Tag Archive for: gift guide

4 Tasty Finds that Food Fans Will Love

It’s always exciting to discover a new product, flavor, or ingredient combination. You feel like you’ve walked over a bridge and entered an entirely new realm of culinary enjoyment and creativity. What is also exciting is wanting to share those discoveries with a friend or family member. That’s how we feel right now, with these four tasty finds that food fans will love that we are sharing with you.


FABRIZIA LEMON BAKING COMPANY

For the fans of limoncello, that delicious liqueur made from fresh lemons, there is now an option to enjoy its taste in baked form. That’s right, there’s an entire line of biscuits, biscotti‘s, cookies, brownies, and other tasty items that are all flavored with limoncello.

The Fabrizia Lemon Baking Company is a family owned business which incorporates award-winning Fabrizia Limoncello into each and every one of its baked goods. After launching Fabrizia Spirits (the leading producer of limoncello in America) in 2008, brothers Phil and Nick Mastroianni longed to share another cultural aspect of their upbringing, in other words, food.

Says Phil Mastroianni, “Growing up in an Italian household, food was always a big part of our lives and we wanted to share that in a unique way…with a special Limoncello twist. We import all of our lemons directly from Sicily and they are the ONLY thing that provides our Limoncello with its flavor and color. That Limoncello is then used as the foundation to our cookies, biscotti, lemon loaves, blondies, cake jars and whoopie pies.

The TasteTV food editors, all citrus fans, had the enviable opportunity to review some of these items and found that most of them were extremely popular among the testers. The baked goods captured the taste of a real limoncello without being overly sweet or heavy. In fact many of the options were quite light in texture, and we found that the cookies and biscottis in particular were hard to keep in stock. Everyone loved them.

If you are a person who likes the tart flavor of fresh lemons and citrus, this might not be for you. Although made from lemons, most limoncello brands by nature are not tart. In general they have a sweeter profile that is balanced with the alcohol. If you are a true limoncello fan however then the Fabrizia Limoncello product line of baked goods is perfect. You can get any of these products individually, or as an entire gift set. You can also have sets that include the actual Fabrizia Limoncello included for sipping, or to mix it with your favorite cocktail.

Visit http://www. FabriziaLemonBakingCo.com

 


MIKE D’S BBQ SAUCE

Every region and every city has its own version of barbecue sauce, kind of like everyone has their own version of chili, spaghetti, and gumbo. Mike D’s BBQ sauce comes from North Carolina and is quite delicious, regardless of the region that you prefer. It is smooth and tangy with a bit of a citrus element that goes well on any protein you can want, including chicken, beef, pork, and even fish. Not to mention on fries.

Mike D’s BBQ is an award winning family-owned line of BBQ Sauces and Dry Rubs based in Durham, NC. They say their sauces are a twist on the traditional BBQ sauce with some unique seasonings and spice levels inspired by Mike D’s African American and Latino heritage. Their BIG Sauce is the mild/medium sauce and has won many awards, such as 1st for Medium BBQ Sauce in the 2021 International Spicy Flavor Awards and 3rd place for Kid Friendly BBQ Sauces in the 2022 Scovie Awards.

One TasteTV editor remarked that it reminded them of a “high quality mumbo sauce.” If you be don’t know what that is (or “Mambo sauce”) then that is an entirely different BBQ sauce discussion.

If you prefer your barbecue with a rub, Mike D’s barbecue also has a Sweet & Spicy Rub that has won several the competitive food awards, such as 1st place in the 2021 International Artisan Flavor Awards for Rubs and 1st place in the 2022 Scovie Awards in the Dry Rub/All Purpose Category. The Sweet & Spicy Rub presents taste elements such as brown sugar, honey, and chili lime to give your recipes just the right pizazz.

Visit Mike D’s BBQ, at http://www.mikedsbbq.com

http://www.facebook.com/mikedsbbq


CHILI SAUCES FROM CHINA LIVE

Restaurateurs George Chen and Cindy Wong Chen originally conceived of China Live as a Chinese version of the multi-level and multi-location Italian food emporium known as Eataly, but they have long surpassed that vision to become a true dining destinations in the city of San Francisco and the Bay Area. China Live in San Francisco has won numerous awards for their food and their restaurant design, and they have also won many awards for their line of sauces and spices. This includes their spice and sauce sets that come with different condiments selection, all created from proprietary China Live recipes.

According to OpenTable, “When China Live opened in 2017, it was unlike anything else in San Francisco, let alone the United States. Sprawling over 30,000 square feet, the space is ambitious in its scale and offerings, with a sit-down restaurant, marketplace selling Chinese pantry items and home goods, a cocktail bar, tea counter, and more. And while much of the space remains closed, fortunately diners still have ways to sample the restaurant’s stellar Chinese menu.”

China Live’s Signature Chili Bean Sauce was a finalist in the 2022 Good Food Awards, presented by the Good Food Foundation. The sauce is mildly spicy with a rich umami flavor, and the perfect addition to your favorite dishes. Another Good Food Awards finalist Chef Chen’s Famous Chili Crisp, which George Chen says “is a delicious topping for almost anything, and a must for your Asian pantry.” It is made with carefully selected ingredients such as rice bran oil, dried chili flakes, broad bean paste, fermented soybeans, Shaoxing rice wine, and paprika. We’re sure that you’ll find a lot of uses for either of these sauces.

