Gifts for the Gourmet

Foodie gifts make the BEST gifts no matter the season.  From stocking stuffers and holiday hostess gifts to house warmers or birthday presents, gifts that say “gourmet” tend to go a long way.  With just under a week until Christmas, here are a few of my own foodie gift picks to wet your appetite.  Keep the list handy for year-round gift referencing, too.  Oh, and an added bonus? All of these gift picks are priced at $40 or less.

For the Coffee Aficionado: Booskerdoo Fresh Roasted Coffee Co.

Based in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, micro roaster, Booskerdoo, believes that fresh coffee makes all the difference.  Which is why their coffee never sits in a warehouse – it’s prepared in small batches and mailed out direct the day it’s roasted.  You’ll find varietals of the “earth’s finest coffees” such as “Jersey Diner”  — nutty, sweet and refreshingly mild, composed of light roasted Colombia Excelso, with a bit of medium roasted Brazil Cerrado for added richness; and “Festivus Blend” –Mexico Fair Trade Organic (light roasted) and Bali Blue Moon Organic (medium++ roasted) packaged in a Ball brand mason jar for added fun.

What I love the most about this coffee roaster is their commitment to their community – 10% of the sale of the “Jersey Diner” coffee will go to the Monmouth Beach Fire Department in support of their efforts during and after Hurricane Sandy.

Available at: http://www.booskerdoo.com and select retailers.

For the Spice/Sauce Lover: EAT Barbeque Sauces and Rubs

Destination America’s BBQ Pitmasters Grand Champion, Rod Gray, is known for some of the best ribs and brisket in the country. The Leawood, Kan. native and his team, Pellet Envy, have been traveling across the US since 2001, racking up awards and distinctions for their Kansas City-based cuisine.   And now, through his EAT line of barbeque sauces and rubs, gourmands can get award-winning results in their own homes.

The hubs and I were blown away by the IPO Barbecue Sauce — a thinner sauce, sweet with a vinegar twang and good for any kind of meat (we used it on chicken and pork chops) and Zero to Hero Sweet Rub — on the sweet side with a touch of heat — which pairs perfectly with the IPO sauce.

Available at: http://www.eatbarbecue.com and select retailers.

Kitchen Tools: Microplane ® Elite Series

Microplane® elevates the design and functionality of its wide blade, paddle-shaped hand-held graters with Elite, a series of five original Microplane graters – Fine, Ribbon, Coarse, Extra Coarse and Star. Originally launched in Black, followed by Red, two new colors available now at retail nationwide include Green and Purple.

I have the Extra Coarse — perfect for grating medium-firm cheese like Parmesan over pasta — and Ribbon – for grating chocolate or julienning veggies — in Red.

Available at: http://www.microplane.com and major retailers.

 

Online Cooking Class: How to Make Gnocchi Like a Pro via Craftsy.com

In a previous post, I wrote about Chef Gerri Sarnataro’s “How to Make Gnocchi Like a Pro” class offered on Craftsy.com.  Craftsy is an online community of “makers” – 1.5 million of them to be exact.  Whether they’re making quilts, sweaters, jewelry or decorating cakes and pressing out gnocchi dough, you can be sure that they are using their two hands to do it.

This is the PERFECT gift for the foodie in your life looking to try something new in their kitchen, and at their convenience.  The great thing about this online class forum is that you can stop and go as you please, interact with the instructor and download materials all in one place.  I highly recommend as a unique gift for someone who enjoys cooking, is interesting in dabbling in a digital cooking forum, or wants to be whisked away to Italy via some amazing (and surprisingly easy!) gnocchi recipes.

Available at: http://www.craftsy.com/class/how-to-make-gnocchi-like-a-pro/444?_ct=sbqii-sqjuweho-qbb&_ctp=444,1

 

 SWEET Sweets: Harvard Sweet Boutique

Harvard Sweet Boutique is a Massachusetts-based gourmet all-natural dessert bakery that offers hand-made goodies for any occasion. From brownies to cookies and every treat in between, they even have low-carbohydrate and gluten-free treats!  My family and I were impressed by the Vanilla Sea Salt Caramel Brownies.  Gooey, rich yet grounded by a light sprinkle of sea salt, the symphony of flavors and textures make for a decadent dessert experience.

Available at: www.harvardsweetboutique.com

Celebrity Chef-Obsessed: CAKE BOSS Devoted To Dessert Bakeware

CAKE BOSS Devoted to Dessert features more than 20 collections and over 200 “Buddy approved” items designed in close collaboration with Buddy Valastro, the star of TLC’s hit television series “Cake Boss.”

I was especially stoked to receive the Deluxe 12-Cup Covered Cupcake & Muffin Pan  – Made of commercial quality carbon steel for optimum heat distribution and durability, this pan also features rolled edges to resist warping. Wide handles and colorful red silicone grips allow for a comfortable, sturdy, and confident grasp, complete with translucent cover that allows for easy transport.

And baking with my toddler son will be a snap with the Star Molded Cookie Pan — One of four assorted molded cookie pan designs, “Star” makes it easy to bake a dozen perfectly shaped treats without using cookie cutters. Each pan in the specialty collection is crafted in solid carbon steel with durable nonstick for even heating and simple cleaning.

Available at: www.cakebossbaking.com and retail stores nationwide.

oxox

-mom a la mode

 

{I was not monetarily compensated for this post.  I received products for review purposes only.  All opinions expressed here are solely mine.}