Daily Olive

Stainless Steel Cheese Slicer

Try this stylish cheese slicer made of stainless steel that uses a wire to cut the perfect slice of cheese.  German design.

Cheese Slicer  |  $22 at UncommonGoods.com

For Your Next Wine Tasting Party from RedEnvelope.com

Turn your next wine party into a first-class event. Wine bottles are slipped into faux-suede wine bags with charms labeling them one through four. After tasting each wine, guests write their descriptions on scorecards. Even if no one correctly identifies the wine, engaging conversation is guaranteed, and everyone will leave with a better grasp of the facets of wine tasting.

Wine Tasting Party Kit  |  $75 at RedEnvelope.com

Silicone Bakeware Surges in Popularity for Holiday Baking

Have you noticed the popularity of silicone kitchen equipment?  We were shopping at our Bed, Bath, & Beyond store this weekend, and were floored by the amount of floor space given to silicone bakeware and other cooking accessories.  Has anyone else noticed?

For sure, silicone baking mats like Silpat and basting brushes work wonders in our kitchen, but now there's so much more.  From muffin pans, to bread loafs, to cake forms, spatulas, gloves, and rolling pins .  Wow!  How much silicone cooking accessories has made it into your kitchens?

See silicone cooking accessories at:  Chef's Catalog  |  Sur la Table   |  Amazon

Our Senseo Review - A year later

Last year, we were given a Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine, and here we are now getting around to our review.  So after a year, the good news is that we're still using the machine.  Of course, the best part of the machine is its convenience of making a single pot without the waste of making a full pot.  And funny enough, we've even used it during dinner parties because we've been able to make custom made cups for individual tastes--dark roast, espresso blend, decaf, etc.

And since we've discovered Kona-Pods, the quality of coffee experience has been improved over the Douwe Egberts brand that Senseo recommends.  Some things we hope they improve is the water storage is accessed from behind, and raising the spout a bit higher for larger cups.  One solution is the larger capacity water tank storage unit that doubles the original capacity.

Overall, Senseo is a nice addition to your kitchen if you want the ease of making a single cup of coffee.

Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine  |  $49 at Amazon

Wine Tasting: You Like What You Like and That's OK

One very important thing I learned from my husband when he began his now four-year teachings of wine tasting is this:  You like what you like.  This was proven at a recent wine club I hosted.  We brown-bagged five wines, ranging in price from $10 to $50.  Many guests selected the $10 wine. You'd assume they would have preferred the more expensive wine, but we all agreed: Everybody has their own taste and that's just fine.

In the November 17, 2005, online edition of the the New York Times, writer Eric Asimov concurs with my counterparts in his article titled "Wine of the Times: Eternal Question Not Really Answered."  In the article, panel members also blind tasted some wines and discussed their favorite Thanksgiving wines.  One thing was conclusive, consensus was rare.

Read full article:   Eternal Question, Not Really Answered

Handmade Wines from Winemakers Around the World by Oriel

Oriel commissions winemakers from around the world to create a limited quantitiy of truly handmade wine that is special to their region.  Assembled all under one Oriel label helps keep overhead low and wines affordable.  Oriel also offers quarterly memberships that include 6 bottles of handmade wine per quarter, special event invitations, and more.  Founder Memberships offer more privileges including a concierge service and access to wineries around the world.

See a sample wine spec for 2003 Courant Cotes du Rhone by winemaker Louis Barruol.

Oriel  |  Official Website

Modern Holiday Cards & Invitations

Special Promo - Free Pashimina with $125 order

Our friends at Fabulous Stationery let us know that they have a great holiday special running right now.  Order $125 of their custom imprinted cards and get a free Pashimina scarf (value $100) with your order.

We featured Fabulous Stationery before because we love their contemporary greeting card designs and custom imprinting service.  Check out their holiday invites and cards.

Truss up with the Food Loop

The FoodLoop is a heat resistant silicone food trussing tool that easily holds your food in place without the fuss of strings and tying knots.  Have some of these handy in your kitchen for the holidays.

Website:  The FoodLoop

Wonderful Kona Coffee Pods for Your Senseo

Improve your Senseo and single cup coffee maker experience with Kona Coffee Pods

Over the past week, we've been trying Kona coffee pods from Aloha Island Coffee in our Senseo machine.  What a revelation!  Not to knock Douwe Egberts coffee, but using these coffee pods has really brought more enjoyment from our Senseo. 

These Kono pods come in a 20% Kona blend, or in 100% Kona coffee selections packed into single or double serving pods packs.  The taste from these estate coffee beans is clean and rich, and will bring a new dimension to your Senseo experience.

Kona Coffee Pods  |  order direct from Aloha Island Coffee

Ideas for Wine Gift Baskets

Wine gift baskets have become a popular way to show your appreciation to friends, party hosts, clients, and colleagues.  Here's a quick selection of some great wine gift baskets.

• Tour the Wine Country Gift Basket
• Executive Selection Wine Gift Pack
• California Wine Tasting Gift Basket
• Celebration Box with Sparkling Wine Gift Basket

See more wine gift ideas:  Wine Country Gifts   |  Gift Baskets  |  Great for Gifts  | Wine Collections