We Come Bearing Gifts {Dec. 19 to Dec. 26}

Gift Ideas at the Chelsea Market

The Menu

Saturday: A last minute visit to New Jersey
Lemon Cake
Chinese takeout for dinner.

Sunday: Classic meals for a snowy day
Buttermilk Pancakes with Caramelized pears and pecans. Topped with a slightly sweet vanilla whipped cream.
Chicken Stew made with rosemary and sage, instead of thyme. Made richer with a  little cream.

Wednesday/Thursday/Just in case quick meal:
Salmon with Spinach and Pea Salad with Pesto dressing

Friday: Christmas Dinner for Two
Roasted Young Chicken with Cornbread, Dried Apricot and Dried Fig Stuffing over Roasted Vegetables
Sauteed Swiss Chard
Sweet Potato Pie
Langhe Arneis 2008 · A floral, fruity white wine with a slight lingering mineral taste
« The Do Ahead Trick #1 » Made Cornbread for the stuffing on Saturday and placed it in the freezer.
« The Do Ahead Trick #2 » Bake sweet potato pie and place in the freezer. Defrost and serve at room temperature. I would’ve done it, but my freezer is full. Looking forward to baking on Christmas Eve.

Grocery Shopping

{MANHATTAN}

Buon Italia in the Chelsea Food Market
When making hot chocolate, the bittersweet chocolate by Callebaut is a richer choice. It’s made with real vanilla extract. Buon Italia is my destination for purchasing quality nuts, pasta, sweets, oils and vinegars. An ultimate foodie gift is a good bottle of extra virgin olive oil starting at $20 to $30.

Sample Goods at Buon Italia in Chelsea Market

Chelsea Wine Vault
I didn’t mean to buy a bottle of wine here. I only stopped by for the wine tasting. When I tasted the Damilan Langhe Arneis 2008, I was overwhelmed by its floral notes. A good combination for a Cornish hen with a cornbread, dried figs and dried apricots stuffing. A Christmas delight.

Damilan Langhe Arnes Wine from the Chelsea Wine Vault

Vintage, Artsy Gifts
Stopped by this place for inspiration. Plenty of gift ideas for an artsy friend. Loved the letterpress stationery and posters.

A temporary market featuring vintage and homemade gifts at Chelsea Market.

WholeFoods
The usual destination for poultry, meat and diary.
evaporated milk, 3 lb. chicken thighs with skin and bone, buttermilk, unbaked pie shell, and unsweetened shredded coconut

{BROOKLYN}
Pacific Green Gourmet Food, Inc. (Produce Stand across the Street from Trader Joe’s in Brooklyn)
The usual destination for produce.
pears, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, baby red skinned potatoes, parsley, garlic, rosemary, sage, Swiss chard, and pecans

Trader Joe’s
Cheap and good quality goods.
baby spinach, chicken broth, Greek yogurt, Apricot preserve, dried mission black figs, vanilla extract, sliced almonds, frozen salmon fillets, dried Turkish apricots, pine nuts