Christmas Cookies to Make & Share

'Tis the season to gather your favorite cookie recipes (and boxed cookies for those of us with an ever-growing "to-do" list) to make and share.  Traditional chocolate chip cookies enhanced with fine Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla will impress even the most discriminating cookie aficionado.  Amy's Cookies Classic Gift Tin makes for a lovely gift for just about anyone on your list with a wide variety of flavors.  Explore our cookie recipes and gifts for a very sweet holiday!

CLICK ON A COOKIE TO GET THE RECIPE OR PURCHASE >

Download the free printable version of our holiday cookie roundup here >

Roundup: The Best of Summer Picnics

With abundant warm weather on the horizon, we're getting into the spirit with picnic inspirations.  Stay tuned this week for picnic packing tips as well as recipes to make your spread memorable and delicious.  Most all of the items in our pantry are "open and eat" so they are perfect for packing in your basket with no worries.

Roundup: Cooled Down Summer Foods

This week we featured original recipes for ice cream and popsicles.... noticing a trend yet?  It's HOT out there and we'll take any excuse to cool down.  Here are our favorite recipes from around the web for beating the heat!  Click the pics to get the recipes!  Follow our 'Summer Food Fun' Pinterest board for even more ideas!  >

Food in the News: Week of June 23, 2014

Cherries, often overlooked stone fruits go from snack food to trendy  kitchen ingredient in sauces, salads and cocktails.  New York Times > 

Forget those rare cinnamon flavored toothpicks meant to act as breath fresheners - artisan flavored toothpicks are intending for savoring foodie-approved flavor combinations such as 'marshmallow & smoke' and 'pickle & mustard'.  Foodbeast >

Move over cronut - the churro ice cream sandwich is summer's answer to the winter pastry craze.  Chow > 

How do you convert the toast breakfast craze into a dinner entree?  Throw a softshell crab on top of it and let the bread soak up the juices.  New York Times >

Everyone loves a mason jar these days... and anything you can serve in one.  We hope to see more layered banana puddings served this way all summer long.  Arkansas Times >

'Chopped' star Marc Murphy to host Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s annual Food & Wine Festival this September with the theme 'BBQ, Brews & Blues' timesunion.com >

10 Father's Day Gifts Under $20

Even if you're on a tight budget, you can afford to give Dad something delicious!  We've rounded up our gifts under $20 (many cost far less) so you can get a jump start on Father's Day shopping and even out together a collection of smaller gifts if you wish  Show Dad some appreciation - Father's Day is June 15th!

1. Sea Salt 75% Cacao Southern Artisan Chocolate from Olive & Sinclair  2. Natural Hickory Smoked Bacon Pickle from Unbound Pickling  3. Carolina Dirt, by Lillie's Q from Chef Charlie McKenna  4. Bourbon Barrel Worcestershire Sauce from Bourbon Barrel Foods  5. Divina Olives Stuffed with Blue Cheese  6. Limoncello Strawberry Jam from Bathtub Gin  7. Applewood Smoked Sea Salt by Leila Bay Trading Company  8. Walker's Southern Bloody Mary Mix from Walker Feed Co.  9. Hot 'n Spicy Pickled Okra by Cherith Valley  10. Chorizo Rioja Dry Cured Salami with Paprika, Garlic & Oregano by Olympic Provisions