I enjoy shortbread cookies because they are not too sweet. I bake my own but I also like to try gourmet shortbread cookies. After all, they come handy when you are in a hurry. My latest find is the Matcha Shortbread cookies from Tea Aura, a small brand located in Toronto. I could not stop eating these leaf shaped cookies with my herbal tea the other night.

Susan Ho, the owner of Tea Aura, created 5 flavors up-to-date. Her shortbread cookies are made with butter, premium loose-leaf teas and without added artificial colors or flavors. Besides Matcha Green teas, the other flavors are Earl Grey, Rooibos Chai, Chocolate Mint and Lavender Currant. The latter is supposed to be popular.

To save time, I would stock a few since bringing two or three boxes make a delicious hostess gift. You can find the tea Aura’s cookies at selected grocers and specialty shops across Canada and at selected places in the United States. Check here to find a retailer near you.

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Look at the beautiful execution of the holiday bake gifts done by Amber of Daisy Chain. I like her attention to details. She assembled her own s’more kits that fit into a canning jar. The kit  includes the ingredients and twigs for roasting. The biggest task is to design and print nice custom labels. It is a great idea that will please everyone. Who can resist s’mores?

+ photos: Daisy Chain

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Every Holiday season, one cooking tool is under everyone’s Christmas tree. This year, the brie baker seems to be what retailers have bet on. I saw the brie baker being well in display, next to the Goat Cheese Baker, in almost every gift ships I visited last week.

If you ever served a baked brie, you know how messy it can become once people start eating it. This is why many people wrap their bake brie in puff pastry. Since it is so good, you do not wish to lose any bites. The advantage of the brie baker is that you can use it as the serving dish. The maker provides a spreader to avoid burns. Plus the brie stays warmer longer.

The goat cheese baker leaves you more roam to remove the warm cheese, if you need to.

I saw these cheese bakers at Indigo, Arthur Quentin, Linen Chest and Zone. The brie baker is available in cream and in red. The goat cheese baker also comes in blue. They made wonderful gift ideas under $25. I bought the cream brie baker and the goat cheese baker. I cannot wait to try them out.

+ Photos: Petite Maison by Wildly Delicious

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Canada is the premier producer of maple syrup. Although the number of producers is impressive, if there is a constant is the packaging. In fact, neither the producers or the distributors make an effort to distinguish their product through packaging.

The maple leaf is used as much as possible. Some have even developed complex bottle like a glass bottle in the shape of a maple leaf. Let’s face it. It lacks good design and elegance. This is where the founders of Studio Innova in Toronto come to play. Their intent with Ninutik is to present maple syrup through the lens of design, art and sugar-making.

The Collection in a Glimpse

They experiment with maple syrup to create new way to shape traditional maple syrup food like sweet maple sugar. They shaped the maple sugar as a perfect cube, lollipops, and round and square treat of the finest maple sugar.

After a meal, serve Marvel 35 as a mignardise with an espresso, tea, or cognac. The lollies of Bouquet 10 can be enjoyed alone, dipped in chocolate, or swirled in coffee or tea. For a special event, ask about the wood platter on which you plant the lollies.

Get an easy to use, refillable and recyclable vessel for serving the maple syrup with Squeeze 250. They add a cute black cap to the most popular bottle in Chef kitchens. The bottle holds 250 ml certified organic Canada No. 1 Light pure maple syrup.

For a unique wedding gift or birthday gift, go with Vitrum 100. Artists Alissa Coe and Carly Waito hand crafted a limited-edition porcelain bowl. This gift set includes a square bowl, lid and spoon displayed in a pinstripe box. Once the 100g of Ninutik’s granulated maple sugar is finished, the bowl can be used as a refined sugar bowl. Or the happy couple can order a refill of pure granulated maple sugar online.

The online store of Ninutik ships in Canada and the United States. Stock a few since all Ninutik products make ideal gift for the hostess or any occasion.

