that gets you motivated enough to want to travel that road to a healthier lifestyle through better food choices in the coming New Year.

“The Perfect Cookie”

I’m a so-so baker.  When it comes to cookies or brownies, I have two basic recipes, one for cookies and one for brownies that are my go-go recipes; they’re both in my baker’s comfort zone; boring.  While I’ve attempted to try baking using other recipes, acceptable taste aside, they were never the real triumph I had hoped for; in all honesty, I long for the ability to be adventuresome and try other recipes to overcome my fear of baking.  In this new cookbook, America’s Test Kitchen has written the definitive resource book on how to make “Foolproof Cookies, Brownies, and Bars”.  The new cookbook celebrates all levels of baking proficiency, and is jammed with hundreds of tested and tweaked recipes for cookies, brownies, and bars.  The cookbook also delves into aspects of ingredient quality, techniques for successfully executing a recipe, recommended baking tools, recommended panty staples and add-ons, everything you needed to know about measuring, mixing, cooling, storing, transporting, which baking surface to use, why cookies fail, and ways to troubleshoot; all of this resource material is presented in easy to understand terminologies, and appeals to the novice, as well as the expert.  My favorite section was “Getting Started”, because aside from the recipes, the content in this section was all-encompassing and a must-read for anyone who wants to bake; without fully understanding and appreciating the many intricacies of “baking”, a recipe might just be doomed to “failure” (sigh; like so many of my attempts!); my favorite part included the extensive listing of implements and their functions, along with objective brand recommendations based on extensive testing.  Following this all-important “Introduction” section is the extensive recipe offerings, all categorized by type for quick reference…if it’s a sweet that’s rolled, dropped, shaped, and baked, guaranteed the recipe is in this cookbook. Each recipe explains “Why It Works”, along with detailed instructions on how to fully execute the recipe; beautiful color photos of the finished recipe are also included. There are also sections on “No-Bake Cookies & Candies”, “Christmas Cookies”, and even a section on recipes that are “Gluten Free”, plus a section on “Conversions and Equivalents”.  This is the perfect “cookbook” for every serious baker for revisiting every aspect about baking, for gaining clarity on baking intricacies, and for learning from the masters at America’s Test Kitchen!  These and other outstanding America’s Test Kitchen cookbooks are available online and bookseller retailers nationally.  The America’s Test Kitchen cooking shows are regularly aired on nationwide PBS stations.  For more information, visit https://www.americastestkitchen.com

FOOD AND WINE

Food and wine are perfect items for gift giving.  These carefully selected and delicious items will emphasize the joy of eating and celebrating with family and friends.  Each item is ideal for the foodie/gourmand, home cook, or that special culinary wizard in your life, which might also include yourself.  These items represent the best in taste and quality, and will definitely please the palate with.  You can create curated baskets that include each item, or combinations…be creative, and add your own little touches to make the presentations simple, or grand.

~ Cameron’s Seafood ~

When it comes to seafood, there definitely is a difference in freshness, taste and overall quality when it comes Cameron’s Seafood; everything about their products is exceptional. Since 1985, Cameron’s Seafood has been the premier direct seafood provider throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania, as well as an online retailer for its exquisite tasting seafood, especially its signature Crab offerings.  For more information, visit https://www.cameronsseafood.com

~ Claxton 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 result is an incredibly delicious Fruit Cake.  The taste will definitely convert any fruitcake naysayer's attitude with the first bite into a fruitcake lover!  For more information, visit https://www.claxtonfruitcake.com

~ Cobram Estate ~

Both the Australia Select and California Select Extra Virgin Olive Oils 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 as a delicious dressing over a simple Caprese salad, or garden salad.  I also loved the beautiful fruity green color of each, as well as the clever built-in pour caps that dispensed just the right amount of this liquid gem.  For more information, visit http://www.cobramestate.com

~ Crabtree & Evelyn ~

(Photo by T. Herman)

