COOKS' GIFTS GALORE.Byline: Natalie Haughton Food Editor Even though time is getting short, you don't have to resort to ho-hum holiday gifts for cooks and those who like to indulge in food. Here are some terrific suggestions - favorites from an array of sources - to fit many budgets, moods and different tastes. We'd be happy not only to give but to receive many of them (especially those salted caramels from Fran's Chocolates). Most of the items can be picked up at stores locally - only a few require a phone call or online ordering. 1 - TREE ORNAMENTS For cute stocking stuffers - and something different in the way of Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. ornaments - consider a cocktail shaker or martini glass ornament. Made in India The Term Made in India may mean the following:
stainless steel Any of a family of alloy steels usually containing 10–30% chromium. The presence of chromium, together with low carbon content, gives remarkable resistance to corrosion and heat. ; $4.95 each at Sur La Table Sur La Table, Inc. is a privately held American retail company based in Seattle, Washington, that sells gourmet cooking utensils and related merchandise, such as appliances, food, and cookbooks. . 2 - CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES Who wouldn't love to receive a box of fresh strawberries dressed in chocolates, both dark and white from Shari's Berries? A gift box of six tuxedo berries (fashioned to look like a classic tuxedo) and six assorted berries dipped in dark, milk or white chocolate, then sprinkled with almonds, coconut, mini-chocolate chips or decorated with chocolate is $54.95 (plus $16.95 for shipping); call (888) 774-7797 or go online to www.berries.com. Or pick up gift boxes locally at Shari's Berries, 12265 Ventura Blvd., Studio City (818) 762-4797. 3 - SILICONE SPATULA spatula /spat·u·la/ (spach´u-lah) [L.] 1. a wide, flat, blunt, usually flexible instrument of little thickness, used for spreading material on a smooth surface. 2. a spatulate structure. Amco silicone spatula, heat resistant to 500 degrees F and great for flipping pancakes, eggs, crepes, sausages, etc.; $9.50 at Williams-Sonoma. 4 - SILICONE BRUSH This Sili Gourmet nonshedding 7-inch basting baste 1 tr.v. bast·ed, bast·ing, bastes To sew loosely with large running stitches so as to hold together temporarily. and pastry brush with stainless steel handle from William Bounds has patented ball head silicone bristles and is designed to release an even flow of sauce, marinade, butter or oil. A breeze to clean, it's dishwasher safe and heat resistant to 500 degrees F; $15 at Sur La Table or online at www.wmboundsltd.com. 5 - KITCHEN TOWELS This 100 percent cotton flour sack towel set, by Festive Home, comes printed with colorful Santa Claus and chocolate chip cookie recipe designs. $5.95 at Sur La Table. 6- SENSEO COFFEE MACHINE Give Europe's coffee sensation, the Senseo Gourmet Coffee System, to your coffee-loving friends and relatives. The single-serve, pod-based coffee maker has a sleek design, is quick and easy to use and brews a cup or mug of coffee with a frothy froth·y adj. froth·i·er, froth·i·est 1. Made of, covered with, or resembling froth; foamy. 2. Playfully frivolous in character or content: a frothy French farce. layer. The pot retails for $69.99, but during the holidays a $20 rebate is being offered. Available at Target, or go online to www.Senseo.com. 7 - MILK FROTHER Turn hot milk into a creamy froth to top cappuccinos, mochas, lattes and other beverages in seconds with the cordless 10-inch tall Bonjour Primo Latte Frother. It has a stainless steel shaft and whisk and includes a wire stand for countertop storage. Operates on two AA batteries. Available in black, red and blue; $19.95 at Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table. 8 - SILICONE POT HOLDERS Hot Spots hot spots acute moist dermatitis. are flexible 7-inch square silicone pot holders (that double as trivets), providing a steady, nonslip non·slip adj. Designed to prevent or inhibit slipping: a bathtub with a nonslip surface. nonslip Adjective designed to prevent slipping: grip on hot cookware. Safe to 675 degrees F; dishwasher safe; Available in white, yellow, red and other colors for $8 each at Williams-Sonoma. 