The holiday season is upon us, and we all know how hard it is to find just the right gift for our foodie friends. Whether you’re hosting a party, attending one and want to bring that perfect host or hostess gift, or simply looking for a last minute stocking-stuffer, here are just a few local venues and some ideas that are sure to please:
Kitchen Outfitters, 342 Great Road, Acton (978) 263-1955. This little store is chock full of fun and practical kitchen items for every price range and culinary skill level. The cleverly designed Chef’n Palm Peeler ($6.95) slides onto your finger, tucks into your palm, and peels everything. Its sister product, the Palm Brush ($5.95), lets you clean and prep veggies in no time. For tea lovers, check out the beautifully packaged, 3.5-oz tins of loose leaf tea from The TeaSpot ($12.95), including Bolder Breakfast (black), Boulder Blues (green), and Vintage (oolong). Vineyard Gardens’ Sugar & Spice ($7.95) is a combination of turbinado sugar and ginger for making dessert coffees, and comes in an attractive box.
Woo Ri Food Market, 1 Mill St., Ayer (978) 772-1772. Find a great variety of Asian food ingredients and serving items here for the adventurous cook in your life, as well as a few surprise bargains. Furikake seasoning mixes ($3.99 to $6.99), combinations of sesame, bonito, green tea, sugar, seaweed, and salt add an exotic kick to white rice, noodles, or fish. Dried shiitake mushrooms are great for stir-fries and soups, and also convenient to have on hand in your pantry (3.5–8-oz bags from $3.49 to $6.99). Four- or 10-pound bags of sea salt are great for making gift jars of herbed salt ($2.39 and $5.99). Ten pairs of stainless steel chopsticks add interest to a dinner table ($9.99).
Trader Joe’s, 145 Great Road, Acton (978) 266-8908. In addition to all the other great finds here, Trader Joe’s Sipping Chocolate ($3.99), a European-style cocoa that puts most others to shame, comes in an attractive 9-ounce tin, and will please any chocophiles in your life. For those giftees who descend from royalty (or simply act like they do), pick up “The Queen’s Cookies” ($1.99), an 8.8-ounce package of seasonally correct ginger spice cookies made in Denmark.
Jack O’Lantern Wine & Spirits, 2 Littleton Road, Ayer (978) 772-4753. Someone on your list still holding a grudge against the French? Pick up a bottle of Gruet Brut, Blanc de Noir, or Demi-sec champagne ($13.99), all of which originate in Albuquerque, N. M. Or, for those with a bit of a sweet tooth, there’s nothing like a little Bailey’s Irish Cream ($23.99)—now in caramel and mint chocolate flavors—to warm up on those cold winter nights.
Filho’s Cucina, 235 Main St., Groton (978) 448-5664. For anyone who appreciates good food but is often too busy to cook, how about a Filho’s gift certificate? The menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrées offers great take-out options on those busy weeknights.
Hosting your own party and stressing out? Pick up Kathy Gunst’s Relax, Company’s Coming!: 150 Recipes for Stress-Free Entertaining at your favorite bookstore or on line. In addition to great recipe ideas (many shared on NPR’s Here and Now), this dog-eared favorite from my kitchen also includes tips on stocking your pantry for those impromptu get-togethers that come with the season.
The Food Whisperer is Mark Mikitarian from South Shaker Road, and you can email him at: foodwhisperer@charter.net.