Homemade gifts for sweets haters?

[choctastic]

I've been wondering what you guys are making for people who don't like sweets. I have all kinds of cookies and cakes lined up to be baked and then realized I had a bunch of friends who don't even like that stuff. Also, I am poor so I can't get them what they really want (expensive booze)

Help!

[cackalackie]

I was thinking about a spice rub as well. One year I did a taco seasoning.

This year, I was thinking about something along the lines of a pepper jelly. I saw a recipe that had red peppers and jalapenos, so it was festive-looking as well.

I did felafel-spiced pecans last year. I loved them, although others might have found them a bit too funky.

Here's my go-to spiced nuts recipe, courtesy of Nigella:

500g assorted unsalted nuts, including: peeled peanuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans and whole unpeeled almonds

2 Tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary (from 2 sprigs)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp dark muscavado sugar
2 tsp Malden sea salt
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350.

Toss the nuts in a large bowl to combine and spread them out on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven till they become light golden brown, about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the rosemary, cayenne, muscavado sugar, salt and melted butter.

Thoroughly toss the toasted nuts with the spiced butter and serve warm. And once you eat these, you will never want to stop.

[SuzMiCo]

What about flavored popcorn? Cheap, flavorful, often pretty. You could make a few different kinds and give people an assortment. Or you could use flavored popcorn to bulk up a gift of spiced nuts (nuts get expensive).

[sixelagogo]

christy:
I agree with you statement about food overloading...by the time xmas is here I feel i should take a post -holiday fast or something i'm so gorged out on fatty foods...

I'm a fan of the salad dressing and spiced nuts, but i think i'll try the biscotti this year...

[Pamela]

Since you enjoy baking, why not bake the anti-sweet people a mushroom pie (or some other vegetable tart) instead of fruit pies?

[christy319]

I love the ideas of making things that will keep reasonably well, or freeze. We get SO overloaded with food during the holidays, that something like bread might not get eaten before it goes bad. But the nuts, pickles, compund butter, chutneys, tamales (that is the best food gift idea EVER!!), things that will stay good (or freeze) well after the holiday gorging is over-I bet these will be much appreciated.

[HaagenDazs]

I'm planning on making homemade mustard. It's incredibly easy and gets much more praise than jams or jellies.

[Katie Nell]

What kind of mustard are you making?

[HaagenDazs]

As in a specific style? Nothing specific really. I use a mix of brown and yellow mustard seeds and a bit of mustard powder for kick. I like using a sherry vinegar instead of a cider vinegar or wine. It works out quite well! If you've never made it before, I've based my recipe on Caprial & John's recipe below. I use a blender instead of a food processor. You still get plenty of texture but the blender breaks up the mustard seeds more. You can mix and match ingredients, it's pretty forgiving!

Homemade Mustard

1/2 cup yellow mustard seeds
3 tablespoons dry mustard
1 cup water
3/4 cup herb vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons chopped mixed herbs such as basil, tarragon and thyme

To prepare the mustard, place the seeds, dry mustard and water in a bowl and let stand 2 hours. Stir every 10-15 minutes. When the mustard seed are soft place in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. With the motor running add the vinegar, honey, salt and herbs. Place in a lidded jar and allow to stand until it mellows to your taste. It will be very hot at first. Once the mustard is to your taste then place in the refrigerator to store. The mustard will keep several months.

[Katie Nell]

Thanks for the recipe! My dad and I are both in love with mustards and I've been forbidden to buy anymore presents for my parents (by my husband) but I can still make them presents, right?!? ;-) I might have to try this for him!

[HaagenDazs]

Good plan! FYI: You have of course heard of beer mustard or white wine mustard. If you're up for experimenting, the beer or wine should replace the water when you soak the seeds.

[nothingman]

speaking of mustard, another great baked gift item is soft pretzels.

[Chris VR]

The other thread I linked above also mentioned people who made infused vinegars. I like that idea as well.

