ISO UNIQUE Christmas food gifts ...

[Chocolate Rose]

I always make some kind of food gift as part of our gift giving but I am out of ideas this year and nothing is popping up. I've searched and searched and come up empty.
I've made biscotti, candies, cookies, chocolate spoons, breads, mixes, cookbooks, liquers, vanilla, jams, pastas, sauces, neck warmers (rice bags), etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

Most of the people that we exchange gifts with have healthified their diets so I don't want something that is too junky.

Is there anything out there that might work?? I'm planning on making these Santas (I tried attaching a pic) and would really like something to go with them.

[gertdog]

A few things come to mind, though you may have already done some of them...

Granola
A homemade herb or spice blend
Homemade crackers with some brandied cheese
Cranberry or other fruit chutney
Homemade oven-dried tomatoes with a few recipes for using them
Mixed spiced nuts
Handmade mesh bags of mulling spices for wine or cider
???

[RebeccaT]

I don't know how unique these are, but they are certainly easy and were very well received when I sent them out as gifts last year.

Gourmet Pecans

[hAndyman]

How about some homemade dukkah (a middle eastern nut and spice mix) and a small bottle of a really flavourful extra virgin olive oil. Dukkah has been one of my most flavourful finds of the past year or two, and any who have tried it love it. This is one thing I plan on giving out this year, with or without a crusty loaf of bread or some thick homemade pita. Here's one recipe I've made; there are many other versions around.

Forum Home Page: Gail's Recipe Swap From: Sylvia of Ottawa

Dukkah ....an interesting and tasty appetizer. (Egyptian Nut Mix)

150g hazelnuts (shelled)
150g almonds
50g sesame seeds
50g coriander seeds
50g cumin powder
1 tsp sea salt
50g sweet paprika
20g turmeric

Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F), then put nuts in oven and toast spices with the sesame seeds for 10 minutes.
When cold, put all ingredients into a mortar or food processor and grind until the mixture is crumbly. (Pause between pulses to prevent overheating and therefore oiling up the mixture).
Store in a jar.
To serve: Provide slices of crusty bread, a bowl of extra virgin olive oil and a bowl of dukkah. The bread is dipped into the oil and then into dukkah and enjoyed.

Andy's note: This recipe makes nearly 4 cups of dukkah, a rather large amount, so be advised. You can use ground nuts; be sure they are fresh; toast them a little before mixing.

Cheers! Andy

[Beth]

Flavored oils or vinegars -- I really love fruit vinegars for salad dressings, and I made my first ones with pulp left pver from some seedless jam.

[summer02]

I haven't decided on recipes yet, but this year we're giving popcorn, a gift certificate for movie rentals, and a jar of homemade popcorn seasoning.
These are some recipes that I'm considering - I still have to do a taste test and figure out the volume of the little jars.

Italian popcorn seasoning
1 Tb cayenne pepper
1 Tb paprika
1 Tb chili pepper
2 tsp garlic powder

Chili mole seasoning
1 Tbl Chili powder
1 Tsp Unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tsp Vegetable seasoning
1 Tsp Salt, optional
1/4 Tsp black pepper

Barbecued popcorn seasoning
2 tsp dried parsley flakes
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tspoon Hickory smoked salt
1/2 tspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Chocolate popcorn seasoning
1/2 cup Non-Fat Dry Milk
1/8 cup Confectioner's Sugar
1/8 cup Chocolate Mix for Milk (Nestle Quick)
1/8 cup Non-Dairy Powdered Creamer

[Missi]

Several ideas I am doing this year:

---Homemade pancake mix, scone mix, cinnamon rum syrup, strawberry syrup

---jarred anitpasto mix, homemade pasta, pasta sauce, Italian herb mix

---homemade mustard and homemde pretzels


Also, last year there was a post about homemade cinnamon rolls in a disposable baking pan. You might want to look that up in the search if you weren't around last Christmas.

[Beth]

I want to try the mustards this year too.

As for popcorn, cinnamon sugar is good with popcorn -- in case you want to do a salty and a sweet.

[aec1978]

Missi,

Can you post (or tell me where to find) some scone and pancake mix recipes?

[Chocolate Rose]

Thanks, Everyone!! You all have some wonderful ideas!!

