Gourmet Gift Giving Guide
Edible Treats for the Gourmand on your list this holiday season
Nov 26, 2008
Top picks from Food Trends to make gift giving as sweet as can be this holiday season.
There is a dizzying array of wonderful, elegant edible gifts for the gourmand in your family or circle of friends this holiday season. To narrow down the choices, Food Trends went on a fact-finding mission to taste the way so that shopping becomes as easy as a few clicks of a keyboard.
Exotic Edibles:
- Kitchen Guru’s Tikka Masala- this British based company offers a wonderful selection of spice packets that are sealed for freshness. The Tikka Masala listed here is for chicken, and you simply follow the recipe inside the flap of the packet, peel off the corresponding carton and cook your way to a heady aroma of cumin, red chili powder and cardamom. You add the fresh ingredients and take a bow when dinner guests laud your culinary prowess. (Serves four).
- Pink Himalayan Salt Grinder- from Drogheria & Alimentari - pink-hued salt harvested from the Himalayan Mountains that’s 100% natural and rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and iron. It’s the perfect finishing salt and its natural blush of pink a very attractive addition in any kitchen.
Pantry Pleasures:
- Brunet’s Blackberry Preserves with Fine Cognac- (375 g for $10.95 CDN). Small batch-made French preserves made using sun-ripened fruit infused with cognac render this the ideal waffle or toast topper, ice cream show-stopper or ideal accompaniment to foie gras if you’re guests are worthy of such delights.
- Spanish ArteOliva extra-virgin olive oils are cold-pressed in the company’s modern Cordova factory and packed in enviro-friendlyTetra Brick containers. A blend of several Spanish olive varieties, including Hojiblanca, Picual and Arbequina, ArteOliva is ideal as a finishing oil. If it’s good enough for famed French Chef Georges Blanc’s restaruants, it’s good enough for any discerning foodie on your gift list!
- Florence, Italy based Drogheria & Alimentari make a beautiful Fig and Balsamic Vinegar Glaze that’s sure to delight. Used as a sauce, drizzled over roasted meats, risotto, and grilled tuna or as a dessert topping, these glazes start with the finest vinegar of Modena which are reduced to a thick, luscious glaze that maintains the key ingredient’s balsamic flavour. The Fig Balsamic Glaze uses Italian figs (150ml for $11.95)- a special flourish for any holiday entertaining or hostess gift. Other flavours include a classic Balsmic glaze, Black Cherry, Orange Glaze, and Berry Balsamic glaze. That’s one lucky risotto!
- Royal Command Honeys- from lavender, acacia, orange blossom to chestnut flower, these honeys are elegant, refined and almost too good for a cup of tea. Perfect drizzled on a warm scone with cream or a golden piece of buttered toast. If you’re feeling generous, you might drop a spoonful into your tea.
Sweet Endings:
- Cocoa Delices Chocolaterie Chocolates and Nougats are carefully crafted in Quebec, according to the company owner’s exclusive recipes, using quality ingredients in small batches. These are some of the very best nougats sampled outside of Europe! Nougat flavours include: a stunning Rose Petal, Pistachio and delicate Almond/Apricot along with a selection of Nougat squares infused with: Lavender, Mandarin, Banana and Pistachio. The chocolates are luxurious and wonderfully imaginative with flavours ranging from Habanos: a Mango Habanero chili blend, Mango mint Coriandre and the Tempete- a Vanilla Ginger Rum that’s reminiscent of Caribbean nights along a palm-tree lined beach. Unique and fabulous- these won’t disappoint. To order, click on the link above or visit the shop in Montreal.
- Xoco Magic from Spain- fun and whimsical chocolate discs (or any shape you desire) printed with personalized notes. The perfect parting gift for any dinner guest. They even make chocolate invitations- how sweet is that? For more information call: +34-672-022-695 or +1-954-675-2434.
Note: Most of the above-listed products are available here from Canadian owned The Qualifirst Group and customers receive free shipping with $75 minimum purchase with delivery in three to five business days to 11 major Canadian cities across Canada or a $15 shipping rebate to other areas in Canada. Cities with free delivery include: Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto (GTA/ Mississauga & Hamilton), Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax. Orders however, can be taken from the US as well.
The copyright of the article Gourmet Gift Giving Guide in Food Trends is owned by Mary Luz Mejia. Permission to republish Gourmet Gift Giving Guide in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
