Penzey’s Spices
Penzey’s Spices in Chestnut Hill is a culinary play land, with over 250 inexpensive spices, herbs and seasonings to choose from. Create-your-own gift box or choose from several ready-made. Like the Indian Curry (Maharajah Curry Powder, Punjabi Garam Masala, Tandoori Seasoning, Balti Seasoning) or the Grill and Broil (BBQ 3000, Jerk Chicken and Fish Seasoning, Galena Street Rib Rub, Northwoods Seasoning). Four pack varieties start at $11.95; eight packs available too. Click here for online ordering.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home
A handful of natural foods stores in the Philadelphia region carry Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in amazing flavors like Goat Cheese with Cognac Figs, Brambleberry Crisp and Bangkok Peanut. Now you can make these incredible treats yourself, with her new cookbook, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home. A visual feast for the eyes, this is the guide for making frozen treats with inventive and even savory ingredients. There’s even a chapter on macaroon ice cream sandwiches. $13.32 on Amazon.
Garces Trading Company Macaroons
Speaking of macaroons, Philadelphia’s Garces Trading Company is festively packaging their seasonal macaroons this year. You can order these beautiful meringue-like cookies in the following flavors: Caramel, Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Huckleberry, Apple and Pumpkin Spice. In-store pick-up only. $18 for one dozen.
Chef’n Garlic Zoom
Here’s a fun “toy” for the cook’s stocking – the Chef’n Garlic Zoom, an effortless way to chop fresh garlic. Pop in a clove of garlic and close the lid. Zoom this little contraption on wheels across the countertop and the stainless steel blades inside chop the cloves into perfectly uniform pieces. $9.99 online or at our local Kitchen Kapers stores.
Citrus Juicers
Citrus juicers may not be brand new, but they’re a life-changing tool. If your mom is still struggling with an old fashioned juicer, please go buy her one of these. These cast-iron squeezers at the King of Prussia Sur La Table turn citrus halves inside out, effortlessly pressing out every last drop of juice, leaving behind the seeds and pulp. $13 – $16 for lime, lemon and orange varieties. (Buy the lemon and it works well for limes too.)
Four-Part Salt Taster
Terrain at Styer’s offers an array of culinary gifts like a four-part salt taster. A great gift for those who want to go beyond kosher, this includes two ounces each of brittany gray, pacific sea, Hawaiian coral and alder smoked sea salt, packaged in a hinged steel wallet ($14). And while you’re there, why not pick up a maple syrup sampler, scotch caramel sauce or this classic mason jar shaker set?
Ball’s Canning Discovery Kit
Buy yourself a Ball’s canning discovery kit, available near the produce sections at local Wegmans stores. Impress friends and family by making and gifting your own sauce, jam or pickled vegetables. We cooked up spiced pumpkin butter from our garden’s massive neck pumpkins –it’s easier than is looks. $13.99 for the kit; jars are extra. Here’s a book on home preserving to get started.
T&E Care Gift Basket
Lastly, you love to shop for others, right? So when buying for friends and family consider putting together a food basket for a local family in need. T&E Care is a fantastic local non-profit organization assisting families in Tredyffrin and Easttown townships. Adopt a family – or just one item – from the 2011 holiday drive. The deadline is December 11, but there are still family wishes to be fulfilled!
