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Recipe Mutiny steals recipes from food blogs and recipe sites. Then we publish them. With credit (Naturally).
Thursday, December 6, 2018
How to Make Original Food Gifts Your Friends and Family Will Love
True story: Last year around the holidays I stumbled upon a recipe for homemade Irish cream at the awesome food blog Smitten Kitchen. It looked fun, easy, and delicious…and made a batch way bigger than I could possibly drink by all by myself. Luckily, the blog post solved that problem by suggesting decorative containers in order to divvy the cream into individual servings to distribute to family and friends.
“Hmmm” I thought. “I have some free time on Saturday. Maybe I’ll give this a try and hand out as a gift to my family next time I see them.”
So I ordered the cute mason-like jars, whipped up a pitcher of Irish cream, then delivered one to each person in a group of family and friends with a personalized note. I thought it would be fun.
Jelly Jar - Set of 6, $25.98 on Amazon
Always have the perfect jars on hand for homemade goodies!
They went NUTS.
No joke, the Irish cream was received better than most purchased gifts I had put hours and big money into buying. Yet this was a gift that just took nothing more than a few ingredients and a little bit of time and love. Over the next week I got a bevy of thank you texts and photos. The lucky recipients gushed over how much they loved the cream and how they used it, from drinking straight over ice to stirring in their morning coffee. I didn’t get such heartfelt thanks from the Chicago Bears gear I gave. And we’re serious Bears fans.
Why is that? While there’s often a lot of thought that goes into purchased gifts, something about homemade gifts tends to get a little extra appreciation: appreciation for the time, talent, and hard work that went into making it, and especially appreciation for the fact that the gift came from someone you know versus a factory. To put it another way: Between the ugly sweater that grandma knitted you and the one you got from Ugly Sweaters Inc, grandma’s sweater is still sitting in your drawer while the store-bought sweater was thrown in the donation pile long ago. It’s because no matter how ugly it is, it’s from grandma!
As the holiday season this year inches closer, I’ve been thinking of other types of homemade food gifts that my family and friends might enjoy more than a present I could order online. Like the Irish cream, delicious treats don’t necessarily require a baker’s skilled decorating hand or a ton of special equipment. It just takes some time, planning, and great presentation.
If you’re interested in creating your own homemade food gifts this year, below are a few suggestions to get you started, no special equipment needed. The key to making them memorable, though, comes down to a few simple guidelines:
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Go for originality—something you can’t find in the store or your recipients didn’t know could easily be made from scratch. Anyone can make chocolate chip cookies, but if you put in an exotic ingredient or decorate the tops with artfully arranged edible gold foil, your friends will be super impressed.
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Don’t do anything that has to be consumed immediately or will melt/harden/explode if not kept at a very specific temperature at all times. Perfected a molten chocolate lava cake? Impressive. Handing said lava cake to your boyfriend’s mom and yelling “You have to eat it NOW or else it will congeal!” will send her running from you in terror.
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Presentation is key. If you dump your treats in a plastic zip bag or something similarly disposable, it will look like you’re handing out leftovers from an impromptu kitchen session. I put the Irish cream in those great looking glass containers, wrapped them with multi-colored curly ribbon, and attached a small card like the kind you find on the rope handle of gift bags. Even better, the containers were reusable, which everyone appreciated. Find decorative cellophane bags, uniquely shaped containers, or a woven basket lined with colorful tissue paper to display your handiwork.
Smitten Kitchen
Ah, the recipe that started it all. This stuff is delicious, super fast to whip up, and can be made as boozy or non-boozy as you like. The hardest part is making sure that your cocoa paste is just the right texture or you get little bits of cocoa pieces that float around. Not that those pieces stopped anyone from downing it all. The small Wek juice jars were just the right size to divide between multiple people, but included enough Irish cream in each to last a few servings. Get the recipe.
Chowhound
Food gifts don’t necessarily need to be all dessert-based. Everyone eats enough candy and baked goods during the holidays to keep Willy Wonka in business, so your recipients will probably appreciate something a little different. Jam lasts longer than a treat and can also be dressed up in nice looking jars. This recipe makes creating a batch super quick and easy. Get our Strawberry Jam recipe.
Charles Chocolates Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles
Chowhound
Truffles impress everyone because they seem so elegant and decadent. Shhh… don’t let anyone know they’re easy to make! These super chocolatey truffles only require four ingredients and take an hour to assemble. If you want some variety you could roll them in crushed hazelnuts or other delicious toppings. Get our Charles Chocolates Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles recipe.
