Holiday Mistakes
By admin | December 29, 2008
As some of the older female relatives in my family were preparing food over the holidays, a few of the younger guys were sitting at the island discussing technology. When one of them said “used cisco“, my aunt thought they were talking about used CRISCO, which sent her into a frenzy of “how does that work?” and “who would want used Crisco?” comments. Very amusing.
Anyway, no post is complete without a mention of something totally delicious. Remember that a lot of places are now discounting their Christmas treats, so now is a good time to pick up a bargain if you have any belated gifts or if you just want to eat some yourself.
Sugar-Free Old Fashioned Fancy Christmas Cookies Gift Tin - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Price: $24.99
Longing for fancy cookies? A wonderful gift for those on a restricted diet or members of the family or friends who must watch what they eat. Sugar-free tastes oh so sweet, thanks to Maltitol. Net wt. 1 lb. (approx. 44 cookies).
Topics: Baked Goods | 1 Comment »
Edible Gifts for Men
By admin | December 29, 2008
Men can be difficult to shop for, especially when they already have everything they want - a great sound system, an Xbox 360, a Blu-Ray player, and so on. That’s why I usually skip the electronics and buy food for the men in my life. I know Christmas is over, but Valentine’s Day is coming up, and nothing says love like a giant bowl of cheese spread or a hulking sausage basket. To give you some ideas, I’ve included a few good selections below:
Fancy Mixed Nuts, Natural Wisconsin Cheese, and Cheese Spreads - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Price: $21.99
The quality is exceptional! Pecans, Filberts, Cashews, Almonds, and Brazil Nuts, all fresh roasted and salted plus cuts of natural cheese and cheese spreads in an attractive 2 piece golden gift box. Net wt. 1 lb. 10 oz.
The Finest Things Gift Basket: Cheese Spreads, Sausages, Pecanbacks & More - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Price: $34.99
Friends and family, both far and near, will be excited to receive this great assortment of favorite treats. All-Beef Salami and Original Sausages, nine spreadable cheeses, two tasty breads, jam, jelly, specialty mustards, and 10 ounces of award-winning Pecanbacks: pecan, caramel, and milk chocolate candy packaged in an elegant gold tin. Net wt. 2 lb. 11 oz.
Bacon Cheddar Cheese Spread in a Cobalt Blue Crock - 8 oz. - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Price: $12.99
Farmhouse favorites for generations! The richness of Cheddar in a golden, buttery-smooth cheese spread to thickly layer on crackers, bagels, or even just a spoon. Packed in sparkling cobalt blue stoneware crocks.
4-Pack of Beer Flavored Wisconsin Cheese Spread - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Price: $17.99
Hoist a can of Special Pilsner, Munich Dark, Bavarian Lager and Wisconsin Amber. These tasty 3.75 ounce Beer Cheese Spreads are made with our own cheese and Capital Brewery micro-brews right here in Wisconsin. Cleverly packaged for gift-giving.
Topics: Meat, Cheese | 2 Comments »
Puffy Popovers & Other Get-Out-Of-Bed Breakfasts
By admin | December 29, 2008
I’ll be honest - I’m not exactly sure what popovers are. Perhaps they’re like turnovers, coilovers, or maybe popunders. I suspect we’re talking about a pastry, though. Regardless, I like the sound of the book. I have a tough time getting out of bed, and anything that help move that along is a welcome addition to my home.
Puffy Popovers and Other Get-Out-Of-Bed Breakfasts
Puffy Popovers and Other Get-Out-Of-Bed Breakfasts
Topics: Books | 1 Comment »
Naming Cookies - A Rant
By admin | December 14, 2008
I have an aunt who is, to put it nicely, obsessed with dieting. While I find the skinny obsession to be obnoxious with most people, her case is especially sad because (a) she never diets and (b) she’s still really fat. She’s one of those really awful dieters who feels the need to point out the calories in everything you eat as you’re trying to enjoy it. She’s lucky I haven’t force-fed her lard yet, because I get very, very tempted.
