A Seduction Meal is a recipe or dish you do really well; one that you know is always a hit. This recipe is one of my all time favorites--one that  I love to share with friends and family. Each and every time results in the same words of praise "..these are the BEST crab cakes I've ever had!"

Each bite is filled with luscious crab meat and an array of simple flavors. Fans love the fact that they are not deep fried or overly filled with bread crumbs. And the spicy remoulade is the special ingredient that makes this treat disappear in no time at all.  I am re-posting this recipe so you can try and enjoy the Best Crab Cakes EVER!!. I'd love to hear what you think

Crab Cakes & Spicy Remoulade

Spicy Remoulade

• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 4 teaspoons finely chopped scallions
• 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon ground Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped scallions for garnish

Combine all ingredients and chill for 1 hour. Serve on top of each crab cake.

Crab Cakes

• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle sauce, or any hot pepper sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 6-oz cans crab meat, drained (be sure to pick out any shells)
  
• 1 cup dry, unseasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup of frozen corn kernels
• 1/3 cup diced roasted sweet red peppers
• 1 tablespoon water, if needed
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, egg, pepper sauce and cumin. Add the crab meat (break up any lumps), bread crumbs and roasted peppers. Mix well. If the mixture is dry add 1tablespoon of water to moisten allowing all ingredients to stick together. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. This may be prepared up to 24 hours in advance.

Divide the crab mixture into equal bite sized patties, about 1" wide,  for appetizer portions (about 25 - 30), or larger patties for entree portions (about 6-8). Each patty should be 1 inch thick. Preheat lightly greased skillet or griddle (use a light coat of olive oil). Cook for about 10-15 minutes turning every 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Serve right away with a dollop of the spicy remoulade.

Crab Cakes as a Main Dish - In a medium size bowl combine 1 cup of mixed greens with your favorite dressing (I prefer a lighter dressing like olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, a dash of balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper). Place 1/2 of the salad on the center of each plate. Place 3 crab cakes over the mixed greens, one overlapping the other so they slightly rise off the plate. Place a dollop (2 tablespoons) of spicy remoulade in the center of each crab cake and garnish with chopped scallions.

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Vida Tequila
When you are in touch with your inner Tequila desires, you will come to understand the lure of premium tequila and its exquisite taste. These blends are made for pure self-indulgence.  Sipping is the norm. Anything else would undermine this gift of quality, taste and pleasure.

Vida Classic

• 2 parts Vida Blanco
• 1/2 part Grand Marnier
• 1/2 part fresh lime juice

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes or crushed ice. Strain the mixture or pour into a salt-rimmed margarita or martini glass. To get the salt to stick to the glass, pour fine salt on a plate. Run a lime wedge along the lip of a martini glass and lightly press it against the salt.

The Sea Fizz

• 1 part Pernod Absinthe
• 1/2 Part Simple Syrup
• ½1/2 part lemon juice
• 1 egg white

Add all ingredients to shaker except egg white.  Shake.  Add egg white and shake vigorously.  Serve in a rocks glass.

Clément Créole Eggnog
(serves 2)

•  3 eggs
•  2 oz. of Rhum Clément Créole Shrub
•  1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
•  1 oz Rhum Clément Première Canne
•  1 cups whipping cream
•  1/2 cup milk
•  1/2 cup of coconut milk

In a large shaker, combine ingredients over ice, and vigorously shake Garnish with sprinkled nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.
Cointreau Teese

• 1 1/2oz Cointreau
• 3/4oz Apple juice
• 1/2oz Monin violet syrup
• 1/2oz)Fresh lemon juice

Mix all ingredients together. Frost ginger around the rim of the glass

Caress

• 2.5oz Cointreau
• 2.5oz irish cream liqueur

Pour the ingredients into a tumbler glass. Add finely grated dark chocolate sprinkled over the top


China Club

• 5 Parts Plymouth Gin
• 4 Parts Lemon Juice
• 3 Parts Simple Syrup
• Mint Leaf

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with 7 leaf mint leaf.

Bling Out

• 2 Parts ABSOLUT Vodka
• 2 Parts Lemon Juice
• 1 Part Saffron Sugar Syrup
• 4 Dashes Cointreau
• 2 Dashes Orange Juice

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Bessito (originally served at Asia De Cuba, New York)  

• 1 oz. X Rated Fusion Liqueur   
• 1 oz. Grapefruit Juice  

Makes one drink: Mix all ingredients. Top with Champagne, serve in a flute.

