What to get the cook who has everything? Or the cook who lives in a small space? Not another gadget to clutter up the cupboard, surely. What about something edible? Something delicious? We've shared some edible treats in our budget-friendly roundup, but today we're hitting the splurges! Come along for some seriously spendy treats and some others that are actually within reach.
Some of these are just over-the-top eye poppers a fun browse in anticipation of that day you win the lottery and can shell out for caviar. Others, though, are smaller splurges that while still expensive justify the spend. Spend a little bit extra on a specialty oil or vinegar and your gift recipient can enjoy it all year long a little goes a long way.
SHEER DECADENCE
1 Bone-In Jamn Ibrico Ham by Fermn ($599) with Deluxe Solid Hardwood Ham Holder - 'Salamanca' ($890) - La Tienda. Jamn Ibrico de Bellota, from free-range, acorn-fed pigs raised in Spain, is supposedly the finest ham in the world, with a price to match!
2 Russian Osetra Caviar - 8 oz - $919.99, iGourmet. The finest Russian sturgeon caviar has a clean, crisp taste, and even when bought in quantities to serve 12, has a steep price per serving!
3 Alba Truffles - Fresh Winter White Truffles from Italy - Large Size - 2 oz each - $732, Gourmet Food Store. It's the season for white winter truffles from Italy, and I have to admit that they are pretty extraordinary. Their scent is powerful and aromatic, and it infuses everything it comes into contact with. (There are less expensive ways to get white truffle goodness, though read on to see...)
4 Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio-Emilia - Gold 100ml - $250.95, Formaggio Kitchen. The truly amazing balsamic vinegars of Emilia-Romagna have been aged for many years, developing flavor slowly and naturally (not through caramel coloring and sugar additions). This is a superb treat, but fortunately very good vinegars can still be had for much less.
5 1998 Krug "Clos du Mesnil" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne - $749, K&L Wine Merchants. Let's close this portfolio of high-end luxuries with the greatest one of all a really good Champagne. Delicious.
All right. Now, on to the rest of us 99% folks! Here are a few splurges that, while more than you're going to usually spend on a single grocery item, can justify themselves with pure pleasure or long-lasting practicality.
PRACTICAL LUXURIES
6 White Truffle Butter from Savini Tartufi - $58, Market Hall Foods. Oh this stuff is just splendid. Splurgey, yes, but lasts a surprisingly long time. Great on pasta and eggs, and just about everything else. It's 80% butter, 20% fresh white truffle and a dash of salt.
7 Smoked Olive Oil - $26.95, Williams-Sonoma. I know I rave on and on about this stuff, but it's so worth the price for this slender little bottle. It's the thing for the cook who already has everything. A touch of it deepens salad dressings and does wondrous things to potatoes and pasta.
8 Duck Magret and Confit Combo - $124.99, D'Artagnan. This is actually quite a generous package of duck goodness, combining 6 portions of duck breast Magret (the "steak" of duck!) which makes a gorgeous holiday meal, with 6 pieces of duck leg confit. Cook one and gift the other, or split up the duck legs into little freezer packages for fellow cook friends who know the value of a good piece of confit!
9 Nielsen-Massey Vanillas 1 Quart Mexican Mexican Vanilla Extract - $40.55, Amazon. Give your favorite baker a serious yearlong treat with a whole quart of this vanilla. It's so good spicy and rich.
10 Syrup Trio - $65, Dean & DeLuca. I love this trio of fig, ginger, and pine syrups, which are each unusual and long-lasting a gift for a friend to play around and experiment with in her kitchen.
What are your favorite food gift splurges? Any big ones on your wishlist this year?
More Gift Guides from The Kitchn
10 Useful & Inspiring Gifts for New Cooks
15 Hostess Gifts Under $15
15 Cookbooks from 2012 That Made Me Love Cooking More
15 Budget-Friendly Yet Indulgent Gifts for Home Cooks
10 Gifts for Coffee Lovers
For Your Kombucha-Addicted Friend: A Make-Your-Own Kombucha Kit
Buy Steaks, Lobster Tails and Gourmet Food Gifts Online Omaha Steaks You'll get free standard shipping to every address in your order that includes either The Tasteful Gift Combo (45776), the Yuletide Treasures (45263), the Holiday ... Top 10 Hot Spots In (Sunny) San Diego Food Republic San Diegos time is now! Literally. While its freezing everywhere else, its currently sunny and 70 degrees in San Diego. But its not just the weather that ... Canadian Living: Recipes & cooking advice. Crafts, health ... 120+ best gifts for the 2012 holiday season. From gifts for gourmets to treats for the tech savvy, our handy gift guide has suggestions for everyone on your list. Food & Drink - How To Information eHow.com Food & Drink: Don't let that next party be a flop. Be the envy of your friends thanks to eHow's entertaining secrets sure to make that next affair a success. Food is ... Amazon.com: Cuisinart FP-12DC Elite Collection 12-Cup Food ... Equipped with a 1000-watt peak-power motor, this convenient food processor quickly and easily slices, dices, chops, and purees, helping to reduce prep time in the ... Top 10 Mexican Spots in Playa del Carmen Food Republic Truly great Mexican food is oddly difficult to find in Playa del Carmen, the hub of Mexicos beautiful Riviera Maya. Theres a great (or at least very good ... Holidays & Celebrations - How To Information eHow.com Holidays & Celebrations: Christmas to Kwanza, Fourth of July to New Year's Eve, all the holiday information you could possibly need is right here. Visit our popular ... Follow Yahoo! Shopping Top 10 gadget gifts. When it comes to the holidays, gadgets perennially top people's wish lists and retailers are happy to oblige. Seminyak travel guide - Wikitravel Seminyak is a beach town in South Bali. Food on Shine - Yahoo! Shine - Women's Lifestyle Healthy Living ... Looking for something different to offer at this year's holiday party? Ditch the carton of eggnog and reach for your punch bowl instead. It's easy to whip up a ...
No comments:
Post a Comment