SOURCING:
+ Marvel 35 $16 for 8 treats: 4 round and 4 square
+ Squeeze 250 $15 CAD for
+ Bouquet 10 $16 CAD for 6 lollies
+ Vitrum 100 $100 CAD

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Everyone is looking for gift ideas that are unique and affordable. You are sure to get invited another time if you show up at the door with any of three hostess gifts:

+ Bryan Parks of Kwytza Kraft decided to give a second life to an everyday object that is commonly throw away after a single use. The Chopstick Bowls are made of post-consumer bamboo chopsticks. Do not worry, they are cleaned and sanitized before getting their warm brown hue using a natural dye made from tea leaves. A handy feature is that can be folded flat when not in use.  Medium $20 USD, large $26

+ Made from recycled bicycle freewheels and cogs, these tea light holders are ready to use since the candle is included. $12.99 USD

+ Thomas Paul drew on by lace dollies when he created his melamine Gothic Dinner Plate Set. The dolly is flush and cream. The 11-inch plates are perfect for serving cookies, cakes and pies. $36 USD for 4

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Stacking Small Cups

Using small bowls or cups has the advantage to be multi-purpose in the kitchen and on the table. I would like to own the stacking cups handcrafted by Pigeon Toe ceramics, a seller on Etsy. The 4 Stacking Thimble Cups Set comes inside an unbleached muslin bag to further highlight their organic, raw porcelain nature. Nea of Creativadoration with whom I share a love for handmade tableware spotted them first.

If you stay over for the weekend, you can be more generous. I enjoy the earthy spice colors of the glazed inside of the Zanzi bowls by LSA International. My favorite modern housewares in Boston, Lekker carries them.

Three-Part Server

The modern version of the classic triple-dipping does not look granny. Look for a three-part server with a central loop handle. You could head to Crate and Barrel or CB2 for an affordable version.

SOURCING:
+ Stacking Thimble Cups Set $22 USD for set of 4
+ Pigeon Toe Ceramics
+ Zanzi bowls $52 USD for 4
+ Tokyo 4-part Server, the one with the olives – on sale at $14.95 USD at CB2
+ Three-Part Server $9.95 USD at Crate and Barrel
+ Get directions to Lekker Unique Home Furnishings p (617) 542-6464
1317 Washington St, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02118

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If you are looking for serving ware with a fun attitude, look no further than Thorsten Van Elten to deliver the unique edge. These will set the tone of your party.

The new HemDing is a platter/fruit bowl made from a porcelain platter and a solid wood spade handle. It reminds us that our food comes from the farm.

The humor continues with the net and the ping-pong ball packaging of the ChipChopSliceServe. The form of cutting board is perfect to carry the food from the board to the pots and pans. I like to bring that as a hostess gift for a stay at the cottage.

SOURCING:
+ HemDing designed by Andreas Fabian new handle £109, vintage handle £125
+ ChipChopSliceServe designed by Michael Marriott £15

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Located in London, UK, Black+Blum is an anglo-Swiss partnership that joined forces in 1998. I think they made cool stuff.

I shopped at the boutique of Musée d’art contemporain in Montreal. I found at the contemporary art museum art boutique many of the brands and products I talked on AHWKV.

As a bonus, it does not cost a lot to out a smile on the face of the recipients with any of the Black+Blum products. For people who needs gifts for upcoming birthdays or hostess gifts, keep Black + Blum in mind.

I bought the fruit loop bowl ($40) for my sister in law. The salad plant ($30) set was really popular this year. When it does not store upright the leafy salad servers, the flowerpot can be used for mixing plus serving your salad dressing. Both are made of melamine.

I bought for Jerome and I the cutest couple clothe hangers, Mr & Mrs Hangup. You can infuse a mood with the way you place the screws. $30

As I researched this post, I spotted Spudski, the cutest potato masher I ever seen. It is based on the old fashioned ski pole. I wish I saw it before. I want one for the ski cottage. $14.80

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The Winter Appetizer Set includes a 12×12 plaza platter in matte red and one each 4×4 plaza trays in matte red, burgundy, plum and chestnut. Bowls are sold separately. This is a 2008 Limited Edition by Heath Ceramics.

If you live in Sausalito or Los Angeles, you can stop by the Heath Ceramics stores to make a wonderful gift for an entertainer. Or order online and benefit from free shipping until December 31, 2008 on orders of at least $25.

