Everyone is always looking for fun stocking stuffers. This year, go the gourmet route instead of giving batteries and hair gel. From chocolates to olive oil, there is something out there for everyone. This week I compiled a list of ten great items to stuff in the stocking of your culinary enthusiast.
1 Seaport Oil and Vinegars fresh fruit olive oils. You can’t go wrong with any of them; pick up some vinegars too.
2 A wheel or wedge of top quality cheese such as a smoked cheddar or peppered pecorino. Venissimo will have exactly what you crave, and with two locations to make it easy for you.
3 Gourmet Spices. Any good cook will appreciate a bit of saffron in their stocking. You can find these anywhere from Whole Foods to Crate and Barrel.
4 Chocolate Truffles. Go see the “Truffle Lady” at the Elegant Truffle in Point Loma. The varieties are endless.
5 A fruit preserve or interesting spread. Stonewallkitchen.com is the place to go, but order early so they arrive on time for Christmas morning.
6 Specialty coffee and tea. Pannakin offers multiple varieties of each. A great gift for any coffee and tea lover.
7 A bag or can of their favorite nuts. You can find gourmet nuts just about everywhere these days. They are inexpensive and everyone loves them.
8 A prepackage mixture for baking. The French Gourmet in La Jolla has put together some great ones for scones and muffins.
9 Smoked and dried meat. For carnivores, smoked meats can be a great little surprise. These days you can find elk, boar and venison and have them delivered right to your door.
10 Hot Sauce. With hundreds and hundreds of varieties and varying heat degrees, picking one or two might be a bit hard.
