Perfect Gifts for Foodies
Shopping for a food lover can be difficult task, but "Early Show" contributor Katie Lee was undaunted, as she found some of the best gifts out there that any foodie would eat up!
From fun stocking stuffers to counter top beer taps, she's covered them all:
(The following descriptions were prepared, at least in part, with information provided by the manufactures or retailers)
FOODIE STOCKING STUFFERS
Vacu Vin Party People Glass Markers
One-of-a-kind glass markers keep cocktail confusion to a minimum. Easily mark each guest's drink with one of 12 different and unique figures that attach themselves to any smooth surface with a suction cup. Markers come in a variety of vibrant colors. $7, Surlatable.com
Sur La Table Garlic Choppers
Just add cloves and shake. A unique weighted-blade mechanism evenly minces garlic in seconds. Clear base lets you view progress and features a handy insert for lifting minced garlic out and transferring to a waiting pan. Durable plastic, die-cast zinc and stainless steel. Comes apart easily for quick cleanup. $13, Surlatable.com
Bottle Freaker
Stop the bottle sweats with the Bottle Freaker! These sleeves fit any size bottle: wine, beer, soda, water, whatever - and will help keep its contents cold or hot. One size fits all. $12, Gypsywagon.com
Wacky Kitchen Timers
Egg timers are out! That lame-o digital magnetic timer is not adding to your style either. It's time to add these playful kitchen timers, done up like shiny, mini-versions of toasters, coffee pots, and more. $12, GypsyWagon.com
Whisky Rocks
More gentle than ice, Whisky Rocks are used to cool down your favorite booze just enough to take the edge off without diluting its perfectly balanced flavors. Each set comes with nine non-porous natural soapstone cubes. Use three to a glass and start rockin'. $24, GypsyWagon.com
FOR THE VEGAN FOODIE
Purely Elizabeth Cookie Mixes
We've ditched the traditional cookie ingredients- eggs, white flour and white sugar- and replaced them with the highest quality, nutritious counterpart (hello vegan chocolate chips, organic almond flour, organic chia seeds + organic coconut palm sugar). The result, soft-baked, chewy cookies loaded with nutrition and packed with superb flavor. You'll forget they're actually healthy! Purely sinful, without the sin. P.S. Feel free to skip the baking and eat the cookie dough straight out of the bowl (no salmonella poisoning here) $9, PurelyElizabeth.com; Abe'sMarket.com
Blueberry Muffin Mix
Our blueberry muffins combine premium whole grain flours and superfood seeds for a unique, moist texture on the inside and a crisp chewy outside. Rich, flavorful and bursting with added fresh blueberries. Each bite overflows with oven-fresh yummyness. Just the way nature intended. Purely satisfying.
Made with all natural, organic and gluten-free nutritious ingredients, including: millet flour, an ancient grain high in B vitamins; coconut flour, rich in fiber and protein and low in carbohydrates; almond flour, high in vitamin e and magnesium; flax seed, hemp seed and chia seeds- superfoods providing excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein. $8, PurelyElizabeth.com
FOR THE COFFEE ADDICT
Bodum 'Bistro' Coffee Grinders
Get the best flavor from your coffee beans by grinding just before brewing. Compact design features a transparent lid, so it's easier to get the perfect grind for the freshest possible brew. Stainless-steel blades. Cord stores in base. $20, Surlatable.com
Sip-Of-Nectar Mug
Freshly brewed beverages taste a little bit sweeter in the stoneware cup, painted with a pop of fresh posies. Dishwasher and microwave safe. $12, Anthropologie.com
Fresh Coffee Beans
When you're giving you coffee loving friend their new coffee grinder, give them something to grind! Pick up a one pound bag of their favorite beans, so every time they grind, they'll think of you!
For plenty more ideas, go to Page 2.
FRESHLY-BAKED GIFTS
Sant Ambroeus Panettone
The Sant Ambroeus Panettone is a sweet, dome shaped, loaf bread filled with candied orange, citron, and lemon zest as well as raisins. The Sant Ambroeus Panettone is 2 pounds and can serve up to 8 people. $36, Santambroeus.com
Three Months of Croissants!
Now you can savor freshly made croissants warm from the oven anytime. Once a month for three months, we'll deliver Chef Jean-Yves Charon's authentic croissants to your door. The puff pastry is prepared in the traditional style, using butter and ultrathin layers of yeast dough, laboriously folded and refolded, cut and shaped by hand.
Preparing them is simple: After the frozen croissants thaw, let them rise, then bake and voilà: warm flaky croissants.
Month 1: A dozen butter croissants will be delivered between December 14th and 24th
Month 2: 12 chocolate croissants filled with premium Callebaut chocolate will be delivered between January 4th and 14th.
Month 3: 18 mini butter croissants will be delivered between February 1st and 11th. $99, Williams-Sonoma.com
FOR THE SWEET TOOTH
Homemade Treats
Holiday shopping is a challenge. Stores are crowded; people are stressed and rude…not exactly the spirit of the season. Save yourself the hassle (and money) and make these gifts at home. Your friends will love them way more than anything with a price tag.
Orange Poppy-Seed Pound Cake
This cake is an indulgent treat! I like to give a box of tea along with it. Here's my recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
6 large eggs
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch-by-5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and poppy seeds. In another bowl, use an electric mixer on medium to beat the butter, sugar, orange zest, and extract until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time. Turn the mixer to low, and add the flour mixture, beating until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake until the cake is golden, about 50 minutes. Cool completely before wrapping.
