658989 Mon Oct 12 17:36:55 -0700 2009 41 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 5098277 Yes, I did a search, but new hounds join on a regular basis and people come up with new ideas pretty frequently. I am definitely going to do spiced nuts this year, but I am thinking of healthful/gourmet twist on those meals in a jar using no perishable ingredients. I was thinking of incorporating the jar in a basket with some good crackers and wine. Soups come to mind. Any ideas? Other ideas other than jarred soup are also welcomed.Thanks Here's an example: tp://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Country-Soup-in-a-Jar/Detail.aspx Mon Oct 12 17:36:55 -0700 2009 13030 free sample addict aka Tracy L 1 5098290 Did you mean this link: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Friendship-Soup-Mix-in-a-Jar/Detail.aspx What a great idea...the link I posted is for split pea soup but there's a second one also. thanks Tracy! Mon Oct 12 17:42:47 -0700 2009 5098277 11983 Val 1 5098334 I've made granola and given it as a well-received holiday gift. There are endless variations, depending on the flavorings, sweeteners, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits you use. Maple, orange, crystallized ginger, and dried cranberries are good seasonal flavors. Mon Oct 12 18:03:49 -0700 2009 5098277 10074 Caitlin McGrath 1 5098484 A few weeks ago, I made jars of Poblano Tomatillo Salsa & okra pickles from ingredients in my garden. I'll be giving away some as gifts. The salsa will be great warmed & topped with crumbled Queso fresco and served with some crackers or fresh tortilla chips or added to some crusted chunks of pork in a stew. I added ancho chiles & garlic to the okra pickles to give them a smoky flavor; they'll be good on a veggie tray or in a sandwich and as a garnish in a bloody Mary or tomato margarita... Mon Oct 12 19:18:44 -0700 2009 5098277 1108638 Cherylptw 1 5100997 I may have posted this on the older thread, but: For friends who enjoy cooking I often make and give Moroccan style preserved lemons in a pretty jar with recipes/suggestions. For more casual gifts (and for those "surprise" situations) I make a little gourmet coffee break pack. I put together mini bags of good coffee beans and dip good quality plastic spoons in melted chocolate, which can be flavored. I arrange the coffee, chocolate covered spoon and home made biscotti in a holiday theme mug and wrap with clear cello wrap and curly ribbons. If I end up with some leftover I just take out the components and we use them up! Tue Oct 13 17:19:10 -0700 2009 5098277 111267 meatn3 1 5101577 I make jellies and jams and give them out as gifts. Or I take a jar or two, depending on jar size, when I am invited to a holiday dinner when my spouse is out to sea. Ditto with homemade pumpkin bread or cranberry bread. Tue Oct 13 22:20:21 -0700 2009 5098277 290845 KristieB 2 5102464 If you can, jams and jellies with unusual (but not what most people consider "weird") flavors are always a hit, I've found. I did lemon marmalade in smallish jars one year, and people still ask me to do that one again. Wed Oct 14 09:40:10 -0700 2009 5101577 130151 dmd_kc 3 5102753 Do you need canning equipment to make jams & jellies? Wed Oct 14 11:20:43 -0700 2009 5102464 11983 Val 4 5103414 Not unless you consider a large deep pot to be "canning equipment"! I have a small pressure cooker that fits pint jars but I NEVER use it for jams -- you don't need it. The sugar and acid are preservative enough. Wed Oct 14 14:59:48 -0700 2009 5102753 256229 LauraGrace 5 5103648 Thank you, LG...must investigate this. Wed Oct 14 16:36:19 -0700 2009 5103414 11983 Val 6 5103748 My pleasure. And now's the time to buy jars and the like -- in many places they'll be on sale, bein's how it's the end of the season! Marmalades are wonderful gifts -- homemade marmalade is far superior to that over-sweetened goo most people know, and it doesn't even require pectin. Wed Oct 14 17:16:00 -0700 2009 5103648 256229 LauraGrace 6 5103839 There are lots of threads about canning with basic info on Home Cooking, but for a primer, I recommend the Ball Blue Book. Wed Oct 14 17:55:56 -0700 2009 5103648 10074 Caitlin McGrath 3 5112338 That's my MO too. I make flavors they're not going to find in the grocery. This years gifts include: Strawberry Basil, Ginger Lemon Marmalade and Blueberry Lemon. I also did some Asian style pickles. Sun Oct 18 11:16:12 -0700 2009 5102464 28006 Jennalynn 1 