I’ve been cultivating my culinary thumb this winter and here are the items that have made my journey all the more exciting, healthy, and of course, tasty. These items make perfect gifts for the at-home chef in your life!
Burlap & Barrel
Update their spice cabinet with ethical seasonings that will last well into the New Year with Burlap & Barrel. I went the savory route and got Wild Ramps, Wild Mountain Cumin, Caribbean Bay Leaves powder, and Anatolian Sage to spice up my holiday roasts along with lunchtime stews. The 8 gram jar is an ideal size in my spice drawer and only takes a little for major flavor payoff. The at-home chef will adore high quality spices and you will adore not breaking the bank, since B&B spices average out to under $10 dollars per jar. ‘Tis the season for delish seasonings from Burlap & Barrel!
Spade Soda
Soda is so yummy but has so many calories (and other ingredients I can’t pronounce). Swap your favorite cola for Spade Soda, a good-for-you soda that satisfies any sugar craving. This zero sugar and zero calorie elixir is my dream soda come true. Their variety pack offers classic flavors like Dr. Spade and Modern Cola (for cola fiends) and fruity blends like Yuzu Lime, Strawberry Kiwi, Guava, and Blueberry-Açaí. My personal at-home chef (aka boyfriend) claimed the Dr. Spade flavor as his own. He says “It’s actually pretty good, considering it’s stevia and has a delicious flavor with no aftertaste”.
My go-to was the Guava which tasted like melted candy in the best way. Spade Soda contains Electrolytes, Magnesium, Potassium which I never heard of in a soda but made me feel good with every sip. Spade Soda is the drink for the holiday season, being vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free, these drinks are sure to be a hit among your friends who enjoy home cooking and eating out.
Pluck
Finishing salt doesn’t have to be boring, it can even be nutritious, with organ seasoning from Pluck. A brand dedicated to high quality organ powders sourced from New Zealand grass-raised cows adds a dash of flavor and vitamins to every meal. Their sample pack offers their Spicy Mild, Garlic Zest, Original, and Pure seasonings to sample and pick a favorite for a larger size.
I love this as a gift for cooks because it’s original, useful in the kitchen, and tastes plain good. The Garlic Zest flavor was sprinkled all over my root veggies and roasted for twenty minutes. I was left with a tasty side that my nieces and I could eat and enjoy during dinner (Pluck prides itself on being kid-friendly in flavor). This seasoning is going to become a household product in your favorite chef’s kitchen once they have a taste of Pluck.
The Gracious Gourmet
Spread the holiday love on thick with The Gracious Gourmet spreads. They have an assortment of options of jams, pestos, and spreads that fit every taste palette. For this holiday season I gave the Rosemary Pear jam and homemade sourdough to a friend who loves baking. This combo was perfect for a post-feast snack. The savory rosemary added depth to the pear’s sweetness and was sooooo good. My partner received a package of high-quality basil ravioli with Lemon Artichoke Pesto, which we made as a tasty vegetarian dish in under ten minutes. I put on my own chef hat by making a DIY charcuterie board with the Caramelized Onion Fig spread. This spread is a slow-cooked onion jam with sugary hints of fig. I paired it with walnuts, goat cheese, and artisan crackers. The end result: a delicious and onion-y time. The Gracious Gourmet is the perfect addition to any kitchen this holiday season.
