Scary Treats and Good Eats from GourmetGiftBaskets.com

 These BOOS are Best From GourmetGiftBaskets.com! Trick or Treating a little different this year? Send your favorite kids and loved ones a gift from GourmetGiftBaskets.com! Specialty candy, popcorn, nuts, cookies...even a special Brews Boos for your adult friends with beer, popcorn and candy. 

GourmetGiftBaskets.com, which was honored as a top food site by Newsweek earlier this year, has just unveiled some new offerings for Halloween that are SCARY GOOD. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!).

 

These are the TOP FAVORITES flying off the shelves at this family-owned company already...

 

BRAND NEW: EAT, DRINK & BE SCARY BEER BUCKET, $69.99, SKU 4757 

Hey, given this challenging year, parents sure need something to make them happy this Halloween and THIS GIFT is a step in the right direction. 

Super delicious treats like handcrafted Kettle popcorn, peanut butter cups, and Halloween Junior Mints, the fun & functional black cauldron pail holding everything is loaded with 6 great drinks. 

Most of them have Halloween themes:
Magic Hat #9, Crisp Apple Hard Cider by Angry Orchard, Oktoberfest by Sam Adams, and Pumpkinhead among others. 

 

BRAND NEW: BOO BAKED GOOD GIFT BOX, $29.99, SKU 8980

Nothing feels better during the fall than some fresh baked goods, and do we have some great items in this very affordable gift box. 

This includes delectable, chewy chocolate chip cookies, fudge brownies and Candy Corn crispy rice treats (shaped like Candy Corn). 

You need to see it to be sure your eyes aren't tricking you. Anyone would love this gift for Halloween. 

 

BRAND NEW: GOBLINS GRUB POPCORN TIN --
2 Gallons Of SALTY-SWEET GOODNESS, $59.99, SKU 7240A -- This wonderful tin includes three yummy, small-batch popcorn flavors created by our Popcorn Aficionados: White Chocolate Candy Corn, Worms In The Dirt (chocolate-covered popcorn with gummy worms), and the taste bud-tantalizing Caramel Apple popcorn, only offered during autumn. 

Valentine's Treats for the Sweet

GourmetGiftBaskets.com has just released a few new items that should appeal to Valentines all over the country. 

Here are just a few of the brand new offerings for your sweetie!

Sweets For My Valentine, $29.99, (SKU 4581) – For the gift-giver on a budget or the gift receiver that loves all things sweet, this new tower hits the bullseye with cupids everywhere. 

It includes Pink Cotton Candy Popcorn. I mean, how much better could this be? 

Valentine’s Day Chocolate Popcorn Tin, $54.99, (SKU 7254A) – This is the most decadent popcorn offering this year for Valentine’s Day – 2 gallons of gourmet greatness. 

It features three popular flavors: Mint Cookie Mayhem, Peanut Butter Cup and Cookies & Crème. Tastebuds everywhere will fall in love with this combo. 

 

Beer My Valentine Six-Beer Bucket, $69.99, (SKU 4500V) – Finally, a Valentine’s Gift nearly every guy would love.

 This bucket is replete with savory snacks and Salt & Cracked Pepper Popcorn, Honey Mustard popcorn, roasted peanuts, and even beef jerky! Plus it has some great beers including Smuttynose Old Brown Dog, Sam Adams Boston Lager, and Grey Lady Ale.

Call today and get these great treats for your valentine!

#PhillyPhilly Cheesesteak Chili

Watch the Eagles Superbowl Championship parade with this hearty Philly Cheesesteak Chili, perfect for the winter and cheering on PHILLY! 

Philly Cheesesteak Chili

Serves 6-8

Time: 2 days

Ingredients

(6) 6” round loaves of sourdough bread

5 lbs well-trimmed boneless beef chuck or short rib

2 Medium Onions

1 head of garlic (about 16 cloves) peeled, chopped

1/3 c ancho chilies, ground

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground allspice

2 T. ground cumin

¼ tsp ground clove

1 T. coco

1 (12oz) bottle of dark beer (stout or brown ale)

2c beef stock

1 (28oz) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes

2 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp kosher salt

2 T tomato paste

3 T masa (corn meal)

Chili Toppings

2 Lg Onions, thinly sliced

1 Green Pepper julienned

1 Yellow Pepper Julienned

1 tsp chopped garlic

½ tsp salt

2T olive oil (pure)

2 c grated sharp cheddar cheese

½ c green onions (scallions) thinly chopped

1 c sour cream

1 ripe avocado sliced

1 lime- cut into wedges

Instructions

Chili: begin day before serving

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large pot over medium-high heat.  Add 1/3 of beef sprinkle with salt.  Cook until browned, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer beef to large bowl. Repeat 2 more times adding 2 more tablespoons of oil and the beef.

Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon oil and chopped onions.

Sauté until soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.

Add garlic; stir for 1 minute.

Add ground anchos, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and coco; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. 

Add beer; stir 1 minute, scraping up brown bits. Return beef and juices to pot. 

Add tomatoes with juice, 2 cups of beef stock, oregano and 2 tsp of kosher salt.

Bring chili to boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover with lid slightly ajar and simmer gently until beef is just tender 2-2 ½ hours.

Cool 1 hour, then chill uncovered until cold.

Cover; chill overnight.

Spoon fat from chili. Bring chili to simmer over medium heat. 

Stir in tomato paste

Sprinkle masa over; stir to blend

Simmer uncovered until thickened and beef is very tender, stirring often and adding water by ¼ cupful if too thick, about 30-45 minutes

Now it is ready to serve.