My dilemma is that I've done some version of all of them (except Andy's and I'm going to taste test it soon). So, maybe there just isn't anything new and it's time to start repeating? I don't want to but...

[lorilei]

HAVE you made candied orange/lemon/lime peel? That always makes an interesting gift... and could be supplemented (I'd imagine) with a wide range of interesting things.


ABsolutely not meaning to hijack your thread -- but I have to ask.

To whom do you give this sort of gifts? Friends? Coworkers? Family?

We always give family members (each family) a gift of homeade chocolate covered cherries for Christmas -- but we supplement that with other gifts for each individual.

[Chocolate Rose]

Lorelei, these gifts go to all family and friends. It usually ends up being about 25 gifts.

Many years ago when my dh was unemployed (and my income couldn't support us and also allow us to do Christmas) I told everyone that we didn't want anyone to buy us gifts. I also stopped buying gifts and started making them. (I usually still buy gifts for non-adult nieces and nephews. My dh is 12 years older than I am so all of his nephews and nieces are adults - they fall into the "homemade" category.) Anyway, I put together a package for each couple or each single person that we give gifts to. Last year it was volume 3 of our Family Cookbook, biscotti, and a homemade ornament that my dd made.

This year, like I said, I am making Santas as the main part of the gift but would like some small homemade food-type item to give with it. I'd like it to be something that would actually get eaten or used rather than something obscure. But, I just haven't found that "thing" yet.

[wyopatti]

I have a friend who swears by Gooseberry Patch. She does the 12 days of Christmas for her three children and six grandchildren. This is the second year of that. (She's a real overachiever!) I know Gooseberry puts out a book called Gifts for Giving. They also have all kind of Christmas books. I know some of them are listed on Ebay. She gets almost all of her ideas from her Gooseberry Patch books. If you have access to any store that sells Gooseberry you might check them out. I know there's a bulletin board on www.gooseberrypatch.com and you might check it out for any ideas. My friend gave us hot cocoa mix last year with chocolate spoons and a small bottle of Frangelico. It was yummy and I know the recipe for the hot cocoa came from Gooseberry. I know you've already done that, but just to let you know that Gooseberry's recipes are good. Her kids and grandkids loved everything she did for the 12 days of Christmas last year and are looking forward to this year. I know one of her ideas is a potpourri pie.

Good luck!

[Missi]

Originally posted by aec1978
Missi,

Can you post (or tell me where to find) some scone and pancake mix recipes?

Here are what I am doing:
HOLIDAY SCONE MIX IN A JAR

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup oats (quick or old fashioned)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add oats, pecans and chocolate chips; mix well. Transfer to resealable plastic bag, unbreakable decorative jar with lid or other airtight container. Store in cool dry place.

VARIATION: Omit chocolate chips; add 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/2 teaspoon dried orange peel to mix.

Instructions to attach to jar or bag:

Holiday Scones
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold butter or
margarine, cut into 8 pieces
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup milk
1 large egg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat cookie sheet with no-stick cooking spray.

Place scone mix in a large bowl. Cut in butter with two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

In a small bowl, beat together honey, milk and egg with wire whisk or fork. Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir with fork just until dough starts to hold together. Transfer dough to floured surface; knead gently 8 to 10 times. Pat dough into an 8-inch circle. Cut into 8 wedges. Place wedges about 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown.

Serve warm. Makes 8 scones.

PANCAKE MIX IN A BAG

2 cups all-purpose flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Include decorative tag that says:

Combine contents of jar with:

2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups milk

Pour pancake mix into a large bowl. Add eggs, oil and milk. Stir until well combined. Allow to sit in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.

These pancakes may be frozen after frying. Store each pancake separately in plastic wrap and place in a large freezer-safe zip-type bag. Reheat in microwave oven.

[Chocolate Rose]

wyopatti,
Oh No, another website to swallow up all of my time!!
Oh well,...
Thanks for the suggestion!! I'm heading over to see what I can find!!
Thank you!!!

[tamawrite]

Missi,

How do you make cinnamon rum syrup?

It sounds AWESOME!

TIA!

[JulieM]

How about a selection of chutneys in pretty jars along with recipe suggestions?

[Missi]

Originally posted by tamawrite
Missi,

How do you make cinnamon rum syrup?

It sounds AWESOME!

TIA!

