SEASON'S TREATINGS SPECIAL SOMETHINGS FOR FOOD LOVERS.Byline: Natalie Haughton Food Editor The last-minute dash for holiday gifts is on. If you haven't decided what to give the food lover on your holiday list, here are some ideas. You don't have to be a cook - just someone who likes to eat and indulge - to enjoy many of them. Some are among the season's hottest and most popular items in their categories. Many are easy on the pocket book as well, and all are available locally, so you can stop by and pick them up as your schedule allows. GOURMET CAT PLATES Includes a set of four different (8-inch) plates; $18.95. Each plate features a distinctive image of a feline in the kitchen. Even cat lovers who don't cook are bound to get a kick out of these fun designs, which are dishwasher and microwave safe. AVAILABILITY: 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. stores (Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. ; The Grove, Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. ; and Santa Monica) and by catalog at (800) 243-0852 or online at www.surlatable.com. ISI ISI International Sensitivity Index, see there HALF-PINT CREAM WHIPPER A mini-size coffee and dessert cream whipper; $34.95 If you use lots of whipped cream to garnish desserts, fancy coffee or drinks, make your own with this gadget manufactured in Austria, instead of buying the aerosol stuff at markets. Simply fill the container with up to 1 cup well-chilled fresh liquid whipping cream (no granulated sugar, but you can use flavored syrups). Charge, then shake a few times to dispense and enjoy. You can store the whipper in the refrigerator up to 10 days. The whipper also comes in a pint size. AVAILABILITY: Sur La Table stores (Thousand Oaks; The Grove, Los Angeles; and Santa Monica) and by catalog at (800) 243-0852 or online at www.surlatable.com. MOKA MOKA Methodology and Software Tools Oriented to Knowledge Based Engineering Applications EASY Now you can make Italian espresso in the kitchen, office, dorm room or any place that has an outlet with this pot (with a built-in heating system) that has a convenient electric base; $59.99. For all those espresso lovers on your list, consider this pot that's a breeze to use. Simply fill the lower chamber with water and the filter with ground espresso, set it on the electric base, plug it in, and press a button to begin brewing. When brewing is complete, bring the pot to the table. The Moka Easy brews six 2-ounce cups of espresso. AVAILABILITY: Williams-Sonoma stores throughout the Valley and Los Angeles. GINGERBREAD gingerbread In architecture and design, elaborately detailed embellishment, either lavish or superfluous. Though the term is occasionally applied to such highly detailed and decorative styles as the Rococo, it usually refers to the hand-carved and -sawn wood ornamentation of HOUSE Decorated with Christmas cookies, royal icing and gumdrops, houses come in two sizes - small (pictured) at $29.95 or large, $99.95. Greetings can be written above the door on the large house. The small house can also be purchased undecorated for $16.50 (icing, cookies and gumdrops are provided so you can craft your own house). If visions of sugarplums dance in your head, call Emil's Swiss Pastry ahead (at least three days) and order one of these whimsical, delightful houses. They are baked fresh to order, but you might find a small one on hand at the bakery for last-minute events. Use as table centerpieces - and then let guests and children nibble Half a byte (four bits). (data) nibble - /nib'l/ (US "nybble", by analogy with "bite" -> "byte") Half a byte. Since a byte is nearly always eight bits, a nibble is nearly always four bits (and can therefore be represented by one hex digit). on the mostly edible creations. Emil's, owned for the last three years by Chris Kaufmann, a native of Austria, also offers other holiday goodies, including German stollen stol·len n. pl. stollen or stol·lens A rich yeast bread containing raisins, citron, and chopped nutmeats. [German, prop, support, stollen; see stull.] , pfeffernusse, Christmas cookies, yulogs (often called buche de noel) and 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. coffee cakes. AVAILABILITY: Emil's Swiss Pastry, 1567 Barry Ave., West Los Angeles
