Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Surprise the host or hostess with something beyond the usual sugar- and fat-laden temptations.
By JOE GRAY
KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Christmas may be wrapped up, but there are still plenty of dinners, open houses, brunches and other parties left to attend. For them, you may need a hostess gift.
How about something beyond those sugar- and fat-laden temptations; there are enough indulgences around already during the holidays. Here's a list of healthful last-minute hostess (or host) gift ideas that most people would be a little surprised and happy to get. If you don't have time to shop, think up some healthful ideas of your own. Maybe you'll inspire habits that continue into the new year.
Heart-warming ideas
UWe start off with hot chocolate. A recent study from Cornell University reports that hot chocolate has more antioxidants per cup than red wine or tea. That's enough of an argument for us. Antioxidants have been shown to fight cancer, heart disease and aging, the study says, and cocoa has two times the level of red wine and two to five times that of tea. Hot cocoa is a better way to go than chocolate candy because the drink will have less saturated fat. Wrap up a gourmet brand in a nice gift bag or basket, throw in a seasonal mug and you're done.
UWhile we're on hot beverages, red, black or green tea -- high in polyphenols and flavonoids -- would receive a warm welcome. Again a handsome mug would enhance the gift; also throw in a teaball or other infuser if you are buying loose-leaf teas.
U Herb-growing kits make a great choice for a beginning or experienced cook. Fresh herbs enliven food without adding fat or calories. Some garden stores sell kits and most sell a variety of individual herbs and/or seeds, so you could assemble your own do-it-yourself kit. Buy three clay pots, a drainage tray, soil and seeds (we like basil, chives, sage); tailor your choices to your friend's favorite cuisine. Or you can make life easier by buying already potted herbs.
UA humble bag of mixed dried beans is a treasure if it encourages the shy cook to make homemade protein- and vitamin-rich soups. Place it in a gift box, add a can of good-quality imported Italian tomatoes, maybe some Tellicherry peppercorns, a wedge of imported Parmesan and a bottle or tin of dried basil. Write up this easy recipe on a nice card and add a note on how you hope this keeps the recipient warm on a cold wintry day:
Bean soup
Soak 1 pound beans in a Dutch oven overnight in plenty of water. Drain; add 3 quarts fresh water and simmer gently 1 hour. Add 1/2 cup each chopped onion, celery and carrot, 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon dried basil, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper; simmer 1 hour. Add 1/2 pound smoked kielbasa, cut in 1/4-inch chunks; simmer 10 minutes. Serve with grated Parmesan.
UA Southern friend we know is apt to show up at dinners bearing a crate of clementines. Beautiful, seasonal fruit that people look forward to each winter makes a great gift. A basket of pomegranates, with their rich red hue, would be welcome and look great as a centerpiece. They're packed with vitamin C; eat the seeds out of hand or add to salads. Or try a bowl of perfect Seckel pears, which are small and cute -- and also red.
UMoving on to gadgets, a good vegetable steamer for the person without is a must, and a bamboo one makes an attractive choice. Maybe add a good cookbook with ideas on what to do with those vegetables.
UAn olive oil sprayer and a bottle of good-quality extra-virgin olive oil deliver a one-two punch. With the sprayer the cook can control how much oil she uses and the olive oil itself can help lower LDL, or bad cholesterol.
UA microwave-safe popcorn popping bowl is a healthful way to enjoy this snack: It pops the kernels without oil. And popcorn has only 61 calories for 2 cups.