Chocolate-Covered Bacon From Marini's CandiesI was soooooo skeptical about this whole concept. Bacon and chocolate just did not sound good. But I was so fricking wrong! The trick to Marini's brand of this treat is that the bacon is extra crispy before they cover it in their chocolate. The resulting taste is an amazing sweet, salty, smoky blend you didn't expect you could be craving for hours after.
Recommended By: The Weirdgirl
Garrett PopcornWhen I think of Christmas I think fondly of the big tins of popcorn a distant cousin used to send. They were those three-in-one jobbies so you got some buttered, cheese, and caramel popcorn in one big old tin. A tin that later doubled as a drum when it was empty. Anyway, if you want the ultimate in popcorn, order some Garrett's, a Chicago tradition. Just don't look at the calorie counter. Seriously.
Recommended By: Archphoenix
Lamb Prosciutto From Salumi Artisan Cured MeatsBelieve it or not, Mario Batali did not spring whole from the godlike minds of Food Network executives, but actually had parents. This is the shop his parents own. Or rather the artisan factory dedicated to gourmet cured meats. Oh, but you want to hear about the product... Lamb. Prosciutto. Need I say more?
Recommended By: The Weirdgirl
NdujaThe rumor on this spreadable salami is that it is out of this world. Yes, you heard that right, "spreadable." Instead of gnawing on a hard salami, you get all the flavor and more and you can spread it on anything or add it to anything you feel needs a little extra kick of cured goodness. According to their website, it will change the way you think about salami.
Recommended By: The Weirdgirl
Olive Napa Valley High End Condiments This gem of a store in Napa Valley, CA makes premium olive oils, balsamics, mustards, and other condiments that will start a veritable party in your mouth. The cognac mustard is excellent and the fig balsamic is one of my personal favorites. There's nothing like dressing up that damn salad your doctor's making you eat than with one of Olivier's gourmet goodies. And if you sneak a footlong sub, we won't tell.
Recommended By: The Weirdgirl
Taste Of The Southwest Sweet & Hot JalapenosSweet and hot, these jalapenos are amaaaaazing. My mom and I discovered these years ago at a little antiques mall type store and buy them in bulk whenever we run into them. Here's how I like to eat them: take a Triscuit cracker (or a plain bagel), smear on some cream cheese, top with a jalapeno or five. OM NOM NOM delicious.
Recommended By: Archphoenix
Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning
An old boss of mine gave me one as a reward and my house has been hooked ever since. It's a spicy salty seasoning that's great on everything from popcorn to french fries to corn on the cob. A little goes a long way too.
Recommended By: Archphoenix
Tops Bar-B-Q/Corky's Ribs & BBQMaybe it's because I'm in my home element, the Delta, stomping around and playing hostess-slash-tourguide right now, but I can't help but think some good ole Memphis barbeque would make a perfect gift for most everyone on your list. If you were actually in Memphis, I'd tell you to go find a Tops Bar-B-Q and get down on one of their sandwiches right quick. However, since you aren't in Memphis and Tops doesn't ship, I'd like to suggest that you click on over to Corky's and order a slab of ribs for someone you love a really, really lot. Corky's ribs are world-famous and they ship literally ANYwhere in the States... back when I was terribly homesick and stationed far, far away, my mom had the manager at the Poplar Avenue store send me a jar of their sauce (she'd have had them ship a whole slow-smoked pig, but they only shipped out their sauce back then) and it made my whole Christmas. The ribs are precooked and come with all the accouterments--except slaw; make your own dang slaw--so that when it's too blustery to stand in front of the grill your recipient can stay in next to the fire and still experience the finger-slurping goodness of some fine-ass barbeque. Packages start at $81.99 and are fully customizable with add-ons and extras. Ohhhh, go on and splurge: Buy the apron, too.
Recommended By: Jett Superior
