How nice to handle both sides of the meal -- fire up yur tastebuds with the seasonings, then cool down with the beverage of you choice in the tumblers!

The book sounds interesting, too. I think I'll have to check it out for this summer -- could be a lot of fun!

Enjoy your grilled chops -- I don't have a good recipe of my own, but I made some of Linda's (stargazer) Vanilla Margarita Tequila -- delish!

Becky, I'm so glad you liked the swap package...
I love the store where I bought the spices, they make them right on the premises.
I saw the pitcher and glasses and couldn't resist....
The cook book, you can never have to many LOL looked very interesting.

Enjoy,

Linda P

It sounds like a really nice swap gift, the pitcher and glasses will be fun to use. One never has enough spices or too many cookbooks...both a weakness here!

Nancy

I think one can never have too many glass pitchers-- they seem to just scream "Summer"-- enjoy filling your's with something wet & wicked, Becky.

Spice blends & the cookbook -- great!

Wow -- custom spice blends! Very nice. And then a new pitcher and glases to put out the fire with some lemonade.

Nice package.

Wow nice package!!! I wish I could see the Pitcher & Glasses. I bet they are nice!!! Way to go Linda!!! Enjoy them Booberry!!! Diana55

I think that box went to the wrong door!

Cool stuff..I'm green with envy!

Yep, you can always use another pitcher set and this one sounds so nice. Spices sound delicious and fun! And what could be better then a new cookbook!

Great job Linda and boo enjoy your new fun toys!!

Michelle

It all sounds great; a neat package of summer fun.

Lee

When is the tasting party? I'm so there! Sounds like a fun and useful package!

What? No pictures????

I am dying to see that pitcher and tumbler set! Thos spices sound yummy and what a cool book, too!

Linda

PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, custom blended spices. I know you will put those to good use Becky. Would love to see a picture of the pitcher and tumblers.

Well done Linda.

Ann

Linda, that's one great package.

Boo, I can just see you working in your garden and having a little sip of Limoncello. Heh heh!

how nice to get custom blended spices - i've been doing rubs lately and finding them to be a whole other world aside from marinades, and loving them.

pitcher and glasses sound like a great summer addition for fresh squeezed lemon or limeaid. (in answer to your question, i make a simple syrup and then to that, add either fresh lemons or limes, water and ice and a sprig of fresh mint). enjoy the book as well.

great job linda - enjoy it all becky!

maryanne

I know the feeling of receiving special boxes:)

Heartwarming:)~

Those blends sound great. Would love to see the tumblers and pitcher. Post recipes from the cookbook, please.

Brenda

There aren't many recipes in the book. It's mainly how to organize and what to serve during a tasting party. Here are some samples out of the book:

This is for a chocolate tasting party:

Cheney recommends you start your chocolate tasting with a glass of sparkling wine, such as Prosecco or Cava, and sweet and salty appetizers, such as this one:

Croutes with Blue Cheese, Toasted Walnuts and a Port Reduction

Makes 8 servings

1 ciabatta, cut on the bias into 16 slices, each about 1/2 inch thick

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

3/4 cup soft blue cheese such as Gorgonzola Dolce or Saga Blue Port wine reduction (see below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place bread slices on one baking sheet and nuts on another, and bake in preheated oven until both are golden brown and aromatic, about 10 minutes. (Start checking nuts after 5 minutes to prevent them from burning.)

Meanwhile, prepare port wine reduction.

Remove both trays from oven. Spread cheese evenly over each piece of bread and return toasts to the oven until cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Remove cheese toasts from oven and sprinkle evenly with the walnuts. Drizzle with 4 teaspoons of the port reduction and serve immediately.

Port wine reduction: Pour 2 cups inexpensive port into small, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer over medium- low heat. Keep watching pot, as port can burn. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes (less for a thinner reduction, more for a syrup). May be made one week in advance.

Here's a recipe for a tea tasting party:

Begin the tasting with a cup of tea preferably the one you will taste first. Serve with tea sandwiches (crust removed), sharp cheddar, turkey and mango chutney on raisin-nut bread. When tasting the teas themselves, offer butter cookies, shortbread, biscuits, or scones.

Source: "Tasting Club" by Dina Cheney

Shortbread is a delicious accompaniment for all teas, especially Asian-style teas. These bright green cookies both taste good and contain tea.

Almond-Scented Green Tea Shortbread with Cardamom Sugar

Makes about 24

2 cups flour

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons matcha (powdered Gyokuro green tea) (see note)
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1 teaspoon ground cardamom, plus a heaping 1/2 teaspoon for dusting (divided)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus 1 tablespoon for greasing baking sheets

1 teaspoon almond extract

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

In medium bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, matcha, cardamom and salt until well combined.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter in another bowl on high speed until light, about 2 minutes. Add extract and beat until combined. Beat flour mixture into butter mixture in four additions on low speed until well combined.

Transfer dough to flat surface. Divide in half, forming each half into a 6-inch-long log. Then form each log into a 2-by-1-by-6-inch rectangle. Cover in plastic; refrigerate 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease two large baking sheets with butter. Remove dough from refrigerator and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place slices on baking sheets, making sure cookies are at least 1 inch apart. Transfer to oven. After 10 minutes, switch sheets so that the one on the bottom rack is now on the top (and vice versa). Bake until cookies are lightly golden on edges, about 25 minutes total. Let cool about 5 minutes.

In small bowl, mix the 3 tablespoons granulated sugar with remaining 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom. One by one, carefully toss each cookie in the mixture, coating both sides in sugar. Let cool.

Note: If you can't find matcha, substitute another type of Japanese green tea. Grind into a powder with a spice grinder.

Time to fill that pitcher up and get that party started Becky!! I love dry rubs and those sound pretty good to me....time to fire up the grill for sure. A tasting party sounds like a great idea/time/theme. Great package Linda! When's the party Becky??

David

This is a great package, Linda!! A pitcher and tumblers, a tasting cookbook and dry rubs!! Another great summer theme!! Enjoy, Becky!!

That green tea shortbread sounds very exotic and interesting. Of course, it doesn't hurt that it has cardamm in it. Wow, you are in for a culinary ride!

Green tea shortbread and limoncello? Sounds good to me, I think you should try some right away, LOL, then post!

Yeah, I know, I'm easily entertained but it's still a great package.

Annie

Ooooo, Becky, maybe you should grab that book and come to our next Let's Talk About It book discussion group. Our theme this year is "You Are What You Eat". Guess what we'll be doing the week we read Chocolat?

A friend brought me some butter from France....that shortbread might be a nice thing to make with the unsalted and cardamom from our Penzey's trip. yum.

Very nice package Linda!