Best Food Gifts - 2007

[llc45]

I am looking for some food gifts for a few friends that would really appreciate something special. I was thinking of thisbourbon maple syrup that I found last year but see it is already sold out. Any suggestions?

[Toliver]

You could always make your own:

"Artisanal" Christmas Prezzies, What are you making?

[Megan Blocker]

I'm doing homemade brioche loaves this year, along with Bonne Maman jams. Not the easiest to ship, but it's all for local folks!

Gourmet had a whole section on food gifts in their November issue, some of which looked awfully tasty and neat. (Not online, though .)

[lcdm]

What about spices? Penzeys carries some great stuff.

[k43]

I like and often give Harry & David Royal Riviera (i.e., Comice) pears. Their order fulfillment is first class.

Greenberg smoked turkeys are excellent, but the smoke flavor is VERY strong. Give the smallest one you can order.

Spices seem tacky to me, but you could give a container of fleur de sel from Zabars or SaltWorks, which is sufficiently expensive, in addition to being wonderful.

My wife, being Swedish, likes the Viking Smoked Sea Salt -- very heavy smoked flavor and crunchy, cubic crystals.

Salt Traders' Truffle & Salt is excellent, with a strong truffle flavor. It's also at Zabars, along with an equivalent Saffron & Salt combo.

[Carolyn Tillie]

I like and often give Harry & David Royal Riviera (i.e., Comice) pears.  Their order fulfillment is first class.

Greenberg smoked turkeys are excellent, but the smoke flavor is VERY strong.  Give the smallest one you can order.

Spices seem tacky to me, but you could give a container of fleur de sel from Zabars or SaltWorks, which is sufficiently expensive, in addition to being wonderful.

My wife, being Swedish, likes the Viking Smoked Sea Salt -- very heavy smoked flavor and crunchy, cubic crystals.

Salt Traders' Truffle & Salt is excellent, with a strong truffle flavor.  It's also at Zabars, along with an equivalent Saffron & Salt combo.

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Interesting that spices seem tacky to you whereas Harry and David seems tacky to me -- but then again, I live in California where fresh fruit is abundant and the concept of mail-ordering fruit is alien.

Within this vein, it is important to determine where your giftees are, geographically. As depicted above, somebody sending me fruit would be somewhat laughed at whereas there are things I can't get here in California like huckleberry products which are a Pacific Northwest rarity.

[Octaveman]

I like to get exotic dried mushrooms for Xmas.

[Beanie]

Enstrom's Almond Toffee.

[Bueno]

I like to get exotic dried mushrooms for Xmas.

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I'm secure enough in my masculinity to say that you've clearly made someone a lucky woman.

[llc45]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I am thinking about maybe combining a few to make up baskets. I am still having a hard time giving up on the bourban maple syrup though, I've been planning on this being a big part of my gifts since I found the site last year right after the holidays. Maybe next year!

[Octaveman]

That syrup would make for an interesting gift basket item. Sold out though. If you can't get it then a high grade maple syrup would be good choice too. I was in Vermont a few years ago and stopped at a roadside store. Got me a gift box containing 4 ounces each of the different grades of syrup. Some of it I used on waffles, french toast, etc. but other grades I cooked with. Interesting to see the differences.

Bueno, I can't let a statement like that go unreplied. So, um, thanks (?).