9 - RED SILICONE ROLLING PIN This new 12-inch rolling pin makes rolling pastry and cookie dough a breeze. With its nonstick non·stick adj. Permitting easy removal of adherent food particles: a frying pan with a nonstick surface. nonstick Adjective silicone surface, it won't stick to dough, making cleanup a cinch cinch a saddle girth on an American stock saddle. Tightens with a knot on a ring instead of with straps and buckles. . It has sealed stainless steel ball bearings and contoured zinc alloy handles for smooth motion and comfortable grip; $49.95 at Sur La Table. 10 - LAKE CHAMPLAIN CHOCOLATES Lake Champlain Chocolates is a privately held chocolate manufacturer located in Burlington, Vermont. The company handcrafts over one million pounds of gourmet chocolates each year. Their products are sold nationally through independent specialty food retailers. The Snowman selection of delicious Vermont Lake Champlain Chocolates includes a chocolate assortment of terrific truffles, caramel and nut- filled chocolates. The 9.5-ounce box is $28 at Whole Foods Markets, or call (800) 465-5909 or online at www.lakechamplainchocolates.com. 11 - SALAD SPINNER The new small (two to three serving capacity; about six cups) Zyliss Easy Spin Salad Spinner with Glidewheel Motion yields drier lettuce and herbs for crisper crisp·er n. One that crisps, especially a compartment in a refrigerator used for storing vegetables and keeping them fresh. salads. Rinse greens in basket, put in bowl, cover with lid, pull handle once (no pumping necessary). Push stop button to fluff salad fast. Can also be used to dry fragile fresh berries. $19.99 at Crate & Barrel or online at www.amazon.com. (Large size Easy Spin (six servings) is $24.99. 12 - FRAN'S SALTED CARAMELS AND TRUFFLES Fran's Chocolates Gray Salted Caramels are the piece de resistance. The soft, fresh caramels, hand-dipped in 56 percent pure dark chocolate and sprinkled with gray sea salt from the Brittany Coast, are fabulous. The Seattle-based company also offers delicious assorted chocolate truffle truffle (trŭf`əl) [Fr.], subterranean edible fungus that forms a mutually beneficial (symbiotic) relationship with the roots of certain trees and plants. The part of the fungus used as food is the ascoma, the fruiting body of the fungus. collections. A 36-piece (12-ounce box) truffle assortment is $46 plus shipping. A 16-piece (8-ounce) box of gray salted caramels is $20 plus shipping. To order, call (800) 422-3726, or go online to www.franschocolates.com. 13 - SANTA WITH PEPPERMINTS This festive holiday wire Santa Claus decoration comes filled with a bag of See's red and white Peppermint peppermint: see mint. peppermint Strongly aromatic perennial herb (Mentha piperita, mint family), source of a widely used flavouring. Native to Europe and Asia, it has been naturalized in North America. Sugar Twists; $6 (with 5 ounces of candy) at See's Candy Shops, by calling (800) 347-7337 or online at www.sees.com. 14 - FRENCH CHEESE PLATES Inspired by vintage French cheese labels, this colorful and attractive set of four (6-inch diameter) stoneware stoneware, hard pottery made from siliceous paste, fired at high temperature to vitrify (make glassy) the body. Stoneware is heavier and more opaque than porcelain and differs from terra-cotta in being nonporous and nonabsorbent. plates is great for serving appetizers, cheeses, salads, etc. Microwavable and dishwasher safe; $29 for 4-piece set at Williams-Sonoma. 15 - CHOCOLATE WITH A MESSAGE ChocoWit are fun squares of individually wrapped Belgian chocolates that come with a message such as ''Life has its sweet moments; savor each one,`` or ``When you give your best, it only gets better.'' The quality of the dark, milk, mocha Mocha (mō`kə), town (1990 est. pop. 2,000), S Yemen, a port on the Red Sea. It was noted for the export of the coffee to which it gave its name but declined as a trading port in the late 19th cent. with the rise of Hodeida and Aden. and mint chocolate is good. Available by mail order, prices start at $10 for a six-piece box and $19.50 for 12 pieces plus shipping. Call (800) 621-4228, or go