Archive for the ‘Gourmet’ Category
If you’re used to thinking of gift baskets as cheap woven containers of semi-fresh fruit, you may be interested to discover just how creative gift baskets have become. There’s something for everyone, and it’s not even limited to food items.
FOR GOLFING FANATICS:
Got a client who loves to golf? Get him or her a golf-themed gift basket. Most include some gourmet treats, perfect for snacking on the green. But many of them also include great accessories, such as a putting cup, club cleaner, tee, ball marker, towel or golf club brush. The food may be gone by the end of the day, but the accessories will stick around, and remind your business associate of you.
FOR GARDENERS:
Most gardener gift baskets have a bit of a feminine theme, but many are neutral. Some include food, and most include accessories and tools like gardening gloves, seed packets, gardening tools, hand and nail cream.
FOR SPA AND AROMATHERAPY ENTHUSIASTS:
You’ll find a terrific variety of spa, beauty and aromatherapy gift baskets available. Go with a scent theme, or choose one that includes soothing teas. Accessories can include such items as: wooden massager, back scrubber or soft hand towel.
FOR EVERYBODY:
You can never go wrong with groumet food and drink gift baskets – not with so many to choose from! If an elaborate, expensive champagne and caviar basket is outside your budget, go for simple with Shari’s Berries, or a single bottle of Dom Perignon with some chocolate dipped apricot. These combinations are far more affordable, but speak just as eloquently to your good taste, which people will want to associate themselves with.
Here’s some sweet news: people all over the country can still enjoy that crown jewel of New Orleans, the King Cake, this Mardi Gras season.
For those who don’t know, a King Cake is an oval-shaped bakery delicacy-a cross between a coffee cake and a French pastry that is as rich in history as it is in flavor. It’s decorated in royal colors or Purple for Justice, Green for Faith and Gold for Power: These colors were chosen to represent a jeweled crown honoring the wise men who brought gifts to the Christ Child on the Epiphany. A tiny plastic baby is hidden inside. Whoever gets the piece with the prize is named “King for a day.”
Some of the most popular King cakes are those created in New Orleans at the famous Randazzo’s Camellia City Bakery. Despite the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the store recently reopened its doors and took part in a special program with DHL to bring a taste of home to displaced New Orleanians, residents and others for Mardi Gras.
Explained Tricia Zornes, owner of Randazzo’s, “Continuing local traditions like Mardi Gras helps revitalize the New Orleans economy, improves morale and shows the world that we can rebuild and re-establish the culture that has made New Orleans special.”
To help the rebuilding and celebrate the reopening, shipping company DHL developed a festive, co-branded shipping box, specially designed to open from the top to protect the rich icing and traditional shape. In addition, according to Zornes, the shipper’s sales representative offered his own time and effort to rebuilding the bakery after nearly everything was lost, from the valuable baking equipment to the building itself. “In addition to helping us create a new distribution process, he went beyond the call of duty in offering to help paint, or do any odd jobs that would help us get up and running quickly,” said Zornes.
“DHL has been committed to leveraging its resources to support disaster relief and long-term reconstruction along the Gulf Coast, and is now pleased to be able to support the private sector in rebuilding their businesses and their livelihoods,” said Kay Hart, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, DHL Americas.
In Italy, stylish dining has long been embraced as a relaxing way to unwind after a busy day. So before you order takeout and eat in front of the television, take a cue from the Italians and make each meal a treat.
Whether dining alone, with family or with your closest friends, turn an otherwise hurried meal into a chic expression of style with these tips from Ecco Domani Italian wines.
* Determine the décor. Whether you are dining at the kitchen table or in a more formal setting, it’s easy to add some pizzazz to your surroundings. Candles cast a warm glow once the sun goes down. Strands of small lights also enhance the mood; string them around the room or even bunch them in a Mason jar for a funky tabletop display.
* Master the art of mood music. Mellow jazz will help take the edge off a long day, and classical music can help lift your mood. Consider tailoring the music around the type of cuisine you are serving. For an Italian meal, for instance, play an assortment of Italian opera.
If you’re dining with family or friends, get them involved by inviting them to bring their favorite CDs. Set your disc player to shuffle so that everyone’s music selection gets played during the meal.
* Create a stylish menu. To help you unwind, it’s best to keep your meal simple. Luckily, delicious meals are a snap to make with fresh, easy-to-prepare foods. And you can add flair to any basic dish with just a few additions.
For an Italian meal, a tomato, basil and mozzarella salad is always a crowd-pleaser. Drizzle chicken and fish with olive oil and lemon for a fresh, light flavor. And dust colorful veggies with Italian seasonings to bring out their natural flavors.
Whatever your menu, be sure to select a delicious wine to accompany the meal. Ecco Domani 2003 Pinot Grigio is a perfect wine for everyday dining because of its crisp, fresh flavor, which pairs perfectly with today’s light cuisine.
It is easy to infuse any setting with glamour by adding a few small touches. In the end, nothing says style like taking the time to make each meal special. – NU