Puppy Love At Christmas

What is your first thought when you see this?
 Mine is,  'sleep in heavenly peace".

How about this one?  I'm thinking, "I see mommy kissing Santa Claus".

"It'll be a blue Christmas without you"

I've taken a break from doing gift baskets.  Whatever you do don't google Christmas puppy images.  It will be way to time consuming. 

Christmas is now "8" days away.  I got a fun order today for a gift basket to go the the US.  My customer is sending it to her brother.  They both live in the US but as children lived in Canada.  I am doing a Christmas Gift Basket with a little bit of Canada...butter tarts and maple syrup and all those good things.

Need some Christmas suggestions?  Keep it simple.  Make sure you send lots of love in your gift.  I'm not suggesting you send a puppy, but send some of that feeling you get when you look at those cute little faces.  

I of course send chocolates, candy, cheese, and all those good things.  If you  want something specific or different, call me.  I will do up a gift or gift basket that is just what you want.  Plus it will be wrapped up with love.

Happy Shopping& Merry Christmas

Lorraine

at

www.uniquegourmetgiftbasket.com

613-363-4277

"Christmas Starlight

Candles are always a perfect gift for Christmas.  Add in some old fashion Butter Crunch candy with chocolate, mints and taffy and for $38.00 you have a unique gift for someone.

As you think about gift giving, remember this is the time of year for giving to those who are in need.  There are families and children in all communities that just don't have a lot of the basics.  

I am always so thankful that I am on the giving end and not the receiving, although that can change very quickly.

We are now only 19 days away from Christmas Eve.  For shipping across Canada you need to order now.  For areas like Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal you are still okay but even Fedex gets really busy.

Please note the phone # has changed and I am trying to get it changed on the website.  To call about gift baskets, the # is

1-613-363-4277.  

It's Spring, No It's March

Is it Spring in March or is "in like a lamb out like a lion" just teasing us!

With all this great weather I am in the mood to change up some of the gift baskets to be all the colours of spring.  As you all know when we ship your order we spend as much time on the outside of the basket as on the inside of the gift basket. We strive to give the best presentation of our gift baskets.  The colour co-ordination of ribbon & bow is very important.  Right now the spring time colours are flourishing, depending on the occasion .  With Easter on it's way, Secretary's Day and many many new babies we are having fun creating for you.  The baby baskets are in hot demand.  Of course the cookies from Felix and Norton never slow down. 

We all have busy lives.  We go to work, we bring work home and we are completely dedicated to our social media and connections via cell phones.  At www.uniquegourmetgiftbasket.com our goal is to provide you with your gift giving service and you have more time for home and social life.  Maybe even time for some fresh spring air! 
Our gift baskets are individually packaged and the chocolate, cheese, candy, crackers, smoked salmon, baby items and so on are hand chosen and creatively arranged. 
Enjoy the spring weather, make your gift list and send it off to us.  We will customize whatever you need.

Enjoy the day
Lorraine

Sending Joy!

Spring is on it's way and who wouldn't want to receive some JOY!  Joy is not just a Christmas word.  It is a warm, colourful expression that everyone wants to feel and receive. 
While searching the internet I came up with this picture for the colour of JOY.
When sending a gift basket you want to deal with a company that when sending your gift encompasses the feeling you also want to send.  Atwww.uniquegourmetgiftbasket.com we make sure that when we are decorating the gift basket that the packaging has the wow factor.  The colour of the ribbons and decorating make seem insignificant but it sets a feeling right from the start.
 You wouldn't send chocolate and candy to someone who is on a diet or tea & coffee to someone who doesn't drink it. 
When sending a sympathy gift basket you wouldn't want to send polka dotted ribbons with balloon or brown ribbons on a birthday basket.  These are slight exaggerations but first impressions make a lasting impression.
Knowing how important this is, is why we choose our products so carefully.  We also choose our colours and gift wrapping carefully.
We now carry the cookies from Felix and Norton.  They have a reputation for absolutely delicious and they are.  The number of orders we receive speak for them self.
If you have a special gift basket you would like to send (all gift baskets are special) take a look at our website.
Enjoy your day
Lorraine

Why A Gift Basket

The care taken with making anything by hand

 lends a level of special attention to detail 

that makes gift baskets so lovely to give and receive.

 Every item that goes into personalized gift baskets can be selected 

to meet the specific desires of the recipient.

 As well, the basket can be finished with the favorite colors of your special someone in terms of wrap, ribbon and bows used.

