Gift baskets are out of date! Or is it that they’re just boring? Actually, I hope the correct response is neither. You see, I make my living by selling gift baskets (among other food gifts). Granted, it may be less significant that solving the global warming problem or removing a pesky mouse from under your kitchen cabinet, but it’s an honest way to pay for the roof over my family’s head.

I can read your mind: “All of his gift problems are solved; year in and year out everybody on his list gets stuck with another gift basket.” I want to disabuse you of your smug attitude! In fact, I face the same dilemmas that you face during any gift giving, decision making crisis.

I don’t give only baskets of joy to my loved ones. Even if I did just give gift baskets to everyone, my choice would be only marginally easier than yours. My company alone offers scores of fruit baskets, wine gift baskets, gourmet food options and far more. (I can hear you right now, begging me to tell you where this wonderful store is. A little patience is called for on your part.)

Before you coerce me into giving away my store location, I want to share my own decision making strategy with you.

First, I decide on an appropriate category of gift. If Uncle Milton really has managed to eliminate his drinking problem after a decade of trying, then the wine gift baskets are out of the running. Instead, I’ll opt for a fruit basket with something seasonal. After years of ignoring the nutritional value of what he consumed, he could use a few extra servings of fruit in solid form.

Aunt Millie, on the other hand, is a great wine sipper. Frankly, I don’t know if she really enjoys the wine, but she sure enjoys talking about it. She thrills to have a new member of her audience so that she can explain what makes a good vintage year, the varieties of grapes that are used in her favorite blends and, especially, how much she paid for each bottle (as well as how much she paid for the carpeting you just ruined by spilling your glass). She’ll get a simple wine gift basket, but I’m not going to spring for the champagne!

My nephew, Alfred, recently married his long time girlfriend. To tell you the truth, even I agree that it’s about time. Alfred spent the last eight years trying to decide if she was worth the cost of a diamond ring. (I suspect that he eventually settled on crystal, which, considering Alfred, would be thought of as generous.) Alfred always loves to receive cash as a gift. Well, he’s not getting that from me. Instead, they’re getting a meal of live lobsters and the trimmings from me. Actually two, of course. My thinking is that this is the only way to get his bride out of the kitchen. Alfred would never pay for a restaurant meal, so, in a sense, I’m sending the restaurant to them.

My second step, after choosing a category is to select a price range that I’m willing to spend on these people. Then my wife makes me double that amount.

My perfect grandson isn’t getting a food gift. I’m getting him the latest cell phone system, complete with an unlimited calling plan. I would get him a sports car if only you would buy a lot more gift baskets!

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You know that guy in your life who never seems lucky in love or in life, in general. I’m sure that you have such a friend; it seems that all of us do.

I probably should warn you in advance that you better like this friend quite a bit, because the gift tip I’m going to offer is a bit on the costly side, although worth every penny. Perhaps that nameless man is your roommate, your cousin or even your own son who you can seem to get to move out of your house.

Give the gift of a romantic dinner with the person of his choice–there in his own home. When you get right down to it, nothing impresses an unsuspecting date more than an intimate dinner that the host has prepared himself (with your encouragementand supervision, of course. Now, the friend I’m thinking of needs all the help he can get in this regard. You may need to be very specific when you give him your gift and the instructions to go with it. Remind him to light candles, choose the music for him and suggest he pick up his dirty socks.

Start with a gift of a selection of gourmet cheeses for the beginning course Suggest that he consider serving the cheese with ripe apple slices or pear slices, but only if you trust him to handle a knife. This course can actually be a nice appetizer, before they are actually seated at the dining table.

For the entree, present him with a gift certificate for a gourmet lobster dinner or perhaps a surf and turf meal, if he is a beef addict. Since this man needs so much help, you will want to be certain that the lobster is as fresh as possible.

End the evening (at least the part of the evening you’re helping with) with a delicious, turtle cheesecake. Or, if he does not like chocolate, then select the more traditional New York cheesecake, decorated with a sprig of fresh mint.

If he drinks alcoholic beverages, do not trust him to choose the wine for the dinner. Lobster is very hearty fare, so don’t be afraid to suggest he pair it with a bold wine such as a Merlot or even a Burgundy.

Now, sit back and wait for the inevitably coming wedding invitation. If it doesn’t arrive within six months, just find another friend. That will be much easier.

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• Turtle Cheesecake (Caramel, Pecan & Chocolate) – Island Dreaming in Oklahoma
• With A Gourmet Twist « The Duo Dishes
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Who doesn’t like gourmet food? Sure we all do. There’s something about all the delicate dishes that come with gourmet food that makes our mouths water. Well, there are certain times, when there is just no ifs ands or buts about it. You need to have gourmet meals delivered. What can you expect?

One of the delicacies is the meat. When you have gourmet food delivered, you don’t get the plain old chicken or turkey. While you do have chicken, it might be covered in a dressing or something like that. Sometimes, you get more elegant meat like goose or even duck. It’s a whole new ball park when you are talking gourmet food.

Potatoes are a staple. They are cheaper than most other sides that come with the foods we crave. However, while many of us like our baked potato and mashed potatoes, this isn’t always what is served with your meal. The sort of potatoes that are usually served are when gourmet food is delivered are the potatoes that are made with herbs and things of that nature. They aren’t too filling.

Normally, these places use some items you have never heard of with their food that then the gourmet food delivered. This is because; these might be things you can only find in select stores or even countries. They add a bit of jazz to anything that you might taste. Don’t be scared to try something. The chef or the menu will normally tell you what is in it as you order.

Seafood is another thing that is served when the gourmet food delivered comes to your table. We aren’t talking just your ordinary flounder either. We are talking the best fish there is out there. This includes salmon and the biggest shrimp. These aren’t battered normally. One of the main things you will see done is lemon pepper sauces covering the fish.

Rice is another thing they serve. You have to remember that gourmet food isn’t supposed to totally fill you. They are supposed to be decadent and go by the portions a person is to have. This is why you get small servings. The rice isn’t like the stuff you get out of the box.

When you understand this about gourmet meals delivered, you might not be in quite as much shock. The chefs that cook for these places are one of a kind; the best in their field and that’s how their work is. That’s how the food should then be treated. So, get the food delivered and enjoy the fanciness that accompanies the food.