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I like to do a mix of sweet and savory items. This year will be a jar of pepper jelly, cheese straws, fudge, spiced nuts, cranberry gel candies, biscotti, white chocolate & peanut butter cookies, and hot cocoa spoons. I may come up with a couple other items as well. I think everyone enjoys something delicious that they wouldn't normally make for themselves.
melsdiner, WELCOME! hope to see you often on TOH. everyones gifts sound so thoughtful.....happy holidays!
Cali
To Misannies and gagakk, here is the Southwestern Dip Mix recipe. I used Paula Dean's recipe and made some changes to it. I hope you enjoy it!
Southwestern Dip Mix:
1/2 cup dried parsley flakes
1/3 cup dried minced onion
1/3 cup chili powder
1/4 cup dried chives
1/4 cup dried cilantro
1/4 cup ground cumin
1/8 cup garlic powder
2 Tablespoons cayenne pepper
In a large bowl or zip-loc bag, mix all ingredients. Makes approximately 2 cups for a total of 10-11 batches of dip.
This recipe does have a little "kick" to it so you might want to reduce the amount of cayenne pepper at first and can always add more to your liking.
To give as gifts, I put the mix in small cellphane bags and attach the dip directions by ribbon. I find the small cellophane bags found in the candy section of the craft store hold 3 Tablespoons and the larger bag holds 6 Tablespoons so I do mark on the directions if there is enough for 1 or two batches. You could even put this in small baby food jars. I have even reused the small jam/jelly jars that come in food gift packages.
I usually triple or quadruple the recipe and while I am filling the bags, I stir the bowl or shake the bag frequently to ensure I am getting a good blend of the seasonings
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Dip Directions:
In a medium bowl, mix together:
3 Tablespoons of Southwestern Dip Mix
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
Stir together until smooth, Refrigerate at least 2 hours for flavors to blend. Serve with chips or fresh veggies. Also great on hamburgers!
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Last year my daughters and I made over 800 cookies to give for gifts. We made about 30 different kinds. I don't think we will get that many done this year. I will have extra people at the house before christmas. So the time to make them will be more limited. My daughters look forward to it every year.
Have a wonderful day. Charlotte
Love all the great ideas and plan on making the SW Dip - thanks for posting it! I would love to get a food gift from someone I know. Vegetable soup sounds yummy - especially after a long day of work when I am tired - homemade bread and cookies too! A complete meal!
My Girl
what types are most popular of candy to try? How do you do your scrapebook for receipes?
choclets
yesterday at K-mart we saw Valentine gift baskets, some for kids and some for adults, Does anyone make up special gift bags or baskets for Valentines day?
I"m thinking of making up chocolate candy sucker boquets.
Easy Moist Chocolate Mud Cake Recipe Ingredients1 & 3/4 cups plain flour3/4 cup cocoa powder1 cup caster sugar1 tsp baking powder2 tsp baking soda1 tsp salt2 eggs, lightly beaten1/2 cup vegetable oil1 cup sour milk (1 cup whole milk with 1 tsp white vinegar added) or buttermilk1 cup coffee (long black strength)1 tsp vanilla extractRecipe MethodSift flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add eggs, coffee, milk, oil and vanilla and beat for 2 minutes with a hand mixer on medium speed until well combined (the mixture will be quite runny).Pour into a greased and floured 24 cm x 24 cm square or 24cm round cake tin and bake in a 180°C oven for approximately 35-40 minutes (when testing the cake, a cake skewer should come out clean, but the cake should still be moist).Alternatively pour the mixture into 24 lined muffin cases (you can buy some really pretty silver foil cases) and bake in a 180°C oven for approximately 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cake rack and allow to cool completely before icing.If you want a flat cake top for icing, simply cut off the top of the cake where any section has risen unevenly to level it, and then turn over. Ice the bottom of the cake with the chocolate ganache.Chocolate Ganache Icing Recipe Ingredients150g dark chocolate (I use 100g Lindt 70% dark chocolate combined with 50g Lindt milk chocolate)100ml creamIcing Recipe MethodChop the chocolate into small pieces and place in a small heatproof bowl. Bring the cream to scalding point (just under boiling) in a small saucepan (you could also do this in the microwave).Pour the cream over the chocolate and then stir thoroughly for a few minutes until the chocolate has melted and looks glossy. Allow to cool for approximately 10-20 minutes until thickened, but still pourable (you could place in the fridge to hurry this step along) then pour over the cake and smooth over the top and sides.You can decorate the finished cake anyway you like, fresh flowers look great, as do fresh fruits. We have chopped up some strawberries and blueberries for this recipe.
cake-type
Christmas Coal
Make up brownies according to pkg directions.When cooled,cut into 1 1\2" pieces.Using your hand,wad it up to form an imperfect ball(should be lumpy in appearance).Dip in chocolate.Place in a clean,small bucket,basket or wooden box.Fasten a 'coal' sale sign to it using a toothpick and paper.It looks like coal from santa to mischievious children of all ages.
chocolate coating
1\2 block paraffine wax(comes in rectangle,Gulf brand in canning section and is edible,keeps choc firm)
12 ounce bag choc chips
Place choc and wax in a double boiler pan.Let the choc and wax melt,stir occasionally.Stick a toothpick into brownie ball and dip into choc to fully coat.Let it firm up on wax paper in the fridge.
This 'coal' idea is mine,choc dip recipe came from the family.
Hi Everyone!!
With the Autumn season upon us, it's time to start gearing up for Christmas present making. I bake a lot and make candy, so I love to start scouting ideas early.
I need some ideas, please! My older brother lives out West, so I can't ship things like infused vodkas, and he is leaning away from lots of the sweets. I really loving making homemade edible gifts. Does anyone have any ideas for things that aren't quite so sweet? Even things that aren't exactly edible like candy (i.e. homemade extracts), I enjoy making.
Many thanks! Hope everyone has a terrific Autumn!