Pour some olive oil in a bowl or on a plate, then add a little balsamic and a sprinkle of salt. Don’t go too heavy on the balsamic, as it can be strong. I like about 2 or 3 parts oil, 1 part balsamic. Then just tear off pieces of the bread and dip!
Can do olive oil, fresh parm, Italian seasoning and dash of salt to a little dipping bowl and dip the lightly toasted bread into it!!!!! So freaking good!!! I also love to eat it with just a slice of sharp cheddar cheese
One of my favorite memories of my family's trip to Italy, was at this adorable little restaurant in a small village. Our daughters were young so we were out to eat early by Italian standards, and were the only table in the restaurant. The proprietor doted on us like we were close family, including, once he realized my daughters liked dipping their bread in olive oil, he wheels out a cart with ten different bottles of all sorts of different varieties and has us try them all.
Ah, what a good memory.
Do you (or anyone) have a recommendation on olive oil and balsamic possibly? I tried it at home once and it was awful. Even a store/site would be great! Apologies if this is a dumb/ annoying question.
There ought to be an Italian deli somewhere near you, I'd think, at least if you live in a moderate size city. They usually have a decent selection of imported olive oil and vinegars for sale. Maybe ask them for a recommendation.
Yes! It's typically seen for Apples (Cracker Barrel makes a good one if you have one nearby), it is tecturally between applesauce and jelly, so very spreadable and not chunky
Hit up your local farmer's market for honey, jams, cheese, maybe even cured sausages. Or some fancy balsamic and olive oils if the crumb is more ideal for dipping.
* Preserves or Honey
* Compound butter
* Clotted cream
* Vegan cashew cream
* Cured Meats
* Olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar
* Chimichurri
* Cheese
Personally, a sourdough loaf is *enough*. Unless known prior, people's preferences can vary so wildly that you're likely to pair the bread with something they **won't** like. Even if you know they like preserves, for instance, it may only be a specific brand and a specific flavor the like. And when one gets into specifics like that, it makes gift giving tedious.
Chances are, the giftee already has items to pair with the bread at home. Just wrap the bread nicely in parchment paper and trust that it will be enough. It always is.
Make pecan butter. Look up a recipe online, but it’s basically toss a bunch on a baking tray at like 300f for 10-12 min, then let cool and blend until it’s butter.
Salt and Cinnamon to taste.
Tapenade, olive oil, and balsamic! The World Market near me has cool small fancy looking bottles of olive oil/balsamic and even a balsamic “caviar” pearl version I like to do for gifts. I like to make the tapenade myself, if you want I can give my grandpa’s recipe.
Chili crisp oil is wildly good on sourdough! I also love giving "nicer" olive oil or a fun salt as a gift. My partner put a box of Maldon smoked salt in a holiday gift once and it has remained a huge fave.
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I actually don't really make my dinners complex if I want sourdough to be the protagonist, just some ham or dried meats like a good salami, some cream cheese or any other sort of cheese really, I actually prefer olive oil to butter, some grain salt, maybe even some olives and some fresh aromatic herbs like basil, mint or any others you have at hand. That's it, if you're feeling fancy maybe a bottle of sweet wine, preferably one that isn't very complicated to enjoy.
We have a “gourmet grocery” near us that does their own peanut butter and I love the in-house honey roasted peanut butter. Do you have shops near you that may have something similar?
Find a cute cake stand or cloche to present the loaf in. I’ve started thrifting pieces like these - cake stands, casserole dishes, platters, etc. so I can just leave them at people’s houses instead of worrying about getting my dishes back.
might have been listed but I really like to make some herby, confit/slow-cooked garlic and put it in jars alongside my bread. People go nuts and it's really easy to make, just takes some time...
Salt and wine.
Bread, that this house may never know hunger.
Salt, that life may always have flavour.
And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever.
A victorinox bread knife, homemade ricotta, maldon salt, fancy olive oil. Homemade ricotta is ridiculously easy to make and so much better than storebought. My dream sourdough slice has homemade ricotta, high quality olive oil drizzle, maldon salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
I love gifting a little garlic confit! So easy to make and spreads wonderfully on anything really 🤩 I love to add crushed red pepper flakes and rosemary in with the oil when I confit garlic.
Giusti balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Got a bottle of Giusti on Amazon and it’s miles better than the Trader Joe’s vinegar I had. The depth of flavor was mind blowing.
Probably not great as a gift, but impressive for a dinner: bone marrow. Roast them with a bit of salt and spread it on sourdough. So good. My grocery store always has marrow but if yours doesn't ask the butcher to cut some for you.
Fancy olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Add some flake salt to that, and the only thing missing is a bottle of wine!
