AA Gifts & Baskets Idea Blog

Posts Tagged ‘food gift baskets’

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 some recipes to try. You will laugh at how easy it is to make a treat that looks and tastes over-the-top gourmet.

Ghirardelli® Dark Chocolate Truffles (from allrecipes.com)

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 10 Minutes

Ready In: 2 Hours 45 Minutes

Servings: 30

"These impressive candies are so easy to make, and are a stunning addition to a dessert tray."

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup heavy cream

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

2 cups Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips

1/3 cup Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add the chocolate chips. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and pour into a shallow bowl.

2. Cool, cover, and refrigerate the mixture until firm, at least 2 hours.

3. Using a melon baller or small spoon, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the cocoa or nuts. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Chocolate Truffle Recipe (from famousfrenchdesserts.com)

Truffes au Chocolat… Divine Pleasure Source!!! This is the basic recipe; you will find all variations at the end of the recipe.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients (for about 1.5 pounds):

1 cup Crème Fraîche (or heavy cream)

14 oz. Dark Chocolate (use very high quality, 70% cocoa, chocolate - or very high quality unsweetened baking chocolate)

8 oz. Additional Dark Chocolate

1 1/2 cups Cocoa Powder (the highest quality you can find)

3 tbsp. Butter (optional)

How to Make It:

Batter (Ganache):

1. Break chocolate into small pieces and put in a large bowl.

2. Bring cream slowly to a light boil.

3. Pour boiling cream over chocolate and keep stirring until all the chocolate has melted and the batter is homogenous.

4. If you want to add butter, do so now, before the batter cools, and thickens.

This batter is called ganache and is the base for all French truffle recipes!

When the ganache is warm, it is very creamy. You can thicken it

1. by whisking it (the oxygen causes it to thicken) or

2. by putting it in the refrigerator.

You want the ganache to be just thick enough to easily form the truffle balls…

Forming Truffles:

1. Using two spoons (or a baking sac) form even and round balls. Place them on parchment or wax paper.

2. Melt the rest of the chocolate in a bain-marie (double-boiler).

3. Dip each ball in the melted chocolate and then roll it in the cocoa powder.

Voilà!

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 a saucepan, and heat. When the oil is hot, add ½ cup of popcorn kernels. Keep the saucepan moving – just like you would if you were popping Jiffy Pop. When the kernels stop popping, remove from heat. This recipe calls for you to continue doing this ½ cup at a time until all the popcorn is popped; if you want to do it all at once, go for it. If you have never popped in a saucepan before, you may want to go at the gradual pace to avoid burning.

Butter a bowl, and put the popped corn in it. Put this to the side, and melt your butter in a saucepan. Stir in the sugar, molasses, and salt. Boil this mixture on medium heat, and insert a candy thermometer. When it reads 260^o, you’re done. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, just wait for the mixture to boil. Pour the syrup over the popcorn, and make sure all of the corn is coated. Butter your hands, and shape the popcorn into balls.

There are other variations, which call for corn syrup that you may want to try.

Caramel Popcorn Balls, from Cooks.com

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• 3 cups unpopped popcorn kernels

• ¾ cup white Karo syrup

• ½ cup butter

Start by popping the kernels and picking out those “old maids,” or unpopped kernels. Put the popped corn into a bowl and set aside.

Mix all the ingredients, save the popcorn, in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil this for about five minutes. Pour the syrupy mixture over the popcorn, making sure to coat it evenly. This mixture will be hot, so be careful. This recipe calls for you to dip your hands in cold water now and then to prevent burning and sticking. Other recipes, such as the one above, recommend buttering your hands. Experiment and see which works best for you. Shape the popcorn into balls, and enjoy!

Rocky Road Popcorn Balls, from AllRecipes.com

This variation adds a touch of sweet to these excellent treats.

• 3 cups mini marshmallows

• ¼ cup butter

• 8 cups of popped popcorn

• ½ dry roasted unsalted peanuts (but if you use salted, we won’t tell)

• ½ cup mini chocolate chips

Start by putting the marshmallows and butter in a saucepan on medium-low meat. Keep stirring them to keep them from burning. When they are melted and smooth, which should take about five minutes, remove from the heat. Working quickly, stir in the popcorn and peanuts. Stir them gently and make sure the popcorn is as evenly coated as possible. Stir in the chocolate chips. Butter your hands or grease them with a bit of oil, and shape the mixture into balls.

If you’re not going to eat or serve these immediately, wrap them in plastic. They make wonderful treats around Halloween or Christmas, and you can always customize the ingredients to add a little holiday flair: try red and green M&Ms instead of chocolate chips for the Rocky Road recipe, for instance. Whatever the flavor, these are a perfect item for gift baskets for kids of any age.

