Oil and Vinegar cruets are a popular gift selection. When choosing a gift for a special occasion one normally takes time to search for something that will be really useful, thoughtful and has lasting elegance. And, of course, price is a consideration. There are so many occasions when a gourmet gift is the appropriate choice, birthdays, housewarmings, mother’s day and anniversaries to name but a few.

A cruet gift set lends a certain Mediterranean elegance to every dining table and makes a stylish accessory to your kitchen. Today, design and function are focal to most cruet sets and an added benefit is that they are extremely versatile and use is not just restricted to dispensing oil and vinegar. For example, you can use any liquid to enhance the food you are serving and that includes not only oil and vinegar but other salad dressings, cream and syrups for desserts. However, they are mostly used to dispense oil and vinegar. Cruet sets come in a pair, one bottle for oil and the other for vinegar. The more contemporary idea of the all in one cruet means that oil and vinegar are kept in separately in one container. The most popular glass within glass cruet is the Grape design cruet from Cruets.com.

There are many shapes, designs and uses for cruet sets and they make a desirable addition to any home and add a touch of elegance to any occasion. They can be simple and contemporary or elaborate and sophisticated. Whatever type you choose for a gift item you can be assured they will be received as a tasteful and thoughtful.

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A Gift Set for Bread Dipping

A Bread Dipping gift set is the perfect gift for so many occasions. If wondering what to give friends who are moving into a new house, or birthday and Christmas gifts for friends and family, you can be confident that this Bread Dipping set will always be well received. Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Italy, exclusive herbs and spices in addition to four porcelain dishes for bread dipping are all contained in this gift set. All that is required from you is some wonderful bread, which you should slice thickly before you serve.

This is an amazingly healthy, delicious and novel alternative to other more staid appetizers that will now seem rather boring uninspired, such as the standard cheese and cracker platter. Bread dipping is rapidly gaining popularity because of the variety of flavors it can incorporate. It is simplicity itself and only needs the addition of fresh flavorsome bread, oils infused with herbs and spices, and creative sauces. This appetizer will always be a success and your guests will appreciate a change from the usual raw vegetable fare, and be keen to continue this trend in their own homes.

As you only need herbs, olive oil and dipping dishes you are assured a fantastic result.

Present your selected Mediterranean breads next to your stylish dipping dish filled with fine extra virgin olive oil and your appetizer will be most impressive. Whatever the time of day, whether casual or formal, this appetizer will be appropriate because of its versatility.

Your bread dipping appetizer can easily be prepared at home as long as you have a good bottle of extra virgin olive oil in your pantry. It is common to find a bottle of olive oil in most kitchens but this is generally used for cooking as it is quite bland in taste. As a rule, it is better to use a superior quality extra virgin olive oil for this dish as the flavor is so distinctive and is ideally suited for bread dipping.

Extra light olive oil is so named because of its color and taste, and not because it has any fewer calories than other olive oils. Because it does not have an intense flavor and is not as heavy as other oils it can ideally be used for baking in place of other corn or vegetable oils you may usually use.

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Cruets for drizzling

Something very irritating happens when using oil and vinegar and that can only be described as the ‘dripping effect’!

There is never an occasion when oil and vinegar condiments don’t seem to drip. This is a phenomenon that happens everywhere to everyone. The drip does not discriminate between professional chefs or those of us who are simply entertaining at home. Kitchen surfaces, cupboards, table linens, floors and aprons are all immune to the drip. The biggest culprit is olive oil which spreads everywhere leaving an unpleasant oily residue. Not to be outdone, gourmet vinegar can create just as many dripping problems and combined with the olive oil that has dripped you are left with greasy adhesive patches that are unpleasant to touch let alone clean, not to mention the damage they cause to anything they come into contact with. However, there is a very welcome solution to the problem, and this comes in the form of the drizzle cruet. Drizzle cruets are ingeniously designed to prevent any drips from your expensive gourmet oil and vinegar from escaping and dispense the ideal rate of flow, thus making you’re dripping problem a thing of the past.

The drizzle cruet is produced in Europe and manufactured from a laboratory tested glass called borosilicate which is resilient, and easy to clean. The designers of this product have teamed both practicality and distinctive European style. The drizzle cruet comprises of two pieces. The component that prevents the dripping effect is the funnel which is used for filling, and because of its design prevents any drips from falling. The ideal rate of flow of the oil and vinegar is due to the angle of the glass spout.

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Bread dipping dishes are not limited to just olive oil. Many other ingredients can be used to create a myriad of dips with which to serve with fresh bread. Suggested additions to your oil could be garlic, lemon juice or fresh basil.

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Oil and vinegar decanters also called, ‘cruets’ are popular gourmet gifts items. Especially so during the major gift giving holidays. Innovative and unique cruet designs have evolved in recent years.

