Beautiful Gourmet Gift Baskets

Chocolate Tower

Fruit Spread Selection

Chocolate Basket

 Not many gifts allow the giver lots of room for creative expression, are endlessly customizable, and involve the thrill of a treasure hunt. But homemade gourmet baskets do all that. They can be as small or as grand as your budget allows, and they're a great gift-giving option for so many occasions.

So, whether you pride yourself on your keen ability to choose the perfect gift, or feel at a loss before each housewarming and wedding shower, you owe it to yourself to add gourmet baskets to your gift-giving repertoire. These tips will get you started crafting memorable, personal gourmet baskets your recipients are sure to love:

• Consider Your Budget - It’ll help inform your theme, and the size of the actual basket or gift receptacle.
• Pick A Theme - A theme can help guide your selections, and lend a customized feel to the basket.  
• Make A Shopping List - Draw up a wish list of prepared specialty foods or ingredients.
• Consider Special Dietary Needs - Do they observe kosher or halal? Are they vegetarian or vegan? Do they have food allergies or any health concerns.
• Choose Non-perishables - Food safety hazards don't make very nice gifts. 
• Check Expiration Dates - make sure your gift recipient will have at least a few months to use each item. 
• Feel Free to Bargain Hunt - seek out specialty food bargains.
• Get Creative With the Holder - A serving bowl or platter, for example, gives the recipient something lasting to remember your gift by. 
• Assemble With Care - Wrapping the basket in clear cellophane can help hold everything together and keep items from shifting.

Taste of Italy

7 Cheeses

Coffee Assortment

Shortbread & Brownie Collection

Intoxicating Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

Infused syrups, muddled fruit, zippy garnishes, stylish glassware. Why should drinks made with a shot of the hard stuff have all the fun? Move over, Shirley Temple. “Soft” cocktails are growing up!
Whether it's iced teas, lemonades or punches, festive non-alcoholic drinks are great for entertaining or just for sipping on when you're relaxing at home.

Why don't you give one or all of these delicious cocktails a try and let me know what you think!

Sparkling Raspberry Tea

Ingredients:

2 cups cold brewed tea

2 cups chilled raspberry or cranberry-raspberry juice

2 cups chilled sparkling water

Raspberries, lime slices or lemon slices, if desired

Fresh mint leaves, if desired

Method:

1. In large pitcher, mix tea, juice and sparking water.
2. Serve tea over ice. Garnish with raspberries and mint leaves.

Non-Alcoholic Sangria

Ingredients:

4 cups passion fruit juice

8 cups sparkling water or ginger ale

1 fresh kiwi, sliced

1 orange, sliced

1 star fruit, sliced

1 lime, sliced

1/2 cup fresh cranberries

Method:

1. Fill a large pitcher with ice. Add the juice and sparkling water or ginger ale.
2. Toss in the fruit slices.
3. Store in the fridge until ready to serve, or serve immediately.

Watermelon Lemonade with Kiwi Splash

Ingredients:

4 kiwifruit, peeled and cut into fourths

1 tablespoon sugar

8 cups cubed seedless watermelon

2 cans (12 ounces each) frozen lemonade concentrate

4 cups water

Method:

1. Place kiwifruit and sugar in blender. Cover and blend on medium speed just until smooth. Freeze 1 to 2 hours or until firm.
2. Place watermelon in blender or food processor (blender will be full until blended). Cover and blend on medium speed until smooth. Place frozen lemonade concentrate and water in large pitcher. Add watermelon mixture; mix well.
3. Pour watermelon lemonade into glasses. Spoon dollop of frozen kiwifruit on top. Serve immediately.

Decadent Desserts

 

It's nice to finish your meal on a sweet note, whether its with cakes, bakes, pastry, puddings or ice cream. But just bear these tips in mind:

• If you're on a special diet for something like diabetes, consult your doctor or dietician about which guidelines to follow.
• Add fruits to your desserts to sneak in some health benefits.
• Monitor your portion sizes, they can still be satisfying even if they're little.
• Don't make caloric desserts an everyday thing. 
• If you just can't say no to the extra, make an agreement with yourself that you will exercise it off afterward.

Now that we've got that settled let's get to those desserts!

First up we have Chunky Cheesecake Brownies

Next let's enjoy some fruit in a Raspberry  Pudding