Seasons Eatings!

Seasons Eatings!

Tis the season for giving and receiving - for us foodies, that means gourmet gifts! Here are some of my personal favorite gourmet treats; perfect little presents to send to your foodie friends/family or to include as part of your own gift basket creation.

Chocolates

There are so many wonderful chocolate companies out there, but here are my recommendations:

Vosges Chocolates - Amazing and even unusual chocolate treats. Try the Naga Bar, a deep chocolate with Indian curry spices and coconut milk. Mo's Bacon Chocolate Bar has the perfect combination of sweet and savory. The Barcelona Bar is another one of my favorites, featuring sea salt and hickory smoked almonds. Vosges also has a line of unique truffles and other filled chocolates. Check out their website for pre-made gift packages, or you can find them in your favorite specialty food store and some grocery stores such as Whole Foods.

Lindt Chocolates - Always delicious with a wonderful creamy mouth-feel, Lindt is an old stand-by worth having for the first time or the hundredth time. I've been to many food shows featuring expensive chocolates from all over the world, and Lindt, while inexpensive, still stands up to the competition. I personally love the 70% dark chocolate bar with sea salt. For those of you who are nostalgic for "Chunky" candy bars, Lindt makes a similar (and much more upscale) chocolate bar with hazelnuts and raisins. You can find Lindt nearly everywhere: in grocery stores, or one of their stand-alone shops. You can also order online - check out their array of pre-made gift boxes and baskets.

Fran's Chocolates and Caramels - It's no wonder this company has won so many awards for their chocolate sea-salt caramels, they are to die for! I have not personally eaten their chocolate dipped figs, but they look delicious and I cannot wait to try them. Fran's has beautiful gift sets and a variety of seasonal treats for the holidays including milk and dark chocolate Santas.

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - Delicious handmade chocolates in every price range. I especially love their chocolate dipped sea-salted caramels. You can find these in some specialty food stores (check the site for locations) or order online.

Green and Black's - If you're looking for delicious organic chocolate treats that melt in your mouth (I've found that some organic chocolates are a bit chalky), Green and Black's is one of the best. This socially-responsible company offers delicious, relatively affordable chocolate bars with interesting additions such as toffee, mint, ginger, espresso, and hazelnut/currant (one of my personal favorites).

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates - For any vegans on your gift list, Sjaak's makes milk-free dark chocolate treats in a range of flavors such as mint, ginger, and raspberry. They also offer chocolate dipped nuts and toffee. These delights are all ethically made and reasonably priced - plus they can gift wrap your purchase when you order online.

Condiments

I'll admit it, I'm a condiment junkie. My pantry is overloaded with an astonishing array of jams, jellies, salsas, chutneys, spreads, and sauces. I love the versatility of condiments, and your loved ones will too. You can eat them on plain crackers or chips or use them as ingredients in your own creations. The following would made great additions to any gift basket.

Organic Dalmatia Spreads - A jar of quince, fig, olive, sour cherry, red pepper, or plum spread with a wedge of creamy cheese (try d'affinois, brie, st. andre, or your favorite goat) makes a thoughtful and delicious gift. Their original and orange fig spreads are two of my favorites. You can find them in many supermarkets such as Whole Foods and Wegmans, and in specialty food stores. Their online shop is coming soon. 

Stonewall Kitchen - I admit, I might be slightly obsessed with this company! Choose from spreads, dips, sauces, syrups, dressings, and baking mixes to mix and match in your own gift basket, or try one of their beautifully packaged pre-arranged gift sets. Check out the Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) line of dessert mixes and toppings. I've seen their products in upscale grocery stores, specialty food shops, and Williams Sonoma. Right now they are having an online sale on many holiday themed condiment sets!

Sarabeth's Kitchen - Try their delicious line of award-winning jams, spreadable fruits, jellies, and baking mixes. The apricot-orange marmalade is one of my favorites, great on toast or crackers, mixed with cream cheese, or even as a sauce-starter for a chicken or pork dish. Sarabeth's website is full of gift ideas, including many sampler sets.

Earth and Vine Provisions - Once again I must rave about these lovely products - they are one of my all time favorites. Earth and Vine offers everything from jams, jellies, and fruit butters to olive oils, dressings, mustards, and chutneys. Check out their gift sets with themes like Mustard Lovers, California Sunshine Citrus, and Holiday Condiments. The beautiful packaging is sure to please anyone on your holiday list.

