by josie
Monica Bhide has teamed up with Co Co. Sala to create a limited-edition chocolate collection for Mother’s Day.
My mother was a remarkable woman. An award-winning fiction writer, she introduced me to other successful, inspiring women from the time I was small. I’ve had fantastic surrogate aunts and mothers: strong, creative, compassionate women who made time in their lives to become family.
With women like these in the world, Mother’s Day (May 12) has to be celebrated with respect, joy and an awareness of individuality. You can’t just go to the store and buy a big-label greeting card or boxed chocolates. Choose from these elegant, exquisite, exceptional treats for the woman (or women) who helped shape your tastes.
Curry Favor One evening, when I was around 3 years old, my mother was creating a spice blend from scratch. I don’t remember what we had for dinner, but I do recall my mother saying, in a tone that meant the information was important, “Indian is one of the great cuisines of the world.” In truth, it’s more than one, with countless specialties from region to region.
When I see the latest collaboration from Monica Bhide and Washington, DC-based Co Co. Sala — fine chocolates embracing Indian flavors — my thoughts go straight to Mom. Aptly, these chocolates are being made for Mother’s Day in the following flavors: cherry blossom ganache and candied griottes (sour cherries) in milk chocolate; jasmine-infused dark chocolate with Maracaibo cocoa nibs (my favorite); curry, toasted cashews and milk chocolate; and milk chocolate, toasted white sesame and sugar cane jaggery. The limited-edition chocolates ($40 for a box of 16; $20 for a box of eight) are available on the Co Co. Sala website today through May 6.
Sweet Dreams When I first tried Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, I learned that these sweet scoops earn that adjective. The Columbus, OH-based business delivers nationwide — great news for those of us who are addicted to Jeni’s signature flavors, which include absinthe meringue, salty caramel, Bangkok peanut and wildberry lavender ice cream.
The special four-pint Mother’s Day Collection ($48) reigns as supremely as a quartet of queens: chamomile steeped cream from grass-grazed cows, Savannah buttermint with shredded white chocolate, tart biodynamic lemon Seven Stars Farm frozen yogurt, and poached pear sorbet made with Ohio Riesling.
To ensure that the pints will be delivered by Mother’s Day, place your order early. Regular Mother’s Day shipping ends May 8; next-day air, May 9. You might want to time your visit to coincide with the delivery — out of the sheer goodness of your heart, of course. And I’m betting Mom will share a scoop.
Turn an Aged Leaf When I first met Rodrick Markus, the owner of Rare Tea Cellar, you had to be a professional restaurateur, chef or bartender to get your hands on his leaves. With long-established health benefits, tea makes a great Mother’s Day gift. RTC’s teas aren’t labeled “limited edition,” but once the oak-barrel-aged 2010 Emperor’s Aged Keemun ($50 for a quarter-pound) and 1987 vintage cave-aged Oolong ($75 for a quarter-pound) are out of stock, you’ll need a time machine to find more. If your mother likes earthy flavors, buy the 1978 vintage reserve cave-aged Pu-erh ($30 for a three-cup serving, and worth the price). When I was in Hong Kong, people kept telling me that Pu-erh has extra health benefits, and studies show Pu-erh may be even more beneficial than ordinary teas.
RTC offers lots of ways to spoil your mother. Christine Ferber’s cherry and rose petal jam ($39.99) will outlast any bouquet. Warm and sweet, acacia honey with truffles ($20) is an exquisite reason to toast a slice of brioche.
You could also buy something practical. Sturdier than it looks, the House Modern Silver Top Tea Pot ($35) has lasted me across three cities. Functional, attractive and built to last, it survives even restaurant use.
Spice, Girl If your mother loves to cook, then Manhattan has your online dream store. When chef friends visit New York City, I send them to Kalustyan’s. Open since 1944, this shop stocks herbs, spices, and ingredients from all over the world. With all we’re learning about the assets of herbs and spices, oils and other ingredients, there couldn’t be a better place to buy treats that will keep Mom happy, healthy and cooking for a long, long time.
In Kalustyan’s online shop, you’ll find an abundance of flavors. Choose from 43 flavors of mustard, 317 options in chili, peppers, paprika and peppercorn or 474 items in spices, whole and ground. Kalustyan’s sells 225 oils, including almond, black-truffle olive and pure lime. Then there are honeys, whole grains, chutneys and other items to ignite the home cook’s imagination.
I’ll never be able to count all of the chances, colors, and textures my mother brought into my life. Looking back from here, though, I recall a kaleidoscope of time and foodstuffs: conversations in kitchens and at tables; comfort offered over ice cream early in my life and tea later on; and encouragement to try new foods and new skills, to stretch my palette and myself.
Nothing is as unique as love. A handful of creative importers, chefs and artisans make possible to say a thank-you that’s original, memorable and intensely good.