Visit: https://chinalivesf.com/


AUSTIN EASTCIDERS SPICED PEACH

Hard cider continues to grow in popularity every year, and each region that makes it tries to outdo the others with their creativity and product sources. Austin, Texas for example, or specifically Austin Eastciders, has a limited release of spiced peach cider that is sure to have anyone with a thirst trying to snatch them out of the refrigerator without being noticed. California, Washington State, Oregon, and New York are all well-known for their ciders, but with their new spiced peach cider that reminescent of a delicious cobbler, Austin definitely holds its own.

Brittnay Perlo, Master Cider Maker at Austin Eastciders says, “Now what is better than the perfect combination of fresh peaches, crisp apples, and mulling spices? You will taste notes of ripe juicy peaches, and undertones of orange, cinnamon and nutmeg.”

Adds Dave Rule, VP of Marketing at Austin Eastciders, “Spiced Peach tastes like we threw some of your grandmother’s Peach Cobbler in the fermentation tank. Blending mulling spices with apples and apple cider is a long-standing American tradition. It reminds us of football season, tailgating, getting together with old friends and family and huddling together to stay warm.”

Austin Eastciders’ Spiced Peach is made with real fruit, no artificial sweeteners, and is gluten-free. The Spiced Peach is available in 12-packs as part of Austin Eastciders’ Winter Variety Pack, and on draft. Visit https://www.austineastciders.com/ to learn more.


 

20 of the Best Chocolate Advent Calendar Gifts on Instagram

Advent may not be something everyone celebrates, but everyone can enjoy a tasty chocolate advent calendar. Not only do they keep track of the month of December fairly accurately, they also contain fantastically delicious chocolate treats, and a way to bond with family and friends. Below are some of the most exciting and creative that we’ve found on Instagram, and which (if they’re still in stock) make great gifts.






















TasteTV Gift Guide: 4 Inexpensive Tools for the Home Office That You Can’t Believe You Didn’t Have

The Home Office has gone from a nice optional addition to a must have productivity space. To stay welcoming, comfortable and productive, it needs to organized. Even if the space is open to other areas without privacy, any way that you can reduce the feeling that there’s a bunch of junk everywhere is going to make you feel a lot better, and increase your self confidence.

The problem is that some of the easiest and obvious things we can do are often the last we get to unless prodded.

Consider this your official prodding.


D-Line White Cable Tube

You probably don’t even see them anymore, but your office is cluttered with cords. Cords from your computer, cords from your monitor, cords from your chargers, cords from your humidifier. What have we left out? It’s a cord Armageddon, but this inexpensive plastic tube works miracles. You just slip the entire bunch into it, and suddenly everything appears a lot more “under control.”

We all want a bit more control these days.

Find it on Amazon


Omoton Adjustable Cell Phone Stand

We don’t even need to explain how useful this is. Your hands and wrists will thank you, though.

Rest your phone in it facing you, and go about your daily business without constantly picking it up to check the latest news, grams or texts. The Omoton stand also comes in different sizes for different types of smartphones and tablets.

Find it Here.


Bookends

For your books.

Because you can’t just stack them everywhere.

Find them on Amazon


Office Paper Shredder:

It doesn’t need to take up all of the space on your floor, but it does need to be able securely clean up all of those private documents and credit card statements you’ve been piling up.

Find it on Amazon

TasteTV Gift Guide: Luxury Gifts for the Sporty and Active Lifestyle

You can definitely do three fun and healthy things at the same time. Like work out, be active, and stay ultra stylish.

Tiffany, Prada and Hermès know this, and have new luxury options in their collections just for you.

 


Hermès Manufacture de Boucleries longboard

Why wear your Hermès around your neck, when you can boogie down the street with it below your feet

$4,425

Find it Here


Prada Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Stay hydrated and stay fashionable at the same time, this bottle features an embossed lettering Prada logo. Keep it attached with a snap-hook and removable ring.

350ml

$75.00

Find it Here.


Nomad Leather AirPod Pro Case

If you’re an active person you know need your AirPods to keep you motivated.

Of course, they need their own stylish leather case for storage and recharge.

Find it Here.


Prada Nylon Gaberdine Sneakers

Yes, if you want you can actually work out in these Prada sneakers, made with:

  • Laced sneaker in nylon gabardine fabric
  • Sturdy water-repellent fabric upper with sleek, clean lines and heat-bonded rubber logo
  • Ultra-light rubber sole
  • Box sole construction with reinforced stitching

$690

Find it Here


Tiffany Leather and Walnut Table Tennis Paddles

Spike your table tennis competition as much as you can with these high-grade Tiffany paddles.

Made of leather and reclaimed American walnut with sterling silver plaques. Comes with 3 Tiffany balls.

$700

Find it Here.

 


You also might want this Tiffany limited edition basketball, but alas, it’s sold out.

Sorry, but there are some things that money can’t buy.