BLUE ORKA SILICONE OVEN MITT Designed to resist high temperatures for short periods of time; other colors available; $19.95. The mitt protects your hands during contact with grills, charcoal, fat and oil up to temperatures of 500 degrees F. The mitt is waterproof, does not stain or deteriorate on contact with heat, and can be washed with tap water, in the dishwasher or washing machine. It fits either hand and is slip resistant. Do not allow hot liquid to seep inside the mitt, and do not use it for protection against sharp objects. AVAILABILITY: Sur La Table stores (Thousand Oaks; The Grove, Los Angeles; and Santa Monica); by catalog at (800) 243-0852; online at www.surlatable.com. CABARET DESSERT CHOCOLATES A 4-ounce box of nine premium chocolate diamonds crafted from high-quality Venezuelan cacao cacao (kəkä`ō, –kā`–), tropical tree (Theobroma cacao) of the family Sterculiaceae (sterculia family), native to South America, where it was first domesticated and was highly prized by the Aztecs. ; $14.95. For chocophiles, you can't go wrong with a box of these new, intense, velvety-smooth chocolate confections (made with chocolate and cream) that are enrobed in a thin coating of white or dark chocolate. Granted, they are expensive, but an affordable luxury - and a wonderful gift for chocolate connoisseurs. Tasters raved about them. AVAILABILITY: Vincenti Foods, Brentwood; Village Wines, Malibu; Fred Segal (in Cafe Divine), Santa Monica; www.cabaretchocolates.com. GIGANTIC HOLIDAY FORTUNE COOKIE WITH A PERSONALIZED MESSAGE INSIDE or SMALL HOLIDAY FORTUNE COOKIES Giant cookie, $26.50 plus shipping and handling; a box of 12 regular- size cookies, $18.50 plus shipping and handling. Order the giant, baked-to-order, hand-dipped cookie dressed holiday style or in the best-selling flavor - caramel/toffee drizzled with chocolate (our favorite flavor!) - for that someone special from Good Fortunes. The cookie is 11 inches in diameter and weighs just under 1 pound. The Christmas or Hanukkah assortments of 12 regular-size fortune cookies are packed in a round gold box with fortunes as desired. Any selection is a novel, delicious and memorable way to send a holiday greeting. The company also offers many other items, including decorated pretzel twisters and wands. AVAILABILITY: Good Fortunes, Canoga Park (have order shipped or pick up), (800) 644-9474 to order or go to www.goodfortunes.com. ZYLISS SAFETY RAIL-GUIDED MANDOLINE man·do·line n. 1. A utensil consisting of a base into which adjustable blades are set, used to slice or cut fruits and vegetables. 2. A mandolin. [Variant of mandolin.] This fruit and vegetable slicer comes with extra blades and is designed for professional-quality results with safety in mind; $49.95. Wow diners with your culinary skills with this consumer-friendly contraption that includes a unit base with V-shaped stainless steel stainless steel: see steel. 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. blade, a food holder and six blades (two for 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. strips and four for slicing different thicknesses ranging from 1/32- to 1/4-inch), plus a storage caddy A plastic container that holds a CD or DVD disc for added protection. The bare disc is placed in the caddy, and the caddy is inserted into the drive. A caddy is not a jewel case. A jewel case protects the disc for transportation. A caddy protects the disc while reading and writing. . Mandolines have long been used by chefs to accomplish jobs requiring knives, but many of them are sharp and dangerous. With this model, no professional training is required. Select and insert the blade desired, place the food item inside the food holder, then press down gently with the food guide while moving the holder over the V-shaped blade. Cooks will find this a boon for obtaining thinly sliced and julienned strips of fruits and vegetables - especially if you're not skilled with a knife. AVAILABILITY: Bed, Bath & Beyond; Linens 'n Things Linens 'n Things, Inc., headquartered in Clifton, New Jersey, is the second-largest large-format retailers of home textiles, housewares and decorative home accessories in the United States, behind Bed Bath & Beyond. ; www.amazon.com. COFFEE BARK TRIO (1 pound, 2 ounces) Tin includes Latte Bark, Espresso Bark and 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. Bark; $24. 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. HOT CHOCOLATE (14-ounce can) Dark chocolate shavings (no cocoa powder here) infused with peppermint oil make a smooth-textured, exquisite cup of chocolate; $16.50. TRIPLE CHOCOLATE DREAMS (22-ounce box) Includes eight 3-inch decadent chocolate-dipped chocolate sandwich cookies; $24. AUTHENTIC BUNDT HOLIDAY EGGNOG CAKE MIX (1-pound, 14-ounce box) Just add eggs, butter and milk to the mix and bake in a 10- to 12-cup bundt pan for a creamy golden cake enriched with vanilla and nutmeg; $14. There are lots of delicious possibilities: Serve up seasonal flavors with an eggnog cake mix or the peppermint hot chocolate with the greatest of ease. Either goes together with little hassle - and even a novice can anticipate good results. Inspired by the steaming pots of velvety vel·vet·y adj. vel·vet·i·er, vel·vet·i·est 1. Suggestive of the texture of velvet; soft and