These treats will definitely add flair to your table and make your guests feel like they’re at a traditional English High Tea.  The delicious Spiced Chai Tea is made with large Whole Leaf Black Tea and then spiced with traditional Chai spices like Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger, Cloves, and Pepper; each tea bag comes in a Fuso material pyramid pouch an hang tag for easy steeping.  While I prefer my Chai Tea black, many enjoy it the traditional way, sweetened with sugar and mixed with milk or cream; whichever way your guests prefer, they’ll love the rich and authentic taste of this Spiced Chai Tea.  The Citron Curd is made the traditional way using simple and basic pure ingredients like Sweet Creamery Butter, Milk, Free-Range Eggs, Sugar, Sicilian Lemon Juice, and Lemon Oil.  This authentic Citron Curd is delicious tasting, with a silken bold lemon flavor.  The All Butter Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Biscuits is another traditional favorite that’s made with Whole Wheat Flour, Sweet Creamery Butter, Sweet Belgian Dark Chocolate Chunks, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, and Hazelnuts.  These pure ingredients make all the difference in a Biscuit that is rich tasting and definitely decadent, with an intensity of flavor from the Butter, the Chocolate, and the Hazelnuts. For more information, visit http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com

~ Echelon Foods ~

The Bacon Wrapped Turducken Premium Roast is a meat-lovers dream come true.  Layers of succulent and meaty boneless Turkey, that’s stuffed with a boneless Duck, that’s been stuffed with a boneless 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!  The Premium Roast is naturally moist and flavorful, and really doesn’t need any gravy, but it certainly doesn’t hurt if you decide to add some; it also makes for delicious leftovers. For more information, visit https://www.echelonfoods.com

~ Field Roast Grain Meat ~

Even if you’re not a vegan, the Hazelnut Cranberry Roast En Croute is a delicious plant-based Roast made for a filling and nutrient-dense meat alternative; even carnivores will find delicious tasting.  This Roast is delightfully savory and sweet.  The recipe is made with a Hazelnut-infused Field Roast Grain Meat that’s been stuffed with Field Roast Sausages, Crystallized Ginger, Cranberries and Apples, and then enrobed in a flaky puff pastry.  This delicious Roast pairs well with other traditional sides, making for the perfect meatless alternative to your holiday feasting.  For more information, visit http://fieldroast.com

~ Martha Stewart Wine Co. ~

These four French wines are all award winning and will please the palate of oenophiles and average folks who enjoy a great-tasting wine, like myself.  The four wines included 2014 Château Lafleur De Haute-Serre Malbec Cahors, 2014 Le Vassel De Mercues Cuvée Le Dueze Malbec Cahors, 2016 Cuvée Joëlle Mauzac, and 2016 A D’Arche White Blend Bordeaux.  Although my wine preferences tend to lean more towards semi-sweet whites and rosés, these wines, albeit on the dry side, complemented all of my food pairings.  Both the reds and whites, paired especially well with foods, including desserts, that had intense flavors; the dryness balanced out the intensity of flavors, making for delicious complementary pairings; strong-tasting hard cheeses, for example, tasted tame; overly spiced dishes were mellowed out and less spicy; and, super sweet desserts had their sugary component muted.  I’m also the type who prefers my reds and whites chilled; these wines confidently weren’t diminished by the addition of refrigeration or even an ice cube or two.   The 2014 Château Lafleur De Haute-Serre Malbec Cahors was a rich and full-bodied, deep ruby red wine; varietal composition, Malbec grapes; subtle hints of fruit and a pronounced dryness; winery, Georges Vigouroux; awarded, the 2017 Silver-Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition; the 2014 Le Vassel De Mercues Cuvée Le Dueze Malbec Cahors was a rich and full-bodied, brilliant red wine; varietal composition, blend of Malbec (85%) and Merlot (15%) grapes; overall taste, dry, fruity, with a hint of spicy; winery, Georges Vigouroux; awarded, the 2017 Gold-International Eastern Wine Competition; the 2016 Cuvée Joëlle Mauzac was a light, crisp, and fruity white; varietal composition, Mauzac grapes; overall taste was fruity and dry, with a slight bite; winery, Georges Vigouroux; award, the 2017 Bronze-Harvest Challenge Wine Competition; and, the 2016 A D’Arche White Blend Bordeaux was a light, crisp, and fruity white; varietal composition, blend of Sauvignon Blanc (50%) and Sémillon (50%) grapes; winery, Château d’Arche; award, 2017 Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition.  All four of these wines are delicious whether paired with food, or enjoyed by the glass.  They also make for the perfect gift for anyone on your list, or even yourself.  For more information, visit https://marthastewartwine.com

