LLC - Holiday Gifts from the Kitchen

A gift from the kitchen is a gift from the heart. Whether its a savory spice mix for mulled cider or a zesty herbal vinegar to enliven salads, soups, or stews, gifts from the kitchen are always personal, practical, and welcome. This booklet offers suggestions for everyone on your gift list who shares your passion for good food and creative cooking.

Many of the projects and recipes are easy and economical. Some are accompanied by suggestions for use, tips on packaging the items, and ideas for creating custom gift baskets. For example, someone who entertains frequently during the holidays might appreciate a decorative basket filled with a spice mix for wine, a holiday cookie recipe, an herb mix for dips, and a calming tea blend for when the party winds down.

Other nice additions to gift baskets might include dried pasta, soup or bread mixes, ethnic foods, and teas or specialty coffees. Let your knowledge of the special needs and personalities of your friends and family members guide your choices. As you present a custom-made gift, they will no doubt be touched by your thoughtfulness. Above all, be creative and have fun.

adapted from Herb Mixtures & Spicy Blends

Spice mixes and herbal blends add tang and flavor to a variety of foods, from grilled meats to savory desserts to flavorful drinks. They are easy to make and use and can transform an ordinary dish into something quite extraordinary. They are also healthy, reducing the need for salt and oil in many recipes.

Herb and spice mixes can be used as a rub for meat, poultry, and fish, added to oil to create a flavorful marinade, or mixed into pasta sauces, egg dishes, salad dressings, soups, stews, dips, spreads, and bread dough to add flavor and interest.

Its fun to experiment with your own blends. In general, go slowly, beginning with moderate amounts of just two or three spices or herbs. And, if you feel like youre on to something promising and delicious, take notes as you go along. The mix may be difficult to duplicate otherwise.

Package the blends in glass bottles with tight-fitting caps or corks. Avoid aluminum. Herb mixtures and spice blends should be stored in a cool, dark place.

Shatoiya and Rick de la Tour of Dry Creek Herb Farm and Learning Center (Auburn, California) developed this zesty version of pumpkin pie spice.

cup cinnamon chips*

cup whole star anise

cup fennel seeds

cup dried orange peel

cup whole cloves

cup dried ginger

*To make cinnamon chips, crush whole cinnamon sticks with a hammer or other heavy object.

Grind all the ingredients in a spice grinder until powdered. Be sure to stop grinding intermittently to keep the herbs from overheating. Most of the flavor in herbs and spices comes from their volatile oils, which can be destroyed by excessive heat. Store in an airtight glass container away from heat and light.

1 CUPS

Adds delicious flavor to cakes, muffins, cookies, and pies.

This spice blend can also be added to ground coffee before brewing to add a zesty taste.

For pumpkin pie, add 1 teaspoons spice blend for a mild flavor, or up to 1 tablespoon for a stronger flavor.

Jill Wallace of Bittersweet Herb Farm (Charlemont, Massachusetts) developed this spicy seasoning for meat, poultry, and fish.

5 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons granulated garlic

2 tablespoons dried onion flakes

1 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoons dried basil

1 tablespoon cayenne powder

1 teaspoons ground white pepper

Mix all ingredients together. For a milder blend, decrease the amount of cayenne by half.

CUP

For grilling, dredge chicken, fish (swordfish, tuna, or salmon), or steak through the mix before placing it on the grill.

This mix also makes a spicy dip or sauce. Add to sour cream, mayonnaise or yogurt and serve with chips or cut-up vegetables.