Rosemary Sea Salt

1 3-lb box of kosher salt (about 8 cups)
Bunches of fresh rosemary with sprigs attached, plus more for garnish

1. In a large high sided saute pan, combine salt and rosemary. Place over medium heat and warm through, about 10 minutes. Transfer salt rosemary mixture to a container. Let it cool for 5 minutes, uncovered, then cover with an airtight lid. Let stand at least overnight. (The container used for this step is for preparation only).

2. When it's time to fill the mixture into containers that it will be gifted in, discard old rosemary. Fill desired container with salt and garnish the tops and sides of the jars with rosemary sprigs trimmed to size.

This rosemary sea salt isn't limited to the kitchen. It can also be used as a body salt scrub. It would be a great addition in a spa or relaxing theme as part of a bath treatment. You can leave it as such or add a little grapeseed oil for a more lubricated finish. Rosemary has a relaxing and soothing scent that increases circulation and is great for normal to oily skin types. You can even use this as a scalp treatment if you aren't sensitive. But I recommend that grapeseed oil be incorporated if it's used for that treatment. As a salt scrub, it can be used once a week. But as a scalp treatment, I would only recommend using it once a month. And only if you have an oily non-sensitive scalp.

Food Lover's and Chef's

Food lovers have a tendency to get oddly excited over an exotic salt collection. I am one of them. We can appreciate the subtleties in flavor, and our imagination goes wild with how the salts can be used. Here is a list of my favorites:

Maldon Sea Salt: They're delicious on sliced Heirloom tomatoes.

Celtic Gray Salt: It's like you can taste the fresh ocean. They're moist and flavor soups beautifully.

Haleakala Red Sea Salt: An unusual and nutty flavor

Himalania Pink Salt: Couples beautifully with fish.

Alternatively, you can make your own salt rub to personalize it. Rosemary Sea Salt is a delicious choice especially for lamb lovers. (I'll post the recipe under Rosemary Sea Salt).

Cookbooks can also be great choices. You have to carefully evaluate your gift recipients, though. I personally prefer specialty cookbooks. That's the beauty and appeal of buying a cookbook because authentic recipes can be found, unlike online sources that don't share a passion to preserve the culture and tell a story through its food. However, busy minimalists may feel otherwise. Having a tangible book increases a person's likeliness to make those recipes, rather searching online. It's all about what works for the recipient.

-Specialty Cookbooks-

A Taste of Guam
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving
Classic Indian Cooking
Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1
Please to the Table: The Russian Cookbook
The Complete Book of Greek Cooking
The Irish Heritage Cookbook
The Silver Spoon
The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen

-General Cookbooks-

Everyday Food: Great Food Fast
O, The Oprah Magazine Cookbook
Rachael Ray Cookbook of choice
The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics

Even a cooking class may spark their interest especially if it's a class on pickling or something obscure like that.

Italian Theme Gift

This is a great gift for food lovers, chef's, travelers, or even couples. Include red wine, wineglasses, pasta (homemade preferably), a jar of homemade bolognese sauce, a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil, bruschetta, marinated artichokes, unscented candles (for consideration and to be on the safe side), and an Italian mixed CD. You can add more to this gift set, if you'd like, but I specifically chose the following because it covers drinks, appetizers, main dish, dessert, and entertainment. Some wonderful additions would be sundried tomatoes, canned tomatoes, cheese sticks, or Italian coffee.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

As many of us get older, we start to appreciate simplicities in life. In such a materialistic society, undoubtedly there are more favorable gifts to receive than chocolate covered strawberries, but don't be so quick to dismiss such a yummy treat. In high school, something like this would never pass. But high school's over for me. I think just the gesture of giving and receiving gifts is appreciated. It's not a bad gift to give to someone who already has everything. When I first heard this, I thought it was nuts. But it makes sense. If someone has everything, adding to their exorbitant collection is more troublesome than anything. If you're still hesitant to give these to a close friend, consider it for co-workers or acquaintances. Admittedly, the price tag for mere strawberries and chocolates are overpriced for what it is. But all in all, an inexpensive gesture. If you gift it to someone with low expectations, it'll be a flattering treat. If you can't bring yourself to paying so much for what it's actually worth, you can actually make these on your own.