Gift for every foodie on your list: From confections and condiments to smoked eel and hip holiday brews
American Spoon in Petoskey, Mich., offers a trio of condiments with character: A new Pumpkin Seed Salsa ($10.95) can add chile de arbol heat to tacos, simmered meats or breakfast eggs. Vinegar-and-wine-soaked yellow and black mustard seeds in Whole Seed Mustard ($12.95) play well with roasts, pan juices, smoked fish and more. And an Apple & Onion Jam ($12.95) is hearty enough to stand up to beef and robust cheeses. www.spoon.com (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
Chef Francois Payard designed this Macaron Kit. It includes the tools you’ll need to make these delicate meringue-based sweets: a 12-inch long piping bag, two piping tips, food coloring gels, candy thermometer, pastry brush, dough scraper and Silpat macaron mat. The USB drive has tips and recipes for a macaron (in grams) and fillings (in cups and teaspoons) from Payard. $49.50. www.payard.com (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)
Chocolate Twist confections tease tastebuds with Kate Coffey’s mash ups, including caramels (Burnt Toast, Beer & Pretzel) and a Saigon Cinnamon PB Cup, a 4-inch chocolate-peanut butter pair-up. Root beer fans enjoyed the Root Beer Float Candy Bar, pictured, and the new Bailey’s Candy Cane Candy Bar, with its hints of the iconic whiskey-cream liqueur. A 5-ounce peanut butter cup: $7; 12-caramel bag: $12; 4-ounce candy bar: $6.75. www.chocolate-twist.com (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)