Anyway, her latest stunt involved some absolutely delicious cookies and a friend’s birthday part a few weeks ago. As we all dove into the pile of cookies, she started naming them - names like cellulite, Fenphedra, and lipid. WHO DOES THAT???
Topics: Food Talk | 1 Comment »
Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker
By admin | December 14, 2008
I realize that I would probably be a better friend if I would buy my friends exercise bikes instead of things like this Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker. Seriously, though, I figure that if I buy the ice cream maker, the recipient will feel obligated to make me some ice cream with it at some point. While some might just buy it for themselves, I think things through. I cook for one, and this ice cream maker looks like a tremendous pain if you’re making ice cream for just one person. If I buy it for a friend with kids, though, she can make enough to feed 6 - one of which had better be me 
Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker
Enjoy quality soft ice cream right at home that’s as good as you’ll find anywhere.Just add fresh ingredients, turn the dial, and you can enjoy in as few as 20 minutes.
Topics: Kitchen Gadgets | 1 Comment »
Rocky Mountain English Toffee Gift Basket
By admin | December 14, 2008
When I think of toffee, I think of old men and people who ride English saddles. I guess I’m just prejudiced that way. Oddly enough, that seems to be a lot more acceptable than saying something like, “When I think of grape soda and watermelon, I think of black people.”
Regardless, I think this Rocky Mountain Toffee - Wine & Cheese Gift Basket is a pretty cool gift set. It comes withwine, cheese, and ONE POUND of English toffee (which, by the way, actually sounds pretty good, despite the fact that I am neither an old man nor a person who rides English saddles).
Rocky Mountain Toffee - Wine & Cheese Gift Basket
Price: $29.99
Wine & Cheese Gift Basket. Over one pound of our English Toffee (crunchy, buttery center enrobed in milk chocolate and coated with almonds), Dark English Toffee (it’s companion piece but drenched in our semi-sweet chocolate)…
Topics: Gift Baskets | 2 Comments »
Salmon, Shrimp, & Crab Seafood Spreads
By admin | December 14, 2008
As part of my ongoing quest to fatten up every single person I know, I’m considering buying this Salmon, Shrimp, and Crab Seafood Cheese Spread Set for one of my aunts. Sure, she asked for some kind of supplement - Leptovox, Botox, who knows what it was, actually - but I can’t very well break with the food gift tradition, now can I?
Salmon, Shrimp, and Crab Seafood Cheese Spread Blends - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Price: $19.99
A great catch any season! Imagine creamy cheese, rich and smooth, blended with an outstanding variety of seafood flavors: Salmon, Shrimp, and Crab. So perfect for entertaining. Net wt. 1 lb. 8 oz.
Topics: Appetizers | No Comments »
Pumpkin Bread Roll with Cream Cheese Filling
By admin | December 14, 2008
In most cases, I enjoy “roll” desserts about as much as I enjoy the thought of rolling around naked in the shag carpeting of a cheap Vegas hotel. This Pumpkin Bread Roll with Cream Cheese Filling is pretty tempting, though. It combines two of my favorite things - pumpkin and cream cheese. Of course, I might have to close my eyes while eating it to drown out the memories of the dried fruit-filled concoctions my old aunts used to conjure up.
Pumpkin Bread Roll with Cream Cheese Filling - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Price: $19.99
This delicious Pumpkin Roll is made with delicious pumpkin spices; nutmeg and cinnamon layered with a luscious cream cheese filling. Serves 5 to 6. Net wt. 22 oz.
Topics: Baked Goods | 1 Comment »
Frango Organic Assorted Mint Chocolates
By admin | December 14, 2008
When I’m faced with the task of buying gifts for people I don’t know well, I try to think of what I do know about them. For example, I have an acquaintance who likes European style, modern furniture, and eco-friendly products. Since I don’t like her well enough to buy her a couch, I decided on this box of Frango Organic Assorted Mint Chocolates instead.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t stop at her. There’s an open box of Frango mints on my own counter now, too.
