Stuck In A Gift Rut?
I'm sure we are all in the same holiday boat trying to figure out those stressful last minute gifts for close friends... and not so close friends.
Last Christmas I made a box for my mom filled with her favorite snacks, including fresh ground peanut butter from Whole Foods - her survival food. Under the influence of Christmas stress, instead of thanking me and accepting the gift, my mom exclaimed "Peanut Butter! I'll give this to Danny!" (My sister's vegan boyfriend). Ha! Thanks, Mom... at least wait until I leave to re-gift my present!
The best presents are meaningful, useful, or both. I am a huge proponent of homemade gifts because it's cheaper, it's more meaningful, and if it is at all food related it will most likely be used. Nobody needs another coffee table book of cute cats, tacky cheap jewelry, that mysterious kitchen utensil, or an embroidered pillow. Think of all of your favorite gifts to receive- simple, useful gifts are always the best!
I'll start off with the homemade gift ideas:
1. Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This is incredibly easy to make. All you need are some clean jars to store the finished product, quality extra virgin olive oil, and the herbs, spices, and flavors you want to use. Garlic and rosemary are a popular combination.
-Pour the olive oil in a large pot and heat it enough to release the flavors of your added herb or spice (crushed garlic or full sprigs of rosemary)
-Remove the garlic or pour the oil through a strainer after cooking
-If you are using rosemary, arrange the sprigs in your container and pour the heated olive oil on top after cooking
Here are some further instructions and flavor ideas:
2. Homemade Truffles
Working with chocolate can be difficult because it is so temperamental, but working with ganache (the main component to a truffle) is much easier. I make truffles every year I recommend coating the ganache in some cocoa powder or finely chopped nuts. If you do want a to go for chocolate coated truffles, here is some info on how to temper chocolate:
A basic recipe for ganache from Cherry Tea Cakes:
1 3/4 c dark bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
2/3 c heavy cream
-Melt the chocolate in a double boiler and add the cream to create a smooth mixture
-Allow the chocolate mixture to cool in the fridge until the ganache is semi hardened, then take spoonfuls of ganache, form them into a ball shape, and coat them with cocoa or crushed nuts
* I am in the process of making truffles right now and I made my ganache with a touch of brandy and orange zest... be creative!
3. Homemade Mixes
All you really need is your favorite baking recipe and some mason jars! Add the dry ingredients to the jar in layers and write out the baking directions (including the wet ingredients to add - milk, butter, eggs). You could make mixes for your favorite cookie recipes, quick breads, pancakes, brownies, or muffins!
4. Baskets
Make a basket filled with your signature cookies, breads, or chocolate bark! You could also include some of your favorite recipes printed out or hand-written on nice heavy. Don't have a favorite recipe? Here are a few ideas, and below are some great pairing ideas:
For more basket items, go to a store with quality fresh fruit and ingredients like Whole Foods. Combine a fresh home-baked baguette with some jams, spreads, and brie. Combine coconut lime bars with a tropical themed basket filled with pineapple, kiwi, mango, and some coconut water. Or you can make the cheddar crackers to go with apples, pears, mixed nuts, olives, and a spread of your choice!
Now for some quick store bought gifts:
1. Coffee or Tea
All coffee or tea drinkers with appreciate some quality whole bean coffee or loose leaf tea:
Coffee
Try introducing a friend to a new roast of coffee flavor! Keep in mind that pre-ground coffee doesn't have that fresh flavor punch; so don't skimp on the beans! Maybe your gift recipient doesn't have a coffee bean grinder? You can pick one up at any department store or kitchenwares store for $10-$20. Grinders are a must have for the avid coffee drinker.
Tea
Finding quality tea can be a bit harder because many grocery stores only carry your generic green, black, and herbal teas that come already packaged in bags. That being said, it is rare that you find any loose leaf teas in your standard grocery stores. The flavor of loose leaf tea is much more pronounced and you can re-steep the tea multiple times. Look at a local health food store or tea shop for loose leaf teas and you can usually find a strainer or a package of tea bags to go with it.
2. Books
Food lovers will always appreciate that cookbook they have been eying for awhile. Then again, many foodies are overwhelmed with too many cookbooks, so it is a good idea to look for food related books. As an artist, I love Ralph Steadman's
Untrodden Grapes and The Grapes of Ralph: Wine According to Ralph Steadman
.
Here are some cookbooks and food related books I recommend for the food lover or health enthusiast:
RX from the Garden: 101 Food Cures You Can Easily Grow
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Simple Meatless Recipes for Great Food Untrodden Grapes and The Grapes of Ralph: Wine According to Ralph Steadman.Here are some cookbooks and food related books I recommend for the food lover or health enthusiast:
RX from the Garden: 101 Food Cures You Can Easily Grow
Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating with More Than 75 Recipes
Don't forget to check out your local used of antique bookstore, some of the best discoveries are uncovered there!
3. Wine
Plenty of people love wine, so why not gift it? If you have time to order online, Bottlerocket Wine and Spirits, based in New York City, has a great site with endless choices. Even if you don't have time ot order online, Bottlerocket's site is an amazing resource to help weave through all the choices in order to pick out the perfect bottle of wine.
4. Plants
Help a friend start their own herb garden or find some vibrant flowers to brighten up the winter months. Not everyone is great at caring for plants, but if you give them something easy to start with, they will be more likely to keep them alive. I found rosemary to be a pretty hefty plant, but basil and mint are also great first time plants.
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