[Xanthippe]

Oooh, jerk seasoning is a *terrific* idea! Thanks

[Xanthippe]

Another option along the line of seasoned salts is spice blends such as Chinese Five Spice, Herbes de Provence, and Quatre Epices. Not only are they easy to do, but will appeal to those who must watch their sodium intake (such as folks with high blood pressure); put them up in pretty little bottles or jars, add a homemade label, tie with festive ribbon and there you are! Oh, and include a few recipes making use of the specific spice blend.

Creative, inexpensive, and from the heart. Who wouldn't appreciate such a gift??!?

[Katie Nell]

Yeah, that's a great idea! Along with it being a great resource, this book has some fantastic ideas for spice mixes and such: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/book... Jerk seasoning would be another option!

[RiJaAr]

well, the spiced nut idea seems pretty popular, however, not really my thing, i was thinking herbed oils, just get a pretty bottle and fill with olive oil, add some chillies or herbs and let that sit for a while to infuse, then pack in a basket with some good breads, and voila.

[C. Hamster]

You can give people botulism with oils infused with fresh ingredients like fresh herbs and garlic. They need to be kept refigerated and used within 2 weeks or so -- making them sort of impractical gifts as well.

[4chowpups]

I was going to add to the spiced nuts crowd...I bring them every year to Thanksgiving and they are all gone by the time I leave. My recipe is from the Boston Globe and the sweetener is maple syrup, not terribly sweet but easy! I've made curry nut mix too but find people love the basic one!
Another suggestion is homemade sauce? I made a huge pot of sauce...meatballs,sausages etc. and painted clementine crates with spray paint. Added dishtowels, wooden spoon, pasta and jar of sauce and homemade biscotti.
P.S. a friend makes mango chutney every year which I LOVE!!!

[rln]

I love the spiced nuts idea! Woudl you be willing to direct me to or post the Boston Globe recipe? I did a seach for it and found a recipe but it used honey, not maple syrup so it must be different.

[4chowpups]

Here you go, this is from the Boston Globe magazine, a long while back. I use whatever combo of nuts suits me on the day, I buy my nuts at Trader Joes and love to add macadamia nuts or pistachios.

Spicy Nut Mix

1 c. pecans
1 c. almonds
1 c. walnuts
1/2 c. hazelnuts
1 tlb. corn oil
1/4 maple syrup
2 tlb. sugar
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper (I usually add more)
1/2 tsp. salt

350 oven
toast nuts on baking sheet for 10 min.

In saucepan large enough to hold nuts, combine oil, syrup,and sugar. Heat until sugar dissolves, turn heat up slightly and when mixture begins to boil add nuts, red pepper and salt. Coat nuts thoroughly. Return nuts to baking sheet and toast 5-7 minutes or until they dry out. Remove from oven and stir every 5 min. or so so they don't stick to pan.

[rln]

Thank you! This looks very do-able. I can't wait to try it.

[mothrpoet]

They are time-consuming, but for the past 20 years, this Gringa has made tamales as gifts. I give them to all the neighbors, people in carpools, relatives, and we eat them ourselves on Christas morning and beyond. NOthing says "love" like homemade tamales!!!! They freeze wonderfully. I have Mexicans begging for my tamales! My niece from Australia said she came back to the States last Chrismas just for my tamales!

[choctastic]

thanks so much for all the interesting suggestions. I never thought of the spiced up nuts route but that seems pretty popular. interesting crackers sound good too.

thanks!

[Ruth Lafler]

My favorite spiced nuts recipe (curried almonds) is in that thread linked above. It's a huge hit -- even people who like sweets enjoy the change of pace -- and it's insanely simple. Plus nuts are easy to pack in a pretty tin or jar and they keep fairly well.

[Janet from Richmond]

I have a friend who makes a deluxe Chex Mix. It's great and I look forward to it every year. It had corn and rice Chex (none of the dud wheat Chex), Cheese crackers (no dud pretzels), Cashews, and is slightly spicy. She also has a couple of other "good" mixers in there I can't remember off the top of my head.

I look forward to is every year.

[zelu koloria]

I made a jar of pickled garlic for my boyfirend as part of his birthdya present. He wasn't massively impressed but I would have been.

