Stumped for gift ideas this holiday season? Well, everyone eats. Plus, food and drink are required for any celebration. We scouted area markets (St. Paul's new Keg and Case and artisanal purveyor Golden Fig, among others), distilleries and coffee shops for the best of what's being produced in the region. Enjoy this feast for the eyes, and we hope it sparks your giving spirit.
Party platters
Be the hero of any gathering when you show up with hearty sausage, herbed cheese or lovely pâté for the charcuterie board. Or, be your own savior when you're the host; the cheese tray shown above from Gazta represents a gift of time, saving you the trouble of shopping and decisionmaking. That, in turn, lets you focus on more important things — like your guests.
Pictured above at left, from Gazta and Enhancements at Keg and Case: a variety of goat, sheep and cow's-milk cheeses, featuring pretty shaved Petit Basque and Brie topped with Ames Farm honeycomb, plus dried pear and pistachio dust. Order trays to serve 8 to 25 people, from $50-$165 depending on selections.
If you're near Duluth, pick up beautiful smoked Atlantic salmon, ($21, pictured above, right) and rich Country Pâté ($15, lower right) from Northern Waters Smokehaus, or order in time for the holidays. Add zest with Spanish-style chorizo ($12) from The K'nack at Keg and Case. Mill City and Fulton farmers markets carry marinated chèvre ($12) from Singing Hills Goat Dairy in Nerstrand, Minn. The tiny Craquers ($3), from Croix Valley, come in Memphis and All Meat flavors.
Making spirits bright
At Tattersall Distilling, they sell chic cocktail kits. At any Haskell's, recommendations on the best bubblies flow freely. Gifting a bottle of liqueur, a 12-pack of the host's favorite brew, cocktail fixings or soda in fun Christmas flavors, all from local purveyors, will surely spread good cheer.
Lawless Distilling's Fernet ($15) is perfect as a post-feast, after-dinner digestivo; Tattersall's Nordic Martini kit ($70) includes its Aquavit, Americano and Filthy Pimento Olives, with stemless glasses; and Bittercube's variety six-pack ($54) helps the cocktail-maker in your life get creative. Cavatina Premium prosecco's gorgeous gold bottle makes this gift pleasing inside and out (Haskell's, $10). Mionetto prosecco DOC ($13, Total Wine) uses organically-grown grapes. (For the difference between Champagne, cava and prosecco, see our guide here.) Build your own variety pack of pop from Blue Sun Soda Shop in Spring Lake Park, $2.50 each. Put a Frost Pack under the tree for your Surly-lover, featuring Liquid Stardust, Furious, Mortal Sun and Xtra-Citra, $18.
Some like it hot
With so many new condiment options being made locally, why not add a kick of spice to someone's stocking? Teachers, colleagues and maybe your best frenemy need one of these. You know what they say: If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
Want to tease a younger sibling? Cry Baby Craig's Habanero & Garlic Hot Sauce, made in Minneapolis, could send a message ($8, Golden Fig). The tagline for Lucky's Racha Hot Pepper Salsa ($10, Golden Fig) is better suited for a beau: "Wanna get Lucky?" Croix Valley's Honey Dijon ($6, Keg and Case) works for your barbecue and brat lover'. Gift your vegan friend K-Mama Korean Hot Sauce ($7, Golden Fig). For low-and-slow barbecue, try Croix Valley Pitmaster's Bold sauce ($6, Keg and Case). This Sriracha is a collaboration between St. Paul's Isabel Street Heat and Roseville's Bent Brewstillery, perfect for your favorite east-of-the-river buddy ($14, Golden Fig).
