If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.

George MacDonald

1824 – 1905

Scottish Poet & Novelist

What would be a better way to let them know you care than with a food gift from GourmetStation and a poem from George MacDonald.

Technorati Tags: Food_Gifts, Gourmet_Food_Gifts

There’s a time of year when outdoor colors are brighter, shadows are sharper and the air has a cool nip. It’s the time of year when we don’t melt away from heat or bundle up from cold. It’s fall. Doors flung open we let the outside in. Neighborhood festivals, hayrides, and corduroy pants are the deal.

Appetites change as well. Maybe we crave a little less ice cream. Maybe not. One thing for sure is that soup is back on the menu. All kinds of soup too…chile, bisque, cream base, stock base. Soups are fun to create and recreate. This recipe for Butternut Squash Bisque with Ginger & Lime is one of my favorites. The core ingredients of chicken stock and garlic make a great foundation and the ginger and lime provide the final accents. Enjoy.

If you don’t have time to batch up some squash bisque, or you’d like to give a gourmet gift, don’t forget the wonderful collection of GourmetStation food gifts including soup, baguettes and gourmet cookies.

Technorati Tags: Soup, Fall_Soup_Recipe, Butternut_Squash_Bisque, Soup_Gifts, Gourmet_Gifts

The weather is cooling. Ice cream has temporarily lost it’s appeal. So I’m off in search of the perfect cool weather dessert. Let’s see. I adore chocolate. I love coffee. And I wanted a dessert that could be served room temperature or warm. Those were the recipe parameters and off I went. After hours of searching I found perfection. And I’m happy to say that the end result was also perfect.

Kona Coffee Choco-Macadamia Bread Pudding Recipe. Now that’s a mouthful – figuratively and literally. The description spoke as if it knew me personally. “A rich, velvety chocolate-espresso tasting bread pudding. Made with sweet bread, macadamia nuts and coffee…all the best foods from Hawaii. Plus the always essential chocolate. Great warm, cold or with whipped cream on top. Wonderful for both coffee and chocolate lovers.”

If you’re not up for kitchen work, remember the GourmetStation collection of international cheesecakes, including Cappuccino Cheesecake and Coffee Brownie Cheesecake. Delicious!

Technorati Tags: Dessert, Coffee_Chocolate, Desserts, Hawaii

Occasionally a patron will share details of their romantic dinner experience. I have to share this one with you because it is so unique. Not only did Ira Jackson romance his wife; he included his two beautiful daughters in the dinner. No one was left out. Everyone felt special. Ira said GourmetStation made him “look good.” Mission accomplished. Any date-challenged, idea-challenged, or kitchen-challenged man should take notes from Ira’s account.

Amidst the hectic, often tragic, but still wonderful world we live in; I found myself wanting this valentines day to be extra special. Special, for no other reason than I wanted to take advantage of the moment to let my lovely wife and two incredible daughters know how very much they mean to me. So it was that I sent a chauffeured limousine to pick my wife up after a busy day; and then my daughters from school. From Girl Scouts, to gymnastics, to a leisurely drive around the city, they arrived home, where I greeted them in my tuxedo with roses in hand. As they entered the immaculately cleaned house (if I must say so myself) they were greeted with the wonderful sounds of music, and delightful aromas of mushroom and sherry soup; tomato basil soup; chicken Normandy with beurre blanc sauce and lamb shank with rosemary mint sauce. I knew the night would be one to remember when my youngest bound upstairs, to return in her favorite dress. My oldest and Wife followed suit and amidst the candle lights and dancing, a treasured memory was made. I am no cook. I am habitually time starved. Patience is a virtue I continue to seek. And, so it is that I tip my proverbial cap to you and your team at GourmetStation. You made it easy. Thanks for making me look good; and for making the most important ladies in my life feel as special they are. Ira Jackson, Atlanta, GA.

Thank you is universal. Why? Because we all need each other. Sometimes when you least expect it, the least likely person will do something wonderful for you. Ah, the beauty of humanity. It feels good, doesn’t it? We want to experience it again, and we want to give that gift back to others. That’s why we say Thank You….in word & gift.

Saying Thank You is natural. Giving food as a Thank You Gift is natural. Think about it. Sharing the very thing that guarantees our existence is a powerful gesture. There are many gourmet food gift suppliers for you to choose from. GourmetStation believes we have the edge on heart. A little of ours goes out with each & ever order filled. Thank you for reading our blog!

Enjoy these sample translations of Thank You. We thank Jennifer at Jennifer’s Language Site for her hard work in gathering these translations:

Albania, Yugoslavia - Ju falem nderit

Alaska - Qaqaasakuq

Ethiopia, Israel, Egypt - Amesegunalhun

Morocco - Barak llahu fik

Bali - Matu suksama

Bosnia and Hercegovina - Hvala

Northern Pakistan- Juu na

Cantonese - Doh je

Netherlands, Belgium - Dank u

Egyptian - Dua Netjer en ek

Finland - Kiitti

Northern Italy - Graciis

German - Danke schön

Greek  - Efcharisto

Hawaiian  - Mahalo nui loa

Hebrew - Toda raba

Iceland - Takk

Nigeria - Dalu

Inuktitut (Canada) - Mutna

Japan - Arigato

Korea - Komapsumnida

Spain - Munchas gracias

Portugal - Obrigada

Scotland - Tapadh leat

Shanghai China - Sha ja non

Spain - Gracias

Sweden, Finland - Tack

Vietnam - Day fon

Turkey, Northern Cyprus -  Mersi

Vietnam - Cám ón

Wales - Diolch yn fawr

Zulu - Ngiyabonga

It’s rare that I hard sell GourmetStation’s products. Oh sure, I drop a hint and a link from time to time. Now I can’t help but share with you a real life experience on how our gourmet dinners came to the rescue of new parents. I’ve used our four course dinners as a Welcome New Baby Gift in the past and the feedback has been….well see for yourself.