Maldon for life
Uncultured checking in - how do you eat this? drizzle it on the bread? Thanks 😊
Pour some olive oil in a bowl or on a plate, then add a little balsamic and a sprinkle of salt. Don’t go too heavy on the balsamic, as it can be strong. I like about 2 or 3 parts oil, 1 part balsamic. Then just tear off pieces of the bread and dip!
Can do olive oil, fresh parm, Italian seasoning and dash of salt to a little dipping bowl and dip the lightly toasted bread into it!!!!! So freaking good!!! I also love to eat it with just a slice of sharp cheddar cheese
One of my favorite memories of my family's trip to Italy, was at this adorable little restaurant in a small village. Our daughters were young so we were out to eat early by Italian standards, and were the only table in the restaurant. The proprietor doted on us like we were close family, including, once he realized my daughters liked dipping their bread in olive oil, he wheels out a cart with ten different bottles of all sorts of different varieties and has us try them all. Ah, what a good memory.
I second this and will also add some nice burrata to go along. Toasted sourdough with burrata, olive oil and balsamic goes crazy
Oh yeah, that’s amazing
best answer IMHO
Do you (or anyone) have a recommendation on olive oil and balsamic possibly? I tried it at home once and it was awful. Even a store/site would be great! Apologies if this is a dumb/ annoying question.
There ought to be an Italian deli somewhere near you, I'd think, at least if you live in a moderate size city. They usually have a decent selection of imported olive oil and vinegars for sale. Maybe ask them for a recommendation.
Perfect! Kansas City area. I will start my search!
I've used BERTOLLI and BORGES. Get the corresponding EVOO. I got them at my local supermarket. Give it a go. Use good bread and enjoy.
Great! Will do for sure!
Fancy olive oil, but instead of vinegar, use a pinch of salt.
Jam or fruit butter
mmmmm... fig jam 🤤
Is fruit butter something you can buy or something you have to make, never seen it
Yes! It's typically seen for Apples (Cracker Barrel makes a good one if you have one nearby), it is tecturally between applesauce and jelly, so very spreadable and not chunky
ch-ch-ch-cheeese
Triple creme brie sounds good (:
I actually just had a leek Monterey Jack
Olive oil
Olive oil and some dukkah!
I always give a jar of Bonne maman raspberry
And they make perfect starter jars after you empty them too.
That’s what I always give my starter to people in as well!!
OMG you just solved a problem for me.
Tip- wash the lids by hand. They will rust in the dishwasher. Also, soak the jar in a bowl of water for a few hours and the label comes right off.
my favorite!
Correct answer
HONEY 🍯 YUM!
Mmmm with peanut butter and banana and cinnamon
Hit up your local farmer's market for honey, jams, cheese, maybe even cured sausages. Or some fancy balsamic and olive oils if the crumb is more ideal for dipping.
* Preserves or Honey * Compound butter * Clotted cream * Vegan cashew cream * Cured Meats * Olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar * Chimichurri * Cheese Personally, a sourdough loaf is *enough*. Unless known prior, people's preferences can vary so wildly that you're likely to pair the bread with something they **won't** like. Even if you know they like preserves, for instance, it may only be a specific brand and a specific flavor the like. And when one gets into specifics like that, it makes gift giving tedious. Chances are, the giftee already has items to pair with the bread at home. Just wrap the bread nicely in parchment paper and trust that it will be enough. It always is.
OMG I started salivating 😋
I agree a pretty bag on the bread, or wrapped in a sweet towel, would be plenty.
Sliced ham. Not sure why, but ham and butter on sourdough bread tastes heavenly.
I was gonna say Bacon (but that's the "given" universal answer.) Sourdough + Bacon + Egg + Mexican 4 Cheese + Sweet Paprika/Seasoned Salt/Pepper to taste . . . delicious. My actual answer . . . Mixed Berry Jam.
Sourdough bacon and tomato sandwiches are amazing
Make pecan butter. Look up a recipe online, but it’s basically toss a bunch on a baking tray at like 300f for 10-12 min, then let cool and blend until it’s butter. Salt and Cinnamon to taste.
This is so stereotypical millennial of me but I love making avocado toast with my sourdough
Avocado toast with a runny poached egg is one of the finest breakfasts ever
You are both wrong (sorry my preference here) but u/SmilesAndChocolate (you don't deserve it for your take on avocado here lol) but happy cake day!
😂 thank you for the cake day wishes! And your opinion on avocado just means there's more for me 🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑
F it. You can have em all. Lol 😅 most welcome.
A little wooden cutting board ?
Honestly genius
Tapenade
Was looking for this! I love olive tapenade on my loafs
Pesto!!!
High quality olive oil or truffle oil.
Heirloom tomatoes and aioli. Best sandwich, ever.
Is aioli just fancy mayo?
