Carole H just emailed me about pizza dough from Valenza Pasta and she told me the store carries the spicy green beans that a friend of hers likes in his Bloody Mary. It got me thinking about foodie hostess gifts. The easy kind–and by that I mean the kind you buy in a store… I love to give homemade goodies, too, but I seldom do it. (The exception being the holidays, when I make a cranberry/serrano relish that has a nice bite.)

By far my favorite is Stonewall Kitchen’s Roasted Garlic Onion Jam. It’s always in my fridge and it’s a nice little gift for about $7. I discovered it about 10 years ago when my mom brought some back from a trip, but I only spotted it locally a few years ago. You can get it at Mantia’s or The Fresh Market. I tried to make it once, but it was a disaster–it didn’t set. However (!), Carole is giving me tips and maybe we can talk her into teaching me how to make a good jam or jelly…