You do not have to be a gourmet chef to cook like one, says Jill Blashack, president and CEO of Tastefully Simple, an easy to prepare gourmet foods company. I do not have time to cook, and many other people are in the same position.

The following are some tips from the experts at Tastefully Simple on how to be prepared at short notice for any kind of gathering this season More entertaining takes place during the holidays than all the rest of the year put together. Relatives come to visit, friends and neighbors drop by unexpectedly  this time of year you have to be prepared for a party on short notice

Archive good recipes. From time to time you run across a recipe that would be great for entertaining a quick and easy soup, an interesting hors d’oeuvre, a good mulled cider mixture. Keep an active file of the ones you want to try so they are ready for you when you need them. This way you would not have to scramble when you need to find something to make at the last minute.

Keep important staples on hand at all times. There are certain items that your pantry should not be without during the holidays a variety of crackers, chips and mixed nuts cream cheese for a cheese ball sour cream for an easy dip; some fresh spices such as ginger, cinnamon and cloves for mulling and condiments such as mayonnaise, mustard, preserves and chutney. It is also a good idea to have a selection of beer, wine and soft drinks available.

Stock some items that can be ready to serve quickly. Even if you do not like to cook, you will be able to whip together a menu that will impress your friends and relatives with the help of a few Tastefully Simple products. Each one is either ready to serve, or can be prepared by adding just one or two additional ingredients.

Ensure your gathering will be a success with these simple, savory dips

Tastefully Simple Spinach & Herb Mix, Garlic Garlic and Bacon Bacon Mixes

1 and half cups sour cream

1 and half cups mayonnaise                                

3 large red or green bell peppers

Tastefully Simple Bountiful Beer Bread Mix

12 ounce beer or any carbonated beverage

3 tablespoons butter, melted

Prepare all three dip mixes with sour cream and mayonnaise as directed on packaging chill in separate bowls for 2 hours. Prepare Bountiful Beer Bread Mix with beer and butter as directed on package cool and cube. Carefully slice tops off bell peppers, seed, core reserve lids. Fill each pepper with one of the prepared dips. Place filled peppers next to lids on lettuce leaf lined plate serve alongside basket of Bountiful Beer Bread cubes for dipping. Makes 3 cups dip.

But with all the other things going on during the season, it’s hard to find the time to cook something nice for your guests. How can you put together a gourmet menu at the last minute?

“You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to cook like one,” says Jill Blashack, president and CEO of Tastefully Simple, an easy-to-prepare gourmet foods company. “I don’t have time to cook, and many other people are in the same position.”

The following are some tips from the experts at Tastefully Simple on how to be prepared at short notice for any kind of gathering this season:

* Archive good recipes. From time to time you run across a recipe that would be great for entertaining: a quick and easy soup, an interesting hors d’oeuvre, a good mulled cider mixture. Keep an active file of the ones you want to try so they are ready for you when you need them. This way you won’t have to scramble when you need to find something to make at the last minute.

* Keep important staples on hand at all times. There are certain items that your pantry shouldn’t be without during the holidays: a variety of crackers, chips and mixed nuts; cream cheese for a cheese ball; sour cream for an easy dip; some fresh spices such as ginger, cinnamon and cloves for mulling and condiments such as mayonnaise, mustard, preserves and chutney. It’s also a good idea to have a selection of beer, wine and soft drinks available.

* Stock some items that can be ready to serve quickly. Even if you don’t like to cook, you’ll be able to whip together a menu that will impress your friends and relatives with the help of a few Tastefully Simple products. Each one is either ready to serve, or can be prepared by adding just one or two additional ingredients.

Ensure your gathering will be a success with these simple, savory dips:

Tastefully Simple Spinach & Herb Mix, Garlic Garlic and Bacon Bacon Mixes

1 1/2 cups sour cream

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise

3 large red or green bell peppers

Tastefully Simple Bountiful Beer Bread Mix

12 ounce beer (or any carbonated beverage)

3 tablespoons butter, melted

Prepare all three dip mixes with sour cream and mayonnaise as directed on packaging; chill in separate bowls for 2 hours. Prepare Bountiful Beer Bread Mix with beer and butter as directed on package; cools and cube. Carefully slice tops off bell peppers, seed, core; reserve lids. Fill each pepper with one of the prepared dips. Place filled peppers next to lids on lettuce-leaf-lined plate; serve alongside basket of Bountiful Beer Bread cubes for dipping. Makes 3 cups dip.