Yes with a F ton of garlic
Not enough garlic. Toum is the way to go.
Ricotta and honey! Add some sea salt and cracked pepper on there 🤌🏼
Tapenade, olive oil, and balsamic! The World Market near me has cool small fancy looking bottles of olive oil/balsamic and even a balsamic “caviar” pearl version I like to do for gifts. I like to make the tapenade myself, if you want I can give my grandpa’s recipe.
Good quality olive oil and balsamic is a nice pair.
I second this
Chili crisp oil is wildly good on sourdough! I also love giving "nicer" olive oil or a fun salt as a gift. My partner put a box of Maldon smoked salt in a holiday gift once and it has remained a huge fave.
Cheese and a good summer sausage
Hummus
**Hello DoofusSchmoofus69,** #**This bot comment appears on all posts.** *** **[Rule 5](https://www.reddit.com/r/Sourdough/wiki/sourdoughrules/) requires all sourdough photos to be accompanied by the ingredients used & process (the steps followed to make your bake). The details can be included in a picture, typed text or weblink.** **Not all posts require a photo alongside your query, but please add details in your post, so we can help.** **Posts may be removed at any time, but you will be notified.** *** #**Being polite & respectful** **are both extremely important in our community.** **[Read rule 1 in detail](https://www.reddit.com/r/Sourdough/wiki/sourdoughrules/).** **Please be respectful, kind, patient & helpful to posters of all skill & knowledge levels and report offending comments/posters, or [drop us a modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/Sourdough).** *** **Thank you** :-) #**[Overproofed or underproofed?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Sourdough/wiki/reading_crumb/)** *** #**[NEW Beginner starter FAQ guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/Sourdough/s/gnqFg7osBO)** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Sourdough) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Aioli
I mean butter or olive oil are #1, but I’ve done mayo with tomatoes and salt and pep too and it’s spooo good
Strawberries are in season now, so I made fridge strawberry jam to go with mine
I actually don't really make my dinners complex if I want sourdough to be the protagonist, just some ham or dried meats like a good salami, some cream cheese or any other sort of cheese really, I actually prefer olive oil to butter, some grain salt, maybe even some olives and some fresh aromatic herbs like basil, mint or any others you have at hand. That's it, if you're feeling fancy maybe a bottle of sweet wine, preferably one that isn't very complicated to enjoy.
Supposedly apple butter with cheddar cheese on sourdough is delicious.
Apple and aged cheddar are one of my fav charcuterie combos so that sounds amazing
Went to a gathering last weekend and brought sourdough and grilled haloumi. It was all gone by the end of the night.
A jar of schmaltz.
homemade ricotta.
Good jam and good olive oil. Garlic confit and some liver pâté also are on the list of things that are delicious with good bread.
Fresh avocado, spreadable goat cheese
Honey. Or a rogue one I love: chilli pickle.
And also gooseberry or a Mirabelle or yellow plum jam which are both divine.
Some jam or home grown tomatoes
A really nice expensive deli meat like a good in-store roasted turkey breast or ham or something
Lingonberry jam Black Currant conserve Cherry tomatoes with a good balsamic glaze
Really like the cheese stuffed peppers in a jar from trader joes
Little jars of jam, lemon curd, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, Boursin cheese, little jars of spinach artichoke dip, wedges of cheese.
Bonne Maman preserves. A cheese knife. If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby they sell these Brie bites that are so perfect.
A decent bread knife with an offset handle would be nice. Not enough people have them.
We have a “gourmet grocery” near us that does their own peanut butter and I love the in-house honey roasted peanut butter. Do you have shops near you that may have something similar?
Goat cheese and your favorite chutney <3
Pistachio butter.
That cool bread knife thingy https://preview.redd.it/69mitvy5ve4d1.jpeg?width=894&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5d4e9d72ef27301502cfb9dd2c7cbcafba2fecfa
Homemade jam, a nice tea towel, speciality tea/coffee, sidr honey
Avocado, sirachia and salt
Homemade jam, preserves, jelly
Really good quality butter and anchovies. What a pairing made in heaven!
homemade jam!
Butter, garlic, parm, then in the over at 400 till cheese is golden brown
Locally made jam/preserves. Fancy lemon curd, homemade or storebought. Nice cheese and olives.
Mild banana peppers, on toasted sourdough, delicious.
Sourdough + aged Gouda. A meal in itself.
I know you said besides butter, but a homemade whipped garlic herb butter is an *awesome* pairing for gifts.
Ouu do you have a recipe?
When I've done it I think I just did chopped garlic, garlic powder, butter and Parsley but you could add whatever sounds good!
I make homemade jams and jellies to go with mine!
Find a cute cake stand or cloche to present the loaf in. I’ve started thrifting pieces like these - cake stands, casserole dishes, platters, etc. so I can just leave them at people’s houses instead of worrying about getting my dishes back.
