The Real Food Rehab Holiday Gift Guide: NoTakeOut.com

If you're like me, and you think about what you're going to make for dinner while you're eating breakfast, then you might love a free subscription to NoTakeOut.com. Because each weekday morning while I'm drinking coffee and checking emails, I get a yummy menu in my inbox with a grocery list and game plan to make a delicious dinner. The other thing that moves me about this service? There's not some huge corporate parent company behind it; it's three lovely people who live what they preach; who really care about food and bringing people back to the table. Here they are now...


WHO Three of us are stirring the pot at NoTakeOut.com - David and Kurt, two dads with day jobs and serious cooking hobbies, and Susan, an award-winning food journalist and author who lives – too good to be true — in France, where she founded and runs On Rue Tatin, a cooking school. It started with a craving, of sorts. David and Kurt, long-time friends, loved to cook but longed to expand their repertoire. And they wanted to help some of their food-loving, cook-shy friends produce a significant meal, worthy of serious table-time with friends and family. They envisioned a website to give really busy people the ideas and the tools to get organized and get cooking. So they enlisted Susan, the food expert, to help plan and structure menus to be delicious, seasonal, sophisticated and easy.

No more mediocre meals cobbled together last minute. No more trolling recipe websites to figure out what side dish might work with steamed halibut. No more shopping fiascos — like when you arrived home without eggplant for the ratatouille. NoTakeOut.com helps you plan, prep and cook an entire meal, not just one dish. We provide a complete menu, a shopping list and a game plan – basically, we help you organize to go from kitchen to table with ease.

Our menus call for seasonal, fresh ingredients, are uncomplicated and designed to be cooked in under an hour. 'Making mealtime manageable’ is kind of a mantra for us. When you say you’re busy, we get it: you’re taking care of kids, working, shopping, maybe grabbing a workout – oh yeah, and the laundry… You don’t need another hassle! Our goal is to make food, meals and dining-at-home an easy family ritual and a daily pleasure.

THE GIFT If you're looking for something really special, how about a Japanese knife? Most people are better off with one really good Chef's Knife than a whole set of "specialty" knives and nothing is as well balanced or as sharp as these beauties from Nenox/Nenohi currently on sale at Korin in New York. The people at Korin are knowledgeable, friendly and ready to help you find a truly special knife that's perfect for that special someone. They offer a full range of Japanese and Western style knives in a wide range of sizes and prices. If properly cared for, Nenox/Nenohi knives will last a lifetime and hold an edge that most knives cannot. Think of these as jewelry for cooks.


WHERE DO YOU LIVE? New York City & Paris

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? We are inspired to get people into the kitchen and help them rediscover how fun and easy it can be to make and share great food.





YOUR GO-TO DISH WHEN COOKING FOR YOURSELVES? Definitely Alio Olio (click for recipe!)

The Real Food Rehab Holiday Gift Guide: Elizabeth Madden

I am endlessly fascinated by this new generation of artisanal craftspeople who are making food products using hands-on skill and exceptional ingredients in place of mass machinery and chemicals. They pour their heart and soul into these foods and I feel it is my duty as a proud and loyal American to buy and enjoy as many of them as I can. That said, I don't profess to know Elizabeth Madden, only her jam, Rare Bird Preserves. I know her jam because I am by nature, drawn to beautiful things. Her logo and packaging made the first impression, but it was what was on the inside of the jar that really sold me. Startlingly clear flavors and provocative combinations such as Fig Earl Grey, Lemon Blueberry and Plum Cardamom Orange. Uses? Morning toast and tea, a sauce for your pork shoulder or loin and I think they'd make the sexiest thumbprint cookies your family and friends have ever tasted...





















WHO Elizabeth Madden is the creator of Rare Bird Preserves local, artisanal jam. The same instincts that inspired Elizabeth Madden to pursue an advanced arts degree in photography are there in the way she makes preserves: a desire to capture life, its seasons, its moments, its essence, its deliciousness. After deciding to shift from the visual arts to the culinary, Elizabeth graduated from the French Pastry School and trained with some of the world’s most renowned chefs. She found her niche in making preserves. Elizabeth blends classic, traditional French and British methods to create her own modern American style. Elizabeth is committed to seasonal, local, and sustainably grown fruit. Using artisanal methods, she blends hand-cut fruit with floral and herbal pairings to create her own signature flavors.

THE GIFT When I asked my husband what he wants for Christmas, he said “Coffee, of course." He knows I always put a bag of Blue Max Coffee in his stocking every year. Blue Max is a local coffee roaster located in Forest Park, Illinois. They are committed to organic and fair trade coffee.



