Sunday, February 5, 2012

SUPER BRUNCH WITH BINGO: GOURMET GIFTS - A GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"BRUNCH WITH BINGO DAY"
I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS SUNDAY'S
   SUPER BINGO BRUNCH BOOK CHOICE IS....
  GIVEAWAY ENDED
GOURMET GIFTS
100 Delicious Recipes for Every Occasion To
Make Yourself and Wrap with Style
BY DINAH CORLEY
Photos by Alison Shaw
ABOUT THE BOOK:
No gift demonstrates generosity and love more than one that is made by hand. And no homemade gift is more appreciated than one that’s edible, especially when it’s as pretty to look at and delectable to eat as the ones in Dinah Corley’s Gourmet Gifts. Corley offers up 100 scrumptious and splendidly crafted projects. It’s perfect for cooks who want to jump start their presentation skills, for crafters who want to give their food gifts a significant upgrade from the standard plate of chocolate chip cookies or pan of lasagna, and for anyone who wants to give a gift that’s decidedly personal and sure to please. Gourmet Gifts includes both money-saving gifts and opulent special-occasion gifts, foods that ship well over a long distance, gifts for people who are under the weather, and loads of ideas for the holidays. Forty beautiful color photos help readers envision the final gift.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Growing up, Dinah Corley’s mother taught her a very important lesson: “Never go to someone’s door empty-handed.” Dinah draws on her 30+ years of cooking instruction and artful gift-giving in Gourmet Gifts: 100 Delicious Recipes for Every Occasion to Make Yourself and Wrap with Style, a book that places emphasis on both the food as well as its wrapping. Before Dinah became an expert on edible gifts, she was less than stellar in the kitchen. “After college, I dated a man who scoffed at my inability to boil water,” says Dinah. “So for Christmas, he bought me classes to Le Cordon Bleu in London. After those were finished, I – to his surprise – kept on enrolling.”

Dinah attended Le Cordon Bleu in both London and Paris, and soon earned her Grand D’Plome – the highest distinction for a Le Cordon Bleu student. She also attended La Varrenne Cooking School in Paris, LeNotre at Versailles, and began living a whole season each year in the South of France. It was there that she apprenticed under food visionary Simone Beck, an experience that led her to further culinary studies with Roger Verge, Michelle Girard, James Beard, and Julia Child. Today, Dinah’s well-known cooking classes have created a widespread network of students. She has taught in Washington, DC, in the Shenandoah Valley of Northern Virginia, and at Martha’s Vineyard, where she lived for roughly 20 years. There, she not only taught and wrote numerous food articles, she launched a second career as a restaurant designer and consultant. She helped redesign Atria, a fine dining, New England cuisine restaurant in Edgartown, Massachusetts, and is currently working on a new restaurant project for Martha’s Vineyard, slated to open Summer 2012.

Dinah is based in Shenandoah Valley, where she continues to teach her popular food classes.

SAMPLE FROM THE BOOK:
WHOLE PRESERVED LEMONS
A gift of a pretty jar holding a preserved lemon should thrill any experienced or adventurous cook. Salt-cured whole lemons preserved in extra-virgin olive oil are a staple in almost all Mediterranean cuisines. They are used to season slow-cooked dishes like tagines, and diced preserved lemon and its oil can be used to marinate or garnish grilled meats and seafood as well as feta and other dry cheeses. In Greek tavernas, small wedges of preserved lemon are served with drinks, along with slivers of dry, aged sheep’s milk cheeses, olives, and flatbreads. The oil alone is a perfect addition to marinades and vinaigrettes.
  • Overall prep time: about 2 weeks (for curing the lemons)
  • Active prep time: 2 hours
  • Easy
  • Moderately expensive
  • Do not freeze or ship
  • Can be doubled or tripled
  • Shelf life: 6 months
  • Makes: 12
INGREDIENTS:
12 small, firm organic lemons
5 tablespoons coarse sea salt
12 fresh bay leaves
4 cinnamon sticks, each broken into 3 pieces
12 small dried red chile pods
2 tablespoons white peppercorns
2 tablespoons cardamom pods
2 tablespoons fenugreek seeds
2 tablespoons mustard seeds
about 4 cups extra-virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
1) Scrub the lemons and cut each one into 8 wedges from the blossom end to, but not through, the stem end, so that the wedges remain attached at the stem end. Arrange the lemons in a glass or ceramic casserole dish. Gently spread the wedges apart and heavily sprinkle each lemon with sea salt. Tightly cover the dish with plastic wrap. Set the salted lemons aside in a cool place for 24 hours.
 
2) Meanwhile, prepare the jars: You will need 12 small wide-mouthed jars (½-pint canning jars are fine). Wash the jars and lids in hot, soapy water, rinse them, and dry them in a 190°F oven. Keep the jars and lids warm until you are ready to fill them.
 
3) Drain off and discard any accumulated juices in the casserole of lemons. Put one lemon in each jar along with a bay leaf, a piece of cinnamon, a chile pod, and a small portion of the other seasonings. Fill the jars with olive oil, using about ½ cup for each jar, making sure the lemons are covered by at least a half an inch of oil. Use a chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon to dislodge any air bubbles. Wipe the jar rims with clean paper towels and cover the jars.
 
4) Store the jars in a cool, dark pantry or closet for 2 weeks, or until the lemons are soft and you are ready to assemble and deliver the gifts.