PAMA Champagne Dream

• 1 oz. PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
• 1 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
• 3 oz. Champagne

Makes 1 drink. Assemble the first three ingredients in a cocktail glass with ice. Slowly pour in the Champagne while stirring very gently to retain bubbles. Strain into a Champagne flute and garnish with an orange zest.

Passion Punch 

• 2 parts X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
• 1 parts SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
• 0.5 parts Passion Fruit of Mango Puree (or orange juice)

Mix all ingredients. Top with Champagne, serve in a flute.   

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Between the end of December through New Year's Eve there are many reasons to celebrate. A toast to your health, your love, your life, and happiness. Here you will find an array of cocktails to bring on good cheer. Happy Holidays & here's to a great 2010!

Clement Planteur

• 1 1/2 oz Clement V.S.O.P Rum
• 1 oz. Clement Creole Shrubb
• 2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain and serve. Tie beautiful flower at top of the stem.

Clement Mai Tai

• 1 1/2 oz. Clement V.S.O.P Rum
• 1 oz. Clement Creole Shrubb
• 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
• 2 oz. pineapple juice
• A dash of Grenadine

Mix all ingredients together. Garnish with lime wheel, and pineapple stick garnish.

Clement Side Car

• 2 oz. Clement V.S.O.P Rum
• 1 oz. Clement Creole Shrubb
• 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice

Mix all ingredients. Garnish with sugar rim and lemon wheel

Clement Margarita

• 1 1/2 oz. premium Tequila
• 1 oz. Clement Crerole Shrubb
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with crushed ice. Strain and serve.
 

Pink Fusion (originally served at Carlucci Lombard, Chicago)

• 1 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
• 1 oz. SKYY Infusions Citrus
• Splash of Fresh Lemonade

Makes one Drink: Mix all ingredients together. Top with Champagne, serve in martini glass with lemon twist.

Pernod Absinthe: The Green Fairy

• 1 part Pernod Absinthe
• 1 part water
• Juice of I lemon
• 1 tsp egg white
• 1 dash bitters

Makes one drink: Shake thoroughly with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Young Man

• 3 Parts Cognac
• 1 Part Vermouth, Sweet
• 2 Dashes Orange Curacao
• 1 Dash Bitters
• Maraschino Berry

Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with 1 whole maraschino berry.

Silk Stockings

• 2 Parts Tequila
• 10 Parts Cream
• 2 Parts White Cacao Liqueur
• 1 Part Grenadine

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

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The holiday season is upon us and there are many opportunities for serving up festive, traditional dishes to share with our family and friends. Whether you are cooking for a large group or enjoying an intimate meal for two, this classic French dish is the perfect choice for the true seafood lover in your life. Bouillabaisse is an elegant stew consisting of seafood, shellfish, and a medley of vegetables simmered in herbs and aromatic flavoring---white fish, lobster or langoustine, crabs, shrimp, mussels, clams, tomatoes, potatoes, leeks, celery, carrots, saffron, anise, shallots, parsley and wine.

There are two ways of serving Bouillabaisse; as a stew with the seafood, shellfish and vegetables served in a broth. Or, the more traditional French manner in which a mix of seafood, shellfish, and vegetables are served on a platter with the broth served on the side with grilled bread slathered with aioli, a garlic mayonnaise, or rouille, a spicy saffron mayonnaise made of olive oil, garlic, saffron and cayenne pepper.

Bouillabaisse
Serves 6

Seafood Ingredients:

• 1 lb of fresh clams
• 1 lb of fresh mussels, rinsed and bearded
• 2 lbs of cod, but into 1" pieces  (can use a mix of cod, tilapia, snapper, grouper, John Dory- skinned)
• 1/2 lb of clam strips (optional)
• 12 raw jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined, keeping tails intact (shells reserved)

Broth Ingredients:

• 1/3 teaspoon saffron
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 carrots, cut into 1/2" pieces
• 2 stalks of celery with leaves, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1 tsp fresh tarragon, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
• 1 cup chicken stock (or water)
• 1 cup of dry white wine
• 2 cups clam juice
• 10 red or white baby potatoes, cut in half
• 3 cups of water
• Salt & White Pepper to taste
• Garlic Aoili (store bought brand such as Saratoga's Garlic Curry Aioli)
  
• Garnish with Parsley leaves

Directions:
Step 1: The Broth

1. Combine the saffron and hot water in a small bowl and set aside to infuse.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pan, over medium high heat, saute onion, carrot and celery until vegetables soften, about 15 minutes. After 10  minutes, add garlic.
3. Add tomatoes, fennel seeds, saffron, thyme, tarragon, salt, pepper, and juice of one orange. Simmer 5 minutes.
4. Add clam stock, wine, and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. The longer this simmers  the richer the flavor.
5. Note: You always want to have enough water in the pot to cover all ingredients, so start with 2 cups and add more as needed. I used 3 cups total.
   