For myself? I love gifts that are definitely guilty pleasures. Gastronomica is a gorgeous, smart magazine, which hits all my pleasure zones. Every issue is an amazing collection of curated thoughts on culture, history, art, and society all viewed through the lens of food. Not inexpensive at $50 a subscription, so it might not be something I purchase for myself, but I'd love to give or receive as a gift. (Hint to husband.)

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? I live with my husband Jeff and 6 year old son Henry in River Forest, Illinois.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? I am inspired by the fleeting beauty of fruit. Each season sings to me. I try to capture that.




GO-TO DISH WHEN COOKING FOR YOURSELF? Soup! Right now my go-to meal is a comforting Roasted Butternut Squash soup with Sage. I tend to make simple dishes with lots of flavor. This soup is from Real Simple: Meals Made Easy. Roasting the butternut squash makes all the difference. Throw in a grilled cheese made with some amazing cheese and bread from Marion Street Cheese Market and I’m happy!

The Real Food Rehab Holiday Gift Guide: Tracy Kellner

You know what? I don't really want to shop in a cold, cavernous space where I can get tires and wine and nylon fleece sweaters and lamb chops and a pallet of toothpaste, all in one fell swoop. That is not my idea of a good time. Nor does it meet my needs in any way, shape or form. I like supporting the little guy. I like going to a store where they know me by name. And I love a more European approach to shopping, where I can pop in for high quality products that meet my every day needs and make me feel good inside and out. And fortunately for me, I have Provenance Food and Wine right around the corner. And get this - they're bringing back this concept that I'm just crazy about, it's called customer service - ever hear of it?

This store is one of the many things I'm grateful for in my day to day life. To be able to get local, organic milk and cheese, artisanal ice cream when I'm in the mood, pasture raised beef, great wine and beer, seven days a week, it just makes my life better. So, thank you Tracy Kellner...


WHO Tracy Kellner is the owner of Provenance Food & Wine, an everyday grocery that focuses on small batch and handmade foods, wines, beers and spirits using sustainable methods wherever possible. Tracy spent close to ten years working front of the house positions in restaurants, where she learned about the synergy of food and wine and how to treat guests to a great experience. After a brief stint in non-profit, and eight years in the corporate world, she left to open Provenance Food & Wine in 2006. Provenance has two Chicago locations: Logan Square and Lincoln Square.




THE GIFT We recently brought in some of the O Olive Oils and Vinegars at the store. The oils are crushed with fruit so the flavors are really intense - there is actually some kind of chemical reaction that occurs when the olives and fruit are crushed together, as opposed to adding the ‘flavoring’ to the oil. They are great gifts that taste delicious in beautiful packaging. You can make a super-easy appetizer with them by spreading fresh goat cheese or ricotta onto toast or crackers, then drizzling with the oils and a touch of good sea salt. The jalapeno lime is my favorite – you get the essence of the jalapeno without the heat. It’s great in guacamole. The O line is made by a small producer in California who use high quality fruit from orchards using sustainable practices. They're a great gift for people who like to cook but also who don’t like or know how to cook because they're full of great flavor and simply need to be drizzled on the finished product and viola!

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Honestly, most of my inspiration these days comes from other small business owners, whose energy and creativity I thrive on!

GO-TO DISH WHEN COOKING FOR YOURSELF? Sustainably-fished tuna in olive oil, kalamata olives, shallot confit and lemon zest, tossed with pasta. Yes, in a pinch it all comes from a jar, but it’s delicious and a dish inspired by friend and chef Kari Dillon.

The Real Food Rehab Holiday Gift Guide: Kim Shambrook

Those who believe that cooking is drudgery should spend some time in the kitchen with Kim Shambrook. The word is out that she throws the best parties in Chicago; Cooking Parties that is, where you learn to cook and eat in a professional kitchen with a group of friends, both old and new. I like to think of her as the Ellen Degeneres of the food world; she's grounded, unassuming and incredibly funny - a real woman of the people who makes everyone around her feel good. I think it's only a matter of time before she has her own TV show and then I can say I knew her when...











WHO Kim Shambrook is the Executive Chef and owner of Bespoke Cuisine, a catering and culinary company in Chicago. Growing up in rural Roberts, Illinois, Kim had her own pig farm at the age of 12. She also learned how to twirl a cone to perfection at her mother’s diner-cum-custard stand The Lickety Split. Kim played a regular part in the daily rituals of cooking and communal feasting as a child and her love of rural culture, simplicity, and seasonal tastes inspire her every move at Bespoke Cuisine. Kim also holds a BA and master’s degrees in education which she puts to good use during Bespoke Cuisine’s signature concept - The Cooking Party. With her singular brand of culinary moxie and a talent for making people comfortable in the kitchen, Kim is living proof that good food doesn’t have to be intimidating.