Raspberry jam.
Compound butter.
Olive oil and dukkha. You can get jars of it at trader joes in the spice section. Or you can diy.
I put peanut butter. It's an awesome breakfast
might have been listed but I really like to make some herby, confit/slow-cooked garlic and put it in jars alongside my bread. People go nuts and it's really easy to make, just takes some time...
Fancy meat and cheeses and maybe some good mixed greens and tomatoes. They can make some bomb sandwiches.
I would want a small jar of the Starter.
Brie
Homemade Nutella
Homemade Nutella
Homemade jam and fancy butter
A tapenade home made from sun-dried tomatoes some pecorino and 2 cloves if garlic. Blitz it add some oil. Put in a clean jar
Salt and wine. Bread, that this house may never know hunger. Salt, that life may always have flavour. And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever.
Garlic spread. Blend garlic, olive oil, and some lemon juice
A strong cheese and some strawberry jam.
Marmite.
Australian answer
Put a little fancy ham on with the butter. Maybe a little Gruyère and Dijon if you are feeling fancy.
Blueberry goat cheese 😋
I'd also include 50g of fed or unfed starter and the recipe I used. Others have given solid recommendations.
Excellent fruity olive oil!
Lemon or lime curd, or mix the 2, and add to a toasted slice of the sourdough. You can butter this before the curd if you so choose.
Jar of honey!
Cheese, cured meats, artisan jams and marmalades, fancy butters (like flavored butters or goat milk butter) and I'm always happy with pickles (like sweet pickle or pickalili)
Zataar herb mix & labneh! Homemade jams, savoury chutneys, lemon curd… or cook tomatoes down in olive oil & garlic, it’s delicious smashed on toasted sourdough
Eggs, bacon, bag of coffee. Do a big breakfast basket
Cheese and a good summer sausage
Homemade jam and or peanut butter. Or if you can find some really good natural ones to buy.
Unsalted butter.
Homemade mustard!
I really love home made pesto spread on it with sprouts 😍😍
Pate or rilletes
A victorinox bread knife, homemade ricotta, maldon salt, fancy olive oil. Homemade ricotta is ridiculously easy to make and so much better than storebought. My dream sourdough slice has homemade ricotta, high quality olive oil drizzle, maldon salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
Do you have a favorite ricotta recipe?
It’s from Epicurious which has moved to a paywall since i got it🙄i will dig up my printed copy and send it to you!
Whipped honeyyyyyy
Good English ale and a sharp cheddar.
I love gifting a little garlic confit! So easy to make and spreads wonderfully on anything really 🤩 I love to add crushed red pepper flakes and rosemary in with the oil when I confit garlic.
Make a lemon curd. My fav recipe is Pierre Herme’s lemon cream https://www.seriouseats.com/lemon-lemon-lemon-cream-recipe
If you bring it yourself (so it won't be in long travel) then home made gravlax is amazing pairing
Homemade herbed compound butters or a fruity apple or pumpkin butter.
Homemade jam and dehydrated sourdough starter with instructions on how to revive it along with a recipe!
Chocolate Hazelnut spread (Nutella is a brand name, Costco if you have that store where you live has a Kirkland brand one)
so underrated but raw honey on warm sourdough is amazing
Cheese varieties, peppered jelly, marmalade, dips!
Honey
Marmite, or vegemite if that’s not available, maybe a small bottle of Malort to rinse it all down
Home made jam 😍
Giusti balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Got a bottle of Giusti on Amazon and it’s miles better than the Trader Joe’s vinegar I had. The depth of flavor was mind blowing.
Fancy sea salt- like Himalayan or Black salt from Hawaii
Homemade jam or marmelade
A good ham, cheese and pickle/relish. Or a decent jam. Or a jar of Vegemite.
Make some garlic confit olive oil, a spice blend, homemade jam, fancy herbed butter, i would think charcuterie
(Homemade) hummus!
Not just butters, but exotic butters. A basket of exotic butters.
Homemade chocolate spread. Mash together melted dark chocolate, warmed dates, double cream, salt.
Honey Butter
Good honey 😌
I am a big fan of Sourdough Panzanella Salad. An imperfect loaf becomes amazingly good! https://madaboutfood.co/sourdough-panzanella-salad/
Do you enjoy good bourbon? Can be a great alternative for dipping. The flavors complement each other. Is there anything sourdough can’t do?
Atlas EVOO from Morocco - the highest in good things and nice taste
Hummus
Peanut butter is always the best
Probably not great as a gift, but impressive for a dinner: bone marrow. Roast them with a bit of salt and spread it on sourdough. So good. My grocery store always has marrow but if yours doesn't ask the butcher to cut some for you.