Step 2:

1. Turn heat up to medium and add potatoes and cook until 1/2 done, about 5 minutes
2. Wash mussels, remove shells from shrimp and devein, and cut fish into 2-3" pieces
3. Add fish to pot and cook for 5 minutes, gently boiling, over medium heat (lower heat if too high/rapid boils)
4. Add mussels, cover the pot and cook until mussel shells begin to open. (Discard unopened mussels.)
5. Add shrimp, cook until they turn pink
6. Taste broth and season to taste

Plate the Dish:

1. Ladle soup among large serving bowls and garnish with fresh parsley leaves. Add a dollop or two of aioli to the broth and stir in. Serve with crusty bread on the side. For a heartier treat you can add Gruyere cheese and make open-faced grilled cheese sandwiches to serve with the soup. Bon appetit!
   

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A simple holiday treat that will turn your roast chicken, turkey, Cornish hens or lamb dish into true Seduction Meals.  Here are two different recipes for Cranberry conserve, the first is made with a Vino Cotto, a naturally sweet, cooked grape must syrup, also known as vincotto throughout Italy. Although vincotto vinegars exist today, authentic Vino Cotto contains no vinegar or alcohol and has hints of plums and raisons. The second recipe is made with Clément Créole Shrubb, an aromatic rum with an intoxicating blend of Curacao orange peels and musky Rhum Agricole, and a touch of exotic tropical spices.

Vino Cotto Cranberry Fruit Conserve
Recipe courtesy of Montillo Italian Foods

Ingredients

• 12 oz. Ocean Spray Craisins (sweetened dried cranberries)
• 1 McIntosh apple (peeled, cored and diced)
• 1 large ripened peach (pitted, peeled and diced)
• 1-2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup pine nuts (chopped pecans or walnuts optional)
• 3 oz. water
• 3½  oz. Vino Cotto di Montillo

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, add lemon juice, diced apples and peaches. Gently toss. 
2. In a medium saucepan combine cranberries, lemon-coated apples and peaches, water and 3 oz. of vino cotto. Cover the saucepan. 
3. On low heat slowly simmer for 10 minutes then remove the cover and stir.  Continue cooking uncovered on low heat until the fruit becomes tender, but not overcooked.  Stir frequently so the fruit cooks evenly.  When done remove from the heat and allow to cool. 
4. Add nuts and mix together. 
5. Plate into a serving bowl and drizzle the remaining ½ oz. of vino cotto over the fruit conserve. 
6. Serve as a condiment beside turkey, chicken, pork or lamb.

Créole Cranberry Conserve

Ingredients:

• 1 whole orange, seeds removed, coarsely chopped
• 1 pound fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup currants
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups raspberry vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Pinch salt
• Pinch white pepper
• 2 tablespoons Clément Créole Shrubb
• 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions

1. In a saucepan combine all ingredients except pecans over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Cook until most of the cranberries have popped open, about 12 minutes.
2. Skim any foam from the top of the surface and stir in the chopped pecans. Allow the conserve to come to room temperature before serving. 
3. Cooked conserve will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or process in sterilized jars and keep in a cool dark place for up to 6 months.

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And now for the ladies. Holiday gifts that will melt her heart including a few cute stocking stuffers. Gifts include a beautifully packaged  bottle of Champagne and artisan Chocolates,  bejeweled wine stoppers to decant yet oh-so-tempting gourmet hot chocolates. A real heart stopper--show her how much you care by framing the month and day of your first date, the night you laid eyes on her, or the day you got engaged--even it that day comes along with this special gift ; )   We hope you find something special that she will truly love.

AeroGarden with Gourmet Herb Seed Kit - $120
Enjoy fresh greens at every meal no matter what the season. With AeroGrow's AeroGarden garden kit, it's easy to cultivate lettuce, cherry tomatoes, herbs, chili peppers, and more in an energy-efficient, organic-based environment right in the kitchen. This compact chef's tool includes everything the indoor farmer needs

Vosges: Champagne & Exotic Truffle Collection - $111
Pour a little pink bubbly to start a celebration! This dry Champagne pours a rich, deep crimson. Lively effervescence is punctuated by notes of plum, cherry and blood orange and finishes with a touch of cinnamon.



