12/19               #525           

HOLIDAY STOCKING STUFFERS

     This is a wonderful time of the year to be a cooking enthusiast.  Whether you’re dropping hints or shopping for a foodie, it’s not to hard to find ideas. Gadgets, equipment, and cookbooks are easy to find…but we don’t think anything is more fun than shopping at a quality grocery store for stocking stuffers. Here are a few ideas for items you might find at your favorite quality grocery store.

1.  Top of our list:  two great butters, Plugra ($3.50) and Vermont Cultured Butter ($4)

2.  Some sweet ideas:

Gourmet jams and jellies are always welcome…

Frank Cooper’s Vintage Oxford Marmalade (coarse cut Seville) $4

Taking honey one step further are honey butters  (English muffins)

Mrs. Weaver’s Specialty Honey Spread $6.50

Why settle for a cheap imitation?

McClure’s Pure Maple Syrup “Grade A Dark Amber” NH $20/qt.

3.  Something Savory

Barbecue and Steak Sauces

Smith & Wollensky Steak Sauce $6

Olive oils for dipping…very popular with artisanal breads  

Bella Familglia Dipping Oils (balsamic, garlic and chili, Italian herbs)     $10

Gourmet mustards

Temeraire Old-Fashioned Dijon Mustard (France)  < $4

Hot or savory sauces

Pickapeppa Sauce (Jamaica)  < $4

Wine based vinegars

Lucini Pinot Grigio Italian White Vinegar $10

Dal Raccolto Aged Chianti Red Wine Vinegar  >$5

4.  Something leave for Santa (or to have with a glass of milk while you’re decorating)

Walker’s Shortbread cookies “Royal Shortbread” (with chocolate) $8

Anna’s Thin Ginger Cookies $2

Pepperidge Farm Crème Filled Pirouettes (tin can)  $6

BACK TO RECIPE ARCHIVES