[hopalong]

i made spicy dill pickles for a friend's birthday and she loved them.

another idea would be to make little jars of flavored honey (thyme , rosemary) and give it with some cheese (goes great with a hard cheese like a pecorino or something). oh, wait- does honey and cheese count as sweets?

[toodie jane]

go to your local bookstore or library and check out the cookbook section, because there are loads of books with well-done recipes on "Gifts from the Pantry" topics. These will often include photos of clever/unusual/inexpensive packaging treatments to give you ideas. You'll be amazed at the variety--you can tailor your gift to the personality.

herb cooking sachets
seasoned salts: lemon, smoked, etc
salad dressings
BBQ ssuce
herbed nuts
spiced olives
tapanade
compound butters
pickled spiced pears
pickled martini onions
pickled mushrooms
mint/cayenne jelly
apple chutney
goat cheese balls in OO
cheddar cheese crackers or cheese straws
potted salmon
lemon curd
marmalade
various liqueurs
herb (savory) muffins
cheese spreads
hot buttered rim mix

have fun!

[opinionatedchef]

interesting vinaigrettes or great caesar dressing are always appreciated when i do them.

[Veggietales]

Problem solved for budget and your lush friends:

Make your own infused alcohol. Buy the super cheap Popov vodka (or even consider grain alcohol) and infuse with over ripe fruits or even peppers and aromatic veggies. Start them now so they have time to "age" before christmas.

Go to the office and sneak a few printed lables with your Signature namesake Vodka, go to the flea market for some antique glass bottles, little be-dazzle work with some ribbon and such...

YOu get the idea. I just might take my own advice.

[spkspk]

I also recommend going the savory route... I've made some spiced almonds w/ butter, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and cayenne that has been a big hit with everybody.

[Chris VR]

Here's an old thread with lots of good ideas: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

I hacve a recipe for Spicy Bourbon Nuts on that thread.

[rosielucchesini]

What about some savory spiced nuts? You can use pecans, walnuts, almonds-or a combination thereof-coated with melted butter and honey and then tossed in a spice mixture and allowed to cook in a low oven to dry. I also like the idea of homemade crackers-I have an icebox cheddar cracker recipe if you are interested. In that same vein, I have also made a savory biscotti every holiday for the last 6 years or so: it calls for, among other things, cornmeal, pecorino romano, parmesan reggiano, fennel seeds and some red pepper. It is so tasty and just begs to be nibbled on while sipping a glass of wine.
Whatever you decide-I'm sure it will be fantastic.

[halimundy]

I would love the recipe for savory biscotti. Would you share it?

[rosielucchesini]

1/3 c pine nuts (toasted-then chopped roughly)
2 c flour
1/2 c grated parmesan
1/4 c yellow cornmeal (I use polenta)
3 T grated pecorino romano
2 tsp fennel seeds
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 c buttermilk
2 eggs-beaten

Combine flour through cayenne, stir in chopped pine nuts.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredient mixture.
Whisk together the buttermilk and the eggs and pour into the well. Stir with a fork until a crubly dough forms; knead until smooth but slightly sticky. Gather into a ball, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.
Quarter the dough and roll each quarter into a 1 inch diameter log.
Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees (the tops may split-this is okay), allow to cool for 10 minutes and then cut each log into desired slices. Return the sliced biscotti to the baking sheets cut side up for 40 minutes, then turn over and bake for 40 minutes more.

This was from a December 1999 Food and Wine issue. I've been making it every year since then and is a great little snack to have on hand during the holidays. Enjoy.

[brooklynmasala]

As someone who doesn't like sweets as much as savory, I would say that I would really appreciate spiced nuts or homemade crackers (I say that because I vaguely remember someone a while back posting about making cheese crackers that sounded really good). Basically I would appreciate anything that went really well with wine (or drink).

[halimundy]

I make herbed and/or spiced Nuts, mostly Pecans because that is what I like best. I package them in cello bags. They are easy to make and there are so many different recipes available.

[Candy]

Yes. fried almonds, the rosemary and chili spiced cashews from Barefoot Contessa are wonderful. Sweet and spicy buttered pecans etc. etc. there are lots of wonderful roasted or fried and spiced nut recipes out there.