Frango Organic Assorted Mint Chocolates
It’s hard not to fall in love with Frango’s new assortment of organic mint chocolate. In fact, it’s only natural! As rich and indulgent as ever, these smooth, minty morsels are made from organic ingredients and packaged with care in recycled paperboard boxes printed with vegetable-based ink.
Topics: Chocolate | 1 Comment »
Golf Ball Cookie Platter
By admin | December 14, 2008
To be quite honest, there’s not a single golfer in my entire family - on either side. We tend to favor more active leisure activities. Still, there are a ton of people out there who do love golf, including a professional acquaintance I bought a gift for this Christmas. Since the only thing I really knew about this particular person is that he likes golf, I wanted to do a little more than just buy him some golf balls.
Instead, I opted for a Golf Ball Cookie Planter. Cute, right? What do you think? Know of any other edible gifts for golfers?
Golf Ball Cookie Planter - 6 or 12 Gourmet Cookies
Price: $34.0
What a great gift for any sports fan. This Planter can even function as a chip bowl at your next US Open Golf Outing! The best part is you get something after the cookies are gone! It’s two gifts in one. We send a variety of gourmet cookies in every cookie bouquet. We truly want to make your gift giving experience a pleasure. Our cookies are absolutely scrumptious and we know your loved one will be very happy and excited when they open the box. Order now for that special person and sink a hole in one on the 18th!
Topics: Theme Gifts, Baked Goods | 4 Comments »
Old-Fashioned Christmas Candy Gift Tin
By admin | December 14, 2008
This Old-Fashioned Christmas Candy Gift Tin is exactly the kind of gift I like to give to people I know with kids. It’s thoughtful and delicious, but it also leaves their kids bouncing off the walls and hanging from the chandeliers. Yes, I know I’m evil.
Of course, this is also a great gift for the senior citizens on your list, mostly because these types of candy were actually the mainstays of what many of them grew up with. It’s not like they had pooping reindeer candies and Pop Rocks, you know?
Old-Fashioned Christmas Candy Gift Tin - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Price: $12.99
The kind of quality candy Santa’s been putting in stockings for decades, smooth melting fruit ribbons and shells, pillows, puffs, and flower cane slices. Candy comes in a beautiful reusable gift box. Net wt. 1 lb. 4 oz.
Topics: Cheap Treats, Sweets | No Comments »
Wooden Reindeer with Gourmet Christmas Cookies
By admin | December 14, 2008
Have I mentioned how much I love Christmas cookies? From the middle of November until Christmas day, I typically bake at least 3-4 batches of cookies each week. I know what you’re thinking, but no, I’m not fat.
When I don’t have time to bake as many as I’d like, I also buy quite a few. This Christmas Wooden Reindeer will make a great complement to the UGG boots I’ll be getting my cousin.
Christmas Wooden Reindeer - 12 Gourmet Cookies
Price: $44.0
Back by popular demand this all wood custom made reindeer for The Cookie Garden stands over 19 inches tall and 17 inches long. Sure to last for many generations. Each Rudolph is hand made in the USA. Loaded with 12 gourmet cookies in its back, this reindeer will still be able to pull Santa’s sleigh!. Remember to ship early so they can enjoy their reindeer for this holiday season. Each Cookie Garden cookie bouquet is hand made to order in our own gift department..
Topics: Sweets, Gift Baskets | No Comments »
Return of the Barack Obama Cookie Cake
By admin | November 5, 2008
The way I see it, this Barack Obama Cookie Cake can be enjoyed by both McCain fans and Obama fans. If you’re pleased about Obama’s victory, you can eat the cookie cake in celebration, waving your flag and smiling the whole time. If you were a McCain supporter, consider it perfect for emotional eating, or simply tell yourself, “Oh well, at least I have this cookie cake.”
