Food as Gifts 2009

[rosie29]

Hi Mamas,
I know there's a thread in the craft subforum, about homemade gifts, but I thought I'd start one here about gifts that specifically are food.

Last year I made and gifted vanilla extract and it was a huge hit. I'm still trying to figure out what to do this year. I love giving consumables at the holidays.

[velochic]

I always enjoy these threads.

I have a very large jar of sundried tomatoes (from costco) that I am going to use to make a sundried tomato bread dipping sauce. I cook with wine occasionally, so I buy these little 4-packs of wine with the cute little bottles. I've cleaned and sterilized the bottles and will use those to give the dipping sauce. It will have to be refrigerated, so I'll have to make it not long before assembling gifts.

I have a friend who is going to finally give up her toffee recipe and I'll give that a whirl.

And always the biggest hit... I make baklava. The recipe is how my MIL, passed on now, made it and it has been passed on to me from my dh's sister, who rarely makes it (because she still lives in Turkey and you can buy excellent baklava on any street corner) but has coached me through it. It is different than the way the Greeks make it because it has no honey in it.

I'm looking for other ideas, though, so will watch this thread carefully.

[lil_earthmomma]

Originally Posted by velochic

I always enjoy these threads.

I have a very large jar of sundried tomatoes (from costco) that I am going to use to make a sundried tomato bread dipping sauce. I cook with wine occasionally, so I buy these little 4-packs of wine with the cute little bottles. I've cleaned and sterilized the bottles and will use those to give the dipping sauce. It will have to be refrigerated, so I'll have to make it not long before assembling gifts.

I have a friend who is going to finally give up her toffee recipe and I'll give that a whirl.

And always the biggest hit... I make baklava. The recipe is how my MIL, passed on now, made it and it has been passed on to me from my dh's sister, who rarely makes it (because she still lives in Turkey and you can buy excellent baklava on any street corner) but has coached me through it. It is different than the way the Greeks make it because it has no honey in it.

I'm looking for other ideas, though, so will watch this thread carefully.

Let's share recipes!!! I would love the sundried tomato recipe please!

I was going to make truffles, but on the frugality thread it was brought to my attention that some people really aren't thrilled with sweets as gifts... and then a friend of mine asked all of us to NOT give her any cookies/treats this year, as she's really trying to lose weight!

So...

I'm thinking of doing some nice vinegrettes. So far I'm thinking a pomegranete one and a citrus one, with little tags suggesting that they are more than salad dressing, they could be used to marinade with, to glaze etc.

Once I test them I will share my final recipe!

[KristyDi]

I can jams and find they make good gifts. This year I'm giving Autumn Pear Cranberry Jam and Apple Preserves.

A friend and I are going to be experimenting with Limonchello this week and may give that as well.

[LauraLoo]

I've made homemade salsa with homemade tortilla chips in the past.
I've also made jams and pear and apple butters with a loaf of homemade bread.
Little jars of cocoa mix with homemade marshmallows.
Chocolate covered and decorated pretzel rods.

Contemplating this year making flatbread crackers with a horseradish cheese spread. But would really like to find an idea that I can make and keep for a bit - some of mine have needed to be kept chilled or need to be given away quickly.

The Limonchello recipe looks interesting -- do you just drink that straight?

Also would love the sundried tomato bread dipping sauce recipe, please!

[skybluepink02]

I'm making my husband's family their favorite candies. Their grandmother taught me a few years before she passed away this last december. It's not going to be the same, but I thought it would be nice to have their favorites on hand.

I'm going to make peanut butter balls, turtles, fudge, and (though not a candy) cheese crackers. I'm also making photo ornaments of the twins to give with them. I think it will be a very frugal holiday, since we're broke as anything.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I'm doing mini loaves of bread....cinnamon raisin, banana pumpkin, herb, etc.

[mumkimum]

I think I'm going to do biscotti for some this year for sure- I have one recipe for Chinese 5 spice biscotti I like a lot, and another I do for more varied mix-ins. Also found the best granola recipe recently, though I haven't been sure if anyone would really be into that (other than dh - ha! He's been eating through it since I've been making it for us).

I've been scouring spiced nut recipes too, but have yet to make any kind of decision on them (found a tasty sounding chocolate and sugared almond one, as well as a variety of spiced mixes).

Anyone do herbed/spiced sugars? I'm considering doing some lavender and pineapple-sage (since they're still going well outside) but I'm not real sure how used they'd be. Maybe in small amounts though. . .

[cristeen]

Usually I do jams and/or liqueurs. This year I've been using the dehydrator a lot, so I'll be giving away some dried fruit, too. Possibly some nuts.

I've also been thinking about mixing up a spice packet of my "famous chili" and giving that with instructions.

In the past I've also mixed up spiced/flavored hot cocoa mixes, made candies/chocolates, or baked, but this year I don't have the time for that, with a newborn.

[DeerMother]

For the "men in my life who I love but hate shopping for", I am knitting some oven mitts. With this I plan on putting BBQ rubs or sauces. I'd like to make my own blend of spices, we'll see if that happens. The only fresh herb I have left is thyme, but I have a beaucoup of that, so I was also thinking of doing a garlic and thyme vinegar. I'm not positive they would know how to use it, but it would be pretty (and oh so frugal)!

[NullSet]

Great ideas everyone, thank you! I wanted to give some peach jam that I canned this summer but I'm looking at my pile and wanting to eat it myself, lol. I should have made a double batch. I'd like to make something just not sure what yet.

[sweetjasmine]

Originally Posted by LauraLoo

But would really like to find an idea that I can make and keep for a bit - some of mine have needed to be kept chilled or need to be given away quickly.

I would like, too, also. I'd actually like to do more gifting of homemade foods but I'm not very creative or crafty in that way. Or in most ways. All I've done in the past is your standard pumpkin loaf and then I also have a spiced pecan recipe.

Originally Posted by Evie's Mama

I'm doing mini loaves of bread....cinnamon raisin, banana pumpkin, herb, etc.

Banana pumpkin sounds interesting! I just asked dh if it sounded good to him and he said "heck yeah!" I'll have to google a recipe.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I put the recipe on my blog a few posts ago.

www.thebehrensfamily.blogspot.com

[sweetjasmine]

Originally Posted by Evie's Mama

I put the recipe on my blog a few posts ago.

www.thebehrensfamily.blogspot.com

Oh, thank you so much! And your baby is just adorable!!

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by LauraLoo

The Limonchello recipe looks interesting -- do you just drink that straight?

You can drink it straight or add it to seltzer for a fizzy lemonade or add it to tea rather than lemon. I've also seen people suggest using it as a dessert sauce for ice cream or pound cake.

[puffingirl]

Last year I did homemade granola, spiced nuts and herb mixes for dip. Have previously done chai tea sets (cellophane bag with good black loose tea and small containers of my own roasted/ground/blended garam masala and cardamom, with directions on a tag). One year a friend and I made our own mustards for everyone and that was a hit. Not sure about this year yet. Need to get on it!

[CrunchyChristianMama]

Originally Posted by sweetjasmine

Oh, thank you so much! And your baby is just adorable!!

Thanks. We think so too.

[robugmum]

[LauraLoo]

Originally Posted by KristyDi

You can drink it straight or add it to seltzer for a fizzy lemonade or add it to tea rather than lemon. I've also seen people suggest using it as a dessert sauce for ice cream or pound cake.

Now this sounds like a gift that I would make and forget to give to friends...
Yum!

[BetsyS]

I save bottles all year to make pepper vinegar for people. Yum.

I also make cheese straws.