What Molly Made
Why this recipe? Because bacon. Bacon makes everything delicious, and caramelizing it with bourbon and brown sugar makes it insanely delicious. It’s generally best to make brittle with a candy thermometer but this recipe adjusts for those who don’t have one. Just try not to eat it all before you pack it up for others. Get the recipe.
Table for Two
Nuts are a great alternative to candy and sweets, though these could totally double for candy with the combination of maple and cinnamon. Pump up the cayenne for an extra kick. The nice thing about spiced nuts is they’re so adaptable: Eat them straight out of a bowl, top an ice cream sundae, mix in with popcorn, or layer on warm fudgy brownies. They’re the ultimate in versatility! Get the recipe.
Chowhound
For a nut treat on the more savory side, try these salted rosemary walnuts. They’re also great to eat on their own, mixed with the above maple cinnamon nuts, or served over roasted green beans. If you’re putting together a mixed box of homemade treats, these herbed nuts will be a great addition to temper all the sweetness. Get our Roasted Rosemary Walnuts recipe.
Confessions of a Foodie
Limoncello is an Italian liqueur made with vodka and lemons, typically served ice cold as an after-dinner drink. I never realized how easy it was to make until my brother and sister-in-law, as part of a wedding gift, received instructions on how to produce their own. The final product was as delicious as any Limoncello I had in Italy, and I was doubly lucky when they moved to London and gave me the rest of their batch. This is a great step-by-step recipe, though I recommend using high-proof vodka instead of Everclear. An important note: If you want to give this away as a Christmas gift, you better get started now. The vodka, lemons, and simple syrup have to sit and rest for a minimum of a month and a half to develop the full flavor. Get the recipe.
Chowhound
Okay, so if you add fruit to your chocolate does it count as a health food? In this case…um, yes. I’ll say yes. This recipe is super easy with great tips on how to keep your chocolate from separating, and if you want to be really fancy, how to make strawberry tuxedos using a combo of white and dark chocolate. You can also mix it up by dipping dried fruit such as dried apricots. Get our Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries recipe.
Related Video: How to Make Homemade Irish Cream
All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Chowhound Gift Guide 2018: Kitchen Essentials That Will Make You Feel Like a Professional Chef
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Between endless excuses to indulge in the very best food has to offer, and the chance to step up your kitchen game courtesy of friends and family who are eager to find you the perfect gift, the holidays are one season we wish would never end. If you’re anything like us, your kitchen wishlist is probably miles long—that’s why we rounded up the most essential kitchen gadgets, appliances, and culinary odds and ends that some of your favorite chef idols always keep on hand.
A Thermometer
Thermapen Mk4 Professional Thermocouple Cooking Thermometer, $91 on at ThermoWorks
Thermapen
Overcooked or undercooked meat is not very chef-like. That’s why a quality thermometer is essential to ensure your steak, chicken, or turkey is heated to the ideal temp. “I love the Thermapen Mk4 thermometer,” says Alex Guarnaschelli, Food Network star and executive chef of Butter in New York City. “It might not be the cheapest but it’s reliable, folds up, is waterproof, and most importantly, it displays temperature clearly.” Find it online at thermoworks.com or Amazon.See It
Fresh Herbs
AeroGarden Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit, $59.99 and up on Amazon
AeroGarden/Amazon
The pros always have fresh herbs on hand, and one way to avoid a last minute grocery run is to grow your own. The AeroGarden is one of the easiest home gardening systems on the market, harnessing the power of hydroponics and grow lights to produce fresh basil, mint, thyme, and more with minimal effort from you. Simply feed and refill the water when prompted and watch your garden grow! Choose from a variety of sizes and seed selections at aerogarden.com, Macy’s, Kohl’s, or Amazon.See It
An Air Fryer
GoWISE USA 5.8-Quart Electric Air Fryer, $79.99 on Amazon
GoWISE/Amazon
Gift-giving season is the perfect time to join the air fryer craze. These gadgets allow you to produce crunchy, crispy foods without dealing with the messy, stinky, unhealthy process of deep frying. Cat Cora, Food Network Iron Chef and host of ABC’s new show Family Food Fight, likes the Gourmia GAF575. “It’s the perfect gift for making anybody feel like a chef because it’s large enough for a family but compact enough to store easily. Plus, it’s simple to use,” she says.See It
