Southern Made: Gift ideas for foodies

Atlanta chef and cookbook author Virginia Willis has come up with top-shelf ingredients for her new line, “My Southern Pantry.” Her Heirloom Grits ($9.95 for 20-ounce, eco-friendly bag) are ground on a granite millstone. The Pecan Brownies ($9.95, 21-ounce bag) feature two kinds of semisweet Guittard chocolate. Also new: Pecan Smoked Sea Salt ($7.95) and French Quarter Spice Rub ($6.95). Available at www.virginiawillis.com or area locations of the Cook’s Warehouse.

Biscotti bites

Biscotti often get a bad rap for being brick hard and dried out, but former executive pastry chef David Jeffries gets the cookies right. His biscotti are crunchy and buttery. For love at first bite, try the current top flavors: cinnamon pistachio, orange spiced hazelnut and savory pear and rosemary. Biscotti Bites are $6 for a small, 4-ounce bag or $9 for a large, 8-ounce bag. The Suwanee company also sells a line of macaroons. Available at www.davidjeffrieskitchen.com, plus area Whole Foods and Cook’s Warehouse stores.

Easy Indian food

Modern Day Masala in Marietta offers organic spice blends that capture the rich flavors of traditional Indian cuisine, which is growing in popularity. The hand-packaged spices, with an attached recipe card, are designed to make cooking Indian food simple and easy. Butter Chicken ($4.99, 1-ounce black-zippered pouch) is the company’s big seller. Other favorites: Vegetable Gold and Garam Masala, a staple spice used in Indian cuisine. Spice blends are $4.99 and the Garam Masala is $5.99 at www.moderndaymasala.com and area Whole Foods stores.

Take the cake

The go-to cake for a hostess gift or dessert party is one from Saint Rita’s Cakes in Atlanta. Top picks are the cream cheese pound cake and the chocolate cream cheese pound cake. Choose a Bundt ($28) or loaf ($15) cake. All loaves are packaged in ready-to-give white freezer paper, wrapped with ribbon and the Saint Rita’s seal. Available at www.stritascakes.com or Lucy’s Market, 102 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. (By the way, that's a new address thanks to a recent move.)

In a pickle

If you think pickles are ordinary, take a bite of Athens-based Phickles Pickles. The company offers a delicious variety of pickled products, including okra, snap beans, green tomatoes and jalapenos (Hotties and Not-So-Hotties). Four jars are $40 at www.phickles.com or $8.50 per jar at Star Provisions, 1198 Howell Mill Road N.W., Atlanta.

Also recommended: Marietta’s Jalopy Jelly peppers (try the peach) at www.jalopyfoods.com or area Whole Foods stores.

Finger-licking sauce

The debate over barbecue never ends. For some, the best barbecue focuses on the meat and the way it is cooked (smoked or grilled). For others, it’s the sauce. Made in Dahlonega, Ray and Judy’s Family Bar-B-Q Sauce gets raves. A 16-ounce jar is $5.95 from rayandjudybbq.com.

Also recommended: White BBQ Marinade Sauce (www.mckinleyfoods.com) in Atlanta and T. Bill Lee’s Secret BBQ Sauce (www.southernrootsenterprises.com) in Newnan. The mustard-based sauce is also available at the Buford Highway Farmers Market, 5600 Buford Highway, Doraville.

Snap to it

Susansnaps, the gourmet gingersnap cookie company in Atlanta, specializes in five flavors: original, cocoa, citrus, pnutty and aloha. A cute gift box ($15), which holds 30 cookies, is the top seller. Or try the tin ($38), and fill it with 35 cookies of your choice. Available at www.susansnaps.com or visit the new store at 229 Hilderbrand Drive, Sandy Springs.

Spread it on

For old-fashioned jams with a new twist, try Emily G’s. The Dunwoody company uses local produce in its all-natural jams. Jalapeno Raspberry ($8) is No.1 year-round. But there are other popular and seasonal flavors. For the holidays, try Cabernet Sauvignon and Santa Jam. Besides biscuits and toast, smear jams on chicken or drizzle over cheeses for top-chef touches. All jams are $8 for a 10-ounce jar. Recipes are attached. Available at www.emilygs.com.

Just a slice

For anyway-you-slice-it sweet breads, Breadwinner is a hit. Pumpkin bread ($15 a loaf) heads the list of must-buys, but you’ll find other flavors with fun names, like “Sweet Home Ala-Banana” and “Shofar So Good Apple Honey.” Each loaf is wrapped in a cellophane bag and tied with a satin-colored ribbon that reflects the season. Check www.breadwinnerbreads.com. Or try a slice and buy a loaf at the new Breadwinner Cafe, 220 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs.

Nuts to you

When you need pecans for your family’s holiday dishes and desserts, you’re in luck. Georgia is the nation’s largest producer of pecans. For fresh pecans, try Pearson Farm (pearsonfarm.com), Stone Mountain Pecan Co. (stonemountainpecan.com) and Cromartie Pecan Farm (www.Got-Pecans.com).