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In case you’re like me and have been seriously procrastinating on finishing your Christmas shopping, I put together a list of things you can order off Amazon for the Basque enthusiasts in your life.
I have a complete Amazon shopping list of Basque things like books, music, and wall art, but I wanted to narrow it down for you to products that will ship to your house before Christmas.
That is, if you order today (or very soon).
And lucky for you, the fastest shipping items on the list are Basque food products and cookbooks! Who doesn’t like food?
Check it out.
Food Products
Piquillo peppers
Sweet peppers roasted over embers and then peeled. Perfect for stuffing with meat or seafood.
Review: “Perfect for stuffing coucous, goat cheese, any soft cheese or ground meat.”
Piment d’Espelette
A mildly hot pepper cultivated in Ezpeleta, Lapurdi. Originally introduced to the Basque Country in the 16th century from the Americas, it is now a staple of Basque cuisine.
Review: “Throw out your cayenne pepper. Nothing beats the taste of Piment d’Espelette to liven up stews, sprinkle on fish before dredging and frying, and more. Much, much more. Great product.”
Arroyabe Tuna
Pole-caught from the Bay of Biscay, this tuna is preserved in olive oil with a touch of salt. Perfect for salads or fillings (stuff your piquillo peppers with it, maybe?).
Review: “Delicious. One problem, it will make the tuna you buy in the supermarket, even Albacore, taste like cat food!”
Basque Cookbooks
The Basque Kitchen: Tempting Food from the Pyrenees
Cookbook with an extra emphasis on Basque food from Iparralde (AKA French Basque Country). By Gerald Hirigoyen with Cameron Hirigoyen.
Review: “I’m a tough customer for cookbooks, but this one is a winner on many fronts for me. The recipes are exciting and different from the many other European regional cookbooks, the history is interesting, the photos are beautiful, and best of all for me, the recipes are nearly fool-proof. I delighted my friends one night recently with the lamb stew – fabulous – and my husband has made the haricots verts salad a staple in our home. The gateau basque and chocolate “rocks” are both unforgettably wonderful. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in adding some wonderful new flavors to their kitchen.”
Pintxos: Small Plates in the Basque Tradition
A book all about pintxos! Recipes from Piperade and Bocadillos restaurants in San Francisco. By Gerald Hirigoyen with Lisa Weiss.
Review: “Not for the novice cook. The recipes are comprised multiple ingredients and may require some searching for some of the Basque/Spanish items which won’t be in everyone’s pantry. That said, these are some fabulous small bites and plates which will leave you with looking to make the next item and sharing with friends. There is a treasure chest of recipes/references at the end – pantry items you can establish for yourself like Lemon Confit, Piperade and my own personal addiction – ham dust. Oh yeah!”
Basque Country: A Culinary Journey Through a Food Lover’s Paradise
New release this year, named one of the best cookbooks of fall 2018 by The New York Times. By Marti Buckley.
Review: “This book is now my favorite cookbook. The recipes are traditional and accurate. Simple instructions and the results are delicious. The explanations about the Basque history, cuisine and people are also very interesting to read. Love the photos. Highly recommend. Perfect for an American cook with a Basque partner. My husband loves that I can now recreate his childhood favorites.”
The Basque Book: A Love Letter in Recipes from the Kitchen of Txikito
Recipes from Txikito, a Basque restaurant in New York City. By Alex Raij with Eder Montero and Rebecca Flint Marx.
Review: “How can I review a book like this? My kitchen had the smells of the Basque country wafting through it. Every taste was unique! Every combination wonderful! From the Lamb Meatballs, to the stew, to the Borscht with a Spanish twist! Magnificent! BUY THIS BOOK. IT IS A MUST FOR YOUR KITCHEN! No more Pizza and Chinese food for me! I love the way Alexandra weaves her personal experiences about and with the recipes into her book. I want to run to her restaurant! But I can’t afford the flight! Thank god I could afford the book! BRAVO!”
You can see the entire Amazon shopping list here for more Basque products.
Good luck with your last minute Christmas prep!
CONTINUE READING:
- Best Holiday Gift Giving Ideas for Basque Americans
- Basque Recipes to Inspire Your Thanksgiving Menu
- Basques Are Unique: It’s In Our Blood
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