smooth: velvety skin. 2. hot chocolate at Cafe Angelina in Paris, this version has excellent flavor (Guittard is the bittersweet bittersweet, name for two unrelated plants, belonging to different families, both fall-fruiting woody vines sometimes cultivated for their decorative scarlet berries. chocolate used) - and just a hint of peppermint. The tin makes 12 cups. Just add the chocolate mixture to milk and simmer until melted. Top with a marshmallow marshmallow /marsh·mal·low/ (mahrsh´mel?o) (-mal?o) a perennial Eurasian herb, Althaea officinalis, or two or a little whipped cream, if desired. Yummy! Once the eggnog cake is baked, dust with powdered sugar or top with an easy Butter-Rum Glaze. The sandwich cookies are rich, delicious and irresistible. And for all those candy and coffee lovers, give the season's newest flavors of coffee barks. Italian roast coffee is blended into the mocha bark and layers of dark and white chocolate for the latte bark. Darker French roast coffee balances the richness of the pure dark chocolate in the espresso bark. All are topped with a sprinkling of crushed coffee beans. Guittard is the chocolate used in the barks, too. Williams-Sonoma stores also stock plenty of other food items ranging from mulling spices and bread mixes to olive oils, vinegars and caramel sauces (we love the Dulce de Leche Dulce de leche in Spanish, dolç de llet in Catalan, or doce de leite in Portuguese ("milk candy"), is a milk-based syrup. Found as both a sauce and a caramel-like candy, it is popular in Argentina. caramel sauce from Argentina at $8 a jar). Take your pick. AVAILABILITY: Williams-Sonoma stores (Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Sherman Oaks, Glendale Galleria and other locations around Los Angeles) PEPPERMINT BARK A 16-ounce tin of handmade candy; $9.95 GOURMET MACADAMIA macadamia (măk'ədā`mēə), name for the nut of the Macadamia ternifolia, an evergreen tree native to Australia, but cultivated in Hawaii. The nuts, also called Queensland nuts, are eaten roasted or raw. NUT POPCORN CLUSTERS A 20-ounce container of addictive popcorn; $3.99 SNOWBALL PRETZELS A 6-ounce container of mini pretzel balls covered with a white chocolate- flavored coating; $1.99. IMPORTED BELGIAN SEASHELLS A 7-ounce box of chocolate seashell See C shell. candies filled with hazelnut cream; $2.99. If you're on a budget and looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. some terrific food gift finds, head to Trader Joe's. These items are just a sampling of seasonal choices you'll find. For those not into sweets, there are plenty of savory choices as well - tapenades, pasta, barbecue and other sauces, oils, vinegars and much more. Make up a festive basket if you feel inclined. AVAILABILITY: Trader Joe's stores throughout the Valley and Los Angeles areas. Natalie Haughton, (818) 713-3692 natalie.haughton(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 11 photos Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE DIPPED AND DECORATED COOKIES - A gold box of nine white and dark chocolate dipped cookies are decorated with red, green and white sprinkles and icing Santas, stockings, wreaths, ornaments, etc. Other styles, colors and designs available. From Good Fortunes, Canoga Park, $17 plus shipping and handling (or pick up your order); call (800) 644-9474 to order or go to www.goodfortunes.com. ``VERY MAPLE SYRUP,'' by Jennifer Trainer Thompson (Celestial Arts; $5.95) is a charming mini 80-page cookbook with many tempting-sounding recipes like Baked Brie With Maple Syrup Glaze, Maple-Sweet Potato Biscuits, Maple Glazed Ham and more. A good stocking stuffer, look for it at bookstores. ZYLISS SAUCE WHISK - A 10-inch-long stainless whisk that's great for sauces, eggs, gravies, roux Roux , Pierre Paul Émile 1853-1933. French bacteriologist. His work with the diphtheria bacillus led to the development of antitoxins to neutralize pathogenic toxins. , custards, puddings and more. Ergonomically designed for rotating motion, it's easy to use and clean as the wires don't cross at the top; suggested retail $7.99. Available at Linens 'n Things stores or www.amazon.com. (2) GOURMET CAT PLATES (3) ISI HALF-PINT CREAM WHIPPER (4) MOKA EASY (5) GINGERBREAD HOUSE (6) BLUE ORKA SILICONE OVEN MITT (7) CABARET DESSERT CHOCOLATES (8) GIGANTIC HOLIDAY FORTUNE COOKIE WITH A PERSONALIZED MESSAGE INSIDE or SMALL HOLIDAY FORTUNE COOKIES (9) ZYLISS SAFETY RAIL-GUIDED MANDOLINE (10) COFFEE BARK TRIO, PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE, TRIPLE CHOCOLATE DREAMS, AUTHENTIC BUNDT HOLIDAY EGGNOG CAKE MIX (11) PEPPERMINT BARK, GOURMET MACADAMIA NUT POPCORN CLUSTERS, SNOWBALL PRETZELS, IMPORTED BELGIAN SEASHELLS Photos by Tina Burch/Staff Photographer |
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