Special Feature: Products Sally Recommends

The Daily Dish Archive

by Sally Bernstein

December 31, 2014 -- National Champagne Day
Ring in the New Year with These 11 Cocktail Recipes from Hella Wella.

December 30, 2014 -- National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
New Year's Eve recipes: Seared Tuna with Toasted Cumin-Tomato Sauce, Black Sea Bass with Fennel Confit and Tomato, Saffron and Basil Broth and Chocolate & Cherry Bread Pudding.

December 29, 2014 -- Pepper Pot Day
New Year's Eve recipes: Sparkling Wine Cocktail with Smashed Raspberries and Chambord, Dates Stuffed with Almonds & Blue Cheese, Paella de Valencia, and Bananas Foster with Scharffen Berger Cocoa Nibs.

December 28, 2014 -- National Chocolate Candy Day
Which bubbly should you open for New Year's? Natalie Maclean's wine reviews cover a wide range of grapes and regions. Her wine reviews should help you find the wine styles you love at any price and include food pairings.

December 27, 2014 -- National Fruit Cake Day
New Cookbook: Jewish Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook Hardcover, by Mother/Daughter Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, who bring the magic of their acclaimed Fairy Tale Feasts to the time-honored and delicious traditions of Jewish storytelling and cuisine. Learn about Jewish folktales, culture, and cooking.

December 26, 2014 -- National Candy Cane Day
Holiday Gift Idea: G.H.Cretors Popped Corn: Chicago Mix, Just the Cheese Corn, Just the Caramel Corn, plus Organic Popped Corn: Simply Salted and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. These are what 5 generations of Cretors have perfected as well as Great Grandpa invented the popcorn machine for the1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition.

December 25, 2014 -- National Pumpkin Pie Day
Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2014 -- National Egg Nog Day
Holiday Gift Idea: thinkThin® High Protein Bars: These gluten-free bar contains 20 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar and are certified low glycemic. Perfect for a sweet treat on-the-go or a delicious afternoon pick-me-up, thinkThin® High Protein Bars feature a balanced mix of quality ingredients like soy and whey protein and made in a variety of delicious flavors that are covered in chocolate and taste decadently indulgent—with none of the guilt. thinkThin® High Protein Bars are available for purchase on http://thinkproducts.com/ and are sold in grocery and health food stores nationwide. $1.69-$1.99/per bar

Holiday Gift Idea: Wonderbag. A Recipe for Change: this stand alone, non-electric insulated bag is designed to reduce the amount of fuel required in the cooking of food in developing nations. Instead of being placed on a stove for the duration of the cooking period, food is instead heated to a hot enough temperature and then transferred to the Wonderbag, which uses the principle of thermal insulation to continue cooking, and keeps food warm without needing addition fire, or additional heat. For each bag you buy, one is donated to a family in need in Africa. $50 WonderbagWorld.com

December 23, 2014 -- National Pfeffemuesse Day
Holiday Gift Idea: Smart Touch Wine Opener by Aermate removes corks effortlessly by using just two fingers to turn. The twist-and-pull action never breaks the cork but pulls out the wine cork as you twist. The enclosed corkscrew ensures a simple, smooth and effortless operation. The opener comes with a foil cutter that clips onto the unit for storage and is small enough to store in your kitchen drawers or take with you—to picnics and parties. $24.99; http://viatekproducts.com/smart-touch-wine-opener/

Rachael Ray’s Holiday Gift Guide:  Lots of choices including Bakeware, Cookbooks, Cooking Tools, Cookware, Cutlery, and Food Totes & Storage. Ray’s orange pieces are not only colorful but also useful. Buy here.

December 22,2014 -- National Date Nut Bread Day
Holiday Gift Idea: Capresso CoffeeTEAM PRO Glass. This new stainless steel coffee maker also has an attached burr grinder. There is a 12-cup glass coffee maker so you can accomplished two chores at once and make your mornings a whole lot easier. This bean-to-carafe costs $219.99. Buy here.