OUTDOOR ENTRTAINING

~ BakerStone Pizza Oven Box ~

If you long for the ability to make really authentic tasting pizza, the key is to have a cooking temperature that’s outrageously hot, like 750-850 degrees F.  Conventional ovens aren’t designed to sustain this type of heat.  Trying to use the outdoor grill to bake pizza isn’t the answer either, unless you have a specially designed pizza cooking medium that is adaptive to gas grills.  BakerStone Pizza Oven Box is an ingenious way to achieve an authentically cooked pizzeria-style pizza.  This Pizza Oven Box is designed to fit on top of the grill source a fired up; the Pizza Oven Box has a temperature control dial for ease of achieving maximum heat output where gourmet pizzas can be created in under five minutes; temperature range can be regulated for standard baking or wood-fire temperature levels.  This unit is also ideal for baking breads, cookies, meats, fish, poultry, and veggies.  The BakerStone Pizza Oven Box comes with handles, for easy portability, complete with handles.  Once you make pizzas in this BakerStone Pizza Oven Box, you’ll never order takeout, or bake another one in your conventional oven.  For more information, visit http://www.bakerstonebox.com

~ Picnic Time ~

Nothing screams summer like a picnic, and the Highlander Picnic Basket is jammed with all of the items needed for your special event.  This beautiful Picnic Basket is made of sturdy woven willow with folding rattan handles.  The Picnic Basket is completely lined with a cotton Tartan Plaid liner and is fully stocked with a service for four; the place settings include and-blown glass 7 oz. wine glasses, 8” porcelain plates, stainless steel forks, knives, and spoons, stainless steel salt and pepper shakers, stainless steel cheese knife, stainless steel wine corkscrew opener, hardwood cutting board, plastic lidded food storage container, insulted wine duffel, and a 60”x50” Tartan Plaid blanket; the only things not included are place mats and napkins.  This is a beautiful and an ideal gift for all of your special outdoor picnicking and entertaining; and, the service pieces are also practical and can easily be used in a home setting.  And, while the weather outside might not be conducive to a picnic, try having some fun, and have a picnic inside, away from all of winter’s elements.  For more information, visit http://www.picnictime.com

PREPPING, PREPARING, AND PRESENTING

~ Chicago Cutlery ~

Both the Prime RT Series 4” Parer Knife and 5” Partoku Knife are beautifully made precision cutting implements constructed from forged German stainless steel, regarded as the best material for knives.  The Partoku Knife is a cross between a Santoku and a Paring knife, and is ideal for slicing, dicing, and chopping herbs and vegetables.  The Partoku Knife has the ideal twenty-six degree precision cutting edge, a soft touch thumb-notch, and an ergonomically designed handle that’s made of material that conforms to anyone’s grip.  The Parer Knife is the perfect knife for smaller jobs like dicing and mincing.  Both precision implements eliminate the drudgery of chopping, dicing, slicing, and mincing.  For more information, visit http://chicagocutlery.com/prime/

~ Emile Henry ~

Since 1850, Emile Henry has been France’s preeminent manufacturer of cooking and baking glazed ceramic ovenware for the world’s discerning chefs and homecooks.  The finished products are works of beauty and functionality, and their Ceramic Soup Pot is exemplary of these superior qualities.  A great feature of their products is that they’re all chip, crack, scratch, and cut resistant; and, for further durability, all product colors are guaranteed not to fade; the Ceramic Soup Pot can also withstand thermal shock and can easily go from freezer, to oven, to broiler, to table without any problem; the ceramic glaze also prevents foods from sticking, making cleanup effortless, whether by hand cleaning, or in the dishwasher.  Lastly, the Ceramic Soup Pot is so beautiful that you can set it on a trivet on your table and serve your delicious recipes from it with confidence and élan.  For more information, visit http://www.emilehenryusa.com

