Solutions for Gift Baskets

There's no food that's more "comfort food" rich than soup!  Warm, cuddly, aromatic, and healthful ... this ambrosia of good eating is also an excellent theme for a gift basket.

Who wants a soup gift basket?  Anyone who needs a hug.  Any friend who is experiencing a bumpy road -- layoff, broken heart, loss of a loved one, loss of a beloved pet ... even moving to a new neighborhood.

And to celebrate your friendship ... any day!

Here are some ideas for soup gift baskets:

Childhood Favorites

Tomato soup, Ritz crackers, a sprinkle of fresh herbs or cheese...yum!

Alphabet soup ... with a children's book about the alphabet, the more visuals the better! And don't forget animal crackers!

Creamy potato soup...yum, my favorite!  Add some corn and you have corn chowder.

Historic Soups

Holiday Favorites: Make a gourmet splash with exotic flavors such as pumpkin,  eggnog, rum, wine, champagne, and extra thick soups that can be used as a "dip".

America's historic foods are pumpkins and squash; corn; beans and cornbread, of course!  Soup fixings can be cradled in a "souper" gift basket with a cute bowl or big cup, a soup ladle, or even a couple napkins!

Sizzle of the Sea

Seafood soups are so elegant and tummy-warming.  Clam chowder, lobster bisque, and seafood samplers can be ordered from a gourmet deli and added to a basket with sea shells, flipflops...and a ticket to the beach in your own private shuttle.  (That's an idea for people who live near the water and forget to take time to smell the surf!)     

Seasonal Soups

If you're a gardener and you have shut-in friends, neighbors or family, how about taking your excess fresh produce and putting together a quart jar of soup that can be quickly heated in the microwave, and add some fresh break or homemake crackers, or even some scones from the neighborhood bakery?  

Fall vegetables are super soupers!  Squash, greens, pumpkins, tomatoes...add a hunk of flavorful cheese, and you have fall in a bowl!  

Sympathy, Housewarming.... and Thinking of YOU, everyone loves soup.  But many people have allergies or taste preferences, so do some snooping and learn to know the secret whimsy that makes your friend smile that deep, lovin' life kind of smile! 
 
Gourmet Grocery Online is one source for gourmet soups.

This isn't really from California...but sushi tips are always in order. Noel from RAW and Okane in Spokane shows the fine art of inside-out sushi rolls. These are elegant, masterly tips on sushi rolling :-)

Avocado, cucumber and carrot form the heart of California Rolls...and California Rolls can form the heart of your California Gift Basket. Since one of the key elements of "California style" cuisine freshness, this gift basket design is for hand delivered, immediate use. These gift baskets work well for communal dinners and picnics in the sunny outdoors!

Sushi needs to be ultra fresh...and California rolls make this easier and a little less critical since no raw fish or meat is involved. Just fresh cucumbers, cooked rice, a bit of seaweed, avocado... yum! Center these rolls in the center of a picnic basket to share with a friend. Add a classic California wine, some cheese...crackers and you have a gift basket for shared enjoyment! Jennifer Cornbleet makes it look so easy...so healthy, and so delicious.

California is more than LaLa Land :-)  We have some of the most diverse communities and farmland and restaurants on the face of the earth.  This section will feature some of my favorite California treats to add to your gift baskets...all American made, California centered ideas. 

Tarts are not only delicious and decadently sweet, but they are solid enough to add to gift baskets. Try organic apples to add that caring heart to your special gift basket!

Not all desserts fit well into a gift basket.  It depends on how much you love them! :-)

Tarts, cheesecakes, and even upside down cakes can be firm enough to tuck into a gift basket.  Most of these gourmet dessert gift baskets are best delivered by hand... so you can see the ecstasy as your beloved friend discovers the treasure of your hand made dessert, of course! 

Enjoy these favorite selections that can be added to your gift baskets -- whether you make them, have them made, or buy gourmet delicacies and tuck them into your gift basket.

Make super chocolate cheesecake from scratch...or find one of the many excellent cheesecakes that are served in restaurants and bakeries around the world. Chocolate is probably the most popular cheesecake flavor, and can be made truly decadent with sugars, chocolates and special flavors.

Well...how about a giftbox style cake decorating approach to a cheesecake gift?

You can use fondant or almond paste to make this bow and apply it to your cheesecake along with some fresh fruit for an elegant gift box / gift basket.

How to top and decorate a New York Style Cheesecake with a chocolate frosting. Drips of chocolate on a cheesecake are oh, so yummy and enticing!