Seasonal Dessert Gear
Cookie Cutters, Cake Pans, and Festive Sprinkles, $4.99 and up at NYCake
Chowhound
A professional chef is prepared for any special occasion, and one way is to keep themed items that are easily storable on hand. For holiday gear, cookie cutters and cake molds are a must. NY CAKE, the largest baking supply store in the world, has all your baking needs covered. Our favorites? Christmas tree cookie cutters, a snowflake-shaped silicone cake pan, and festive sprinkles.See It
“Bring the Sweet” Gold Pie Server, $6 at Edwards
Edwards
The holidays are also an excuse to pull out all the fancy stops. Fool your guests into thinking you spent hundreds with the Gold Pie Server from Edwards Desserts.See It
A Juicer
Hurom H-AA Slow Juicer in Rose Gold, $413.99 on Amazon
Amazon
You don’t need to be a health nut to own a juicer. These days, juicers can squeeze out everything from fruit and veggie juices to smoothies, ice cream, nut milks, and even hummus! Check out HUROM for a variety of styles, sizes, and colors (hello, matte black and rose gold!) that are sure to make your countertop pop.See It
A Wine Accessory
Üllo Wine Purifier, $79.99 on Amazon
Ullo/Amazon
Wine is essential, for both cooking and entertaining. Impress your guests with restaurant-quality vino by investing in a wine purifier, which aerates and purifies (aka removes sulfites that are responsible for that next morning wine headache) to create a smoother, tastier sip. The Üllo Wine Purifier is one of the best and is widely available at Amazon, CrateandBarrel.com, Bloomingdales.com, and more.See It
A Blender
Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade 64-Ounce Blender, $399.95 on Amazon
Vitamix/Amazon
Whether you’re whipping up pesto, salad dressing, sauce, or a soup, you’ll need a blender to do so. Guy Vaknin, chef and founder of Beyond Sushi in New York City, opts for a Vitamix blender that’s 3-horsepower and up. “There’s no better tool that I have come across that will bind, combine, and force flavors and ingredients together to create a silky smooth texture for any of the dishes I create,” he says.See It
Braun Multiquick 9 ACTIVEBlade Technology Hand Blender, $130 on Amazon
Braun/Amazon
If you don’t have room for a full-size unit, an immersion blender is the way to go. One great option is the Braun MultiQuick MQ9037 Hand Blender—not only does it get the job done and come with extra attachments like a whisk and a masher, it’s Quiet Mark certified, which means it meets the company’s standards for noiseless or noise-cancelling products. Translation: If you get a hankering for homemade hummus at 3 a.m., blend away!See It
Quality Cookware
Macy’s
Give (or beg for) the gift of high-end cookware. Lagostina offers a variety of pots, pans, and any other cooking vessel you can imagine, made from materials likes stainless steel and copper (to really feel like a pro, we love the Lagostina Giada 4 Qt. Dutch Oven, a versatile product that’s part of a collaboration with chef and Food Network mainstay Giada De Laurentiis).See It
Looking to browse a bit more? Kohl’s and kohls.com offers cookware sets from Food Network, Calphalon, Rachael Ray, and more, and Target and target.com carry Ayesha Curry’s new line—all perfect for the namedroppers on your list!
Good Olive Oil
Premium Olive Oil, $21.95 and up at Domenica Fiore
Domeinca Fiore
Any foodie will appreciate the gift of quality olive oil that they won’t find at Costco. Try Domenica Fiore, which offers high-end extra virgin olive oil from Italy, or Greek olive-oil brand Gaea.See It
Coffee Gear
KRUPS Programmable Digital 12-Cup Coffee Maker, $51.91 on Amazon (originally $99.99)
KRUPS/Amazon
No professional kitchen is complete without coffee on-demand. For traditional drip machines, fancy espresso machines, or grinders, Krups is your one-stop-shop.See It
Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe by Breville, $99.96 at Sur La Table
Sur La Table
Too lazy to measure and pack your espresso shot? Pod machines like Nespresso (the OG that offers dozens of pod flavors) or Espressotoria were made for you.See It
Nice Knives
Culinario Series Knives, $39.95 and up at Princess House
Princess House
Professional chefs love their knives, so shove those dull blades in the back of a drawer and replace them with shiny, sharp ones that make chopping and slicing easier, safer, and more satisfying. For a splurge gift, shop the Culinario series at princesshouse.com—you can find singles and full sets made from German stainless steel.See It
For familiar brands like Calphalon, Farberware, and more, Target and Kohl’s are the way to go.
Multicookers, Slow Cookers, and Pressure Cookers
These days, there’s a “cooker” for everything.
Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker, $23.84 on Amazon (originally $44.40)
Crock-Pot/Amazon
Crock-Pot is the beloved brand-name slow cooker and now comes in a variety of models, including the Cook & Carry, which you can take on-the-go (tailgating essential!).See It
Aroma Houseware Professional 16-Cup Turbo Convection Multicooker, $140.34 on Amazon
Aroma Housewares
But you can also get multicookers from companies like AROMA—you can cook via turbo convection heat or induction heat, and its sleek design almost begs to be displayed on the countertop.See It
Ninja Foodi, $199.80 on Ninja Kitchen
Ninja
There’s also a new member of the Ninja family, the Ninja Foodi. It lets you pressure cook or air fry, making it the ultimate gadget.See It
Spices
Shutterstock
A professional kitchen isn’t complete without spices galore. Turn your loved ones’ kitchens (or your own!) into spice cabinet goals by stocking it with high quality spices you might not pick up on your regular grocery run. We love brands like Spice Island, Pereg, and Gustus Vitae for their unique variety and quality source ingredients (everything bagel spice or ground ancho chile, anyone?!).
Related Video: 5 Ways to Take Better Care of Your Knives, According to Chefs
All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.
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Holiday Glassware Guide: The Essential Wine Glasses for Holiday Entertaining
When it comes to wine, the vessel matters. Consider your glassware when planning your Thanksgiving and winter holiday meals. If you have a set of Riedel stemware for each varietal—bravo. If not, stock up on a few essential glasses, focusing on red, white, bubbly, and possibly dessert wines too. The more casual oenophile can invest in some good all-purpose wine glasses, but make sure you have a dozen of them. Tell your guests to bring their favorite bottles of wine, provide a couple of your own favorites, pop that cork, pour, and salud! It’s the holidays. Let the wine and conversation flow freely.
Blogger Julie Blanner notes that wine tastes better in glass than plastic, and it stays the proper temperature longer if held from a stem. The color of the wine can be more thoroughly enjoyed from clear crystal as opposed to colored wine glasses or cut crystal. But don’t despair if you can’t afford all these glasses or lack the space to store them.
“You don’t have to have everything under the sun to entertain,” Blanner says. “Who has the space? Use a dry erase marker on the base of wine glasses to differentiate. It stays on for the duration of the party and washes off at the end of the night.”
There are all sorts of tricks and shortcuts. So while we call our curated picks essential, it’s all good if you can’t keep up. The shabby chic aesthetic is alive and kicking.
“Don’t worry about not having enough matching glasses,” say the holiday entertaining experts from How to Decorate. “In fact, we say serving a variety of glasses or even a mix of vintage and new glasses makes a house party feel cozy and less formal.”
If you favor wine over beer or cocktails and you tend to entertain your guests the same way, chances are you’ll need a full range of wine glasses in your cabinets, according to Houzz, a home design, decorating, and professionals resource. “While the casual wine enthusiast can get by with just a standard set of red wine glasses plus a few champagne flutes, those who are more serious about vintage, tannins, and aromas will want to invest in a more expansive set,” Houzz says.
With dozens of wine glass varieties available, what are the best wine glasses?
In general, experts recommend clear, crystal glasses with large bowls and thin rims. They should hold 10 to 18 ounces of wine, taper ever-so slightly at the top, and be easy to balance when you hold them in your hand, Houzz says. Of course, this isn’t to say that plastic wine glasses won’t do. If you’re outside on the patio, plastic is the perfect durable choice for enjoying your bubbly beverage.
TOSSWARE Recyclable 6-Ounce Stemmed Flutes, 12 for $15.99 on Amazon
These crystal-clear plastic flutes are shatterproof, BPA-free, 100 percent recyclable, and good-looking, with multiple other glass styles available.
And more specifically, let’s use Houzz’s method to categorize the four main glass types:
• Red: These glasses generally have wider openings and larger bowls.
• White: Slightly shorter than glasses for red wines, with a narrower opening and bowl.
• Champagne: Also called flutes and suitable for all sparkling wines, these glasses are tall with a thin opening and bowl, which is sometimes tulip-shaped. The height allows aromas and bubbles to be trapped near the rim so you can enjoy them while you sip.
• Dessert: Smaller and shorter than others because most dessert wines are typically served in small quantities. Their bowls are usually tulip-shaped with a narrow opening.
For casual entertaining, you’ll want four to six glasses for red wine, plus four to six glasses for white wine—or 8 to 12 all-purpose wineglasses. You’ll also want four to six Champagne flutes or tulips. For more formal entertaining, you’ll want more of everything, plus more specialized options.
