Gastronome

BY NANCY DAVIDSON

GOURMET GIFTS

A few must-have presents for your favorite foodies

Though epicures may seem hard to please, secretly, they are rather easy to delight when it comes to holiday gifts—as long as you get them something delicious. Here are some ways to satisfy even the most persnickety foodie on your list.

FAMILY

There is nothing more touching than a handmade gift. Despite how busy the holiday season can get, cookies and candy can be made at the last minute. Simple sugar cookies are quick in the oven and easy to decorate.

Get creative with the icing by using different colors and making fun designs with a toothpick. A happy face decoration is sure to bring a smile to someone’s face. For some ways to make your gift even more festive, see the sidebar on how to wrap it up with style.

WORK

While most people will be impressed with homemade creations, sometimes there are those who really need to be wowed—like your boss or a special client. The best way to any food connoisseur’s heart is through, well, food. Mackenzie Limited (www.mackenzieltd.com) has a fabulous checkerboard cake ($65), with bittersweet chocolate buttercream and a chocolate ganache coating. Fruit lovers will go crazy for the tarts, streusels and more. For those in the office with a savory tooth, the cheese-stuffed delicacies ($10)—carefully cured olives or red peppers stuffed with blue cheese or feta—can be the perfect treat.

ROMANTIC

For the ultimate in unusual yet mouthwatering flavors, Vosges (www.vosgeschocolate.com) combines rich chocolate with surprising spices. The new mini exotic candy bars ($2.50/each or 12 pieces for $24) are the perfect size for sophisticated stocking stuffers. Choose from such flavors as the spicy Black Pearl (ginger, wasabi, sesame seeds and dark chocolate) to the sweeter Gianduja (almonds, hazelnuts and deep milk chocolate).

Francophiles will be delighted with chocolates and truffles from Payard (www.payard.com). The praline truffles (13 pieces for $27) are sure to satisfy that sweet craving. Or, opt for something from the wide range of holiday collections, including kosher and pareve (non-dairy) selections.

SPICED

ROSEMARY NUTS

2 1/2 cups mixed raw nuts

2 tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary

1 tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place the nuts in a bowl. In a small, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the olive oil. Add the rosemary and stir until aromatic, about 1 minute. Pour seasoned oil over the nuts. Add the sugar, cumin, salt, black pepper and cayenne, and stir to coat the nuts evenly. Transfer the nuts to a baking pan. Bake, stirring occasionally, until the nuts are toasted, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. —Georgeanne Brennan, from Holiday Entertaining: Inspired Recipes & Ideas for Celebrating the Season

PRETTY PRESENTS

Here are three ideas for wrapping up your gifts from Williams-Sonoma’s Holiday Entertaining: Inspired Recipes & Ideas for Celebrating the Season.

	Fill a shot glass with an edible gift. Choose clear glass or an assortment of sizes and colors. Tie on a decorative ribbon and a small ornament.
	Glass jars are perfect vessels for cookies or confections. Alternate pieces of waxed paper with the treats. Tie on a pretty bow and gift tag.
	Put treats in brightly colored or patterned boxes. Wrap the food in festive paper and attach a gift tag. Or, use metal tins or canisters.