Holiday Gift Idea: Frieling Black Cube™ Fry Pan. This pan is stainless steel, non-stick and scratch resistant. The exclusive textured surface is PFOA free and dishwasher safe. Stainless nonstick is a raised stainless steel pattern over a recessed layer of nonstick coating. This allows for browning on stainless steel without sticking and protects the nonstick coating when using metal utensils. Available in 8, 9 ½, & 11 inch fry pans and a 12 ½ inch wok. Buy here.

December 21, 2014 -- National Hamburger Day
Holiday Gift Idea: Insalata's and Marinitas: The Story of Two Restaurants, by native Californian Chef Heidi Insalata Krahling, brings home cooks into her kitchens to share the food and flavors that have made her San Anselmo restaurants, Insalata's and Marinitas, so beloved in Marin County, California. Color photos and drawings help make this cookbook a winner.

Holiday Gift Idea: Cake Boss. Carlo’s Bakery offers bakeware for the home baker.  There are hundreds of items including special pans for the holidays, gadgets, tools, serveware, and more. http://bakeshop.carlosbakery.com/bakeware.html?limit=all

December 20, 2014 -- National Sangria Day
Holiday Gift Idea: Reduce Wave Tumbler: this 16 oz. BPA free thermal tumbler comes in 3 colors: blue, purple and aqua. It has a flip-lock lid, is vacuum insulated and fits car cup holders. The rippled texture on the outside of the tumbler makes it ergonomic and comfortable to use.  The vacuum insulation allows coffee to stay hot for up to 8 hours. $17.99. Buy here.

December 19, 2014 -- National Hard Candy Day
Holiday Gift Idea: Bespoke Post Boxes. This subscription box service offers themed boxes of food goodies delivered to your door. The owners scour the world for remarkable items, such as Slake Box, which includes everything you need to lay out the ultimate spread for entertaining carnivores and veggies alike (you choose your option). $45 to $55. www.bespokepost.com/home

December 18, 2014 -- National Roast Suckling Pig Day
Holiday Gift Idea: Keurig 2.0. This new brewing system from Keurig has the ability to brew both a single sup and a four-cup carafe of coffee. More than 400 different beverages and 60+ brands are offered for the Keurig 2.0. There is an extra-large 80 oz. water reservoir, a strength control setting for brewing bolder coffee and a nightlight in the reservoir. Three models range in price from $139.99 to $199.99. www.keurig.com/content/keurig2

Holiday Gift Idea: Bon Marché. Buehler Vineyards in the Napa Valley is offering 2 wines, a 2012 Red Wine comprised of Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot and Malbec at $15. The white 2013 100% Sauvignon Blanc tastes of lemon, lime, green grass and honeydew melon at $15. www.buehlervineyards.com

December 17, 2014 -- National Maple Syrup Day
Holiday Gift Idea: Dave’s Gourmet Specialty Foods.
Offers hot sauces, snacks, chiles & gift baskets, to name a few. Dave’s award-winning products range from Organic Heirloom Pasta Sauces, Insane Drink Mixes, to Ultimate Insanity Sauce. All in all, Dave’s has over 70 items. Oatmeal Cookie Butter will be available online soon. www.davesgourmet.com

December 16, 2014 -- National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
Holiday Gift Idea: Lillie Belle Farms. Handmade artisan chocolates are the name of the game here and their Lavender Salt Caramels are my favorites. Their store is at 211 N. Front Street, Central Point, Oregon or order online. Ganaches, bon-bons, truffles, and "Bean to Bar" chocolate bars, spicy cayenne caramels and decadent blue cheese truffles round out the many tasty choices. www.lilliebellefarms.com

