Love is in the Air–our holiday gift guide 2010

The Holidays are here and love is in the air. Well, it is in our house, at least, and we want to send some of our sensuality to yours. So this year’s gastronomic gift guide theme is all about love: The Love Diet, that is.

Those of you who have already grabbed your copy of the book know that Chapter 2 is all about the tools you need to create a Love Diet kitchen and make seduction accessible 365. So the list is based on those sexy food tips to help you jumpstart a new year of love.

Champagne from K&L Wines

A Love Diet is not complete without Champagne and one of our favorite Champagne retailers, K&L can ship their extensive selection of lesser-known bottles of bubbly right to your door. Cheers!

Cookies and Corks for Sparkling Wine

Since we do like to remind you to try not to drink on an empty stomach, here’s the perfect pairing for an icy glass of bubbly. I’ve been consulting for the baker all year to help develop sweet cookies—Iced Lemon, Parmesan Thyme and Sea Salt, Chocolate Oatmeal–that make wine sexier. Try my suggested pairings (the ones on the box) or go wild and make a pairing all your own.

Callebaut Chocolate Bittersweet

No diet should be devoid of chocolate. One of the world’s most complex foods, dark chocolate is full of all sorts of great antioxidants. But on The Love Diet, we believe that life is too short to eat bad chocolates. I love Callebaut for baking but its also great to have on hand for a nibble here and there.

La Tourangelle Infused Black Truffle Oil

Nothing says love like black (or white) truffle oil. The flavor of truffle is so potent that, when infused into a quality oil, even the tiniest amount imparts an earthy goodness to a dish.

Kyocera Professional Chef’s Knife, Black Blade In The Love Diet we assert that you really only need three knives for normal, every-day cooking: a chef’s knife, paring knife and bread knife. And if you’re only going to own one main knife, it better be a good one like this sexy, black, ceramic number. Ceramic knifes have the ultimate in sharpness retention and precision. We heart ceramics!

The Perfect Peeler

Is it possible for a peeler to change your life? At the very least, this rotating peeler changed the way I cook. No longer am I afraid of a pile ‘o potatoes and I even enjoy making zucchini ribbons with this swivel-headed baby.

Scanpan

No Love Diet kitchen is complete without a trusty non-stick pan and this year, I replaced all of my Teflon with Danish Scanpans. Why? Because not only are Scanpans free of the carcinogens found in most non-stick coatings, these pans brown beautifully without oil and promises to never warp.

The Love Diet You need to know what to do with all your new goodies so, obviously, your stocking should be stuffed with a copy of the book that started it all. Through December 24, we’re offering the book at our very best, recession-friendly price of $12. (regularly $14.95)