It is available until supplies last (estimated time April 1). I will visit again Los Angeles this winter. I plan a visit to the LA store and I will be able to tell you more about the Heath collection.

SOURCING:
+ Winter Appetizer Set $101 USD at Heath Ceramics

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1. Vinturi

At last, a wine aerator that works as you pour your glass of wine. It can also be used with wine carafes. Vinturi has been praised by wine connoisseurs because it enhances multiple elements of the wine. It does more than reduce the tannin. Since this gadget will be a hit with your guests, place at least 2 Vinturi on the wine station.

2. Ravi

I am happy to praise an innovation from where I live. Well-known Québec designer Michel Dallaire imagined Ravi, an instant wine chiller that you put on the neck of the wine bottle. This revolutionary concept cool your wine to the ideal temperature instantly. Ravi keeps working for more than an hour after you take it out of the freezer.

3. Jacob Wagner’s Wine Thermometer

Designed in 2007, this plastic and stainless steel minimalist digital thermometer easily attaches to any wine bottle. Beware that it only measures temperature in Fahrenheit.

The last two gift ideas will please the Hostess as well as the wine lover.

4. Wine Tasting Kits

The festive look of the Oenophilia Wine Tasting kit will not intimidate your guests. The kit provides six individually numbered cloth bags and a wine tasting score-pad.

Beginners may prefer The Wine Tasting Party Kit: Everything You Need to Host a Fun & Easy Wine Tasting Party at Home. This kit comes with a 64-page illustrated book and Cheat sheet of tasting terms.

5. Vinotagz by Modern-Twist

Available in basic solid colors and several designed patterns, the beauty of the Vinotagz is that you can write on those infinitely. Use a ballpoint pen to scribble your name, initials or the type of wine you’re drinking.

Join this to the bottle of wine you are bring to the hostess. You will double impress you’re the gift recipient by sitting the storage box on the neck of a wine bottle.

SOURCING:
+ Vinturi Wine Aerator – $63.79 USD, lot of 2
+ Ravi Instant Wine Chiller – $49.99 USD
+ Wine Thermometer by Jacob Wagner – $36 USD at MoMA store
+ Wine Tasting Kit by Oenophilia – $19.99 USD
+ Modern-Twist Vinotagz Basic – $12 USD for 6 tags
+ Modern-Twist Vinotagz Designed – $14 USD for 6 tags

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Since a copy of this book does not sit yet in my cookbook library, I will tell what it is all about from the own words of the writers, Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito.

Baked: New Frontiers in Baking was released October 1st, 2008. If you are already a patron of Baked, you will be thrilled to won that you get access to the recipes on which Baked NYC built their reputation.

You will be able to recreate at home bakery favorites like The Sweet & Salty Cake, the Peanut Butter Crispy Bar, the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Loaf, and our very own Cheddar Chipotle Biscuits.

In total, you get 80 detailed Baked recipes. The book is divided in sections: Breakfast, Cakes and Cupcakes, Pies and Tarts, Brownies and Bars, Cookies, Confections and Chocolates, and Drinks.

Not every recipe has a picture since the book only contains 40 color photos from New-York photographer Tina Rupp.

Where to Buy

If you wish to send this book as a gift, pay the suggested price and order it directly from Baked. You will receive an autographed copy wrapped in brown butcher paper for $29.95. Otherwise, Amazon sells the book for sell.

SOURCING:
+ Baked Autographed and Gift Wrapped Copy – $29.95 USD
+ For Americans: Baked: New Frontiers in Baking – $19.95 USD
+ For Canadians: Baked: New Frontiers in Baking – $20.76 CAD

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This is perfect for a Friday morning. Fred did it again in providing us with fun and quirky home accessories.

This time, Laura Strasser and Milia Seyppel imagined a way to pass the butter on a slice of ceramic bread. I like it!

Buttered-Up will not replace your butter tray since there is no cover. We do not mind since Fred products are inexpensive things that we use when we entertain or to put a smile on our face.

Why not bring Buttered-Up as an hostess gift the next you are invited to a brunch? This item will ship at the end of October.

SOURCING:
+ Buttered Up Butter Plate at Pop Deluxe – $11.99 USD

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