Do you have a Foodie on your gift list? Do you find that during the holidays and other gift giving times you are at a loss on what to give? I know that it seems that this blog MAY be a bit late, but now that the BIG RUSH is over you have time to plan for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays and any other gift giving opportunities. I am happy to help by providing you with a list of things, small and large, that most Foodies will love. Some of these are for COOKS on your list and others are just for folks who love to eat. Enjoy!
• Maldon Salt – the unique pyramid shape of these crystals make them sought after by chefs, cooks and Foodies far and wide. It isn’t a cooking salt like a good Kosher salt, it is a finishing salt. Maldon adds a beautiful finish to any dish. Just sprinkle and enjoy.
• Truffles (prices vary) – not the chocolate kind, the fungus kind. This is an extravagant gift for someone near and dear to your heart. These are the little darlings that The Truffle Pig from grade school books was seeking out. They are fungi that grow beneath the surface of the earth and are highly prized for their aroma and flavor. A little goes a long way! White truffles are significantly more expensive than black ones. Be sure to include a truffle slicer as well!
• Le Creuset cookware – if you have a budding Julia Child in your midst, a beautiful glazed cast iron Dutch Oven is sure to please! This is one of those investment pieces and again priced for someone near and dear to your heart.
• A GOOD citrus press – Great for lemons and limes, it’s like a giant garlic press for your citrus. Look for one that is NOT plain metal. The plain metal ones can transfer a metallic taste to your juices. Find one that is coated with ceramic, like this one from The Pampered Chef ($19). This is also a fine gift for the cocktail enthusiast on your list.
* A cookbook from their fave Celeb Chef ($15 – $50) – right now, tops on my list is Carnivore by Michael Symon. There is a vast selection to choose from once you do a little research into their likes and dislikes. Wanna make it extra special? Get it autographed by the author! Thanks Jack for my copy of Carnivore!
• If your Foodie lives in Vegas, a copy of Eating Las Vegas is essential! ($14) It is a list of the 50 essential dining establishments in Vegas. Again, get it autographed if you can. Best part of the book? The “Veto Section”!
* Great smelling hand soap – anything that helps get rid of garlic, onion and other cooking odors is much appreciated! Thanks Dani for the Rosemary Mint soap!
Food Memories this week include a great beer selection in an unlikely place, hot soup to nurse my cold and eating leftovers so I didn’t cook much.
Happy Birthday to me! Today is my birthday and rather than celebrate just the one day, I have changed the name of this month to “LeAnne-uary” and I celebrate from beginning to end! I took a page out of my friend Deb’s book on this one. Her birthday is in “Deb-tober” and whenever we’d go to lunch during that month, she’d tell the wait person, “We’re celebrating my birthday!” They never asked for proof and they always brought a dessert for her. Well, why the hell not? I encourage you to do the same thing.
Until next time go out and make your OWN Food Memories.