Cheese and Crackers

A unique cheese and a box of elegant crackers makes a great addition to any gift basket. The following cheese and cracker combos would also pair nicely with the condiments listed above.

Creamy 

d'Affinois - This brie-like cow's milk cheese has a rich, buttery texture and a slightly sweet aftertaste. A sure crowd pleaser.
Robiola Due Latte - Creamy cheese made from a blend of cow and sheep's milk with a slightly nutty, mushroomy flavor. 
Champignon German Brie with Mushrooms - A creamy, mild cow's cheese with pieces of handpicked champignon mushrooms embedded inside.

Goat

Cypress Grove Farms Chevre - This company offers a variety of delicious, responsibly farmed goat cheeses. Their Midnight Moon, Humboldt Fog, and Truffle Tremor are some of my favorite goat cheeses not just by Cypress Grove but by any company!
eRolling Stone Chevre - Their Chevre with dried cranberries and walnuts is available from October to January and is a festive goat cheese for the holidays. Also try their unique chevre with anise and lavender for those with more adventurous palates!

Stronger-Flavored 

Rogue Creamery - Rogue offers bold blue cheeses like the Caveman Blue, a complex cheese which is at the same time sweet and pungent with slight vanilla notes; some describe is as a bit grassy. They also make a delicious Gorgonzola-style cheese.
Point Reyes Blue Cheese - A great, socially-conscious company featuring sustainable, handmade cheeses. The Original Blue is my favorite, tangy and flavorful without the ammonia aftertaste of some strong Blue's. The cheeses are quite pricey on their website, but you can find them in any upscale market or grocery store for less.
Gorgonzola Dolce - Creamy and soft cow's milk cheese has a nice, spreadable texture which is lovely on a cracker drizzled with truffle honey. I like to stuff it inside soft dates and press a candied pecan on top - try bringing a tin of these appetizers to your holiday dinner parties.
English Stilton Cheeses - Stilton's are popular blue cheeses with rich yet mellow flavors and a hint of tang. They are available with a variety of additives such as apricot, ginger, mango, and cranberry.

Huntsman - Alternating layers of cheddar and blue cheeses make for a bold flavor combination. Delicious with fruit or red wine.

Sottocenere with Truffles - An Italian cow's milk cheese with flakes of truffle. Aromatic, salty, yet mellow. I like to grate it over scrambled eggs or quiche, but it's interesting flavor shines best on its own. 

*Here's a helpful site for any stricter vegetarians on your gift list: Vegetarian Cheeses.
Each is made with vegetable rennet (enzymes from plants, fungis, or molds) instead of animal rennet (which is most often taken from calf stomachs)*

Crackers

There are so many different crackers on the market these days. Here are a few that pair especially well with the upscale cheeses and condiments above - treat yourself or your loved ones for the holidays! 

Rosemary flavored crackers like Whole Foods brand Sea Salt and Rosemary Crostini and The Fine Cheese Co. Rosemary Crackers are particularly delicious with creamier cheeses and condiments such as fig jam or quince paste. Also try them with my Fig and Kalamata Olive Jam.

The Kitchen Table Bakers, personal acquaintances of mine, make delicious (and gluten-free) crackers crafted purely from cheese. Delicious on their own, but the flavor comes out best when topped with a sweet jam or fresh fruit. Check their website to find a vendor near you.

Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps - Ethically made, artisan crackers chock full of dried fruits and nuts. Try the Rosemary Raisin Pecan crisps with almost any cheese!

Daelia's Biscuits for Cheese - Similar to the Raincoast Crisps, these all-natural crackers are crunchy with the perfect touch of sweet fruit. Made specifically to compliment upscale cheese, these can be found in Whole Foods across the country.

Ines Rosales Sweet Olive Tortas - Almost a cookie, almost a cracker, these thin, crispy rounds are available in three varieties: plain, rosemary, and sesame-sea salt. They are delicious and unusual, I've never found anything quite like it. A hit on any appetizer tray! 

John Macy's Cheese Sticks- Always a favorite! These are lovely on their own or dipped into mustard, fondue, or jam. You can even wrap them in prosciutto for a quick appetizer. Watch out - they are addictive. Melyssa recently ate an entire box in one night!

*I found all these crackers and cheeses at my local Whole Foods market, but they are widely available at quality supermarkets or specialty food stores. Murray's Cheese is a great website for purchasing or just learning about interesting, upscale cheeses. If you live in the New York metro area, it's worth a visit to one of their physical stores, one on Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village and the other in Grand Central terminal.