A Gourmet is someone who has expert knowledge and enjoyment of food and drink. It follows therefore, that it relates to the preparation of high quality food that is at once sophisticated, luxurious, rare and carefully groomed. Gourmet foods are most likely one of the most talked about food items and least understood.

There are virtually hundreds of foods that come under this particular category. This list of foods includes meats, drinks, deserts, cheese, fruits and many more. In fact, it is considered to be a delicacy that tastes heavenly.

Those who like it will agree to the fact that gourmet food is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the palette. While serving it, presentation is meticulously planned and executed so that the senses can be tempted and eating becomes a completely self-absorbing act.

Here we have brought to you some delicious examples of foods that qualify as gourmet. These include smoked salmon, foie gras; pate, truffles, mushrooms, condiments, specialty meats, oil; vinegar, cheese, chocolates.

You can find many stores offer a wide selection of top notch caviar, which is considered an essential part of the food type, including Beluga, Sevruga and Ostra caviars and a broad variety of Russian, Iranian and American caviars. Most genuine gourmet food stores meet strict import and quality standards and the goods come with a freshness guarantee. Good quality condiments are essential to a good meal.

Exotic spices and herbs from the European countryside create an exhilarating combination of aroma and taste. Spanish saffron, mustards, cinnamon and cloves, some dill and rosemary will embellish a myriad of appetizing and zesty dressings, seasonings and gravies. In the same way, Italian virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, malt vinegar is great for adding vitality to your salads. Also, olive oil is a more healthy choice when it comes to gourmet cooking.

Most of these are examples and certainly do not justify to the vast variety of gourmet food that is available. In fact, these examples are out of the thousands of varieties you can find around the planet. However, considering these examples will help you get a quick peek at the world of abundance, excesses and unabashed indulgence and provides a clue to how food can be presented so that it appeals to the heart as much as the stomach.

To finish up with the basics, we would also like to inform you that deserts and sweets are another important part, which includes cakes, candies, chocolate and cookies. While looking for it you will easily find a variety of cakes for you to choose from like chocolate, lemon, cheesecakes, sponge cakes and raspberry cakes.

You can also find gourmet cookies that can be either plain, decorated by look and is available in variety of flavors. You can create or use your own toppings to make your dessert really a gourmet desert.

You could start with a gourmet delight gift basket that includes cranberry walnut tarts, raspberry cookies, chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, raspberry-honey-mustard pretzels, spicy trail mix, almond cookies, cheese shortbread, cheese straws, potato chip cookies and other delicious treats for the person who craves sweets. It’s a classy collection of unique food gift basket delicacies.

At times of bereavement a heartfelt sympathy food gift basket can be visually uplifting and convey respect. A sympathy basket will be packed full of fine gourmet foods, comforting gifts and caring words of encouragement for the broken hearted. Possible inclusions can be scented candles, Biscotti, cracked pepper water crackers, delectable cookies, chocolate crisp wafers, fine chocolates, and other delicious treats.

It’s often a great idea to add non-food items to a food gift basket. And this is an especially true when it comes to a bridal shower party. Not only should your basket contain gourmet food and delicious snacks, but an assortment of bridal shower games and keepsakes. How about a party game book, cookies, crackers, cheeses, wines, herbal teas, along with a few essentials: disposable camera, photo book, and even a keepsake registry book.

Some of the most popular and unique food gift baskets combine a generous assortment of fine gourmet treats with a look that conveys your good taste and sincerity. Whether small or large they can be crammed full of fine chocolates, nuts, gourmet cookies, cheeses, crackers and other mouth-watering treats. These baskets can be enjoyed on any occasion including holidays, bridal showers, birthdays, times of bereavement, as a get-well gift or for a housewarming.

Maybe you are not into those tasty savory snacks, but are more inclined to eat from a fresh and healthy basket of fruit. If health is a concern, and junk food is out, you will be able to sink your teeth into some luscious seasonal fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, kiwi, nectarines, peaches and pears. Or add a tropical flavor with mangos, papayas and other savory tropical fruits.

Everyone loves pasta, so why not surprise your loved ones with a three-course Italian dinner? Your food basket can contain pasta, champagne hand-poured into a wine glass, along with flavors such as extra virgin olive oil, tomato basil cheese, Nicosia coquilles olives, wine crackers and sausage. Or how about an Italian salad that combines celery, bell pepper, mushroom, black olives, onion, garlic and oregano. And it wouldn’t be a true Italian basket without lots of tomato and sweet basil sauce mixed with savory vegetables

There are many types of gift baskets and it’s hard to go wrong with any of them. Whether you are drooling for Italian, Scottish, Irish or Mexican food there are wonderful assortments available. Food and gift baskets are the ultimate. And as for holidays, a holiday food gift basket can make any day special.

