2013 Holiday Gift Guide Suggestion
When it comes to Holiday shopping, men can be the hardest ones on the list. It’s no fun to keep giving him the same type gifts every year, so I was quite excited when I was offered the opportunity to review a unique food of the month club geared towards men called Mantry, that I believe would make a great gift!
Mantry (the Modern Man’s Pantry) is a food-of-the month club that helps one discover American Artisan foods and what to do with them. Each month’s box follows a theme, and is packed full of gourmet foods that can be sampled alone or used to create delicious recipes found on the Mantry site. Even the packaging is eclectic and cool, a small, handmade wooden crate that any man would like.
The box James received was the Hecho en America II, and included six full size products made by small batch companies full of Mexican-inspired goodness from north of the Rio Grande. Thankfully James has a hankering for foods on the spicy side, and I loved watching him open the crate and discover each delectable treat!
Aurelia’s Dry-Cured Chorizo
Straight out of Boerne, Texas, this spicy, dry-cured Spanish chorizo contains only all natural ingredients, and is made using a family recipe that has been handed down for several generations. Only the best, full cuts of pork shoulder are used, with no trimmings or fillers. It takes a full month to smoke, age and dry Aurelia’s chorizo which is then seasoned using freshly ground garlic and smoked paprika imported from Spain.
NW Elixirs Salsa Verde
While one does not expect Salsa Verde from Portland, Oregon, NW Elixirs has corned the market on producing mind-blowing sauces. Their interpretation of Green Hott Sauce is made using only the finest, ingredients including Tomatillos, Fresh Cilantro, Serrano Peppers, Poblano Peppers and sweet agave nectar. it is the perfect accompaniment to all sorts of foods, and anyone with a love for hot foods, will love NW Elixir’s Verde Hott 2.
Just Cook Ancho Rub
Straight from a San Francisco kitchen, Just Cook makes a variety of mouth-watering rubs using only the finest ingredients. Their Ancho Chicken rub combines fragrant orange peel, smoky chipolte, ground ancho chilis and other seasonings to create a spicy rub packaged in an awesome tin that goes great on chicken, salmon and more.
Liber & Co. Texas Grapefruit Shrub
A shrub is an infusion of fruit, sugar and vinegar that traces back to American colonial days. When added to drinks it can work like citrus to add a tart and slightly sweet taste. Liber & Co.’s Texas Grapefruit Shrub is made with grapefruit, coconut vinegar, sugar and a hint of allspice for a fresh and bright taste that works great in a variety of cocktails or even in soda water!
Fiddyment Farms Chili Lime Pistachios
Fiddyment Farms of Lincoln, California, has been growing highest quality California pistachio nuts since 1968. Their pistachios are dried immediately after picking and roasted to perfection ensuring a fresh, delicious taste. These Chili Lime flavored pistachios combine the tartness of limes with a just hint of spice. Each bag is resealable to help guarantee freshness.
Olive & Sinclair Cinnamon Chili Bar
A delicious chocolate bar,hand-crafted in Nashville,Tennessee and voted America’s Best Chocolate by Southern Living magazine. Each chocolate bar starts with whole beans that are stone ground and slow roasted, then flavored with cinnamon and chili for a sweet and spicy treat
The Verdict
James absolutely loved his first Mantry box. I love that it comes with full size items, is packaged nicely, and to make it an even tastier treat, there are several recipes on the Mantry site that use this boxes ingredients, including one for Aurelia’s Chorizo Nachos!
Each box costs $75 a month, and while this sounds steep, each Mantry includes 6 full size artisan food products and a custom manual detailing product stories and recipes, packed in a Handmade Wooden Crate that is delivered right to your door. Each product is full-sized, and the majority can be used over and over again, lasting well beyond one month.
There are 3 different subscriptions from which to choose: one month, three months and six months. Shipping is included in the United States. To order, visit the website. This year, give him a unique gift that he can enjoy many times over, give him Mantry!