The grape cruet is a favorite design for a oil and vinegar decanter. It is a hand blown, glass-within-glass, two vessel cruet. This cruet is a two chambered vessel holding olive oil in one compartment and balsamic vinegar in another. Both vessels within the same decanter, with different pour spouts for each condiment.  As a unique kitchen gift, the grape cruet is one of the finest available. cruets, unique gifts, oil and vinegar cruets, kitchen gifts

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Oil and vinegar is now a popular gourmet gifts. Imported olive oil and balsamic vinegar from Europe make an impressionable unique gift that will last much longer than a bottle of wine.

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Gifts for Mother’s Day

Mothers deserve special attention and thought on this special day each year, and it is the perfect opportunity to show your mother how much you appreciate her. When choosing something for your mother or even mother-in-law spend a little extra time and thought in choosing something that will be really memorable and that she can treasure always. If you need inspiration why not take a look at our list of suggested items that may give you some great ideas for a lovely Mother’s Day gift.

When is Mother’s Day celebrated?

Mother’s day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

What would be considered ideal gifts for Mother’s Day?

When choosing a special gift for your mother or mother-in-law you need to consider their likes and dislikes, hobbies, interests and their personality. There is absolutely no point in buying a cooking utensil or cook book for you mom if she has no interest in cooking. On the other hand, if cooking is something your mom takes pride in then she would definitely appreciate a gift for the kitchen that she has been wanting for some time. However, if she enjoys wonderful gourmet food but not preparing it then you could choose a luxury gourmet food item!

The best way to discover her tastes is to look at the items she chooses for herself. One area that should give you a good indication is her collection of CD’s. She may be a classical music devotee or perhaps something more modern. Whatever her preference is you will be able to find exactly what you are looking for, be it a collector’s item or something mainstream. Shopping online you will find an array to choose from. And, of course, flowers are always appreciated and this can all be arranged online and delivered with a song if you choose!

Why not treat your mother to a gift that she would not normally choose for herself because she would consider it too frivolous or expensive. An exotic or interesting plant for the house or garden is a great idea if your mom enjoys gardening and nurturing plants. For something a little more luxurious and special a set of crystal cruets is usually very desirable. You could create a gift that is a little more epicurean and present your mom with some delicious gourmet food items such as unusual cheese and pate. The emphasis when choosing the right gift is not the cost but the thought that has gone into the choice.

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The Housewarming Tradition The practice of giving housewarming gifts has a long history, and people often give anything from round bread loaves and salt to classic kitchen gifts as a housewarming gift. This tradition is still alive today, and exists as a way for new neighbors to forge friendships and better relationships with each other.

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A bread dipping gift set is an ideal selection for any occasion. A gift for the kitchen can be simple yet elegant.  Maintaining a healthy diet can sometimes feel rather limited in flavor and choice. The Mediterranean diet, however, is an ideal alternative to other low-fat diets and includes a variety of healthy and delicious foods. For example, a popular Italian dish of bread, either sliced or cubed is dipped into oil. It is so simple. A dip of balsamic vinegar is also a favourite. Select freshly  baked bread and you have the perfect appetizer.

Choosing the right kind of dipping dish has been made easy for you. Cruets.com has created the perfect dish for this appetizer. The dish is a little over 4” wide, is made of the same quality porcelain used in restaurants and is white in colour. It is not only very stylish but has the added bonus of being safe to use in a dishwasher.

To increase the intensity of flavour to your dip just add herbs of your choice to the oil, and place into the microwave for several seconds. Your dish will remain unharmed and the oil will be infused with the flavours you have added to it. You will also notice how appealing your dipping dish looks when contrasted against extra virgin olive oil or balsamic vinegar.

To create the best bread dip, only use extra virgin olive oil. Its superior quality and flavour make it the right choice for this dish. When preparing your bread dip a variety of herbs and spices can be used. You may like to consider adding sun dried tomatoes, basil, lemon juice and black pepper. More flavor from the herbs will be tasted the longer you allow the herbs and spices to soak, allow all the ingredients to be fully hydrated together in your dish before serving. Or, you may prefer to use the microwave method mentioned above.

If you are planning a dinner party or social gathering you will add flair to the event by serving a bread dipping as an appetizer. It is sure to please most palates and is a really attractive focal point for your table. The simplicity of bread dipping lends itself to any occasion, whether it be a late afternoon snack for your family or to share with guests informally. As long as you have extra virgin olive oil, a selection of bread and some herbs, you are minutes away from a gourmet experience.

The dipping dish from Cruets.com is elegant, contemporary, practical and makes a lovely choice of gift for friends and family whatever the occasion. Purchase the popular American Porcelain Bread Dipping dish from Cruets.com and add your choice of ingredients such as your own recipe dip, a bottle of exceptional balsamic vinegar or extra virgin olive oil and you have the perfect gift!

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