BOHO Plates & Mugs: $55 for the plates and $50 for the mugs
Get inspired to bring out the Bohemian Chic in you this season! These Boho Holiday plates and mugs bring together different patterns from branches to damask, floral, verdant green or toile, dressing up that table in the oh-so hip Flea market style is easy. Comes in a decorative gift box.
 


VIVRE:  Raw Amethyst Bottle Stopper: $55.00
Designed by Anna Rabinowicz for RabLabs. A glittering option for topping off  bottles: a stopper crafted of natural raw amethyst. Approximately 2 1/2" long.

VIVRE: Dahlia Rocks Glasses:  $85.00
Set of four lovely hand-drawn glasses in bright hues and 22K gold make these tumblers a stunning gift and entertaining essential. Hand wash.


Luxurious Lunch tote- $39.
Sass up those tasty left-overs from last night's Seduction Meal and make any brown bag toting co-worker jealous. The larger of our two lunch bags, this smart option features an extra interior pocket for an ice pack or snack, a zip top closure, an adjustable handle strap, a flat bottom for easy packing, and enough room for just about every size food storage container. Machine washable and water resistant -- available in 11 fun colors

Frame the Date: Prices vary
Melt her heart with a gift of love. Remember the first day you laid eyes on each other? Or how about that first weekend get-away that was the most romantic time of your life? Turn your cherished event into a giftable work of art that will spark memories of love.


Silver Moon Artisan Ligueuer Infused Ice-Cream & Sorbet Gift Set - $48 for 5 different pints
Silver Moon combines two after-dinner favorites: ice cream and liqueur, to create chic adults-only desserts made from fresh, natural ingredients, real California Milk, and sophisticated liqueurs. Flavors include Praline Irish Cream, Crème de Mint Chip, Coffee with Brownie Bits, Orange Creamsicle, Mango Mimosa, Strawberry Daiquiri, Mojito Ice, Pomegranate Martini. Silver Moon Desserts are available at several Bay Area restaurants, hotels, country clubs and specialty food markets such as Gene's Fine Foods, Zanotto's Family Markets, The Real Food Company, The Milk Pail Market and Oakville Grocery.

Fornasetti Plate - $185
Decorative porcelain wall plate from the Fornasetti Theme and Variations series. "Winking." 10.25" in diameter. Hand made in Italy.

Kaki Stoneware Tea Set
Designed and hand-crafted in the south of France, the stoneware tea set is made of high quality, natural raw materials and is chip-resistant as well as microwave and dishwasher-safe. 


Smoked Salmon Trio - $99.95
Ideal for entertaining, this salmon assortment showcases the art of the smoke master with three delectable varieties of smoked salmon. The sampler comes in a wooden gift box and includes three 1/2-pound salmon fillets: Scotch-Cured Salmon, cold-smoked with sweet fruitwoods and offering a subtle hint of whiskey flavor; Maine Sea Spice Salmon, rubbed with paprika, garlic and herbs, then smoked to a peppery, complex finish; and Lemon & Dill Salmon, with a bright dill-laced flavor reminiscent of traditional gravlax.

MojaMix Gift Certificates: $5 - $15
This year, give something perfectly customizable that is guaranteed to please your lovely foodie. A mix and match cereal blend of your favorite ingredients. Simply "Start Mixing" with a cereal base such as  granola, whole grains, flakes, etc.  Next, add your favorite dried fruits, from raisins to goldenberry and everything in-between (goji, blueberry, mango, banana chips).  You can then add almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and even chocolate.  Finally, pick a fun name for your personal blend and add an inspiring quote if you like.  And best of all, unlike most grocery store brands, the first ingredient on MojaMix is not sugar.  Prices vary depending on number of ingredients but most blends come in under $15 including shipping

Cocoon Fruit Bowl - $158
This award winning design created by Eakkapod of Germany was selected for for the Design Exhibition Form 2006! The polished stainless steel bowl is 12" in diameter and the ultimate in modern design.

Twist Fruit Tray - $132
Another beauty, this fruit tray is made of stainless steel polished and design by Prof. Andreas Ostwald

NOTE: Seduction Meals fans will receive a discount until January 8th of 20% discount on any purchase in the Prestige Identity website, including both fruit bowls, using the coupon code as follows; WEB20.


The Beatles Stereo Box Set - $170
Bring romance to your music play list with this extraordinary music collection by the one and only, Beatles.