online to www.chocowit.com. 16 - GINGERBREAD COOKIES A gingerbread house shaped tin filled with crisp gingerbread cookies makes a great hostess gift; $5.99 at Trader Joe's. 17 - JULIENNE ju·li·enne n. Consommé or broth garnished with long thin strips of vegetables. adj. also ju·li·enned Cut into long thin strips: julienne potatoes; julienned pork. PEELER The Zyliss Even-Cut Julienne Peeler with contoured handle creates uniform, thin julienne strips of carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes, lemon, oranges, etc. for toppings and garnishes for salads, appetizers, soups and more. $6.99 at Bed, Bath and Beyond or online at www.amazon.com. 18 - COCKTAIL/MARTINI SHAKER This Prodyne thermal stainless steel 16-ounce cocktail shaker with a green plastic liner has sleek good looks and is a streamlined way to make martinis and more. $19.95 at Sur La Table. 19 - NEW MAGAZINE Cook's Illustrated magazine recently launched its new sister publication, Cook's Country in an oversize o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. Adj. 1. format. It's all about country fare and country folks and includes lots of color photography and no advertising. Readers are asked to share favorite homemade specialties, food memories and enter the magazine's recipe contests. Like Cook's Illustrated, recipes will be rigorously tested. It's a bit reminiscent of Taste of Home magazine but much more appealing and fun; $19.95 for a one-year subscription (6 issues), call (800) 526-8447, or online at www.cookscountry.com. 20 - CHOCOLATE GAME Raise your chocolate IQ with Chocolate Smarts, a game with a box of question and answer cards covering the history, culture and cooking of chocolate (and it's calorie-free). A box of 60 cards with a chocolate tips guide is $17.50 at Brenda Himmel Stationery, Santa Monica or online at wwww.wishingfish.com. 21 - STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING Sticky toffee pudding is a British dessert (or pudding) consisting of a moist sponge cake made with fine chopped dates and covered in a toffee sauce. It was originally called "icky sticky toffee sponge". CAKE KIT Just add butter, water and eggs to a mix to make a rich, moist cake laced with dates. Then saturate sat·u·rate v. Abbr. sat. 1. To imbue or impregnate thoroughly. 2. To soak, fill, or load to capacity. 3. To cause a substance to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance. the cake with a decadent sticky toffee caramel sauce. Makes 12 servings. A 1-pound, 11.6-ounce box is $24 at Williams-Sonoma. 22 - CHEESE IN HOLIDAY SHAPES Mild Cheddar cheese molded in different shapes (Santa Claus, candy cane, gingerbread man, snowman, etc.) and covered with wax make a fun hostess gift, gift basket item or stocking stuffer for the kids. Keep refrigerated re·frig·er·ate tr.v. re·frig·er·at·ed, re·frig·er·at·ing, re·frig·er·ates 1. To cool or chill (a substance). 2. To preserve (food) by chilling. . Distributed by Jim's Cheese Pantry, Waterloo, WI; $4.49 for each 4-ounce holiday shape at Bristol Farms stores (Thousand Oaks, Pasadena, Newport Beach). CAPTION(S): 22 photos Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) TREE ORNAMENTS (2 -- cover -- color) CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES (3 -- cover -- color) SILICONE SPATULA (4 -- cover -- color) SILICONE BRUSH (5 -- cover -- color) KITCHEN TOWELS (6 -- cover -- color) SENSEO COFFEE MACHINE (7 -- cover -- color) MILK FROTHER (8 -- cover -- color) SILICONE POT HOLDERS (9 -- cover -- color) RED SILICONE ROLLING PIN (10 -- color) LAKE CHAMPLAIN CHOCOLATES (11 -- color) SALAD SPINNER (12 -- color) FRAN'S SALTED CARAMELS AND TRUFFLES (13 -- color) SANTA WITH PEPPERMINTS (14 -- color) FRENCH CHEESE PLATES (15 -- color) CHOCOLATE WITH A MESSAGE (16 -- color) GINGERBREAD COOKIES (17 -- color) JULIENNE PEELER (18 -- color) COCKTAIL/MARTINI SHAKER (19 -- color) NEW MAGAZINE (20 -- color) CHOCOLATE GAME (21 -- color) STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING CAKE KIT (22 -- color) CHEESE IN HOLIDAY SHAPES Photos by Michael Owen Baker, Tina Burch, John Lazar, John McCoy and David Sprague/Staff Photographers |
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