Unfortunately, it looks like the supplier is out of stock at the moment, but there’s plenty of time to get your Barack Obama Cookie Cake before inauguration.
Barack Obama Cookie Cake
Can a cookie bring hope? We’d like to think so. The Obama cookie symbolizes what Barrack Obama stands for. 1.5 Lbs, Equivalent to 24, One-Oz. Cookies Buy this cookie & cast your vote in the David’s Cookies Poll! Barack Obama Official Site
Topics: Baked Goods, Sweets | No Comments »
Fruit & Gourmet Gift Basket
By admin | October 25, 2008
I received an amazing fruit basket the other day, and it has completely changed my opinion on fruit baskets in general. This particular fruit basket was fresh and local, and it included a lot of fruits that aren’t typically included in fruit baskets - starfruit, pineapple, and pomegranate, to name a few. It also included a several types of nuts few fresh cookies and brownies for good measure. All things in balance, right.
Given that I need to send out a basket or two over the coming weeks, I’ve been shopping around for something that could match the splendor of that basket. The basket below comes pretty close, and it would probably top it if they were more specific about the fruits offered. I understand that mail order companies can’t always offer the same fruits year-round, though. For those of you who buy a lot of business gifts, this is the Cadillac of fruit baskets. Just stick in a card and a few promotional pens and you’re set.
Season’s Bounty Fruit and Gourmet Gift Basket
Price: $199.95
Some of our regions finest confections are united with our famous fruit in our classic basket. We assemble everything by hand specifically for you and your lucky recipient to create an outstanding display of thoughtfulness. Rogue Creamery Garlic Cheddar Cheese, Chocolate Toffee Almonds, Dried Fruit Medley, Marionberry Preserves, Sweet n Hot Pepper & Onion Relish, Butter Toffee Nut Popcorn, Rogue Creamery Medium Cheddar Cheese, Mixed Nuts, Smoke Sockeye Salmon, Chocolate Covered Cherries, Raspberry Preserves, Honey Wheat Crackers, Beef Summer Sausage
Topics: Fruit, Gift Baskets | No Comments »
Northwoods Morning Gift Basket With Ham & Sausage
By admin | September 4, 2008
A male friend of mine is turning 30 soon, and I did a quick search to see if I could find a decent “man gift”. I know some people turn to gadgets when they think of men, but I decided pretty quickly that he’d enjoy something edible a lot more than he’d enjoy the kind of gadget-y trinket I’d otherwise buy him. He’s definitely in the sub-$50/gift friend range.
Anyway, I saw this very cool Northwoods Morning Gift Basket with ham, sausage, and a couple of breakfast mixes. While I don’t think it’s right for this particular recipient, I did think it was really cool. It’s the kind of thing I’d send in advance for a significant other if we were spending a weekend in a mountain cabin or something. Because, you know, I spend so much time in mountain cabins living here in the very flat Midwest.
Northwoods Morning w/ Coffee, Pancake & Muffin Mix, Ham, Sausage, Preserves - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Price: $39.99
Around the woodlands of Wisconsin, a breakfast of ham, sausage, coffee, and plenty of pancakes is the only way to start the day! Included are easy-to-fix Buttermilk and Apple Spice Pancake Mixes, Blueberry and Strawberry Muffin Mixes, Maple Syrup, Peach and Strawberry Preserves, Cooked Ham, Original and Mesquite Smoked Beef Sausages, and assorted Gourmet Coffees. Net wt. 3 lb. 6 oz.
Topics: Gift Baskets | No Comments »
Sugar-Free Chocolate Walnut Fudge
By admin | August 24, 2008
I’ve never been a big fan of sugar-free products, but I know they’re a requirement for some people. For those people, the Wisconsin Fudgeman has created this Sugar-Free Chocolate Walnut Fudge for a mere $14.99. Instead of sugar, it uses Maltitol and Isomalt (which sounds more like an acne treatment than a sweetening agent). I’ll stick to the regular version, but if you have a diabetic or dieting loved one, this may be the way to go.