Vosges Peanut butter bonbons - $27
Each tempting bonbon is filled with creamy organic peanut butter infused with pink Himalayan salt and enrobed in rich chocolate for a velvety smooth finish, topped with a crunch of Maldon salt to bring out the beautiful organic peanut butter parfum. Our very first certified organic product...with many more to come!


Maristar StripTeas - $12.95
A sexy stocking stuffer: Maristar Strip Teas. Did you know that the majority of tea bags on the shelf contain "dust and fannings," the leftover byproduct from the processing of fine teas that includes burnt twigs, stems, and the least desirable parts of the plant? Did you know that they contain virtually no nutritional value? Not our teas! We use only the good stuff - real whole tea leaves. Delicate marigold petals offset by sweet anise blended with top quality Nilgiri whole leaves. An excellent mid-day treat that pairs nicely with both savory snacks as well as tea-time sweets.

Cream Puff Candle in Gold - $15.50
Another sweet stocking stuffer, cream puff candles are just the right recipe for a perfect holiday celebration! Comes in a decorative gift box with gold ribbon. From Bougies la Francaise.  13 hours of burn time



VIVRE: Five Piece Horn Place Setting: $225 now $135!
Add a little drama to your romantic soiree with this alluring flatware made of Natural bovine horn. Comes as a five-piece place setting.

La Maison du Chocolat Coffret Craquants - $79.95
From the legendary La Maison du Chocolat, founded in Paris in 1977, comes a gift to make your favorite chocolate lover swoon. This three-compartment box is filled with an assortment of crisp little chocolate bites. Included is a trio of treats: milk and dark chocolate-covered almonds; dark chocolate beads that can be eaten on their own or used to make hot chocolate; and Rochers Suisses, roasted caramelized almond slivers covered in milk and dark chocolate

Vosges: Couture Cocoa Gift Box - $55
Can't choose just one? Give the gift of all three unique Couture Cocoa experiences. We've created 3-ounce sample sizes of La Parisienne, Aztec Elixir and Bianca together in one package. Sit back, relax and sip away.

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Now is the time to shower your man with deliciously seductive gifts of love.  We've put together a collection of ideas that range for gourmet food treats to sweet stocking stuffers, spy cameras to Love baseballs, gourmet popcorn to bacon-chocolate pancakes, and cooking accessories and gadgets he will love adding to his kitchen. Happy shopping!


Vosges: Holiday Truffle Collection with Jonathan Adler Ornament: $6
Give our new, limited edition Holiday Truffle Collection adorned with a keepsake Jonathan Adler ornament. This truffle collection pays homage to Victorian holiday traditions that brought family and friends together after months of preparation to celebrate the most precious holiday. The limited edition ornament depicts the peace sign inside a circle.

John & Kira's Drunken Chocolate Figs - $36
We love this combination! Noted for their extremely thin skins and sweet, almost candy-like taste, our Spanish figs are filled by hand with a silky dark 64% Valrhona ganache flavored with Whiskey and enrobed in a thin layer of dark 54% chocolate. The Calabacita variety of fig is grown by a family owned company in "Los Llanillos" in the village of Almoharin located in the Extremadura region of Spain.

VIVRE: Love Baseball by Bergino - $25.00
For the sports fanatic in your life we present: The baseball--cornerstone of America's favorite pastime. We give it a cool makeover to remind us of some timely priorities sure to hit home. Handmade to professional standards. White graphics on red suede.

VIVRE: Digital Spy Camera by Minox - $249.00
Go ahead, have a little fun. With a resolution of five million pixels, this minimalist masterpiece features a bright viewfinder for fast shots in the worst-lit conditions, and an integrated flash that switches on at twilight automatically. Includes an additional external flash that can be connected to its side. Image data can be saved on micro SD memory cards of up to 16 GB in addition to the internal memory. Measures 86 x 29 x 20 mm.
 

Riedel O Trio Red & Wite Wine Glasses - $36
Pick him up Riedel's TriO Red+White ($36) - a laid-back glass that  is a multi-purpose workhorse--from water to ice tea to mixed drinks, from your favorite rosso (or rouge) to a quaffable bianco or crisp blanc. Thin, perfectly balanced and a pleasure to drink from, it is an every day, go-to glass that can take whatever you pour.Set includes 3 Riedel glasses cleverly packaged in a triangle- shaped box.

Buonissimo! Cookbook - $13.57
Tasty and easy italian Food for Every Occassion by Gino D'Acampo is filled with tempting dishes sure to please. The book has five sections, beginning with Romantico, elegant recipes for two. "This was the easiest chapter for me to write," says D'Acampo, "as Italians are born with a natural romantic style."

