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​To be honest, I've never liked Valentine's Day. It's really just another consumer-driven madhouse in which I end up in a last minute scramble to find roses or a box of chocolates (usually at the grocery store check out aisle). What really gets me is the fact that I never get gifts, but I'm always expected to give them.

Even in grade school, when we cut out little red hearts with our miniature scissors and scrawled our crush's name on them, I'd end up with like three Valentines in my sandwich bag (I'm still convinced they were from my mother) while the other kids' bags seemed to be overflowing with notes, stickers and candy. I'm bitter about that. But this year I'm resolved to do better, to turn over a new leaf as they say, and to buy my wife a gift at least a couple days in advance.

In preparation, I consulted with local sexpert Shanna Katz for some ideas on how best to say not just "I love you" but "I want you in that bed now" and added a few of my own. So, for all procrastinating men with significant others (and women too, if you feel like turning the tables this year) here's a list of edible Valentine's Day gift options. And don't be shy about sending us your own ideas.

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Jonathan Meter + Jessica Hertle, The Bite Sized Blog

Craft Coffee's map of roasters.

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If you ballpark the number of coffee roasters in the United States who are seasonally finding the tastiest coffees from around the world and roasting them to perfection, you really only have more than a few dozen. Tops.

It's a cozy group, but even if each of these roasters carries just (for instance) four different coffees a season -- and you're eager for a taste -- your selection process turns into a serious conundrum.

Cue Craft Coffee, a new subscription service that takes a shot a narrowing down the bunch into three unique coffees, each from a separate roaster, for you to try every month.

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Clockwise from left: Hawaiian black, Sel Gris de Guérande and Hawaiian red salt.

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You have probably seen the ads. Fancy salts at exorbitant prices. Prices so far above humble table salt --upwards of $10 an ounce for black truffle salt versus less than 10 cents for Mortons-- that the only explanation could be that they are handmade from the tears of angels and dried in the perfect sunlight of the left slope of Kilimanjaro. The praise heaped upon "natural" sea salts can be unreal, as are the Olestra-like claims of a panacea of health.

Aaron and Liz Eckburg, the owners of Fountain Hills based Go Lb. Salt, offer everything from slabs of Himalayan salt to black truffle salt. They tend to steer clear of the salt hype and instead focus on the most important question: Do fancy salts actually taste better?

Surprisingly they do, and they posses a texture that you are unlikely to pour out of container of Morton's anytime soon. Without delving too deeply into the importance of evaporation rates, crystal formation, and mineral content let's just say this: The process of making sea salt yields large salt crystals that retain the flavor of the places they are made. What is more, salt can be smoked as it dries and this allows it to be imparted with an even wider array of flavors.

Aaron explains that the black truffle salt is an excellent example of this. The base salt is a fleur de sel, French for "flower of salt." The individual crystals are much larger than normal sea salt. Fleur de sel is very wet when first harvested and must be dried before it can be used. Truffle shavings are mixed into the salt at this point and their flavor is imparted upon the salt as it dries. The end product is a piece of salt with a powerful truffle flavor and a delicate crunch. As an added benefit, the salt acts as a bacteriostatic agent which prevents bacteria from breaking down the truffle oil. This allows truffle salt to retain flavor much longer than truffle oil by itself.

Salt pairings?

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Carrie Wheeler

Prescott Valley Farms meat shop is now open in a strip mall on the northeast corner of 16th Street and Bethany Home.

​Getting farm-fresh, antibiotic-free meats just got a little easier for Phoenicians.

Prescott Valley Farms recently opened a tiny storefront to sell their own pork, lamb and chickens and outsourced elk, buffalo and French Rouge -- all raised naturally.

Clint Van Wuffen, owner of Prescott Valley Farms, exited a career in politics and started his farm in the Prescott Valley about a year and a half ago with 40 chickens, which he sold at farmers' markets for $15 each.  He has since expanded into pork and lamb and continues raising chickens in spring, summer and fall (he outsources during the winter).

