Giveable City

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Turning Up the Heat

A few years ago, I garnered a lot of brownie points by schlepping some sausage from John Mueller's BBQ (1917 Manor Rd., 236-0283) to an unnamed but barbecue-savvy restaurant critic in New York. This is my favorite Austin sausage – short, thick, smoke-reddened links spiced with black pepper – and I routinely carry it to barbecue-deprived friends in California, too. For gift-giving purposes, order a "cold pack" that has been cooked, wrapped, and chilled, ready for transport. Order cold packs two days in advance; it's $8.99 for a dozen sausages and $5.99 for six. Tell the lucky recipients to place a foil-wrapped package in a baking pan, add just a little water, and warm in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes.

For the discerning chile heads on your list, Jill and Kevin Lewis of Austin Slow Burn concoct some marvelous jams and jellies by combining piquant peppers with sugar, spices, fruit, and herbs. My true love is Hot Apple Pie Jam flavored with vanilla and jalapeño, but Spiced Peach Jam with allspice and habanero runs a very close second. Both the Habanero Jelly and the newest Cranberry Jam contain a hint of rosemary, and the Green Chile Jam has a fillip of lime. All of these can be served as a side for pork or lamb, paired with cheeses, or in an over-the-top PB&J sandwich (and when no one is looking, just enjoy an unadorned spoonful). Available at Central Market, Whole Foods, Grape Vine Market, Farm to Market Grocery, and Tears of Joy Hot Sauce Shop ($3-5 for a 6-oz. jar).

I'm allergic to malls, especially around the holidays. The Tea Embassy (900 Rio Grande, 330 9991, www.teaembassy.com) is the perfect antithesis of mall madness. This beautifully restored and appointed Victorian house contains an enormous array of artisan teas, unusual tea accoutrements, and related gift items that I've seen nowhere else. Tea consultant Carol Sims and son Jonathan Sims have created a calm oasis of pure aesthetic pleasure; you can shop peacefully while sipping a hot cup of something (like heavenly Almond Cookie green tea) or rest by the fireplace in one of the graceful armchairs. And the gifts: Where to begin? There are more than 100 varieties of teas from across the globe: green, white, flavored, Puerh, and a selection of caffeine-free Rooibos (red bush) teas from South Africa ($4-7 for 2 ozs.). Browse the English bone china teapots, delicate glass teapots and cups from Germany, sleek Japanese and Chinese pots, antique and modern teacups and mugs, infusers, warmers, custom-made cozies, and elegant teakettles. Not to mention exquisite children's tea sets, tea-themed books, calendars, notepads, cards, napkins, magazines, ornaments, jewelry, and even music. Don't worry if the wide world of tea is new to you: The Sims are available to assist, consult, and advise. Gifts from $4 to $400.

For seafood lovers in your life, think about a gift certificate to Quality Seafood Market (5621 Airport, 512/454-5827, www.qualityseafoodmarket.com). Available in any denomination, gift certificates can be used at the extensive fish counter, in the restaurant that specializes in Creole and Cajun seafood dishes (and serves the best fried oyster po'boy in town), for takeout, or at the brand-new, as-yet-unnamed oyster bar, where a dozen fresh oysters on the half shell will set you back a big $6.95, and beer and wine are available.

– MM Pack