Tusk Handle Corkscrew: $135
Vintage inspired and crafted with an authentic tusk from a warthog for a handle, this corkscrew also features a custom-made, knife-edge cork thread made from stainless steel. Exquisite, unique and the perfect gift for your favorite oenophile

Dean & DeLuca: Duck Foie Gras Au Torchon: $60
A gfit for the true gourmand in your life. Dean & DeLuca's duck liver is prepared in the classic torchon style, in which the foie gras is seasoned with port wine, wrapped in a kitchen towel or torchon, and cooked sous-vide in order to achieve optimal flavor and texture. It is at its best when served chilled in 1/4" slices with crusty French bread, cracked pepper and a little sea salt.



Black River Caviar - Price Varies
A favorite among top chefs including Laurent Torondel (BLT), Scott Conant (Scarpetta), Alexandra Guarnaschelli (Butter), David Chang (Momofuku) and Mario Batali (Babbo & Otto), to name a few, Black River Caviar is the first "wild-raised," caviar on the market, a term coined to describe the company's sustainable practices and ideal birthing environments. Black River Caviar comes in specially wrapped, custom-packed tins, available in sizes ranging from 30 grams ($102) up to 500 grams ($1,575).  Deliveries are made within 24 hours via FedEx.

Vosges: Caramel Marshmallows and Beer - $55
Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout is in the style of the Russian imperial stout which was originally brewed in Great Britain to satisfy the tastes of the Czar's court; the great connoisseurs of Champagne, caviar and the art of the table. Need we say more? This beer is a rich, flavorful, deep chocolate color and scented with a roasted barley nose. The complexity of malt, hops, alcohol and yeast, compliment our sweet Madagascar vanilla bean marshmallow and caramel nuttiness. Some Restrictions on Delivery

Vosges:Mo's Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix - $12
The newest member of the bacon + chocolate family combines the Mo's Bacon Bar with fluffy flapjacks. These buttermilk pancakes are spotted with chunks of our most popular Exotic Candy Bar, which combines applewood smoked bacon and Alder sea salt with deep milk chocolate. Treat your lover to these unbelievable pancakes for a holiday breakfast in bed treat.




Spice up your holidays with the perfect stocking stuffer--gourmet flavored salt and pepper from Beyond the Shaker.

Bolivian Rose Salt - $10.99
The glistening crystals of Bolivian Rose will bring salty-dazzle to almost any dish.  Bolivian Rose is harvested by hand in the pristine Andes Mountains, and its color evokes the peaceful calm of pink quartz. This salt is perfect on seared red snapper filets, fresh mozzarella, or the rim of a strawberry margarita.

Fumee De Sel - $13.99
Fumee de Sel marries two culinary delights, salt and wine, in a taste-forward union.  Our sumptuous Fumee de Sel is slow-smoked over chardonnay oak barrels imparting a subtle sweet tone to this balanced salt.  A sprinkle of  this gourmet salt adds complex flavor and smokiness to root vegetables, on chopped salad with blue cheese, or in a poultry marinade or brine. 

Polished Pewter Fortune Cookie - $26
Slip your lover a flirtatiously naughty note in Artist Herbert Hoover polished pewter fortune cookie. Choose from one of twelve pre-printed time-honored fortunes (You will step on the lands of many counties) - or add your own custom fortune to give the present a personal touch

Cheese of the month: $495
Cheese is, in our humble opinion, one of the most wonderful foods in existence, and Dean & DeLuca has been fortunate to travel the world looking for the finest varietals available. Of course, when they find something truly fabulous they can't wait to share it with you, which is why we present this three-month, six-month and nine-month gourmet gift idea. 

KitchenCue DVD Cooking Tutorials - $29.95 per DVD
Learn the basics of cooking and your kitchen will be limited only by your imagination. Kitchencue's technique-based interactive DVDs empower you like none other, elevating your cooking skills to the next level. A gift for anyone interested in cooking....and for yourself if you are the recipient of these meals!

Fissler Magic Vegetable / Noodle Colander - $95
Surprise your lover with the finest in European cookware. The Fissler colander is a beautifully designed, high-quality and professional-grade kitchen accessories. Click on the link above for retailers in your area. 


Candy Cane Brownies  - $19.95
Another cool stocking stuffer for your sweetheart. These Candy Cane Brownies are made with deep, dark chocolate laced with just the right hint of peppermint. Yummy!

