|
Published: November 02, 2007 04:27 pm
FOOD: Ideas for easy edible gifts
Associated Press
Need some inspiration for easy edible gifts? Spread some holiday cheer with these goodies:
———
— Spiced nuts
Nuts are nice because they have staying power. Spiced nuts stay fresh for a few weeks, so they can be made well before the holidays. Some recipes emphasize sweeter flavorings, others tend to the spicier side. Allow a few hours for the nuts to dry and set before packaging (think Asian food boxes or glass jars), but active time in the kitchen is under an hour.
— Gingerbread family kit
This is a twist on a holiday favorite. You do the hard work of baking the gingerbread people and leave the fun of decorating them to those on your gift list. Bake a variety of gingerbread people (don't forget pets) and box them along with goodies for decorating. Tubes of icing, small candies and string licorice are good options.
— Candied citrus peel
This is a classy and unusual gift for anyone on your list. There are many recipes online, all of which require removing the peel from the fruit, cutting it into strips and boiling it first in water, then in sugar syrup before rolling the pieces in sugar. For a decorative touch, dip the ends of the finished pieces in melted chocolate.
— Homemade marshmallows
These are easy, inexpensive and impressive. The ingredient list is simple — unflavored gelatin, corn syrup, vanilla extract, salt and sugar. You can even swap out the vanilla extract for peppermint. Use cookie cutters to cut them in holiday shapes, such as stars. There are plenty of recipes online, including one at Martha Stewart's Web site, http://www.marthastewart.com
— Caramel pretzel turtles
These involve almost no cooking. Tracey Seaman, test kitchen director for Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine, rolls out candy caramels into ovals, pinches them around short pretzel nuggets, then dips them in melted chocolate. Finish by rolling each pretzel in crushed toasted almonds or walnuts.
— Hot fudge sundae topping
This will last several weeks in the refrigerator, and if packaged in a small jar won't take up much room. FamilyFun magazine's recipe (available at http://www.familyfun.go.com) mixes unsweetened chocolate, butter, water, sugar and corn syrup into a heavenly topping. Butterscotch topping is a good alternative. Package in a nicely decorated jar. For a more elaborate gift, accompany the sauce with sundae dishes and long-handled spoons.
— Peanut brittle or chocolate bark
Both are easy to make in large batches, keep well, and call for affordable and common ingredients. You don't even need a steady hand for cutting because they look best when broken into uneven pieces. White pastry boxes are a great choice for packaging and allow you to vary the size according to your recipient list.
— Granola
Granola requires almost no effort, keeps for weeks and most ingredients are cheap. Recipes are easily adapted (add the dried fruit and nuts of your choice), and many make large batches for easy gifting. Cellophane baggs or clear glass jars (such as the wide-mouth versions used in canning) make great packaging. The Internet offers numerous simple recipes.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Nurse Practitioner
NURSE PRACTITIONER-CARDIOLOGY. Full time. NYS license with one year of recent coronary care or cardiovacular care experi...>MORE
DRIVER
Driver, light pick up & delivery, need own car, no WNY, valid NYS driver lic., good pay 694-1251...>MORE
Grill Cook
GRILL COOK & Waitresses, exp only, full time. Apply within 2021 Main St. Nia Falls ...>MORE
Cook
COOK full time. Apply in person only, Augie’s Diner, 2470 Military Rd. ...>MORE
INSURANCE - CSR with Personal Lines exp., for Lockport area. $25,000 salary. 433-7504...>MORE
Hospitality/Tourism Instructor
Hospitality/Tourism. NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking applications for part-time instructor to teach hospita...>MORE
Adult Residential Services Administrator
HUMAN SERVICES Progressive Niagara County Agency serving adults with psychiatric disabilties seeks an Adult Reside...>MORE
MST Therapists
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position: MST ...>MORE
Mechanic
MECHANIC: Truck trailer, FT, full benefits. Competitive wages. Contact 875-4980; fax 875-8108...>MORE
SHIPPING CLERK
Shipping Clerk, p/t, 30-35 hrs. wk., exp. in warehouse environment, knowledge of Word/Excel, data entry, UPS, freight ch...>MORE
See all ads |
Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE
Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
Dodge 1993 Dakota 4x4
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
Ford 1998 F150
FORD 1998 F150, standard cab, 4wd, excellent shape, $3495. 716-525-2889...>MORE
1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE
Yamaha 1982, 750
YAMAHA 1982, 750, runs perfect, low mileage, $895. 716-525-2889...>MORE
See all ads |
|
See all ads |
|
 |
|