Look over a few of our favorite glasses and consider stocking up before you host your next gathering.
Riedel Veritas Cabernet Wine Glasses, 2 for $59.95 at Macy’s (originally $71)
Macy’s
By all means, you can use these glasses for all your red wines, not just cabernets. Made in Germany from high-quality, lead-free crystal, Riedel glasses are somehow also dishwasher safe. The custom-machining process pairs the charm of a handmade glass with precision of machine-blowing. This two-glass set is on sale through December 23.See It
Cristal D’Arques Lady Diamond Glass Goblets, 6 for $54.99 at Target
Target
These glasses are so pretty, it doesn’t matter if you drink red, white, or even pink wine from them. A Parisian brand, Cristal d’Arques has devoted over 40 years to marrying technology with creativity to inspire its exquisite and contemporary collections. Made of Diamax material, the glasses offer purity, transparency, and shatter resistance with a shine that will endure daily machine washes. They’re lead-free too. The set includes six glasses.See It
Schott Zwiesel Air Soft-Bodied Red Wine Glasses, $18 – $108 at Sur La Table
Sur la Table
Enjoy Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Burgundy, Chianti, and other soft-bodied red wines with these elegant wine glasses. The tall, large bowl gives the wine room to breathe, while the shape of the glass channels each sip to the back of the palate for maximum flavor. Created by Swedish design duo Bernadotte and Kylberg, the light yet durable Air series is exclusively sold at Sur La Table, by the single piece or in sets of six.See It
Luminarc Alto Wine Glasses, 12 for $19.99 at Target
Target
If you’re having a large dinner or party, you would do well with a few orders of this this super-affordable set of a dozen glasses, with a classic balloon cut.See It
Zwiesel 1872 Glace White Wine Glasses, 2 for $120 at Sur La Table
Sur La Table
Considered one of Sur la Table’s finest crystal glassware lines, the Glace collection is a throwback to the classic bar culture, developed with legendary bartender Charles Schumann as a symbiosis of aesthetics and enjoyment. Each glass features fine, delicate lines and a geometric style that refracts the light of your drinks with eye-catching grandeur. By replacing the lead in traditional crystal with titanium and zirconium, Schott Zwiesel created strong, clear, brilliant glasses with clarity that resists chipping, scratching, and breakage.See It
Waterford Lismore Diamond White Wine Glass, $70 at Macy’s
Macy’s
If there was ever a time to go all out, it’s when you’re entertaining for the holidays. This is the time to use the fancy china and crystal that you save for special occasions. Waterford crystal needs no introduction. Look at these beauties. Your dinner’s class level gets advanced to penthouse status when you’re drinking your wine from these gorgeous glasses.See It
Peugeot Esprit Champagne Glasses, 4 for $59.47 on Amazon
Sur la Table
Perfect for sipping Champagne, Prosecco, and other sparkling wines, these glasses have an angular silhouette that tightens around the globe. The design provides aeration for excellent bubble circulation and showcases Champagne’s unique aroma. The set includes four glasses.See It
GoVino Shatterproof Wine Glasses, 12 for $31.08 on Amazon
Amazon
For your potentially more raucous holiday parties, you might face some breakage if you don’t provide something like GoVino’s flexible, shatterproof, reusable, recyclable glasses. They’ve got an ergonomic thumb notch and they feel similarly to crystal. Use the 16-ounce tumblers for white or red wines. The set includes 12 glasses.See It
Godinger Dublin Cordial Glasses, 6 for $16.37 on Amazon
Amazon
For your cordials, ports, and liqueurs, these affordable Dublin leaded crystal glasses are ideal. The striking starburst design all around the middle adds a perfect kiss of elegance. The elongated shape is accentuated by a finely detailed, thin stem, but the glasses feel thick and sturdy. The set includes six 4-ounce glasses.See It
Vera Wang Wedgewood Duchesse Collection, $45 – $110 at Macy’s
Macy’s
Like Waterford, this is also what we consider pretty high-end in the wine glassware world. In a collaboration worthy of Wallis and Edward, renowned bridal designer Vera Wang and Wedgwood have created Duchesse stemware. The line features tapering round bowls and a blazing starburst cut over a flared pedestal. Choose the goblets, wine glasses, toasting flutes, flutes, and iced beverage glasses. They’re made of crystal and are dishwasher safe.See It
Related Video: Wine Decanters Explained
All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.
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