Dean & DeLuca: Chocolate Covered Caramel Apples  - $48
There is nothing like a crisp apple dipped in butter-rich caramel to bring you back that childhood holiday spirit. An  American tradition dating from the 1950s, these apples up the ante with a final flourish of dark or milk Belgian chocolate. Made exclusively with tart Granny Smiths, a treat for even the most discerning ghosts and goblins.

Gourmet Popcorn for Foodies - $34.99
He will love finding these treats in his holiday gift stocking or basket: Luscious flavored popcorn:  Just imagine the tantalizing flavors of Fleur de Sel Caramel, Ginger Sesame Caramel, Black Truffle + Aged White Cheddar, Madras Coconut Curry + Cashew, and Chiplote Caramel + Almonds. Just Divine! 




DEAN & DELUCA Spice Tin Candles - $55
This "Spice Tin" is filled with some of our favorite scented candles. Fill your surroundings with the fragrance of Lavender Flowers, Thyme, Tarragon, Basil, Rosemary, Black Pepper, Clove, Coriander and Shiso Leaf. Each box comes with nine 2-oz. candles that each yield 20 hours of exquisite illumination.

Dean & DeLuca: Truffle Lovers- $135
White Truffle Oil to anoint whatever inspires you. Rich truffled egg Tagliatelle Pasta to toss with butter and Parmesan. A mince of tuber aestivum, mushrooms and olives to spread on grilled meats. Acaccia Honey flecked with truffle to drizzle on cheese and a unique cream that blends truffle and artichoke.

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It's that time of the year again, and Seduction Meals is happy to present an array of enticing gift options for the foodie in your life with culinary delights that are sure to please. So hang the mistletoe and let the romance begin.


Dean & DeLuca Whitefish Roe Sampler - $85
Tsar Nicoulai's un-pasteurized whitefish roes are naturally colored and flavored for bejeweled hors d'oeuvres, canapés and sushi. Green wasabi, beet and saffron, ginger, and brown tiger eye scented with white truffle.

Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoons - $65
The caviar connoisseur's choice. Sleek to the touch and non-reactive. Pure luxe.

Glass Caviar Server - $35
This glass caviar server rests on a bed of ice and embraces two ounces of caviar. Perfect presentation for your next romantic rendezvous.

Charity Water: The Little Black Box and other Gifts: $24 - $80
Each year, Americans spend about $450 billion celebrating the holidays. That's enough to solve the water crisis several times over. This holiday, we're giving you some alternatives to the fuzzy slippers and warm sweaters. These gifts give people around the world clean, safe water.This small box makes a big impact. This gives clean water to one person in a developing nation for 20 years. Each bracelet is a reminder of the person your gift will help.
 

Olivia Kita Holiday Collection - $40
The NEW Sustainable Holiday Collection of organic goodness from Oliver Kita Chocolates. Oliver is an artisan chocolatier creating small batch, hand made tantalizing chocolate morsels for our delight.

Chateau Orleans Champagne Flute Glasses - $32
Toast your special time together in sophisticated style with festive Chateau Orleans Flute glasses. The artfully sleek stem gives way to a sophisticated flute standing 11" high and 3" across. This set of six trumpet-shaped flute glasses is ideal for romantic entertaining that includes Champagne or sparkling wine. 

Marx Foods Dried Wild Mushroom Mix - $29 for 4 oz
A wild mix of the most delicious Pacific Northwest mushrooms: wild morel, lobster, chanterelle, porcini and black trumpet mushrooms.

Dean & DeLuca Antico Frantoio Muraglia 'Intenso' Extra Virgin Olive Oil: $48
This high-quality oil is obtained exclusively from prestigious Coratina olives, which are classically cold-pressed using granite grindstones and state-of-the-art processing equipment. Part of the Orci collection, it comes in a traditional Puglian jar, made by the expert hands of skilled master ceramists and covered with rainbow stripes.

Dean & DeLuca Torrone Gift Box:  - $32
Known since antiquity throughout the Mediterranean, Torrone Morbido (soft) reaches its apotheosis in the hands of Sicilian confectioners. Confected simply of whisked egg whites, honey and Sicily's exceptional fragrant citrus, almonds and the prized pistachios of Bronte. Set of four.

VIVRE: black Small Phoenix Bowl - $125.00
As if it's soaring through a dramatic black sky, the mythical phoenix bird spreads its wonderful wings revealing brilliant details painted with 22k gold glaze. Part of  the debut collection of authentic re-editions from prolific sculptor Waylande Gregory, this handmade ceramic collectible came to life when Gregory's great  nephew, Bryan Downey, discovered a treasure trove of forgotten pieces in the basement of his uncle's estate. Matte finish.