Ordering gourmet gift baskets is always easy, but creating your own custom-made basket is special and lots of fun. A creative and unique idea, easily customized to suit any individual, the gourmet food gift basket can be a delightful expression of sentiment.

There are virtually hundreds of foods that come under this particular category. This list of foods includes meats, drinks, deserts, cheese, fruits and many more. In fact, it is considered to be a delicacy that tastes heavenly.

Those who like it will agree to the fact that gourmet food is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the palette. While serving it, presentation is meticulously planned and executed so that the senses can be tempted and eating becomes a completely self-absorbing act.

Here we have brought to you some delicious examples of foods that qualify as gourmet. These include smoked salmon, foie gras; pate, truffles, mushrooms, condiments, specialty meats, oil; vinegar, cheese, chocolates.

You can find many stores offer a wide selection of top notch caviar, which is considered an essential part of the food type, including Beluga, Sevruga and Ostra caviars and a broad variety of Russian, Iranian and American caviars. Most genuine gourmet food stores meet strict import and quality standards and the goods come with a freshness guarantee.Good quality condiments are essential to a good meal.

Exotic spices and herbs from the European countryside create an exhilarating combination of aroma and taste. Spanish saffron, mustards, cinnamon and cloves, some dill and rosemary will embellish a myriad of appetizing and zesty dressings, seasonings and gravies.

In the same way, Italian virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, malt vinegar is great for adding vitality to your salads. Also, olive oil is a more healthy choice when it comes to gourmet cooking.

Most of these are examples and certainly do not justify to the vast variety of gourmet food that is available. In fact, these examples are out of the thousands of varieties you can find around the planet.

However, considering these examples will help you get a quick peek at the world of abundance, excesses and unabashed indulgence and provides a clue to how food can be presented so that it appeals to the heart as much as the stomach.

To finish up with the basics, we would also like to inform you that deserts and sweets are another important part, which includes cakes, candies, chocolate and cookies. While looking for it you will easily find a variety of cakes for you to choose from like chocolate, lemon, cheesecakes, sponge cakes and raspberry cakes.

You can also find gourmet cookies that can be either plain, decorated by look and is available in variety of flavors. You can create or use your own toppings to make your dessert really a gourmet desert.

Selecting the Basket:

When selecting an empty basket for your food gifts, choose a size that is appropriate for the number of people for whom you are making the gift. For example, you can make a small gourmet basket for an individual or for a couple, or a larger one for a group of people or for an entire family. If you already have a nearly new basket you would like to use, simply give it a quick refresher by swishing it in hot, soapy water, rinsing it with clear water to remove any fragrance from the soap, and allow the basket to thoroughly air dry.

Preparing the Basket:

The most attractive gift basket looks overflowing. Before arranging the food items in the basket, place plenty of filler materials in the basket so that the gifts show above the basket. If your basket is on the deep side, place a piece of foam in the bottom first. Shredded brown paper or newspaper as well as purchased colorful shred or straw are all attractive fillers. If you have empty spaces after you have placed all the gift items, place small bunches of the shredded materials in these spaces.

Choosing the Contents:

A variety of gourmet meats such as pepperoni, salami, and a small canned ham are regularly used in gourmet food gift baskets. You may also want to include canned seafood products like crabmeat, clams, and sardines. It’s a nice touch to add a dry mix for making a dip using the canned seafood. As assortment of cheese wedges, cheese spreads, gourmet crackers, bread sticks along with a small cheese board with a cheese knife or spreader are readily available and easy to place in the gift basket. Green and black olives, spicy mustard, pickled onions, roasted peppers, and appetizers in jars are nice accompaniments to the meats and cheeses. Include something sweet for dessert, such as cookies, chocolate covered mints, or anything with chocolate.

Top off your contents with a selection of beverages: a bottle of wine or non-alcoholic sparkling cider as well as gourmet coffee and herbal tea. If you plan to include a bottle of wine or sparkling cider in your gift basket, choose an empty basket with a sturdy handle so you can anchor the bottle by tying the neck of the bottle to the basket handle using twine or cord.

Decorative Touches:

Add small bunches of fresh red or green grapes at the last minute so they remain fresh.
Scatter colorful Hershey’s Kisses amongst the gifts.
Add a fruit, wine, or chocolate scented candle. (Note: Some non-food fragrances might seep into the food.)
If desired, place your finished gourmet gift basket in a cello bag. Close the bag at the top with curly ribbon with plenty of ribbon so it cascades down the front of the gift basket. You can tie silk flowers or a satin bow in with the ribbon.
Don’t forget to include a gift card.