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 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature

5 eggs, room temperature

* Blue Cheese may be substituted.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Roasted Garlic: Peel the outer skin of the garlic only; leave garlic bulb whole. Slice 1/2-inch of the pointed end of the garlic bulbs. Pour 1/2 teaspoon olive oil over the top of each bulb and let it sink in between the cloves. Wait 2 minutes and then repeat with another 1/2 teaspoon olive oil over each garlic bulb. Cover and bake 1 hour or until cloves are browned at the exposed end and soft throughout. Remove from oven. Allow garlic to cool and remove cloves from head. Garlic may be stored in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for several days.

Prepare Cornmeal Crust

Cornmeal Crust:

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoons dried basil

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Grease a 10-inch spring form pan.

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water to a boil; stir in cornmeal, garlic, salt, and basil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Fold in parmesan cheese. Remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes.

Press warm cornmeal mixture onto the bottom of the spring form pan. Smooth the surface and set aside.

To make filling

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. and position baking rack in center of oven.

In a large bowl, place gorgonzola cheese and cream cheese; mix together until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, while beating to incorporate.

Pour the cheese filling into prepared Cornmeal Crust. Tap lightly on counter to remove air bubbles. Place roasted garlic cloves around the perimeter of the pan at equal distances.

Place cheesecake in center of middle oven rack. Bake for approximately 1 hour, or until internal temperature is 160 degrees with a cooking thermometer or until the center is almost set, but jiggles slightly when gently shaken. NOTE: Do not open the oven door during the first 30 minutes of baking as drafts can cause a cheesecake to fall or crack. Remove from oven and allow to cool on counter for at least 1 hour, after which you may either serve or store in the refrigerator.

Serve warm or at room temperature with toasted baguette bread or crackers.

To serve later, store in refrigerator up to 1 week. To reheat, simply slice and warm for 5 minutes in a 350 degree F. oven.

This is one cheesecake you would love to give to a friend with a beautiful wine gift.

You may have started to think about switching out your usual grocery store fruit with organic fruit. And you'd be in good company. Many people are trying organic fruits and finding that they are not only sweeter, fresher, and more delicious, but they are also healthier. It is because of the enormous amounts of pesticides used in the growing of fruits and vegetables that consumers are now looking for alternatives that are healthier and more natural.

Here are some facts on organic fruits that may interest you.

• Check your local supermarket for organic fruits. You may be surprised that even smaller stores carry some. Visit a farmers’ market for the freshest selections of organic fruits.

• Organic fruits are now being sold through regular grocery stores, discount stores, and warehouse clubs. Sales from these places outranked all the specialty stores and natural food stores that you'd expect to sell the most. Customers are asking for organic fruits in mainstream retailers and they are getting what they want.

• You can get organic fruit baskets delivered to your house depending on where you live.

• Organic fruit sales topped over $9 billion in 2009. Organic food sales overall (including other categories such as nuts, teas, etc.) accounted for over $24 billion during that same year.

• Two sites promoting organic agriculture for consumers are www.localharvest.org and www.eatwellguide.com.

• There is an organization for people who want to find out more about how to start growing and/or buying their own organic fruits. The Organic Trade Association maintains a site called www.organicitsworthit.org.

• The Organic Trade Association, which is a business devoted to the production and selling of organic foods, has over 1700 member businesses including stores and farmers.

• In order to be certified organic, a fruit must be grown without any pesticides, without any chemical additives, and without any genetically altered components.

• Organic fruits are regulated in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom. Not every country participates in an organic program. Many European countries do not have an official organic certification process.

• The most popular organic fruits are strawberries, cherries, apples, peaches, pears, melons, clementines, and kiwis.

• Organic fruits are perfect for making baby foods that contain no preservatives. Simply mash or grind the fruit and remove any pits or skin. Store in the refrigerator or freeze in ice cube trays for individual servings.

• In addition to organic fruit, consumers can also shop for organic vegetables, meats, sauces, pasta, and many other foods in the supermarket.

• More and more consumers are limiting their selections to only organically grown produce after many pesticide scares and warnings involving the food industry.

• Washing fruit that has been grown with pesticides will not wash away all traces of the chemicals.

• All fruit and vegetables should be washed with a special fruit and vegetable wash before being consumed.

If you're interested in starting off an organic eating program, there are many resources and more are coming up each day. You can now shop the grocery store aisles and find organic foods in nearly every category. Books and web sites are fantastic sources of information on how to grow your own organic garden as well as where to shop for organic foods and beauty products.

Are you looking for the perfect housewarming gift? People who are moving into a new home have an endless list of things they need, but one thing that they could really use is relaxation. Moving is stressful, and a wonderful italian food gift basket can be just the right balm. It will also make their new house feel more like home to have a delicious, savory, aromatic meal. Here are some ideas for assembling an Italian dinner basket. Perfect as a house warming gift, or any occasion, this basket is certain to be appreciated.