Here's the recipe I am using:
* Exported from MasterCook *

Rum Cinnamon Syrup

Recipe By :Mary Anne Bauer
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Breakfast/Brunch Condiments


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/2 cup water
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup white corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon rum extract

In a small saucepan, place water and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add corn syrup and brown sugar, stirring until dissolved. Bring to a boil again. Remove from heat and stir in rum extract. Serve warm over waffles and pancakes.

This recipe yields about 2 cups.

Because this is a great recipe for gift giving, the following recipe will fill six half-pint jars.

1 1/2 cups water
8 cinnamon sticks
3 cups white corn syrup
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon rum extract

Follow directions above. Strain out cinnamon sticks. Pour syrup into six 1/2-pint sterilized jars.

Description:
"A delicious sauce for ice cream too. Good warm or at room
temperature."
Source:
""What's For Breakfast?""
S(Formatted for MC6):
"04-24-2003 by Joe Comiskey - jcomiskey@krypto.net"
Copyright:
"© Nitty Gritty Productions, 1988"
Yield:
"2 cups"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 344 Calories; 1g Fat (2.0% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 92g Carbohydrate; 15g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 39mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Fat; 4 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.


Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0

[dobo]

The other day, I saw a neat idea for a Christmas gift. Using a basket (might find these at yard sales if you don't already have some), fill it with popcorn, popcorn flavorings, a video or dvd, a bottle of flavored water and maybe some candies.

[wyopatti]

This of course is not a food idea, but have you thought of making wax dipped scented pinecones and put them in a basket. A friend gave me a basket a couple of years ago and I kept them in my den for the whole winter because they smelled so good. At the end of the season, I had a couple of fires and I used them. I'm sure you could find the instructions on Martha's web site, I think I saw it on there once. I've accumulated pinecones this year from our mountain property and am considering the pinecones. Also, I'd check out Martha's web site for ideas. Even if someone doesn't have a fireplace, the smell is wonderful.

[ursula]

I made jars of flavoured vinegar -
I used cider vinegar - which I heated, poured into clean bottles (bought at the dollar store - more like mini jugs) and added a large sprig of sage or thyme or rosemary, along with a couple pealed cloves of garlic. Seal with a cork, and dribble wax over it to seal it properly. Let it 'cure' for a couple of weeks - so you can make it a long time ahead. I made up nice tags for it, including a basic vinaigrette recipe. Pretty presentation, and delicious in salad dressings!

Another option (one I had my kids do when they were really young - they have fun counting out the allspice and the cloves): spice packets for making spiced apple cider: take double squares of cheesecloth, and in the middle place about 4-5 allspice, 1 cinnamon stick broken into pieces, and about 5-6 cloves. Pull the sides up and tie with string. Make a tag for it saying : Heat 1 quart (1 liter) of apple cider. Add bag of cider spice, and simmer for 10 minutes.

You could also make a scone mix - following almost any recipe, but leaving out the wet ingredients - just tell them on the label what to add in. I've done it for blueberry scones, or cranberry/orange ones and it's great! Package it with some home made jam or preserves and it will be treasured!

Ursula

[Beth]

My son likes to give bottles of wassail. We make one that is a non-alcoholic spiced cider with oramge, lemon and pineapple juice. Here's a link to some wassail recipes, including the one we use.

[tamawrite]

Thanks, Missi!!!

[Chocolate Rose]

You guys are still coming up with great ideas!! Thank you!!

wyopatti, I wanted to let you know that I went to the Gooseberry Patch site and am wondering how I missed knowing about these books!! They sound great! I was overwhelmed with the choices so I checked my library and they have some of them. I put a hold on 4 so that I could check them out before I make a decision on what to buy.

Missi and Ursula, I went to the Puyallup Fair yesterday (I've lived in WA my whole life and have never gone before ). I have heard for many many years about the fabulous scones that they sell there and have always wanted to try them. I did. YUM!! So, now I'm considering doing a scone mix. But, one of the ladies selling the scones at the fair said that you just can't reproduce their great scones because they have special ovens. Oh, well..

Julie, I've made some chutneys before and to tell you the truth they weren't worthy of gift giving. Do you have any tried and true recipes?

Missi, your syrup looks great!! Do you have any idea how long it keeps?? I'm assuming that you keep it in the refrigerator?