A Gourmet is someone who has expert knowledge and enjoyment of food and drink. It follows therefore, that it relates to the preparation of high quality food that is at once sophisticated, luxurious, rare and carefully groomed. Gourmet foods are most likely one of the most talked about food items and least understood. There are virtually hundreds of foods that come under this particular category. This list of foods includes meats, drinks, deserts, cheese, fruits and many more. In fact, it is considered to be a delicacy that tastes heavenly.

Those who like it will agree to the fact that gourmet food is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the palette. While serving it, presentation is meticulously planned and executed so that the senses can be tempted and eating becomes a completely self-absorbing act. Here we have brought to you some delicious examples of foods that qualify as gourmet. These include smoked salmon, foie gras; pate, truffles, mushrooms, condiments, specialty meats, oil; vinegar, cheese, chocolates.

You can find many stores offer a wide selection of top notch caviar, which is considered an essential part of the food type, including Beluga, Sevruga and Ostra caviars and a broad variety of Russian, Iranian and American caviars. Most genuine gourmet food stores meet strict import and quality standards and the goods come with a freshness guarantee. Good quality condiments are essential to a good meal.

Exotic spices and herbs from the European countryside create an exhilarating combination of aroma and taste. Spanish saffron, mustards, cinnamon and cloves, some dill and rosemary will embellish a myriad of appetizing and zesty dressings, seasonings and gravies. In the same way, Italian virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, malt vinegar is great for adding vitality to your salads. Also, olive oil is a more healthy choice when it comes to gourmet cooking.

Most of these are examples and certainly do not justify to the vast variety of gourmet food that is available. In fact, these examples are out of the thousands of varieties you can find around the planet. However, considering these examples will help you get a quick peek at the world of abundance, excesses and unabashed indulgence and provides a clue to how food can be presented so that it appeals to the heart as much as the stomach.

To finish up with the basics, we would also like to inform you that deserts and sweets are another important part, which includes cakes, candies, chocolate and cookies. While looking for it you will easily find a variety of cakes for you to choose from like chocolate, lemon, cheesecakes, sponge cakes and raspberry cakes. You can also find gourmet cookies that can be either plain, decorated by look and is available in variety of flavors. You can create or use your own toppings to make your dessert really a gourmet desert.

Gourmet baskets come in many different themes.  They can be used for providing a romantic dinner for two to serving as extravagant office treats.  Gourmet baskets can be sent for birthday, anniversary, housewarming, thank you, sympathy, or congratulations. They can be sent as corporate gifts to your clients and business referrals, or to your friends and loved ones.

Popular gourmet baskets usually contain generous assortment of fine gourmet treats, such as fine chocolates, cheeses, fruits and nuts mix, gourmet cookies, crackers, gourmet coffee, and other savory snacks. For food connoisseurs, you may want to send a gourmet food basket filled with lobster pate, tomato basil cheese, Romano cheese sticks, Pimento stuffed olives, herb salami, rosemary herb baquette breadsticks, double chocolate mocha truffles, water crackers, Kasilof smoke salmon, pistachios and a wood style cutting board for serving all these items on.

Italian gift baskets are another type of popular gourmet gifts. They deliver everything you need for a grand Italian dinner,including pasta sauce, thin spaghetti, penna pasta, Italian bread sticks, Haute Cuisine Italian cookies, vinaigrette, Parmesan Bruschetta bag, artichoke hearts, double chocolate truffles, Pimento stuffed olives, Salmon fillets, extra virgin olive oil, and cream filled pastry cookies. These gourmet food baskets are great corporate gifts, or for birthday, congratulations or thank you.

For your wife’s birthday, or your anniversary, you may want to send a breakfast basket, which is associated with warmth, comfort and good taste. Imagine her delight when she receives a beautiful cloth lined muffin and bread basket filled with fantastic breakfast favorites, including classic buttermilk pancake mix, New England maple syrup, Belgian waffles, cinnamon nut coffee, Perugina chocolates, and cappucino rolled wafer cookies. If you prefer ready to eat breakfast, then you can send a scrumptious selection of fresh baked goodness in a wicker basket.  Packed with moist, rich pound cake, chocolate chip blondies, and brownies with walnuts, this basket offers a great way to start the day of your loved one.

Coffee gift basket is a dream present for coffee connoisseurs. In addition to premium coffee, the container is filled with shortbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies, capuccio caramels, creamy coffee candies.  Some coffee baskets come with coffee mugs or a CD of classical music, and are ideal for sending your sincerest wishes to friends and co-workers.  Similarly, tea gift basket can be sent to tea lovers.