Philly Cheesesteak Fried Onions + Peppers

(make these within the last 15 minutes of finishing the chili)

Over medium-high heat; heat 2 T olive oil

Add onions and sauté until they begin to brown

Add peppers

Sauté until onions are brown and caramelized and peppers are slightly charred.

Add garlic and sauté for 1 -2 minutes.

Remove from heat and place in bowl.  Cover with foil until ready to use.

Bread Bowl:

(prep these while finishing the chili)

Set round loaves of bread (boules) onto a cutting board.  Using a bread knife, carefully cut off the top of the bread about 2/3 from the bottom of the bread. Then using a small bread knife or serrated knife, cut the inside of the bread out.  Use your hands to pull out the middle to create a bowl.  Save the top of the bread. Set aside. While you re-heat the chili.

To Finish the Chili:

Ladle chili into bread bowl

Top with fried onions + peppers and cheddar cheese.

If you would prefer a simpler bowl of chili; ladle into bowl, top with desired condiments and serve with cornbread or pretzel.

CONGRATS TO THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES ON THEIR FIRST- EVER SUPERBOWL VICTORY OVER THE OTHER GUYS!

Philly Cheesesteak Chili Recipe Submission from Chef Becky Geisel Executive Chef at

The Fell Stone Manor & BEX Events

About Chef Becky Geisel | Execute Chef Fell Stone Manor & BEX Events: Becky Geisel is a self-taught passionate chef who has developed and honed her techniques for over 25 years. Her culinary passion is rooted in development of learning the macrobiotic diet in the early 1990’s when her mother developed an aggressive breast cancer and quickly succumbed to the disease. This became the pivotal point for Becky on the journey to providing clean, fresh food to those in need and gaining an understanding of how food effects our overall health and lifestyle.

Allagash Brewing Company Releases Map 40

Allagash Brewing Company Releases Belgian-Style Stout Blended With Cold-Brewed Coffee From Speckled Ax

An Allagash favorite is returning this winter. Map 40, a Belgian-style stout that’s blended with cold-brewed coffee from local roaster Speckled Ax is releasing today to the brewery’s full distribution footprint. It will be available in 4-packs of 12 fl. oz. bottles and on draft at select locations.

“It’s fun working with Matt [of Speckled Ax] because we’re big fans of his coffee,” said Jason Perkins, Brewmaster at Allagash. “And we’re lucky that he’s also a fan of our beer. It was nice to be able to tell Matt how we wanted the beer to taste, and have him come back with the coffee that would work best.”

Map 40’s aroma is strong in coffee and light in roasted grain. Light nuttiness accompanies flavors of chocolate, raisin, and a resounding coffee note that weaves its way throughout. Overall, it’s a rich, creamy stout with a clean finish.

The name of the beer is a nod to the name of the coffee—Map 40 Mokha Java—which is itself a nod to one of the roaster’s favorite parts of Maine: the Forks in Somerset county.

ABOUT ALLAGASH BREWING COMPANY

Founded in Portland, Maine, by Rob Tod, Allagash Brewing Company is dedicated to crafting the best Belgian-inspired beers in the world. Since 1995, Allagash has focused on giving back to the community—and state—that has supported them along the way.

Engchik's Superbowl Picks

SuperBowl Favorites: Get ready for the big game on Sunday- and use these awesome treats to elevate your best host game.

Wings for the Big Game

The big game is almost here! February 5th brings football, the best commercials and of course, WINGS! This year, go easy on yourself and let Moore's Marinades and Sauces do the work for you. 

They have a ton of delicious flavors (and recipes!) to get those wings going. Break out the wet wipes - it’s about to go down! Moore’s Sauces and Marinades has the best tasting sauces to kick off Super Bowl Sunday like a champion.

Based in Alabama, Moore’s pours their heart into their marinades and sauces to give football fans a taste of true southern flavor. Whether you crave a sweet, sticky taste or a hot, tangy flavor, Moore’s has a stellar lineup of products for you to indulge in the best half-time wings you’ve ever had. 

This year try Moore's Wing Trio recipe for a winning game-day snack that is super easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. A delicious blend of Creamy Ranch Buffalo, Blue Cheese Buffalo and the award-winning Original Buffalo Wing Sauce, this must-have grub will thrill any wing lover’s taste buds.

Drink Up and Win

www.wineswithcharm.com

With football fans cheering on their favorite team and the adult beverages flowing, it's easy for guests to lose track of their glass at Super Bowl parties. Solve the dilemma so they're not asking “Which glass is mine?” with Simply Charmed. 

These magnetic wine charms are the clever and modern way to identify drinkware. Each charm is different so guests can easily tell which glass is theirs. The magnetic charms attach through any glass and are very strong so there is no movement. 

Try them on margarita glasses, wine glasses, martini glasses, even beer mugs and plastic cups. Simply Charmed has magnetic wine charm sets to fit any and every party theme. 

Sets are $15.99-$27.99 at: http://www.wineswithcharm.com and Amazon.

Cool Off and Enjoy

www.icechipscandy.com

Indulge - guilt free! Available in a Party Pack that is fun when entertaining, Ice Chips are a delicious, all-natural and sugar-free candy that is made with Birchwood Xylitol, which is safe for diabetics. 

The Party Pack contains Margarita, Strawberry Daiquiri, and Pina Colada flavors so you can keep the Super Bowl party going - no alcohol needed! 

The sassy Grandmas who founded the line have dubbed Ice Chips the 'Good for You Candy!' The original tins are available in retailers and dental offices nationwide, as well as on the website, www.icechipscandy.com.