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How to Make Your own Chocolate Truffles
Published November 14, 2011 | 
If you’ve ever bitten into a decadent, molten, sweet and gooey truffle, you know how rich this favorite gourmet chocolate treat is. You may have thought you could only get them in specialty shops or at a fancy restaurant. But the truth is that you can make truffles at home very easily. In fact, it’s even simpler than some cookie recipes. You’ll start making them all the time and experimenting with flavors. You’ll give them as gifts and start dreaming about different toppings and versions.
Consider packing your truffles into Chinese takeout-type boxes that you can get in a craft store. They stand up straight and the sides will be stiff enough to ensure that they don’t get smashed on the way to the recipient. Anyone would love to receive these delicious dessert gifts!
Here are 
Posted in Chocolate & Candy | anniversary gifts, birthday gifts, Business Gifts, Chocolate & Candy, chocolate gift basket, chocolate gifts, chocolate truffles, dark chocolate, do it yourself gifts, food gift baskets, get well gifts, gift baskets, gourmet gift baskets, thank you gifts, truffle recipe | 
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Leave a commentPasta Shapes Defined
Published November 11, 2011 | 
Do you know the difference between spaghetti and vermicelli? How about ziti and penne? Fettuccini and fettucelli? They do have one thing in common; they are simply delicious. But often, the type of pasta you choose has a big impact on the quality of the dish you serve. It is important to complement the shape of the pasta and the texture and taste of the sauce. This can be hard because there are hundreds of different choices! You don’t have to stick to the old favorites – macaroni and cheese or spaghetti and marinara sauce. Try something new! Here are some of the most popular pasta shapes defined.
There are more than five hundred different pasta shapes. Some, like spaghetti, are much more common than others, but if you have wanted to try something different, do it. There are no strict rules
How to Make Popcorn Balls
Published October 31, 2011 | 
Homemade gifts are the best, and there can be nothing more delicious for a variety of occasions than popcorn balls. These crunchy treats can be made to satisfy a sweet or savory craving, and they are popular with kids and adults alike. Who can resist popcorn? Not Americans, it seems. We eat billions of quarts of popcorn a year, and assembling our favorite treat into another form just adds to the fun. Popcorn balls aren’t hard to make, are perfect for snack baskets and they are always crowd-pleasers: that is a recipe for success!
Traditional Popcorn Balls, courtesy of AllRecipes.com
You need:
2 cups unpopped popcorn
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup molasses
½ teaspoon salt
Put one tablespoon of oil in
Posted in Food, Gifts | birthday gifts, caramel popcorn balls, food gift baskets, gift baskets, gourmet gift baskets, homemade gifts, popcorn, popcorn ball recipes, popcorn balls, popcorn gift, popcorn gift basket, popcorn gifts, popcorn treats, rocky road popcorn balls, unique thank you gifts | 1 Comment
1 CommentTypes and Classifications of Nuts
Published October 26, 2011 | 
There are many different types of nuts available for snacking. They are all delicious and come in many different forms. Here are some of the most common forms of nuts that people eat. Try your hand at a recipe or two for yummy nut snacks after you discover which class your favorite gourmet nuts belongs to.
Eating nuts as part of a healthy diet can be good for your heart. Nuts, which contain unsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients, are a great snack food, too. They're inexpensive, easy to store and easy to take with you to work or school.
The type of nut you eat isn't that important, although some nuts have more heart-healthy nutrients and fats than do others. Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts — you name it — almost every type of nut has a lot of nutrition packed into a tiny package.
How to Make a Savory Cheesecake
Published October 18, 2011 | 
Have you ever had a cheesecake that’s savory instead of sweet? You may have been at a fancy restaurant or a dinner party and wondered how this delectable concoction was made. What goes into a savory cheesecake versus a sweet one? Usually, it’s a mixture of different cheeses like bleu cheese, gorgonzola, ricotta, or other smooth choices. You can easily whip one up, too.
Here’s a recipe for a gorgonzola cheesecake with a cornmeal crust that you can actually serve as a meal or would make for a wonderful dessert gift idea. Better make copies of your recipe as everyone will be asking you for it after they taste it!
Gorgonzola Cheesecake (whatscookingamerica.net)
12 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Cornmeal Crust (see recipe below)
1 pound gorgonzola cheese, room temperature*
5
Posted in Food | baking, baking cheesecake, cheesecake, cheesecake baking, cheesecake gift, cheesecake recipe, cheesecake recipes, cornmeal crust, food gift baskets, gorgonzola and garlic cheesecake, gorgonzola cheese, gorgonzola cheesecake, roasted garlic, savory cheesecake, savory cheesecake recipe | Leave a comment
Leave a commentCreating a Candy Bar Card
Published October 10, 2011 | 
Many people have never heard of the candy bar card idea, but it’s a cute one you might want to try for your next occasion. Say you have a friend with a special birthday coming up. You can create a giant sized card that includes real wrapped candy bars. People really enjoy receiving these unique candy gifts! The big idea is to write a message that includes the names of the candy bar. It’s a challenge. Are you up for it?
Start off with some poster board. The kind that has the foam on the back will work best as candy tends to get heavy once you glue it on. It will be easier and sturdier to transport this way. Use a festive color that will match with your theme.
Next, pick out a bunch of candies with fun names. You might choose Mounds, Nerds, Mars, etc. Get a whole bunch so you have lots
Posted in Gifts | anniversary gifts, birthday card, birthday gifts, candy, candy birthday card, Candy Card, congratulations, congratulations card, do it yourself cards, get well gifts, home made card, homemade cards, how to make a candy card, kids birthday party, over the hill birthday party, thank you gifts, unique thank you gifts | 1 Comment
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