THE GIFT The pleasure of cooking with people you care about means so much. So, when thinking of that perfect gift for my friends and family, I often choose a specially selected cookbook accompanied by the latest or best kitchen gadget or ingredient. Depending on who the gift is for determines what cookbook is in order. For my sister (who emulates Martha Stewart), I try and pick cookbooks that are similar in Martha Stewart style but not familiar to my sister, like Donna Hay, the queen of Australian cooking. Her gift was the Donna Hay Seasons Cookbook and a small jar of wattleseed, a spice indigenous to Australia. For some of my friends, I pick cookbooks about cuisines that interest them but maybe they’ve never tried or cookbooks from chefs or restaurants that I admire. My latest favorites are Ad Hoc at Homeand How to Cook Everything: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food. I include a little note inside the gift suggesting that they pick a couple of recipes they want to try, pick a date and I’ll come over (with the libations, of course) to help them cook. It makes for a great memory – sharing good food and an experience with someone you care about.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Chicago, Illinois

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? my nieces, quiet time, thunderstorms and long and hot showers.



YOUR GO-TO DISH WHEN COOKING FOR YOURSELF? Roast chicken, root vegetables, and a big ‘ol vodka martini

The Real Food Rehab Holiday Gift Guide: Sally Schneider

Sally Schneider brings new meaning to the words, keeping it real. On her website, 'the improvised life,' she calls our attention to the beauty, wonder and richness of our daily lives and helps us to see it with fresh eyes. Finding her site was such a revelation and I'm indebted to her for inspiring me in numerous ways. In her site's manifesto, Sally explains why improvising is the perfect operating system in today's world. "Improvising," she says, "is an antidote to I can't." I am beyond delighted to have Sally and her authentic style on Real Food Rehab...




WHO Sally Schneider is the creator and writer of ‘the improvised life’, a website about improvising -- inventing, being resourceful, making-it-up-as-you-go-along – as a daily practice. She has worked as a journalist, editor, syndicated columnist, radio commentator, teacher, stylist, small-space consultant and professional chef; she once wrangled 600 live snails for an Irving Penn photograph. Her very improvisational work has been the laboratory for her posts on ‘the improvised life’, her column Home Cooking on The Atlantic Food blog, and consulting and speaking about creativity and home design. Please check out her award-winning cookbooks The Improvisational Cookand A New Way to Cook.
















THE GIFT Everyone I know has SO much, and does not need another object, so I’ve devised an alt-holiday gift strategy. I give a card saying I’ve given a donation in my friends name to a charity; this year it will be Maira Kalman’s beautiful angel.













I often bundle the card with a little something: like this swell $4 tasting spoon from Branch, which is the ideal shape for cooking; long and thin and slightly odd.

























Or, I’ll give them some food gift I’ve made a big batch of, like some easy-to-make exotically flavored chocolates, or Alt-Malted Milk Balls, or some Dried Apricots in Cardamom Syrup. I make these in big batches to package as gifts (often with found/re-use jars, boxes, tins or gift-wrap) or to use for my own impromtu parties. (photos courtesy of Ellen Silverman)

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? New York City





WHAT INSPIRES YOU? New York City inspires me endlessly: all you have to do is walk out on the street to discover something interesting, an anonymous creation, like the tiny grafitti written on a rusted door that said “know hope”.

But what inspires me most, way beyond the city, is the idea of improvising, which is all about possibility: unexpected answers and solutions to be found in what we have right now.













GO-TO DISH WHEN COOKING FOR YOURSELF?

My go-to survivalist dish when I’m alone and working flat-out is a fried egg on something with some grated Parmigiano-Reggiano in between. That something can be just about anything: spaghetti, steamed asparagus, crushed boiled new potatoes…The soft-yolk egg mixes with the cheese to become a sauce. For breakfast, I throw a fried egg on some greens like watercress or arugula.

The Real Food Rehab Holiday Gift Guide: Ari Bendersky

Some of us have a voracious appetite for life that can never be sated. Ari Bendersky is one such character. He's completely flush with his own need to know what's new, what's next, what's good in the worlds of food, wine and music. And because I know I could never hold a candle to his boundless energy and constant curiosity, I'm so grateful that I can be his armchair traveler and he, my guide. Go Ari, go Ari...





WHO Ari Bendersky is the co-creator (along with Matt Marcus) of foodie, an iPhone app that delivers unique, exclusive offers to users from Chicago's top restaurants. Over the last 15 years, Ari has been a successful lifestyle and entertainment journalist writing for the likes of the New York Times, Associated Press, Huffington Post, RollingStone.com, Advocate, Out, Chicago Tribune, NBCChicago.com, Chicago Magazine, Time Out Chicago and more, including his blog, SomethingGlorious.com.