We have been in business for 2 1/2 years now and want to say thank you to all our fantastic customers!  Business at www.uniquegourmetgiftbasket.com is growing in leaps and bounds.

With the addition of the Monsieur Felix & Mr Norton cookies we are really on the move.  I have to confess I had never heard of these cookies.  When a customer called about them and wanted only these cookies in a basket I checked into it for her.  We go the extra mile to give our customers what they want.

Now it seems as though I am the only person that was unfamiliar  with these cookies.  They are soooo delicious.  The chocolate melts in your mouth.  They are baked fresh the day of shipping and are made of real butter etc.

Not everyone is a cookie monster.  We have all the baskets with the crackers, cheese from St. Alberts, candy, nuts, tea and coffee.

Don't forget the smoked salmon, Ontario Maple syrup, and the bakeapple & partridge berry jams from Newfoundland's Own  gift basket.

Bakeapple Cream Puffs

• ½ cup butter or margarine 4 eggs
• 1 cup boiling water
• unsweetened whip cream
• 1 cup flour
• 10 oz of Bakeapple jam
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¾ tsp salt

Grease baking sheet. In sauce pan melt butter in boiling water: add flour and salt at once, stir vigorously. Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball that doesn’t separate. Remove from heat: cool slightly. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, about 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Drop batter by heaping tablespoon 3 inches apart onto greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 F about 30 min. or until golden brown and puffy. Remove from the oven and split, removing any soft dough. Cool on wire rack. Fill with unsweetened whipped cream and Bakeapple jam

Enjoy

Lorraine

The Cookies Are Coming

Yes, Monsieur Felix & Mr. Norton Cookies are coming to www.uniquegourmetgiftbasket.com
These scrumptious cookies have been described to me are "too die for".
We will be carrying 5 flavours in our gift baskets.

Ménage-A-Trios – a sumptuous blend of milk, white and dark chocolate

Ebony & Ivory - a symphony of rich dark chocolate cookie filled with creamy white chocolate chunks 

Milk Chocolate Chunk - a golden cookie heaped with chunks of smooth milk chocolate 

Macadamia White Chocolate - delicious Macadamia Nuts blended with white chocolate chunks in a delicate golden cookie 

Caramelt - A golden cookie heaped with buttery caramel, ground almonds and chunks of milk chocolate

For someone with a sweet tooth this is the perfect gift go to  www.uniquegourmetgiftbasket.com 

Under the cookie category you will be seeing different packaging’s for different occasion.  Check out the huge wine glass filled with Felix & Norton Cookies.

These are great for birthdays, thinking of you and get well.....or a treat for the grandkids. 

Enjoy

Lorraine

Healthy Gift Baskets - Would You Send One?

I'm sitting here with the Marilyn Dennis show on talking about eating healthy.  

The show is highlighting Women & heart disease.   The statistics are not at all good.

  One of the nutritionist was showing what to eat as opposed what not to eat.  

The fries, white bread, huge chunk of beef did not look appealing next to the simple healthy dishes.....yet; I still find it hard to be consistent with healthy shopping & easting.

 

Shiratiki Noodles are something to add to your grocery list.  I have never heard of them but are healthy and easy to prepare

Benefits of Shirataki Noodles:

There is some evidence that glucomannan, when tested as a powdered supplement, can play a role in blood sugar control, as well as improve cholesterol control and weight loss. It also contributes to fiber intake and can be a substitute for starchy noodles.

Stir fry some green & colourful vegetables and serve on top of the noodles.  Easy & healthy.  Check out the different website.  I've added a link to the Marilyn Dennis show for you to take a look.www.marilyn.ca

I would love to start doing some healthy gift baskets.  Would you buy one or would you prefer to send the traditional type with the cookies, chocolates etc.  Gift baskets are usually an impulse, quick & easy gift.  Would it be perceived as sending a gift that was saying..time to eat healthy, get in shape etc  Let me know, I would love your ideas.

Something new I am adding is the "to die for" Felix and Norton cookies.  I will have them on the website by next week..