5102071 I know it sounds silly but I give homemade dog biscuits cut out with a bone-shaped cookie cutter to all my friends with dogs and they are a huge hit every time. (Usually cookies or spiced nuts for the two-footers.) Wed Oct 14 07:10:56 -0700 2009 5098277 13756 GretchenS 2 5102453 What a sweet idea Gretchen! I'll bet it goes over well with both the 4-footers and the 2-footers! Wed Oct 14 09:34:57 -0700 2009 5102071 90565 Cookiefiend 2 5102845 That's a great idea! My "baby" would love something like that...would you mind sharing your recipe for the biscuits? Wed Oct 14 11:46:25 -0700 2009 5102071 1108638 Cherylptw 3 5110438 Sorry for the delay. Here's the recipe I use, but there are lots out there in Google-land. 1 lb extra-lean ground beef 2 eggs, beaten 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats 1 cup water Preheat oven to 350. Mix beef and eggs well, using food processor or cake beaters. Mix flour and oats in a large bowl, then add beef mixture and knead together with your hands (this part is great fun for kids to do). Add the water and blend in well (at this stage it’s like stirring cement). Divide in half and knead on a floured surface, using more flour as necessary, until you get a nice dough. Roll it out to about ½ an inch or a little less, then cut out, preferably using a bone-shaped cookie cutter (although squirrels are nice too). Repeat with other half. Use a lightly-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for an hour or so, depending on thickness. Cool on a rack. I have made plaque-buster ones too but they are less popular (no beef is my diagnosis). Sat Oct 17 11:27:16 -0700 2009 5102845 13756 GretchenS 4 5110451 Here's the plaque-buster recipe, it sure beats spending $16 on a bag at the pet boutique and you can get most of the ingredients cheap in the bulk bins. I think I subbed low-salt chicken or beef broth for the boullion cube and water. http://www.for-pets-sake.org/res_recipes_2.php Sat Oct 17 11:32:22 -0700 2009 5110438 13756 GretchenS 5 5119851 Thanks for the recipe Gretchen - I think with 6 dogs in the family (only one in my house) these will be a big hit and make excellent gifts. Miss Missy will be my taste tester, Cash, Kilo, Buster,Toby, and Nicki will have to wait! Wonder if cats might like them too... Wed Oct 21 09:47:38 -0700 2009 5110451 90565 Cookiefiend 2 5103065 Not silly at all, all my friends have pets. Back when I was flush I spent $80 on holiday gifts for friends and neighbors pets at a boutique. I got some cute things but homemade is the way to go! Wed Oct 14 12:58:44 -0700 2009 5102071 13030 free sample addict aka Tracy L 1 5102434 If it does not have to be edible and if you have wine corks in abundance, they can be crafted into kitchen trivets, Christmas ornaments, even wreaths. Wed Oct 14 09:29:53 -0700 2009 5098277 11983 Val 1 5102457 This year I'm making Limoncello. I usually make jams and cookies - I'm stepping out this year... Wed Oct 14 09:38:46 -0700 2009 5098277 90565 Cookiefiend 2 5102934 Limoncello here, too. Mine didn't turn out so well last year, so I'm going to try it again. Wed Oct 14 12:15:54 -0700 2009 5102457 55915 MartinDC 3 5111798 Would love to make some. Went to Google and they had many recipes. Could you share yours or recommend one? -thanks Sun Oct 18 06:03:21 -0700 2009 5102934 253735 bayoucook 1 5103054 These are all terrific ides. Thanks Wed Oct 14 12:55:13 -0700 2009 5098277 13030 free sample addict aka Tracy L 1 5104050 Last year we gave home roasted coffee and half pints of niter kibbeh with a printed explanation of what it is and how it can be used. Wed Oct 14 19:29:18 -0700 2009 5098277 14974 BeaN 2 5104375 niter kibbeh, what a great idea! My friends and I just returned from East Africa. Wed Oct 14 22:32:00 -0700 2009 5104050 13030 free sample addict aka Tracy L 1 5104236 Last year I made streusel (like cake topping) and wrapped it up in cellophane bags with colored ribbons... people went NUTS for it. I also use Gramercy Tavern Gingerbread mini-loaves as gifts year-round. Wed Oct 14 20:56:16 -0700 2009 5098277 15572 Emme 2 5110469 I love that streusel idea. Would you mind sharing the recipe? Sat Oct 17 11:41:12 -0700 2009 5104236 13756 GretchenS 3 5111292 i just do a traditional pie streusel... 