Thanks for all the additional ideas, everyone!!

[Linda in MO]

I also love to give food gifts. Last year my son's 1st grade teacher was pregnant, so I wanted to give her something healthy. I bought an inexpensive blue ceramic plate and bowl with snowflakes on it and arranged a ton of fresh fruits on the plate. Then I put the plate on a large square of cellophane and gathered the edges and tied with a bunch of curly ribbon. I made Caramel Fruit Dip to go with it and poured it in the matching bowl. I just wrapped it with saran wrap and took it to school in a small cooler. She seemed happy with it.

Here's the dip recipe. I've posted it a million times before.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Creamy Caramel Fruit Dip

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Appetizer/Snack Dessert
Dip

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
8 ounces cream cheese -- SOFTENED (can use light)
1/2 c. light brown sugar -- packed
1/4 c. sugar
1 T. pure vanilla extract
green and red apple slices, banana chunks,
and red grapes

Blend 1st four ingredients in a bowl with a mixer until smooth. Add a splash of milk if you need to thin it. Chill until serving or serve immediately.

Serve with apple slices, banana chunks, and red grapes.


Serving Ideas : If desired, serve with only apple slices. I use red delicious and granny smith or golden delicious apples.

[Linda in MO]

Thought of another one...

* Exported from MasterCook *

Dill Dip Mix

Recipe By :"The Perfect Mix"
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Appetizer/Snack Dip
Mixes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/2 cup dried dillweed
1/2 cup dried minced onion
1/2 cup dried parsley
1/3 cup Spice Islands® Beau Monde seasoning

Combine all ingredients and attach instructions.

Dill Dip:

1 cup mayonnaise or low-fat mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream or low-fat yogurt
3 Tablespoons Dill Dip Mix

In a medium bowl, using wire whisk, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and dill dip mix.

Refrigerate the dip until ready to serve with raw veggies or as a topping for baked potatoes.


You could attach this recipe. I've made the dip and it's great, but I've never tried the pasta salad...

Shrimp and Pasta Salad

1 1/2 cups mayo
3 T. dillweed dip mix
1/4 cup milk
1 lb. rotelle pasta, cooked and drained
2 cups cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
3 green onions, chopped
salt and pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together the mayo, dillweed dip mix, and milk. Add the pasta, shrimp, and chopped vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Chill 4 hours, or overnight.

NOTES : If I just want to make a single batch of dip, I mix:
1 T. dried dillweed
1 T. dried onion
1 T. dried parsley
1/2 T. plus 1/2 t. Beau Monde seasoning
1 cup mayo (can use reg. or light)
1 cup sour cream (can use reg. or light)
(Sometimes I use more sour cream than mayo. I think I've also just used sour cream and no mayo.)

[JulieM]

Originally posted by Chocolate Rose

Julie, I've made some chutneys before and to tell you the truth they weren't worthy of gift giving. Do you have any tried and true recipes?

I've received the store bought variety as gifts myself and enjoyed them, but I've never made chutney. It just seemed like a good idea. Maybe someone else here has some tried and true recipes. Also, if you do a search at marthastewart.com, you'll get a dozen or more yummy sounding chutneys.

[Beth]

Originally posted by Chocolate Rose
But, one of the ladies selling the scones at the fair said that you just can't reproduce their great scones because they have special ovens. Oh, well..

I don't know anything about their special ovens, but you can make great scones in an ordinary oven. The most important thing is not to mmix or handle the dough too much.

Now do you think she'd really say you can make them just as good at home when she wants to sell more of hers???

[wyopatti]

Chocolate Rose - Wanted to let you know I was at Sam's yesterday and they had some of the Christmas Gooseberry Patch books (paperbacks) for $12.98. I think the regular price as they had marked them was around $17.98. They are lots of fun. You'll definitely want to look before buying. Hope you enjoy.

[Missi]

Originally posted by Chocolate Rose
Missi, your syrup looks great!! Do you have any idea how long it keeps?? I'm assuming that you keep it in the refrigerator?

Well, I haven't actually made this yet, but was considering canning it. That way it will keep longer and not have to be refrigerated until opening. I was going to add a little bit of lemon juice to up the acidity for canning. Even if this wasn't canned, I think it will keep for quite a while in the fridge.