Here is a quick recipe with Shirataki Noodles

Curry Chicken and Macaroni Shirataki Salad

Print

Recipe type: Chicken Dishes, Salads

Prep time: 20 mins

Total time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 1 package Macaroni Shirataki
• 1 large roasted chicken, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 (8-ounce) can sliced or chopped water chestnuts, drained
• 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
• 1 (2-ounce) package slivered almonds
• Dressing:
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 tablespoon prepared mango chutney
• Salt

Instructions

1. Drain and rinse Shirataki Noodles very well. Place on paper towels to dry and set aside.
2. Gently combine the chicken, celery, water chestnuts, grapes,Macaroni Shirataki and almonds in a large glass bowl.
3. Combine the dressing ingredients and mix well.
4. Add to the chicken mixture and stir gently to combine.
5. Season with salt, to taste.

Enjoy

Lorrane 

600 FREE CHOCOLATE RECIPES

You can receive this 600 recipe cook book that is all "Chocolate" for free.  Just in time for Valentine's Day.

Just click on Chocolate Recipes .  This will take you to my website www.uniquegourmetgiftbasket.com 

Go to the page Free ebook  and fill in your name and email and I will send it to you today.  

In the message box I would appreciate if you could just type in the number that describes how you found my website:

1) google search

2) referral from a friend

3) facebook

4) twitter

5) blog

6) email

Todays recipe come from that cookbook.  I made these years ago when the kids were little and it was so much fun to fill a basket with homemade goodies.

Cadbury's Creme Egg

Serving Size: 12

Preparation Time:

Categories:

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 cups powdered sugar

4 drops yellow food coloring

2 drops red food coloring

1 bag milk chocolate chips (12 ounces)

2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

1) Combine the corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl.

Beat well with an electric mixer until smooth.

2) Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing by hand after each

addition. Mix well until creamy.

3) Remove about 1/3 of the mixture, and place it in a small bowl. Add

the food colorings, and stir well.

4) Cover both mixtures, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or

until firm.

5) When mixtures are firm, roll a small, marble-sized ball from the

orange filling, and wrap a portion of the white filling (approx.

twice the size) around it. Form this filling into the shape of an

egg, and place it on a cookie sheet that has been brushed with a

light coating of vegetable shortening. Repeat process with the

remaining filling ingredients, then refrigerate these "eggs" for 3-4

hours, or until firm.

6) Combine the milk chocolate chips with the shortening in a glass or

ceramic bowl. Microwave chocolate on HIGH for 1 minute, then stir,

and microwave again for 1 minute more; stir.

7) Use a fork to dip each center into the chocolate; tap the fork

lightly on the side of the bowl, then place each candy onto waxed

paper. Chill.

8) after 1-2 hours of chilling, dip each candy once more, and chill

for several hours, or until completely firm.

Enjoy

Lorraine

Valentine Cookies - Easy to Buy & Easy to Make

Not counting today there are only "12" days left until Valentine's Day!
Don't  wait to the last moment  and let that old "Supply & Demand" up at your neighborhood candy shop or florist..
I have just listed cookies to send to your Valentine on my gift basket website at www.uniquegourmetgiftbasket.com.  What a great gift to send to the office to enjoy with their tea or coffee on their break,
They are made fresh everyday and are absolutely delicious.  You can choose from Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip or Macadamia Nut with White Chocolate. 
The best part is they are not expensive.  I checked some other site and wow it seemed like a lot for cookies and some of them didn't look overly chewy.
You can purchase 1/2 dozen boxed and wrapped for 12.99 -  Valentine Day Cookies  or one dozen boxes and wrapped for 25.49 Cookies for Valentines.  You tell us what to put on the card and they can be delivered by Fedex any where in Canada.
  Just remember with ground shipping it is a lot less expensive but you need to order early for arrival for the 14th.  For areas around Toronto, Montreal & Ottawa it is usually next day delivery.
There is also a great assortment of chocolates, candy, cheese, crackers and bath products for Valentine's Day as well.  Just go to www.uniquegourmetgiftbasket.com

You can also make your own cookies, decorate and package them for someone special on Valentine's Day.  Here is today's recipe .


Sugar Cookie Recipe (24 small cookies)

2 sticks of butter
1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
2 1/2 cups of flour
1 tsp of vanilla
1 tsp of cream of tarter
1 tsp of baking soda
1 egg

In your Kitchen Aid fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together butter and powdered sugar. Add Flour, vanilla, cream of tarter, soda, and egg. On slow, stir together ingredients just until combined. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and wrap it with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Unwrap the dough and put it on a floured board. Be sure to flour the rolling pin, as well. Roll out dough until 1/4 inch thick.
Cut shapes. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees just until the edges begin to turn brown - baking time will depend on size and thickness of the cookie.

Enjoy
Lorraine