~ Knork ~

Knork knows how to combine the best of functionality and durability with design.  One of their latest designs is their beautiful Antique Copper Titanium Flatware Set.  These precision implements are fully balanced, ergonomically and ambidextrous designed, and are made from hand-forged 18/0 stainless steel that’s coated with titanium PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition; an advanced plasma coating technology); this coating makes the finish scratch resistant and dishwasher safe.  The overall beautiful and sleek design makes eating an elegant dining experience.  For more information, visit http://www.knork.net

~ Mason Cash ~

Mason Cash has been the definitive brand of glazed earthenware vessels for discerning bakers in the UK and throughout Europe since the 1800s, and perfected its iconic Mixing Bowl in 1901, which remains a prized addition to a baker’s cupboard.  Using one of these beautiful designs definitely elevates the baking experience.  The form and function of the Mixing Bowl beautifully pairs with the overall esthetic design.  The baking experience is made complete when using their gorgeous Beechwood Innovative Kitchen Utensils for all of the mundane tasks of measuring and mixing; these attractive tools function well for all cooking needs.  Each of the seven pieces is carefully designed to have multi-functionality in performance; I found this multi-functionality to be an outstanding design element, and the sleekness of each utensil is beautiful to hold, and well balanced in weight.  Mason Cash is a mainstay in the popular BBC/PBS series “The Great British Bake Off”; this popular reality show has gone on to inspire a U.S. version “The Great American Baking Show/ABC”.  This coveted brand is also available in the U.S. at select retailers.  For more information, visit http://www.masoncash.co.uk

~ Oneida ~

 

The 8 Qt. Stainless Steel Stock Pot is the perfect sized Stock Pot for making large quantities of soup, stock, bone broth, stew, chili, lobster, crab, and sauces; it’s also ideal for preparing large quantities of pasta, potatoes, and ears of corn.  Made of durable and high polished 18/10 stainless steel, a favorite of professional chefs for its heat retention and conductor of even heat.  For more information, visit https://www.oneida.com/stockpots.html

~ VitaClay Chef ~

The Smart Organic 6 Qt. Multi-Crocks N’ Stock Pot (Clay) is pure genius.  The design features combine the best of natural unglazed clay cooking with multi-function digital variable crockery cooking.  Its multi-functionality allows this beautiful appliance to perform as a Fast-Slow Cooker, a Steamer, a Slow Cooker, a Stock Pot, a Hot Cereal Maker, a Yogurt Maker, and a Low Temperature cooker.  The natural unglazed clay vessel is ideal for slow cooking because of its porosity, which allows both moisture and heat to circulate efficiently, assuring maximum reduced cook times while preserving the nutrient value of foods being cooked, including maintaining natural alkaline levels and optimum pH levels in foods.  The natural unglazed clay substance and porosity, also prevents foods from sticking; the vessel is removable from the chamber, making cleanup effortless.  For more information, visit https://vitaclaychef.com

WORTH MENTIONING

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Don’t forget to consider gift certificates to retailers like Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, The Chopping Block, Eataly, local specialty food markets, etc.   Gift certificates are always appreciated, and can be used on culinary related items, including cooking classes.

Curate your own baskets by including clever prepping tools, spices, herbs, salts, etc.  Create a themed curated basket; for an Italian-themed one, consider including some of these items …a bottle of Prosecco, bottle opener, and glasses; extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried tomato pesto, basil pesto, imported dried oregano sprigs, and dried mushrooms; or, artisan-crafted pastas and sauces, pasta tongs, chunk of hard cheese, and grater.

~ In Closing ~

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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, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.  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.

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