Here is an elegant meal or appetizer, that takes not more than minutes to whip up. Warm, rich and creamy, it is a great recipe to keep in mind for winter holidays. Serve it with crusty bread for soaking up the outrageously good sauce left behind, or serve the whole thing over pasta for a more substantial dish.
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The Kitchn.com recently had a great piece with a bunch of ideas for gift kits that include everything to make a new recipe or culinary project. From kimchi to ricotta to granola, the article suggests groupings of ingredients, instructions and any special container or tool.
I've done similar things for gifts through the years, and while usually a big hit, I also love giving a gift that gets my friend to learn, try or taste something new. But even better, what is so great about this gift idea is not that it is filled with expensive or hard to find items, but that you've simply done all of the organization and planning for them. Most of the items are right on the shelves of your food store, and can be easily obtained...even at this late date! And if you're not ordering it, or shipping it, you can be a little more liberal with perishable items, leaving the playing field wide open. Throw in a recipe card, cookbook, or utensil and you are a gift givin' fool. So here are a few of my own "kits" and ideas. Feel free to steal them. And please let me hear any ideas of your own in the comments. Vinaigrette Kit: Hazelnut Oil + Sherry Vinegar. I just gave this as a gift this weekend! This is one of my very favorite combinations for a vinaigrette, and I love introducing friends to it. Make your own combination. Throw in a snazzy pair of salad tongs. Risotto Kit: arborio rice + generous hunk of great parmesan + organic onions + dried porcini mushrooms + wooden spoon or dry white wine. For that special someone, splurge on a risotto pan Regional Kit: Head to a spice shop or ethnic grocer, particularly if you're in an urban area, and stock up on an intoxicating array of spices from one region or country or cuisine. Print out a few recipes or throw in a cookbook Oyster Kit: oyster knife Chocolate Covered Grape Kit: Gorgeous seedless grapes + unsweetened cocoa + great dark chocolate + this amazing recipe from Michel Richard Date in a Box! I just gave this as a first anniversary present!! A great bottle of champagne + fresh cherries + baguette + couple of great cheese + some charcuterie or fixin's for Shrimp Cocktail + chocolates. Or pick out your favorite recipe, sweet or savory, print up the recipe on a eye-catching card, gather up all easily transportable ingredients, stick a bow on it and voila! | ||||||||||||||||
![]() Forgotten Skills of Cooking: The Time-Honored Ways are the Best, by Darina Allen Stir by Barbara Lunch Inspired by Ingredients, by Bill Telepan The Flavor Bible, by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg The Fundamental Techniques of Classic Cuisine, from the French Culinary Institute Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, by Jeff Hertzberg MD and Zoe Francois | ||||||||||||||||
I just saw this great tutorial on Instuctables.com on how to make your own cookie cutters.
[caption id="attachment_928" align="alignnone" width="560" caption="photo by j_l_larson, on instructables.com"] ![]() [caption id="attachment_929" align="alignnone" width="560" caption="photo by j_l_larson, on instuctables.com"] ![]() Genius idea. Particularly for hard-to-shop-for-relatives-with-quirky-interests (you know who you are...). Make a cutter that suits them, whip up a batch of cookies, bundle up said cookies, and tie their custom cutter on top with a big shiny bow for their own future batches. Maybe even include a cookie recipe card if you are feeling particularly jolly. Thanks j_l_larson and instructables.com! | ||||||||||||||||
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