THE GIFT I love wine and I find that giving a bottle from my favorite wineries is a great gift—definitely better than just picking any random bottle off the shelf. I'm a massive supporter of Joel Gott and his Zinfandel is always off the hook. Earlier this year, another Napa Zin came my way: Brown Estate is one of those cult shops that when you discover it, you know you found a good thing. Want to make someone happy? Send a bottle of the 2008 Napa Valley Zinfandel. And if you're feeling festive, forget Champagne and head to Alsace where you get better deals and just-as-good sparkling wine. My favorite? Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rosé. It has a gorgeous, coral color and is beautifully effervescent. It's crisp with delicious watermelon and strawberry notes—and it's great for any celebration or just hanging around having brunch on a Sunday.
If you really hard-pressed for a great gift, you'll never go wrong (unless the recipient is vegan or vegetarian) with a subscription to the Bacon of the Month Club from the Grateful Palate. I swear, if a slab of porcine lusciousness showed up at my house each month, I might leave a trail of drool from my front door all the way to my kitchen. I know my dog would love me even more!


But the ultimate gift? A trip to Sonoma for a long weekend of biking, eating and wining. While there are planned tours, I'd probably want to plot my own course by staying at the Hotel Healdsburg, renting hybrids from Wine Country Bikes and hitting some of my favorite wineries in the area, including Ridge, Gary Farrell, Gloria Ferrer and others. I'd eat at Cyrus and indulge at The Spa at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. Anyone want to go?

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Chicago, Illinois


WHAT INSPIRES YOU? I am an eternal explorer; whether that is traveling to other cities or countries or just checking out what's going on in Chicago. I thrive on learning about new music, cultures, food, wine and more. Positive energy also inspires me. Life's too short to be negative or to allow negative people to bring you down. I'm also inspired by my partner, Drew Harris, who is a passionate, creative and generous soul.

GO-TO DISH WHEN COOKING FOR YOURSELF? It usually involves a bottle of wine and something simple. I'm a big eater but not a huge cook. I craft simple dishes: salad, pizza, pasta. I love grilling chicken with a great rub. I'm a big fan of Chicago-based rubs, Urban Accents, and love making a spicy shrimp stir fry with massive amounts of fresh, colorful vegetables. And, in summer, I make a mean guacamole with fresh mango, tomatoes, red onion and habanero peppers.

The Real Food Rehab Holiday Gift Guide: Fred Bamesberger

The way Fred Bamesberger and his family live is something I aspire to. There's a warmth and thoughtfulness in every detail of their surroundings. Everything he designs is decidedly modern but his materials are of the earth and his techniques are often those of centuries-old craftsmen. Sharing a meal at their home is always a treat because Fred applies the same resourcefulness and skill to his culinary endeavors as he does to his design practice; his meals are rich in organic materials and always impart the most delicious workmanship. Take it away Fred....

WHO Fred Bamesberger is an architect who designs everything from buildings, to furniture, to objects and jewelry. His work reflects a commitment to optimism and the power of creative architecture to affect change. He creates spaces that offer their inhabitants a balance of serenity and playfulness, comfort and discovery. Above all, he wants his work to contribute to the lives and landscape that will come after our own. To that end, he is conscious of creating durable and environmentally sensible solutions that last.

THE GIFT I always struggle with the gift. You want to give something special, personal, authentic, but not too expensive. My wife Leslie and I usually make gifts for friends and family from our garden. Some of the past years' gifts have included Bosc pear butter, hot pepper jam, or limoncello from our very missed lemon tree. Other years it's more complicated, like the walnut tray with an inlay of cut whole walnuts. This year is a bit different. I'm recommending the new Momofuku Cookbook. It's fun, and well written in a style that accurately and authentically reflects the attitude of its author David Chang. He shows how to take something as humble as ramen and turn it into Art.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Valparaiso, Indiana

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Everything inspires me. I'm inspired everyday by the landscape and nature surrounding me, and I want to share the things that move me. I try to take time every day to walk and see and listen to the flora and fauna surrounding me. Gardening and teaching my daughter Ruby to get dirty, inspires me. We recently rehabbed an old farmhouse nearby and share this with people who want to slow down and recharge. When we need a break from the slow-life, we head to NYC to relax. This past trip we were inspired by the Pork Buns at Momofuku Noodle Bar.

GO-TO DISH WHEN COOKING FOR YOURSELF? I like to grab some of our oven roasted tomatoes. We take the surplus heritage tomatoes during peak season in the summer and roast them with salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil and fill up the freezer. A pack of these can turn into a pizza, pasta sauce, salad, or a simple side dish of its own.