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PAGE 18 - PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31.11 When you are still paying for it in July. Join McHenry State Bank's 1980 Christmas Club NOW! Here's How It Grows 50° $100 $200 $3°o $500 $1Q00 $2Q00 Each Week for Club Term Pays Each Week for Club Term Pays Each Week for Club Term Pays Each Week for Club Term Pays Each Week for Club Term Pays Each Week for Club Term Pays Each Week for Club Term Pays *25 *50 *100 *150 250 *500 *1000 $ Plus Interest Plus Interest Plus Interest Plus Interest Plus Interest Plus Interest Plus Interest McHenry State Bank 3510 W. Elm Street Crystal Lake Rd. at Lillian St. Richmond Rd. at Pearl Street McHenry 385-1040 GOURMET GIFTS Creative cookware enhances pleasure Cooking for pleasure as well as good eating has be­ come a favorite bobby of many Americans. What better gift for the gourmets on your Christinas list than an unusual mind- boggling array of items in the housewares department Here's a rundown on the out- of-the-ordinary items that any cook would covet For the seasoned pro, a sassy little saucepan with a double pouring lip for mak­ ing sauces and melting but­ ter would be very welcome. Then there is a souffle dish that can be taken right out of the oven and placed in its own attractive holder that would delight any proud cook. Also guaranteed to please is a large, heavy-gauge alu­ minum au gratin pan that can be used in the oven or top-of-the-range for prepar­ ing elegant party dishes from a frittata to filet mi- gnon. And most anyone would appreciate a good omelet pan, the utensil that elevates egg cookery to a fine art. A present that will appeal to the singles on your list as well as calorie counters is a small-sized "portion con­ trol" pot or pan that can be used for steaming, poaching or sauteing. All of these items can now be found with non-stick sur­ faces that are a cinch to clean, making them doubly welcome. Small electric appliances make marvelous Christmas gifts, too. Versatile, compact and portable they can be used to cook meals right at the table. A 9-inch square electric skillet for instance, with snap-off handle that slips right into the pan for simpli­ fied storage would make a much-appreciated stocking stuffer for college students, lone cooks and those with vacation homes. This handy little pan that braises, sautes, bakes and even pops popcorn can be a cook's best friend. Plus, it's small enough to stash just about anywhere. A combination fry pan- slow cooker is a fantastic find for working couples. They can pop a pot roast into the ceramic vessel that converts the appliance into a slow cooker before leaving for work and a nourishing meal will be waiting at the end of the day. Another great gift is an electric griddle, either pint- sized for making bacon and eggs for two or a large model that can cook up the fixings for an entire brunch to serve eight or 10. These appliances also turn out a beauty of a burger or grilled cheese sandwich. Friends who entertain often will enjoy an electric fondue pot -- the perfect utensil for convivial dipping into creamy cheese or rich chocolate. Some even come with a sensor button that measures the heat of the fon­ due for better cooking con­ trol -- a real boon for the busy host or hostess. Add a corkscrew that pulls out even the most can­ tankerous cork clean as a whistle, thanks to a "worm" with a nonstick surface, will delight occasional drinkers and wine connoisseurs alike. What to give the cook who has everything? How about an electric kabob maker? Besides making shish ka- bobs, it will also produce all kinds of delicacies for hors d'oeuvres, main dishes and desserts. This unique device is a real conversation piece -- a set of skewers rotates around an enclosed heating element and a clear glass cover prevents spattering. It's never easy to please everybody at Christmas­ time, but it's hard to go wrong with a gift of quality cookware. Wrap baked goods carefully before sending through mails Baked goodies are a terrific present for someone miles away from home--a fruitcake or a selection of freshly baked cookie gems. But, since they're to be mailed, there are certain precau­ tions you should take. Firstly, the best cookies for shipping are fairly moist but not fragile (ie, brownies, bar or drop cookies filled with fruit, pfeffernusse). Sticky firostings, nuts and chocolate trims should be avoided. Choose containers that are sturdy, such as tins or cardboard boxes. Wrap baked goods in clear plastic, aluminum foil or waxed paper. Wrap individual­ ly, or in small groups, depend­ ing on fragility. In any case, never wrap to­ gether different kinds of cookies. To pack, put cookies into container by layers, sepa­ rating layers with a piece of cardboard. Containers should be placed into sturdy boxes and padded. Packages should, of course, be tied securely, marked "perish­ able" and mailed as much in advance of Christmas as possi­ ble, to avoid sitting in post of­ fices--remember, the longer it remains in transit, the more likely it is that your baked goods will arrive at their destination stale. CHRISTMAS ON •SnowBlowers • Stereos •Small Household Appliances •Bicycles •Snowmobile Suits •And Much More BUY NOW & BEAT THE CHRISTMAS RUSH! Coast to Goast McHENRY MARKET PLACE 385-6655