Chocolate Chip and Dried Cranberry Cookie Mix in a Jar
Perfect for the baking-challenged friend. Print the instructions on a card, and attach. Again, my recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
2/3 cup brown sugar
8 ounces chocolate chips
METHOD:
In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then add the granulated sugar, cherries, flour mixture, brown sugar, and chocolate chips to a jar in layers. Seal the jar, and tie with a ribbon.
Attach this recipe to the jar:
To make cookies: Preheat oven to 375°F. Using an electric mixer, beat 1 stick of room-temperature butter until creamy. Add 2 eggs and1teaspoon vanilla. Stir in cookie mix. Drop by the tablespoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until golden. Cool. Makes 36 cookies.
Custom and Holiday Themed Ice Cream & Gelato Flavors
Send the sweetest of personalized gifts! Create your own unique ice cream or gelato flavor by selecting the cream base consistency (sorbetto, gelato, or premium ice cream), flavor combinations (from avocado to nutmeg to 6 varieties of chocolate) and the mix-ins (from basil to raspberries to walnut brownies). Personalize your custom creation by selecting packaging and naming your pints.
Holiday Ice Cream Super Sampler:
"Season's Eatings!" - Chocolate Cocoa Ice Cream with Marshmallows
"Sweetest of Holiday Wishes!" - Eggnog
"Holly Jolly Hazelnut" - Hazelnut
"Mmmerry Christmas Cream" - White Chocolate Ice Cream with Peppermint and Chocolate Chips. Starting at $50, eCreamery.com
FOR THE "FRESH AND CLEAN" FOODIE
Eco-Conscious Soaps and Creams
Enriched with pure essential oils and specially formulated using plant extracts, our gentle, all-natural soaps and creams are created especially for cooks. Subtly scented to clean and moisturize without transferring fragrance to food as you cook, all of our earth-friendly products are completely biodegradable and cruelty-free. From $14, Surlatable,com
Re-Charge Black Pepper Body Wash
Get ready for an aromatic adventure. Our spicy bodywash is steeped in Madagascan black peppercorn oil to reawaken your energy banks when you most need it, leaving your skin feeling warmed up and ready for action. A seasonal favorite. $28, MoltonBrown.com
Re-Charge Black Pepper Bodyscrub Bar
Our exfoliating soap bar is packed with Madagascan black pepper oil and cracked peppercorns to add serious spice to bathing. This deeply cleanses and smoothes the skin. $22, MoltonBrown.com
Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod Bath & Shower
Feel the flush. Resonating with warm pink pepperpods from the Gulf of Guinea, our brand new ultra feminine bodywash cleanses your skin, helps to protect it from environmental pollutants and reawakens your energy banks. Spiced aromatic oils of African ginger, patchouli and Reunion Island pink pepper help to lift your spirits and line your path to paradise. Matching body lotion and bathing milk available. $28, MoltonBrown.com
Forf gifts for wine and beer lovers, go to Page 3.
FOR THE WINE LOVER
Ravi Wine Chiller
Instantly chill your wine from room temperature to its ideal serving temperature. Wine is cooled within seconds, just as it's being served. Ravi has an internal tube made of the same stainless steel used in fermentation tanks, so the wine's characteristics and taste are left unchanged.
Simply place Ravi in the freezer for six hours before using. The shell works like a cooler and is designed to cool a full bottle of wine being served within one hour. Ravi easily fits onto the neck of your wine bottles and can be used with red, white and rosé wine.
A great accessory for picnics, parties or even just chilling a bottle that has sat on the table too long. Includes free wine thermometer. $40, Surlatable.com
Peugeot Rechargeable Electric Wine Opener Set
Leave it to the French to devise an elegant, ultrafast method for opening a single bottle of wine - or an entire case. Perfect for entertaining, Peugeot's efficient cordless wine opener removes corks in a matter of seconds. Faster and easier to use than manual corkscrews. Fits any size bottle and performs equally well with natural and synthetic corks. Compact, lightweight and simple to use. Simply position the opener over the bottle and press a button: the precision corkscrew effortlessly extracts and releases the cork. Plugs into a convenient electric transformer (included) for recharging. Uses one 12-volt rechargeable battery (included). Includes a foil cutter, two pouring spouts and a handsome black storage case. $100, Williams-Sonoma.com
Sock Monkey Wine Sleeve
A great gift item for the oenophile on your list. Nostalgic sock monkey covers any standard-size wine bottle and is made from an all-American red-heel sock. Perfect for reds, whites and champagnes, fun monkey wine sleeve is great for holiday parties. $10, Surlatable.com
Handlebar Moustache Corkscrew
The 'stache is back! Only this time, it's not just a fashion statement. It's also a finely crafted corkscrew and bottle opener. Beverage containers are no match for the sheer power of a manly moustache! $14, Gypsywagon.com
FOR THE BEER LOVER
Krups BeerTender
Pour a perfectly chilled draught with this tabletop beer system designed to tap a five-liter Heineken mini keg. Silent, built-in Peltier cooling element; patented internal carbon technology keeps contents fresh for up to 30 days. LCD display indicates volume and temperature settings. Heavy-duty plastic and chrome. Includes three disposable beer tubes (additional tubes sold separately with mini keg.) $100, CrateAndBarrel.com