We’ll call Mom Cathy for privacy, and we’ll call Dad John. Eric was their third child, and each time a new baby came into the house, Cathy and John thought the experience would be easier. Wrong again. Even though their routines were down pat, the responsibilities of the other two children exponentially increased the daily tasks.

No romance. Not enough sleep. No dining out.  This couple, like most new parents, was experience deprived. So I came to the rescue. No, GourmetStation's congratulations gifts came to the rescue. The deep-chilled dinner for two arrived on Friday and Cathy was ready. She pulled down her wedding china including a cloth tablecloth and lace napkins. The dinners were from our Parisian menu line, so Cathy went with a French theme including a CD form Edith Piaf and Bordeaux table wine – a perfect choice with the Chicken Montrachet.   Cathy had the children fed & in bed by 7:00 PM and actually had time to dress up with some Parisian style costume jewelry in the 30 minutes that the dinners were heating. John came home from work to a beautiful wife, French cuisine, and a little Heaven on earth.  End of story. Sweet success.

Try as you might, it’s not always easy to remember the traditional anniversary themes. So I’m going to make it easy for you. Bookmark this page and keep a handy reference. Future anniversary posts will take each theme and offer suggestions and helpful hints on anniversary gift giving. Of course I’ll always plant a little food idea with the other themes. Why not? Gourmet food gifts bring every occasion to life.

Anniversary Years & Themes:

1^st – Paper

2^nd – Cotton

3^rd – Leather

4^th – Flowers

5^th – Wood

6^th – Candy

7^th – Copper

8^th – Bronze

9^th – Pottery

10^th – Tin

15^th – Crystal

20^th – China

25^th – Silver

30^th – Pearl

35^th – Coral

40^th – Ruby

45^th – Sapphire

50^th – Gold

55^th – Emerald

60^th – Diamond

75^th - Diamond

Just between you and me I don’t understand why we have to wait until 60 and 70 to get diamonds. Seems like that theme should be in the earlier years. Wouldn’t you agree? And what’s with skipping years. Looks like someone needs to come up with more themes. I think I can take care of that!

Lisa James with Mormonchic has done all the work for us. There’s no excuse not to have a fall dinner party – nope / none at all. Lisa starts out with the basic planning list. How many people can comfortably fit into your house? How many can you serve? Do you want the affair to be families with kids, couples, or just the girls?

Lisa goes on to talk about planning the recipe and setting the mood with candles and music. All this is important. I’d like to add something here – incorporate an international theme. Give your party some global pizzazz. That’s what we’ve done at GourmetStation. Our cuisine isn’t just food in a box, it’s an international culinary experience with our Parisian, Tuscan, Cajun & Fusion menus. You can do the same thing with your dinner party.

Lisa’ suggested menu is on the mark. Apple Cheese Ball made with cream cheese and diced apples for the appetizer. A Fall Fruit Salad featuring pears and Swiss cheese. Pumpkin Stew featuring chopped beef for the main dish. And Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake with fudge topping for dessert. Congrats Lisa – a beautiful menu.

Now if you’d like to have an international dinner party and you don’t have time to pull off Lisa’s menu, remember GourmetStation. We’ll do the work and you can just be your elegant, beautiful self.

If you have writers block about a funny (or serious) message to include with your birthday card or gift, consider the following:

The best birthdays of all are those that haven’t arrived yet.

Robert Orben

To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.

Bernard Baruch

When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it happened or not.

Mark Twain

A diplomat is a man who remembers a woman’s birthday

But never remembers her age.

Robert Frost

If you have buyers block about a unique or interesting gourmet gift to go with your quote, consider GourmetStation!

I just discovered a sake expert. Spend a little time with me now and get to know John Gauntner, former author of a semi-monthly column on sake for The Japan Times, Japan's leading English newspaper. John currently publishes a free monthly Sake World email newsletter. Mr. Gauntner not only knows sake, he has a passion for Japanese culture.

Sake is fermented from rice, is not carbonated, and contains between 15% and 17% alcohol. For the most part sake is not aged and has a shelf life of six months if kept in a cool dark environment after purchase. There are some varieties, however, that are deliberately aged, but in the sake world, there are no vintage years.  How interesting. How to serve sake…never hot, sometimes warm, mostly cool.

Mr. Gauntner’s top pick of “Super Sake Favorites” from about 1600 sake breweries in Japan is Yamagata, brand name Juyondai, described as elegant, fruity, and fragrant. For a sake enthusiast you might enjoy Mr. Gauntner’s books, The Sake Handbook or The Sake Companion. 

Now for the practical application, sake with a Japanese dinner party. Here are a few recipes to wet your appetite: Cucumber Ribbon Salad, Roasted Salmon with Wasabi Cream and Japanese Style Cheesecake. If you’re like me, a little too busy to pull this dinner party together in the kitchen, remember GourmetStation'scollection of Fusion dinners and entrees. Bon appetit.