Country Living Magazine’s December January 2013 issue had a wonderful 9 page spread of all sorts of edible gift ideas. Gifts don’t have to be expensive, and sometimes a gift that is handmade can impress someone more than something store bought. Country Living details several gift ideas in this editorial that can wow family, friends and co-workers. The first featured are sugar cookie buttons.
Sugar Cookies-
These cookies contain just a few ingredients; unsalted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, all purpose flour and salt. Cookies are a fantastic gift to give for any special occasion.
Recipe: Sugar-Cookie Buttons
Recipe: Shortbread Cookies
Recipe: Gingerbread Animals
Articles To Help
Sugar Cookie Recipe craftbits.com
Recipes for Homemade Holiday Gifts RealSimple.com
Holiday Cookie Recipes – Homemade Holiday Gifts –Oprah.com
How to Make Sugar Cookies from Scratch- delish.com
Flavored Salts
The most basic of seasonings turns truly gift-worthy when you incorporate wild mushrooms, ancho chilies, or garam masala—then arrange it all in adorable jars sporting our typewriter-style labels.
Recipe:Flavored Salts (Plastic jars, $1.49 each; 2 oz.; containerstore.com
Dark Chocolate Gifts-
In a double boiler set over simmering water, heat chocolate, stiring frequently until melted for 5 minutes. Fill candy molds with chocolate using a spatula to smooth the top. Tap the molds to remove any air pockets. Re-fridgerate until set. Chocolate keeps up to 4 weeks.
Articles To Help
Two Versatile Homemade Chocolates for Gifting –Simple Bites
Handmade Belgian Dark Chocolate –Oh! Nuts
Infused Vodkas-
Use a 2 gallon pitcher, and combine 4 bottles of (750 milileter) vodka, along with flavorings, and let them sit for a specified time, and simply strain the fruit. Country Living suggests a few interesting recipes such as Cucumber Lime, or Horseradish flavorings. Fruit can be a great choice for vodka. Our neighbors end up with bucket loads of black berries, blue berries and strawberries at the end of the season, that they often have to find something to do with, other than for pies. They mash up the fruit, and pour it into a bucket. They let it sit for several days, stirring each day, which they later strain and decant.
Recipe: Infused Vodkas
Articles To Help:
How to Infuse Vodka with Flavor: 5 Steps –wikiHow
Infused Vodka –Real Simple
How to Infuse Vodka – Learn how to Make Flavored Vodka theshiksa.com
Make Your Cocktails Shine: Infused Vodka Recipes –Craftsy
Honey Gift Ideas
All that is needed for this gift is 8 cups of honey and 1o springs of rosemary dried. In a medium saucepan over low heat, cook honey and rosemary until the honey begins to bubble around the edges of the pan. Remove from the heat and let steep for 20 minutes. Remove the rosemary, and strain any leaves. To decant, divide honey into 4 – 16ounce jars, and let cool for 40 minutes. Insert 1 fresh sprig rosemary into the jar and tighten the lids to seal.
Recipe: Rosemary Honey
Articles To Help:
Rosemary Honey – Homemade Food Gifts Country Living
Gifts In A Jar – How To and Instructions Martha Stewart
Honey for the Holidays –Culinary.net
Spicy Cocktail Pecans
Spicy Cocktail Pecans Recipe -See a picture of this at Country Living
1 Stick of Unsalted Butter melted
4 tsp Tabasco sauce
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp garlic powder
6 cups of pecans
Preheat the oven to 325. In a bowl , mix together the ingredients except the pecans.
Next place pecans in a large bowl, and pour butter mixture over the pecans, tossing to combine.
Next, spread pecans evenly on 2 baking sheets and toast for 12 minutes rotating the pans half way through. Transfer to a paper towel and let cool for 20 minutes. To package, place pecans in 4 kraft lined paper bags.
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Edibile Gift Ideas From Country Living Magazine December January 2013 Issue
This trio of slice-and-bake crisps gets its cheesy richness from Parmesan, Gouda, and Cheddar. A divided wood box delivers ready-to-serve ease. Recipe: Savory Cracker Sampler (Wood box, $6.49; 9½”W x 4½”L x 3¼“D; woodcrafter.com.