1 cup flour 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon 10 tbsp unsalted butter pinch of salt sometimes a dash of vanilla cut together into coarse crumbs, spread in a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake at 350-375 depending upon your oven for about 40-45 minutes, but check and stir at 20 min, and watch every 5-10 so that it doesn't burn. take out of oven when golden. you can easily double, triple, etc. the amounts. Sat Oct 17 18:49:47 -0700 2009 5110469 15572 Emme 4 5112262 Thanks! So then you bag it up and people can just sprinkle it on sliced fruit or whatever? Sun Oct 18 10:43:46 -0700 2009 5111292 13756 GretchenS 5 5112690 bag it yes... in theory, put it where you like, but most people, including me, just like to eat it plain... with a spoon... as most tend to pick it off of coffee cake or pie anyway... cut out the vehicle and just provide the topping ;) Sun Oct 18 14:13:19 -0700 2009 5112262 15572 Emme 1 5110930 I haven't had made this in years, but I just had somebody who I gave it to at least 20 years ago ask me about it--he still remembered it! It's the best homebrew coffee liqueur I've ever had. I went all out, made fancy patent-medicine labels for the bottles...it was quite a production, and always a big hit. Caroline Cogswell's Celebrated Morning Tonic (A Spiced Coffee Liqueur) http://www.casagordita.com/carolinestonic.htm Sat Oct 17 15:42:53 -0700 2009 5098277 27327 MsMaryMc 2 5110984 Yes, I have a Bailey's homemade recipe that I used to make and give out around the holidays...but it's kind of expensive because it calls for Irish Whiskey ... and not everyone can have alcoholic drinks....but it's a darned good sub for the real thing which is WAY over-priced. Sat Oct 17 16:09:11 -0700 2009 5110930 11983 Val 3 5111546 Yeah, that's one reason I haven't made it in a while--seems like the older I get, the more of my friends are in recovery. Sat Oct 17 21:53:26 -0700 2009 5110984 27327 MsMaryMc 1 5111365 A friend and I are setting up a date to make up a batch of several panfortes in a couple of weeks. They are so delicious, and are a great holiday treat . . . also good with a little age on them. Here's a chowhound thread I found while looking for recipes: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/573885 Sat Oct 17 19:30:46 -0700 2009 5098277 293998 vday 1 5112053 I've been thinking about this too. Last winter I was hoping to make homemade marshmallows, and package with mug, and cocoa mix. But I didn't get it done. This year I'm pondering making three different kinds of homemade mustards for small jars. There are lots of fun variations. Sun Oct 18 08:59:41 -0700 2009 5098277 123480 scuzzo 1 5112311 Dh & I can our own pickled garlic, roasted peppers in vinegar, tomatoes, eggplant and infused olives each year. We also dry 50% of the gardens herbs from the summer plot. Come Thanks giving & Christmas we fill a brown bag (sandwich size) with dried herbs along with a jar of the canned veggies and give them as holiday party gifts. Granted, we've done some pre-planning but most of the basic recipes can be done now and given as gifts this year. All of the canned veggies go well with good crackers and wine! The dried herb sachets are just our signature gift but the canned thing has really become a fun family project. My kids ran the jam, jelly & chutney "line" this year and did really well. Sun Oct 18 11:07:47 -0700 2009 5098277 36312 HillJ 1 5112352 I recently discovered Firefly sweet tea vodka, and plan to try to replicate it for gifts.It is made in South Carolina from local tea leaves, and is not too sweet. I think steeping whole tea bags with a bit of simple syrup in vodka should do it. This stuff is awesome, and I'll enjoy the mistakes, I'm sure! Sun Oct 18 11:21:43 -0700 2009 5098277 44682 mothrpoet 1 5112733 I made homemade marshmallows. I put the in a basket with hot chocolate and a board game and people loved it. I used Ina Gartens recipe but left out the coconut. Juli www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/toasted-coconut-marshmallows-recipe2/index.html Sun Oct 18 14:32:19 -0700 2009 5098277 199351 juli5122 1 5115951 Today a friend gave me a homemade gift of pumpkin pie spice. One jar each of whole cinnamon, clove and nutmeg and a small pot of ground ginger along with a medium grater and this recipe for the blend: 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Just perfect this time of year! Maybe you could make a few holiday spice blends for your gifts. Mon Oct 19 19:02:24 -0700 2009 5098277 36312 HillJ 2 5116172 Fresh grated nutmeg is the best smell!!! Preground nutmeg should be against the law. Mon Oct 19 20:48:50 -0700 2009 5115951 123480 scuzzo