As an appetizer, include fresh focaccia or you can add a jarred bruschetta, which will last longer in a basket. Focaccia crisps are also great additions; these are small Tuscan-style crackers that will be excellent on their own or with cheese and fresh tomato slices. If you can deliver the basket yourself, do put in fresh foods to make the foods that much tastier. Another idea is to just include a baguette, a small jar of olive oil, and some dipping herbs.

If you have ever eaten in Italy, you know that there is far more to this country’s cuisine than just pasta and pizza! There are so many wonderful tastes that it can be difficult to know where to start. Start at the beginning; pastas are very popular, and they make great, filling, and easy to cook meals.

Get some special gourmet or handmade pasta or try a variation like sun-dried tomato or spinach. Getting fresh ravioli or tortellini adds a nice, robust feel to the basket. You can add a good marinara sauce, or opt for a pesto sauce. You may want to get both as pesto does not always appeal to everyone – especially children.

You could also do pizza as the main course. Start by getting an Italian pizza mix or assembling your own. You can put the ingredients for the dough into a jar, along with recipes for making the dough. Italian pizza tends to differ from America’s pizza in that they are mostly “white.” This means that they don’t have marinara or red sauce. Instead, a light layer of olive oil is put onto the dough, followed by cheese, and toppings. Include a small jar of olive oil as well as the fixings, which can be very simple. For instance, you may add fresh mozzarella (or bagged shredded), tomatoes (or sun-dried tomatoes), and basil. Other toppings include mushroom, brie, pesto, artichoke, parmesan, gorgonzola, and percorino cheeses, and grilled onions.

Time for dessert! Choose biscotti, cannoli, amaretto truffles or cheesecake, tiramisu, chocolate mousse cake, or just simple Italian cookies. You can pick these up at the bakery or just get a mix from the grocery store. If you want to give a homemade treat, biscotti are very easy to make, and it stores exceptionally well, so they can enjoy it after dinner or with their morning coffee.

Your meal is not complete without a wine gift to complement the food. Reds are a good choice, but try to go with the preference of the recipient. If they do not drink, include soda or sparkling water and some espresso to enjoy with dessert.

Italian food is among the most beloved cuisines in the world, and for good reason. Nothing will make you feel more at home than the smell of delicious food cooking.

If you have special working relationships with certain business colleagues, you’ll want to do something at holiday time to let them know you value their business. Loyalty in business means a lot in today’s rapidly changing “here today, gone tomorrow” climate. Foster goodwill and show your generous spirit by offering your clients something meaningful this holiday. Tailor it to them and you’ll really impress them with your thoughtfulness.

A Cruise

Organize a company cruise with clients this year. Just about everyone lives near some waterway even if it’s a lake. It doesn’t have to be the Atlantic Ocean, although that would make for a spectacular site. You can hire a charter boat to accommodate as many people as you like. Offer the invitation to all your employees as well as all of your recipients if the numbers aren’t overwhelming. Offer a dinner cruise with live band. You’ll be remembered for it long after the holiday decorations come down. Another way to do the cruise is to invite just the head executives at your client’s company and the tops of yours. You can have a more intimate cruise that way. Limit it to three or four hours, however, so you can enjoy yourselves but not tire of each other’s company. Make a toast or speech thanking your clients for joining you and for their business.

A Simple Treat

Sometimes it’s the simple things that mean the most. Sending over a frozen turkey for each employee at your client’s business is a nice idea. It shows you have holiday spirit and the delivery time will be fun as everyone will be invited to come and pick up their gift. You can also do a frozen ham. These foods will keep until the employees can get home and refrigerate them.

Send Lunch

Pick a day near the holidays to send over a catered lunch for your client’s employees. Make sure to schedule it well in advance with the secretary so that someone knows to expect it. They’ll want to get the word out on their end that you’re providing lunch for them on a certain day. If you want to keep it a surprise, have the client’s secretary announce it that morning before everyone makes their lunch plans. This can be a real treat for people especially if they are in an industry that gets busier around the holidays. They may not even have time to go out to get lunch during very busy days, so your treat will be extra inviting.

Play Santa

Visit your client in person with a gift for everyone on his staff. Even if it’s just a gourmet cookie or a custom chocolate bar, the fact that you showed up in person and took the time to distribute it will make all the difference. Whether you decide to go in full Santa costume is up to you!

Think about the individuals you want to thank. Instead of sending something generic that could be for anyone, consider the client’s work environment, product line, tastes and location. By personalizing your thank you gifts to the individuals, you’re giving the positive impression that you value working with them. And in today’s business climate, every relationship counts.