Van Wuffen still sells his meat at Roadrunner Park and Scottsdale farmers markets, but the new store at Bethany Home and 16th Street is yet another avenue to sell his pre-packaged, frozen meat fresh from the farm. What you see on the homemade chalkboard on the back wall is what you get. Currently pre-packaged elk burgers, bacon and sausage are on the menu. Around Thanksgiving he was lucky enough to get his hands on about 20 heritage turkeys. If you're looking for a butcher or fresh meat counter, he'll send you across the street to Hobe Meats.

Read more about Prescott Valley Farms and get the address after the jump.
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Better hurry up, or this will be your holiday dinner.

​Hey, procrastinator! Yes, you. Christmas is less than a week away and somehow you've managed to avoid finalizing the holiday feast.

 

We can't blame you for getting a little behind. Who has time to do things like shop or cook or eat when you're so busy working (or checking e-mail for the thousandth time just to make sure you didn't miss something important in-between all those Facebook updates)? 

 

Lucky for you, we planned ahead and came up with these FIVE brilliant last-minute holiday carryout meals that will save your booty -- and your Christmas feast.

 

1. Holiday Desserts from the Arizona Grand - There are only two days left to order one of Executive Pastry Chef George Rugel's classic sweets in time for the holidays, so get on it! Options include apple and pumpkin pies ($18), Brandied Cherry Yule Log ($20), Whiskey-Pecan Torte ($19) and a Gluten-free Flourless Chocolate Torte ($24) for that one relative who can't stop yammering about her endless food allergies. Email bakery@arizonagrandresort.com or call 602-431-6555 to order through December 22.        

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Carol Blonder

Culinary ribbons from Sur La Table

​They follow food blogs daily, are the first in line to try new restaurants, and can be found at the farmers market every weekend. What to give your foodie fanatic for the holiday? Click our lists, we checked them twice: tools for the chef, a suggestive sampling of locally grown/made goodies , and gourmet ingredients. Today our list for the foodie baker.

Carol Blonder

Silicone baking mats

​Baking mats made from silicone are fantastic for lining cookie sheets and baking pans. They can be cut to custom fit cake pans and loaf pans. Easy to clean. Eco friendly replacement for parchment paper. Find at ABC Baking Supplies, Sur La Table, Sweet Basil, William Sonoma. Price range: $13 and up

Carol Blonder

Baking stone

​Whether the passion is pizza or bread, baking stones ensure a crispy crust. Look for a stone that can be used in the oven or on the grill. Find at Sur La Table, Sweet Basil, and William Sonoma. Price range $25 and up  More >>

Gift List

​They follow food blogs daily, are the first in line to try new restaurants, and can be found at the farmers market every weekend. What to give your foodie fanatic for the holiday? Last week we brought you tools for the chef; today we'll share a suggestive sampling of locally grown/made goodies.

follow the jump for local food gift suggestions and where to shop

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They follow food blogs daily, are the first in line to try new restaurants, and can be found at the farmers market every weekend. What to give your foodie fanatic for the holiday? We've prepped a few shopping lists of chef favorites to help you out. Today, great gifts to stock the kitchen.

Carol Blonder

Benriner

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The Benriner Japanese Mandoline is a prep cook's best friend. Less expensive and more durable than other slicers on the market, using a "bennie" makes easy work of slicing thin, even cuts of food. The best model comes 3 exchangeable blades and a fitted container to catch the sliced food. Find at The House of Rice, Phoenix Knife House, and kitchenware stores. Price range: $50

more gift suggestions and where to find after the jump

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​Visions of sugar pies dancing in your head, ever since our Pie Social last month?

Us, too. We're still reeling over the fact that hundreds came to taste, bringing more than 200 community pies. And 10 professional bakers/chefs competed for top pie honors. 

In the sugary hubub you might have missed the sets of celebrity chef recipe cards for sale -- just $10 for 10 recipes, including Justin Beckett's winning fig and pecan pie, and Slade Grove's sugar cookie cream pie, which nabbed the people's choice award.

There are a few sets of recipe cards left, and we're biased but we think they make pretty sweet holiday gifts. Buy them at MADE art boutique, 922 N. 5th Street (5th and Roosevelt). Proceeds benefit the non-profit Roosevelt Row association, the group that brings you little shindigs like First Friday. Oh yeah, and Pie Social.