HOW TO WRAP IT UP:
The lemons, spices, and rich green olive oil provide about all the good looks any small gift needs. But a great-looking label and a few recipes would complete this gift very nicely.
You should include a note with storage instructions, too: The lemons can be stored at room temperature, but as the lemons are used, the jar should be replenished with olive oil to keep the remaining lemons covered and fresh.

GIVEAWAY
I AM EXCITED TO HAVE THIS SUPER 
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY TO A LUCKY
READER WHO WILL LOVE WINNING IT!
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO WIN GOURMET GIFTS FROM WHAT YOU LEARNED ABOVE,  AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: VISIT DINAH CORLEY'S GOURMET GIFTS' WEBSITE HERE AND COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND THERE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRY AND MAKE 

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE CURRENT GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED ON MY BLOG. IF YOU ENTERED MORE THAN ONE, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY ON EACH IN ORDER TO RECEIVE EXTRA ENTRIES

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, FEBRUARY 19
GOOD LUCK!
  

75 comments:

debbie said...

I love making homemade gifts. I have actually made perserved lemons before, but my recipe was different. It didn't call for the olive oil. They are really good when you finely chop them, mix them with butter and rosemary and put them under the skin of a roasting chicken.
I would love this book, I think it sounds like it has good ideas in it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered all in wonderland.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered yummy cook book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

lag123 said...

I would like to win this because I think gourmet gifts is a wonderful idea.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Suburban prep said...

I love to give homemade gifts. I agree with the sentiment that no homemade gift is more appreciated than one that is edible. This would give me a whole bunch of ideas as gift giving.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

As soon as I opened the project area of the site I saw the Bacon and cornmeal spoon bread and my husband loves bacon and cornmeal. What a great item to make.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

traveler said...

What a wonderful book which is beautiful and so interesting. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Entered Yummy cookbook. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Entered Ali in Wonderland. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Entered All the flowers in Shanghai. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Entered Home Front. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Entered If Fried Chicken could fly. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Entered Summer Garden. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Entered One book in the grave. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The herbal ta sachets look wonderful and unique. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

What a delightful and attractive book filled with such unique ideas. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered All The Flowers in Shanghai. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Home Front. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Summer garden. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Yummy Cookbook. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered One book in the Grave. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered If Fried Chicken could Fly. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Ali in Wonderland elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I would like to make Sunshine in a jar. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

rubynreba said...

I like homemade gifts and think it would be fun to make these.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

+5 February facebook 1
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

+5 February facebook 4
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered All the Flowers in Shanghai
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

entered Yummy
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

entered Home Front giveaway
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

entered If Fried Chicken Could Fly
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

entered The Summer Garden
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

entered Ali in Wonderland
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

entered Ali in Wonderland
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered Cake on a Hot Tin Roof
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered The Dark Rose
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

holdenj said...

Always looking for money saving gift ideas...the preserved lemons look wonderful!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Private Suspect #1
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Home Front
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered If Fried Chicken Could fly
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Cake on a hot tin roof.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered One Book in the Grave.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered All the Flowers in SHanghai.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Yummy
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered The Snow Child.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered The Walled Flower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Private Games.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

Oh wow - I would LOVE to win this! What a great way to give personal gifts without spending a lot of money!
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

+5 FEBRUARY FACEBOOK (1)
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

+5 FEBRUARY FACEBOOK (2)
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LAMusing said...

+5 FEBRUARY FACEBOOK (3)
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LAMusing said...

+5 FEBRUARY FACEBOOK (4)
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LAMusing said...

+5 FEBRUARY FACEBOOK (5)
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LAMusing said...

I'd like to make the Raspberry Truffles!
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I entered Cake on a Hot Tin Roof
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I entered If Fried Chicken Could Fly
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I entered Yummy
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

I'd love to win this for my daughter. It's great that it has both the recipes and ways to package it to make it pretty.
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

I entered the If Fried Chicken Could Fly giveaway
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

Bacon and Cornmeal Spoon Bread sounds delicious
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

What a great gift idea. This book and something yummy ade from it.
Thanks for the giveaway

jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Dinah has a beautiful website. I would love to make the Raspberry Truffles for Valentine's Day.

THank you for the giveaway.
jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

Maureen said...

I do like to make presents for people and this book looks like it has a lot of good ideas.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Maureen said...

I would like to make raspberry truffles from the recipe on her website.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win this because I love making homemade gifts for friends and family - and the photos look scrumptious!!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to make the preserved lemons!!

Anonymous said...

I entered Obama audiobook giveaway

holdenj said...

I entered Buried in a Book.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

weeziestoy said...

Interesting new recipes....
weeziestoy@centurylink.net

weeziestoy said...

I would like to try Making and Giving May Wines...

weeziestoy said...

https://twitter.com/#!/weeziestoy/status/171260175171330048

kalea_kane said...

I have made many gifts for family members through the years. It is the way I feel like I'm showing them that they are worth my time as well as my money...I am NOT great at making the gift gorgeous though. I would love to see what I could learn from this book. Thank you for the chance.

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I would love to try making "sunshine in a jar" what a great way to give a boost to my winter cold weary buddies. :)

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I entered your Buried in a Book giveaway.

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I entered your Ali in Wonderland giveaway too. :)

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

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