Chocolates are favorites for most people, especially women. The chocolate gift basket may be the perfect present for your girl friend, mom, or female boss. You can send a box of chocolate truffles, or a basket filled with premium chocolate bars, chocolate covered pretzels, Italian chocolate espresso cake, chocolate biscotti chunks, chocolate popcorns, brownies, and cookies. The chocolate gift basket will provide the most delightful chocolate experience.  It is the perfect present for you to make friends, make amends, or say I love you. 

Meat and cheese gifts are men’s favorites.  For male recipients, you can send a tray filled with delicious Heart of Wisconsin cheeses, mustards, sausages and crackers. The wooden tray will come in handy for serving the gourmet meat and cheese. 
 
Gourmet baskets for individuals with dietary restriction are also available. You can send gifts that are sugar free, Kosher, or heart healthy, according to your recipient’s needs.  Special theme gourmet baskets are also available.  For example, for the bookworm in your life, you can send a book lover chest which comes in a book end chest filled with gourmet treats and coffee to enjoy during reading time. For recipients who are always on the go, you can send a travelling gourmet tower, which consists of 3 faux leather suitcases for a treat on the go. The suitcases are filled with savory treats such as tomato basil crackers, vanilla cream cocoa, sliced beef salami, honey sweet peanuts, chocolate chip cookies, assorted chocolates, buttery almond toffee, garlic cheese spread, vanilla caramels, cheddar cheese pretzel sticks, and gourmet roast coffee. The 3 suitcases will be great for travelers for years to come.

In conclusion, gourmet baskets are the most versatile gifts that are great for any occasion. There are many themes to choose from, including gourmet food, breakfast, coffee, tea, Italian, chocolate, sugar free, meat and cheese.  No matter whether it is for your clients, friends, or loved ones, you can sure leave a lasting impression with a gourmet gift basket. 

Most of the connoisseurs of good taste will readily agree the significance of the gourmet food. While the mention of gourmet food is quite confusing for some of us, we will try and explain the details in a simplified manner so that it develops a good understanding of this tasty topic. A Gourmet is someone who has expert knowledge and enjoyment of food and drink. It follows therefore, that gourmet food relates to the preparation of high quality food that is at once sophisticated, luxurious, rare and carefully groomed. Gourmet foods are most likely one of the most talked about food items and least understood. There are virtually hundreds of foods that come under gourmet foods. The list of gourmet foods includes meats, drinks, deserts, cheese, fruits and many more. In fact, gourmet foods are considered to be a delicacy that tastes heavenly.

Those who like gourmet food will agree to the fact that gourmet food is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the palette. While serving gourmet food, presentation is meticulously planned and executed so that the senses can be tempted and eating becomes a completely self-absorbing act. Here we have brought to you some delicious examples of foods that qualify as gourmet. These include smoked salmon, foie gras; pate, truffles, mushrooms, condiments, specialty meats, oil; vinegar, cheese, chocolates.

You can find many gourmet food stores offer a wide selection of top notch caviar, which is considered an essential part of the gourmet food, including Beluga, Sevruga and Ostra caviars and a broad variety of Russian, Iranian and American caviars. Most genuine gourmet food stores meet strict import and quality standards and the goods come with a freshness guarantee. Good quality condiments are essential to a good meal. Exotic spices and herbs from the European countryside create a exhilarating combination of aroma and taste. Spanish saffron, mustards, cinnamon and cloves, some dill and rosemary will embellish a myriad of appetizing and zesty dressings, seasonings and gravies. In the same way, Italian virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, malt vinegar are great for adding vitality to your salads. Also, olive oil is a more healthy choice when it comes to gourmet cooking.

Most of these are examples and certainly do not justify to the vast variety of gourmet food that is available. In fact, these examples are out of the thousands of varieties of the gourmet food you can find around the planet. However, considering these examples will help you get a quick peek at the world of abundance, excesses and unabashed indulgence of the gourmet food and provides a clue to how food can be presented so that it appeals to the heart as much as the stomach.

To finish up with the gourmet food basics, we would also like to inform you that deserts and sweets are another important part, which includes cakes, candies, chocolate and cookies. While looking for gourmet food you will easily find a variety of cakes for you to choose from like chocolate, lemon, cheesecakes, sponge cakes and raspberry cakes. You can also find gourmet cookies that can be either plain, decorated by look and is available in variety of flavors. You can create or use your own toppings to make your dessert really a gourmet desert.