Last Minute Holiday Treats

With Christmas only 3 days away, you might think that it's too late to order in your favorite foods. Not true! Many gourmet food retailers understand that they'll be working and shipping packages until the final moments, which this year means December 23rd at 3pm. So as long as you don't mind paying for expedited shipping (I've not found many customers that mind the extra charges when they've waited so long to order) you're still in great shape for Christmas deliveries.

That is, weather permitting. This year is particularly challenging as there are pockets of storms throughout the country, and if you can't get around, then neither can Fedex and UPS. You may not realize that the major hubs for air freight carriers are located in places like Memphis, TN. So even if you're in San Fransisco and it's sunny and 60, your package might well be delayed because of weather the day before in Memphis. My advice is don't be afraid to order late, but have a backup plan in case your package is delayed.

Here are 2 last minute treats that I'll be ordering for myself today, things that I think no holiday should be without: great quality bacon and a show-stopping dessert.

Let's start with the good stuff, bacon from Nodine's Smokehouse. Lean, flavorful, and semi-thick cut, all the qualities I've come to love in a good bacon. My personal favorite is the Applewood Smoked, however you can't go wrong with any flavor, including the nitrite-free.

Let's get to the show-stopping dessert, and when I say that I mean a dessert so beautiful that it literally will delay the post-meal indulgence by an hour. That's what happens when I serve a cheesecake from Elegant Cheesecakes. Not only are they beautiful fully edible creations, but they are equally as delicious, and are guaranteed to arrive overnight in perfect condition. I was dubious that such a masterpiece could be shipped cross country and arrive in good condition, but I assure you that we've been shipping these for years with not one complaint.

The one to pick today (or tomorrow if you're feeling daring!) would be the Traditional Elegance Giftbox cake, a personal favorite of mine. They keep these made and in stock as a "rush" item, ready for all the last minuters.

Here's wishing you great Holiday entertaining, and as always, good health, good friends and family, and good food!

Holiday Shipping

With the holidays fast approaching, the shipping window for foods becomes smaller and smaller, making planning critical. This may seem obvious, but it's all too important. Over the years I've seen and heard too many stories of packages not arriving on time and spoiling celebrations. Most mail order companies do their very best to get every package out, but the reality is that this time of year many are processing 10 times the volume they usually would. Add to that temporary package delivery employees and unpredictable weather, and it all can spell trouble.

The simple advice is: order early! Next week is the busiest delivery week and also the busiest sales period of the year for food shippers, so I recommend placing orders by this Friday to give them time to process. Most foods will arrive frozen or with a shelf life of at least a week, so they will still be in ideal condition for Christmas.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as caviar, fresh baked goods, and fresh cut cheeses. I recommend requesting a delivery date of December 23 on these items, which may mean paying for overnight shipping. It's clearly worth it in the case of caviar (and if you're spending the money for good caviar, a bit extra on shipping to assure freshness is a minor addition), but I also believe it's important for most cheese as well. The highly regarded cheese-mongers have cheese cellars that keep fine cheeses in much better shape than the average household refrigerator.

One cheese in particular that I have come to love (and dream about) is Serra da Estrela from Portugal. Dating back to the 12th century, this DOP cheese is a sheep's milk cheese from the Portuguese mountains. It is considered the "king of Portuguese cheeses." Handmade in small batches using wild thistle to coagulate the milk, the curds are broken by hand instead of being cut. Typically, only two or three are made each day. The cheese is luscious, soft, gooey, and herbaceous. It pairs well with spicier reds like Syrah and Pinot Noir.

Serra de Estrela can be hard to find most of the year, but around the holidays it can be found at fine shops like Artisinal in New York. Be sure to order a whole cheese in order to keep it with the traditional linen wrapping. To serve, bring the cheese to room temperature and cut open the top. I enjoy this cheese best scooped out with a spoon and served with Portuguese Tomato Jam.

Stay tuned for my next post... Gourmet Food Gifts under $ 30.00!!