I posted a recipe for deviled/potted country ham with bourbon about 1.5 weeks ago. I am planning on making up contianers of that as gifts this year along with my other nuts and cookies.

[rosielucchesini]

1/3 c pine nuts (toasted-then chopped roughly)
2 c flour
1/2 c grated parmesan
1/4 c yellow cornmeal (I use polenta)
3 T grated pecorino romano
2 tsp fennel seeds
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 c buttermilk
2 eggs-beaten

Combine flour through cayenne, stir in chopped pine nuts.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredient mixture.
Whisk together the buttermilk and the eggs and pour into the well. Stir with a fork until a crubly dough forms; knead until smooth but slightly sticky. Gather into a ball, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.
Quarter the dough and roll each quarter into a 1 inch diameter log.
Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees (the tops may split-this is okay), allow to cool for 10 minutes and then cut each log into desired slices. Return the sliced biscotti to the baking sheets cut side up for 40 minutes, then turn over and bake for 40 minutes more.

This was from a December 1999 Food and Wine issue. I've been making it every year since then and is a great little snack to have on hand during the holidays. Enjoy.

[halimundy]

Thanks, I will definitely try this.

[China]

What about a savory biscotti, perhaps with rosemary and pine nuts.

[choctastic]

what goes well with booze? i dont drink so i have no idea bout these things

[marthadumptruck]

breads - like a nice ciabatta or focaccia? savory scones?

[S U]

as a mostly sweet hater (i make exceptions for dark chocolate), marthadumptruck's suggestion sounds like things i would definitely devour! and the nut suggestions below sound like something that fits better w/ holiday themes.

[bostonfoodie111]

wow - if you're nice enough to spend your time and energy to lovingly make treats for your friends for the holidays, I say you should make the same thing for everyone! It's the thought that counts and they should be lucky to receive a handmade gift from you.

- jumping off my soap box now... :)

[choctastic]

oh they very nice and would appreciate anything but i realized i had so many sweet hater friends that if i'm going to make something, might as well be something they would actually eat. lol

[bostonfoodie111]

there are some good flavored vodka and recipes for liquers which can be relatively inexpensive. I saw a recipe for Amaretto and Peppermint Schapps? Or how about a nice and cheap bottle of wine and some homemade cheese straws? Easy and yummy. There are a lot of nice wines under $10/bottle. :)

[MsMaryMc]

Then again--there are those of us who aren't sweet-haters--on the contrary, we LOVE sweet stuff--but being diabetic means we can't indulge freely. I am infinitely grateful for the friends who remember this and don't just leave me out of the holiday goodie-giving--or load me down with stuff I can't enjoy!

[bostonfoodie111]

Of course. But she did not say DIABETIC friends. She specifically said SWEET HATERS. That's not exactly the same. I think it's great to have choices, etc. but I also believe we need to remember and appreciate the gesture of what the gift is.

[choctastic]

yeah i have diabetic friends who love sweets so i make sweet stuff with splenda.

[christy319]

It is the thought that counts, but some of us get so overloaded with sweets during this time of year (or are trying not to gain weight, or whatever) that the reality is that many sweet gifts go straight into the garbage (or, they linger at work where no one eats them because they are all sick of cookies, too, then they go into the garbage). It's just like getting a bad pair of earrings...it's nice that the giver thought of you but egad, you wouldn't ever wear them.

[bostonfoodie111]

Let's face it - the holidays is gluttony for sweet and savory! ot only do a lot of sweets get tossed but other foods as well. It's sadly wasteful but tis the season I suppose.

[marcia2]

Of course, people should appreciate the effort that goes into a homemade gift or the time and money spent on a store bought one and it's possible to choose something with the best of intentions and still get it wrong, but actually giving someone something you know for sure they won't like? Seems to me that the thought there pretty much amounts to "I don't care." So kudos to the OP for wanting to give people gifts that demonstrate that their tastes and interests have been taken into account.

In this situation, I've made flavored nuts (Frog Commissary Cookbook has some good recipes) and packed them up nicely. I've also done loaves of quick breads. Depending on just how sweet adverse they are, they might enjoy a pumpkin or zucchini or cranberry bread.