6 Great Red Wines Under $50 That Make Tasty Gifts Any Time of Year

Looking for great red wine options but have a budget between $30 and $50? You can’t go wrong with these 6 releases that will leave you and your fellow wine tasters giddy for more, and your wallet not feeling empty.


Herzog Variations Be-Leaf 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

The 2019 Herzog Cab is not only Kosher, it’s also certified organic and made with no added sulfites. It’s a lighter Cab, which suits many tastes for a less robust red.

Drink it any time of day, and definitely not just for the holidays

Find it Here

 


Avaline Red Wine

Celebrity wines are getting better and better, probably because the celebrities who make them now are actual Wine lovers who want to drink their own vintages. Avaline comes from a partnership between Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power

The red wine is a blend of Grenache and Syrah. Made with handpicked organic grapes from Europe, and is vegan friendly, with no added artificial ingredients or sugars.

We love the taste!

Find it Here

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by AVALINE (@avaline)

 


San Simeon Vineyards 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

The 2017 San Simeon Cab benefited from a long growing season, with the vineyards situated on California’s Central Coast in the Paso Robles appellation of San Luis Obispo County. Aged in Oak Barrels, and mixed with a bit of Petit Verdot, this Cabernet is robust yet velvety. We consider it like comfort food in the form of wine.

Find it Here

 


Alder Springs Vineyard, 2013 Kinesis

Alder Springs Vineyard, 2013 Syrah

Alder Springs has been making wine for about 30 years, since Stu Bewley bought a former 6,000 acre cattle operation in northern Mendocino County and started growing grapes instead.

If you love deep reds, you’ll find both their 2013 Kinesis and 2013 Syrah attractive additions to your tasting palate. The Kinesis is a blend of 49% Grenache 32% Counoise 19% Mourvédre. A choice that goes well with meats and smoked foods, but it is also quite versatile whatever the dish. The Syrah is made from 100% Syrah at an elevation of 2600 feet, and contains tantalizing notes of leather and dark fruits.

Find it Here


San Simeon 2017 Pinot Noir Monterey

This Monterey Pinot Noir is a blend of grapes sourced from the Riboli Family farms estate vineyards in Monterey and the Loma Vista and Sarmento Vineyards. Well-priced and well structured, any Pinot lover would find this a fun tasting experience.

Find it Here.

 

TasteTV Gift Guide: 3 Gourmet Spice Sets You Will Love

Happiness is the spice of life is a truism. What is also true is that spice is a source of happiness. Especially when cooking and eating your meals. If you want to give someone an ongoing source of happiness, giving them (or yourself), a few great spice sets will never steer you wrong.

Without a well stocked spice collection, the home chef is like a painter with just one color. Sounds rather bland, doesn’t it?

Fortunately, we’ve taken a look at several, and here are some of our favorites: SpiceWalla, Nielsen-Massey, and Mola Foods.


SpiceWalla 18 Pack Kitchen Essentials Spice & Seasonings Pack

This kit has everything an experienced or novice home chef could want for most meals, hence the name “essential.” Eighteen different tins contain a variety of spices and seasonings, each packaged in a nice container that looks good on its own or in your spice rack.

The kit includes: Cumin Seed – Kashmiri Chilli Powder – Granulated Garlic -Granulated Onion – Dark Chilli Powder – Ground Yellow Mustard – Crushed Red Pepper – Smoked Paprika – Green Cardamom Powder – Cinnamon Powder – Cloves – Ground Turmeric – Coriander Seed – Mediterranean Oregano – Rosemary – Herbs de Provence – Fennel Seed – Ground Ginger.

What also makes it a great gift is that it will take quite a while for someone to get through all of these ingredients, and each time they use them they will think of you.

Find it Here


Nielsen Massey Extracts: Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract, Peppermint Extract

Nielsen-Massey has long been the industry standard for high quality Pure Vanilla Extract. This is impressive, considering the competition from the artificial vanilla ‘flavoring’ brands, plus the amount of time and effort it takes to grow a real vanilla plant to fruit. Vanilla comes from an orchid vine, and the flowers produce seed pods from which the vanilla beans and essence are extracted. Anyone who has ever tried to grow orchids know that it is a labor and time intensive enterprise that gives us this fantastic taste.

Nielsen-Massey puts the same care into their other extracts, including one for Pure Almond and another for Pure Peppermint. Used together, you can imagine the feast of cookies and cakes that you can bring to the table!

Find them Here.


Mola Foods, Culture in a Bottle

Mola Foods has a range of spice blends, and each is inspired by a particular culture or region of the World. Founded by Jeannette Bryant, her spices are vegan friendly and vibrant.

One thing you will find once you start using any of these spice blends is that it doesn’t really matter what it was originally intended to elicit. It could say Indian, it could say Ethiopian, it could say Spicy or General. You are going to use it on EVERYTHING. Eggs, steak, chicken, vegetables, stews, fish… The list goes on, because it turns out that they are not just fresh, they are also extremely versatile. The basic ingredients of garlic power, onion powder, salt, perhaps some turmeric, etc., can be used as a general seasoning, and they are used in exactly that way.

Prepare for heavy duty usage and happiness.

Find it Here.