December 15, 2014 -- National Cupcake Day
Holiday Gift Idea: FlowerPetal.com. The site offers flowers and gifts for the holidays. They believe “Flowers Change Everything” and have a 7-day freshness guarantee. Flowers are ordered safely online and delivered, often the same day. All arrangements are professionally arranged and hand delivered. Their mission is to make sure each flower arrangement, plant and gift is delivered on time, every time, and exactly the way it is requested. ($45 - $715) www.flowerpetal.com

December 14, 2014 -- National Bouillabaisse Day
Holiday Gift Idea: 2014 World Vision Gift Catalog. This humanitarian organization is dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Fair-Trade Coffee is only one of the many offerings. www.worldvision.org

December 13, 2014 -- Ice Cream and Violin Day
Holiday Gift Idea: The Crab Place. This Maryland seafood company offers a wide range of frozen seafood delivered to your door. I tasted their Jumbo Lump crab cakes that use 88% domestic crabmeat with little filling. Each crab cake comes wrapped individually so you can thaw and use a few at a time. (There are 4 sizes: 2 oz., 4 oz. 6 oz. & 8 oz. $35 - $251) www.crabplace.com

December 12, 2014 -- National Cocoa Day
Holiday Gift Idea: BRICK LOOT. These monthly box subscriptions are geared toward Lego lovers. What might arrive at your door is a box filled with lots of Brick themed toys and/or a brick-themed T-shirt. (1 month for $27, 3 months for $25 or 6 months for $23)
www.brickloot.com

December 11, 2014 -- National Noodle Ring Day
Holiday Gift Idea: Schneider Kitchen Toffee: This excellent toffee is made by hand in small batches in Houston, Texas. Premium chocolate, organic butter, brown sugar and pecans make this a special product, just perfect for a holiday gift and addictive. Call 713-0665-1950 or email toffee@schneiderkitchens.com. ($10 to $28, depending on size, plus shipping)
www.schneiderkitchens.com

December 10, 2014 -- National Lager Day
Holiday Gift Idea: Companion Animal Portraits by Susan Becker: An Oil Painting of Your Pet is Forever, be it a dog, cat, horse, rabbit or goat. Oil paintings and pencil or charcoal drawings available. $150 to $1300. www.beckerpaints.com

December 9, 2014 -- National Pastry Day
New Cookbook: Real Life Paleo: 175 Gluten-Free Recipes, Meal Ideas, and an Easy 3-Phased Approach to Lose Weight & Gain Health, by Stacy Toth & Matt McCarry, offers "Swap, Remove, Heal," a method easy for anyone to follow, no matter where you are in your paleo journey: first, swap healthier versions of the worst offenders; then remove unhealthy foods entirely; and finally, add healing, nutritious foods to your diet.

December 8, 2014 -- National Chocolate Brownie Day
Sally's Place Recipe: Ruthie's Brownies

December 7, 2014 -- National Cotton Candy Day

December 6, 2014 -- National Gazpacho Day
Sally's Place Recipe: Gazpacho Soup

December 5, 2014 -- National Sacher Torte Day
Sally's new womensforum.com blogpost is live: Sally's Holiday Gift Guide (Part 1) offers food, toys, sweets, pet portraits, flowers, specialty foods and wine.

December 4, 2014 -- National Cookie Day
New Travel Article: Where to Stay in the Cotswolds
A New-Fashioned Pub or a Traditional Country House Hotel?
by Keith and Lynne Allan.

December 3, 2014 -- National Apple Pie Day
Sally's Place Apple Article: Thank You, Johnny Appleseed by the late Sharon Tyler Herbst.

December 2, 2014 -- National Fritters Day
New Wine Article: ¿Qué Pasa? Paso Robles.
Jon Rusciano and his wine travel buddies visit Turley Wine Cellars on their first day in Paso Robles.

December 1, 2014 -- Eat a Red Apple Day
December eNewsletter: Holiday Gift Ideas include both food and non-food items, such as toys, pet portraits, cookware, food tours, truffle trees in France and more.


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Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.

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