Sugar-Free Chocolate Walnut Fudge - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Price: $14.99
Lose the sugar, keep the flavors you love! Candy that’s guilt-free but oh so delicious. Attractive packaging makes this a great gift. Walnut Fudge is made with Maltitol and Isomalt. Net wt. 1 lb.
Topics: Sugar-Free, Sweets | No Comments »
Miss Grace 3-Cake Citrus Sampler
By admin | August 24, 2008
Somehow, almost everything is better when it’s made smaller. These tiny cakes in the Miss Grace Citrus Sampler are no exception. For $30, you get 3 adorable little cakes in an attractive keepsake chest.
It would be the perfect gift for anyone who loves sweets, with the possible exception of one of those big burly men who ride around on used Harleys. Actually, that might be even better, as I’ve always wanted to see a big guy in motorcycle leathers eating tiny dessert cakes.
Miss Grace Citrus Sampler, 3 Mini Cakes
Price: $29.95
This elegant keepsake Miss Grace chest is now filled with three indulgent fresh-baked Miss Grace citrus mini-cakes: our incomparable Miss Grace Lemon, the new Miss Grace Lemon Blueberry chock full of fresh blueberries and our moist, delicious Lemon Chocolate Chip. Three heavenly flavors in one sensational gift!
Topics: Baked Goods | No Comments »
The Sort-of Healthy Fruit and Gourmet Gift Basket
By admin | August 11, 2008
It’s not often that you find an appealing food gift that doesn’t make you want to run to the gym and hit the ellipticals, but this Large Fruit and Gourmet Basket pulls it off. For $110, your gift recipient gets at least 24 pieces extra fancy fruit (what is extra fancy fruit, anyway?), Custom House coffees, Sarments Dumedoc chocolates, Lady Walton cookies, cheese, crackers, Droste chocolates, 1 pound of Trophy giant mix deluxe nuts, Peerless candies, a Simpkins candy tin, Wagners teas, Lindt chocolate truffles, and Toggenburger chocolate-covered wafer cookies.
Okay, so maybe I lied just a little. If you eat all of that at once, you will want to do some exercise afterwards. On the other hand, the inclusion of fruit, tea, and nuts makes it a much healthier option than a lot of traditional gift baskets (though perhaps a little less healthy than the average fruit basket). I think it’s a nice compromise, and a lovely gift.
Fruit and Gourmet Large
Price: $110.0
Topics: Fruit, Healthy Options, Gift Baskets | No Comments »
Dragonfly Petits Fours
By admin | August 4, 2008
It’s been a while since I’ve heard the old acne and junk food myth, but it never fails to irritate me. I was looking at fudge in a local shop the other day, and some old woman came up behind me and starting telling her kids about the terrible acne they’d get if they ate any of the fudge she was getting for herself. She had bright red hair, a nasal voice, and a giant dragonfly necklace.
In her honor, I’m featuring a bit of delicious junk food, these Dragonfly Cakes Assorted Petits Fours. For $30, you get 12 large petits fours.
Dragonfly Cakes Assorted Petits Fours, 12-Piece
Start with four layers of the finest moist cake, then add a thin layer of exquisite, hand-decorated marzipan and you’ll get this colorful assortment of meticulously made petits fours.
Topics: Baked Goods | No Comments »
Strawberry Cheesecake
By admin | July 28, 2008
I love cheesecake. Cheesecake Factory is alright, but what I really love is a fresh cheesecake topped with fresh fruit…Of course, this Strawberry Cheesecake looks awfully good. It’s set on a crust of graham crackers and topped with delicious strawberry preserves. Despite the relatively modest 10 inch size, it weighs in at a hefty 4 pounds. According to David’s Cookies, it’s enough cheesecake for 14 people.
Or, if you prefer, get a liver cleanse.
Topics: Baked Goods | No Comments »