VIVRE: Ice Bucket with Gold Plated Bamboo Handles - $275.00
Undeniably elegant, this nickel-plated ice bucket flaunts unique bamboo handles plated with 24kt gold. Soldered with sterling silver.

Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
The ulitimate gift for the foodie in your life: A gift certificate for a diverse array of cooking classes (for the non-professional) at the highly acclaimed Culinary Institute. Choose from culinary immersion Boot Camps or weekend classes in their Food Enthusiast program. These classes take place at Hyde Park, NY,  Napa Valley, CA and the new campus at San Antonio, Texas. Gift certificates can also be used for dinners at our award-winning on-campus restaurants, including The Escoffier Room, Caterina d' Medici, American Bounty and St. Andrew's Cafe. 


William Sonoma Smoked Salmon Trio - $99.95
Ideal for entertaining, this salmon assortment showcases the art of the smoke master with three delectable varieties of smoked salmon. Farm-raised in Scotland, the salmon is brined and smoked for us by the Browne Trading Co., a family-run smokehouse on the Maine coast, using techniques passed down through generations of fishermen. The sampler comes in a wooden gift box and includes three 1/2-pound salmon fillets: Scotch-Cured Salmon, cold-smoked with sweet fruitwoods and offering a subtle hint of whiskey flavor; Maine Sea Spice Salmon, rubbed with paprika, garlic and herbs, then smoked to a peppery, complex finish; and Lemon & Dill Salmon, with a bright dill-laced flavor reminiscent of traditional gravlax.  

Beekman1802 Blaak  - $45
Beekman 1802 Blaak is the first artisanal cheese produced from the goats at Beekman Farm. Blaak is an Italian-style semi-hard cheese made from a 60:40 mix of unpasteurized goat and cow milk giving the cheese a mild but distinctive flavor. In keeping with traditional cheesemaking practices, this rare cheese is aged for 4 months in our caves and is coated with ash at each turning to promote the ripening of the wheel. The resulting edible black rind gives the cheese its name and makes it a true conversation piece on your table.  Each wheel is approximately 2 lbs, perfect for dividing up and sharing.


Mother In Law's Kimchi - $20 for 2 Jars
Special Gift Pack for the Holidays -- Seoul Express includes two pint size jars of this popular kimchi - Napa cabbage (House Style) in one gift pack for the kimchi connoisseur..or future kimchi connoisseur.

Dean & DeLuca Salt Essentials Collection - $60
We're fascinated by the subtle differences in flavor and texture found in the world's salt varieties. Dean & DeLuca has chosen four of the most distinctive, each of which lends its own special character to whatever you're cooking: Pyramid-shaped Cyprus Flake Salt, Murray River Salt from Australia, Fleur de Sel from France, and coarse Himalayan Pink Salt.
 
Dolce Nonna Marinated Vegetables -  $45
Dolce Nonna is a line of delicious hand-packed, Italian-style marinated vegetables. There are three ready-to-serve varieties to choose from: Marinated Eggplant, Marinated String Beans and Agri-Dolce Peppers. Spoon them onto an antipasto platter or use as toppings for bruschetta, grilled fish or pasta.This gift set includes: 3 products, one of each variety, a unique, reusable, three-compartment gourmet bag with window and compartment separator made from natural handmade paper, a dishtowel, wooden spoon and 3 corresponding recipe cards.

 
Dean & DeLuca Food & Wine Cookbook Gift - $37.50
This original Dean & DeLuca Food & Wine cookbook is an invaluable resource for pairing food with wine. Includes wood spoon.

The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook - $15.95
The Frugal Foodie Cookbook by Lara Starr with Lynette Shirk is a book of stories, recipes and essential advice for anyone seeking delicious meals on a dime. Starr and Shirk are gourmet chefs with a recessionista attitude and provide tips on shopping smartly and cooking deliciously, and entertaining on a budget for the holidays!

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This quick and easy vegetable side dish balances the slight bitterness of kale (an extremely healthy leafy green) with any variety of wild mushroom. In this recipe, hedgehog mushrooms are used.

Kale & Wild Mushroom Side Dish
serves six

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches of kale
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 lb fresh hedgehog mushrooms (or any other variety of fresh mushroom)
• unsalted butter
• olive oil

Directions:

1. Rough chop the hedgehogs and sauté them in butter with a little olive oil.
2. Wash and rough chop the kale.
3. When the hedgehogs take on color and become tender, add the kale and lemon juice.
   
4. Continue to sauté just until the kale has wilted.
5. Add a tablespoon or two of butter and toss. Serve
   

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