by Kari Nichols
Eating is something we all do -- when we're hungry, when it's meal time or when we're bored. Dining is the delight we take in eating some special, tasty, wonderful food, not just a boring fulfillment of a growling stomach or necessary nutrition. Those who love food and love to share that affection may be called "foodies." For them, food may be simple but is never plain. There is always a special sauce, an herb or a preparation technique that makes ordinary food a treat for the palate.
For these folks, a gift of appreciation may seem daunting to select, but in reality, there is an endless array of products that will tickle their fancy -- and their taste buds. Skip the utensils, cookware and gadgets -- unless you have specific inside information of a very reliable nature close to that person. Most foodies will have plenty of tools and gadgets.
Recipe books tend to be uninteresting to many foodies, unless you locate something very special from a style of cuisine they crave, such as Hawaiian cooking, wild game recipes or Middle Eastern dishes. The exception is for those with special cooking needs, such as gluten-free, diabetic or kosher. In those cases, most foodies have exhausted the available recipe books and would only enjoy something very new that they haven't acquired yet.
To make those foodies happy, as well as those who entertain guests frequently, a first stop would be a local gourmet shop. Lining the shelves are jars of fabulous dips, sauces, seasonings and exclusive products not generally available in grocery stores.
Especially for the entertainers, gourmet dips and sauces in a wide variety of flavorings can be appreciated for versatility and usability. This can make spontaneous entertaining a breeze: open jar, add vegetables or crackers, and enjoy.
Dips include those based in fruit, cheese, flavored oils and mustards, to apply to nearly any occasion. If a recipe using that product is included, so much the better. Entertainers also appreciate wines and cheeses, the essence of appetizers. A variety selection of cheeses is best, unless your host or hostess has a specialty. A wine professional may be your best guide, unless your host has a penchant for the adventuresome.
Seasonings make many foods special. Imagine eggs without salt! The range of seasonings includes gourmet mustards, herbs special to ethnic cuisine and sauces. For your Latin food specialist, a fine grade of saffron may be desired. For those who love Middle Eastern foods, exclusive curry might delight them. And if desserts are special -- as they are to most everyone -- whole vanilla beans are an irreplaceable delight.
Vanilla is farmed and processed in only a few places in the world, and the extracts vary greatly in flavor. Most foodies have a favorite, with Tahitian, Madagascar and Mexican at the top of the list. If you don't know which one is preferred, get a selection of them for your foodie to indulge in.
Check the label to be sure they are genuine vanilla extract, and not imitation or "vanillin," which is artificial. Most extracts utilize an alcohol base; a few use water. There are a very few that contain vanillin, but stick to the pure products. And be sure to tell them you want a tasting party!
A little less expected would be specialized serving pieces, such as traditional dining pieces or themed serving sets. Even specialty or personalized cocktail napkins are welcome. A fruit basket seems ordinary, unless it is full of well-selected exotic fruits. Foodies are actually fairly easy to please -- they love food!