Holiday Gifts From Your Kitchen

Gifts From the Heart


Every year we all go through the agony of finding the perfect gift for everyone on our shopping list. Ah! December, the month for giving. This year, instead of spending hours of your time at a crowded mall, on a busy highway, or on-line, why not spend some quality time with your kids in the kitchen, at home. Put the fun and novelty back into gift giving by creating something homemade for each and everyone on your list. Have a wonderful holiday season and a very safe, peaceful New Year.

Hot Honey Mustard
by Penny Rich
Inspired by Joan Soons

1 cup hot mustard flour
1 cup white vinegar
2 eggs
1 cup honey
½ teaspoon salt

Mix the mustard flour and vinegar in a blender until combined. Allow to sit overnight. Place the mixing jar back on the blender base and add eggs, honey and salt. Blend until mixed. Set up a double boiler and place the mustard mixture in the top pot. Wisk as the mixture heats, until thickened, about 30 minutes. Pour into small sterilized jars. Refrigerate after opening.
Always include ingredients on all gifts.


Herb Oil
by Penny Rich

1 cup parsley
1/2 cup packed fresh basil
1/4 cup fresh thyme
1/2 cup packed fresh oregano
Zest of ½ orange or lemon
1 whole dried chipotle chili
1 teaspoon whole black pepper corns
2 cups canola oil
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Place all of the herbs, zest, chili and peppercorns in a large sterilized mason jar. Pour both oils into a saucepan and heat to 200 degrees F. Pour the hot oils into the jar and cover with a kitchen towel secured with a rubber band. Let stand overnight.
Place cheesecloth over the top of the jar and replace the outer rim of the lid. Invert and strain oil into a large measuring cup. Place some fresh herbs, garlic or chili pepper in gift jars and cover with the oil.
Always include ingredients on all gifts.

Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar
by Penny Rich
Makes 24 jumbo size cookies

1 ¼ cup light brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Mix together flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Layer dry ingredients in a large jar in any order. Place a seasonal fabric on lid and tie a ribbon around the top of the jar. To the ribbon attach the recipe and instructions.

1 cup or 2 sticks of butter, room temperature
3 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla

Beat the butter in a standing mixer with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time beating once again until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla. Take off the mixer and add the ingredient from the jar, mixing with a wooden spoon just until combined. Prepare a cookie sheet with spray oil or cover with a Silpat. With a medium ice cream scoop drop 6 cookie per tray, bake 350F for 14-16 minutes. Cool on rack. Store in an airtight container, if there are any left.
Always include ingredients on all gifts



Hot Cocoa in a Jar
by Penny Rich
Makes 8 servings

Combine the following ingredients in a bowl.

1 cup dry organic powered milk
¼ cup cocoa powder
½ cup white sugar

Place in a Ball or Mason jar. Place a seasonal fabric on lid and tie a ribbon around the top of the jar. To the ribbon attach the recipe and instructions.
To make a cup of hot cocoa, measure 1/4 cups of the mix and place it in a large mug, add 1 cup of boiling water and stir.
For extra creamy hot cocoa, add 1-2 tablespoons of cream or whipped cream.
Always include ingredients on all gifts.


Chanukah Biscuit (for the dog)
by Penny Rich
makes about 2 dozen

½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
½ cup fresh ground peanut or almond butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ¼ - 1 ½ cups water
4 cups whole wheat flour
½ cup cornmeal
½ up oats
¼ cup chopped peanuts or almonds

Preheat oven to 350F.
In a large bowl combine applesauce through water. In a second bowl mix dry ingredients flour through nuts. Add dry to wet and mix until combined. Turn out on a floured surface and knead until everything is mixed together. Roll out to ¼ thick. Bring out all you holiday cookie cutters and cut out shapes. Bake on a greased baking sheet for 45 minutes, cool on a rack. Place biscuit in a decorative jar or sealed plastic baggie.
Always include ingredients on all gifts.

Candle Jars

What you need; large saucepan, cleaned coffee can, paraffin wax, old crayons, paint stirrer, candlesticks, wide mouth 1 cup glass jars.

Set up a double boiler to melt the paraffin. Fill the bottom of the saucepan with 4 to 5 inches of water and place the coffee tin in the pan. Then pack chunks of paraffin into the coffee can melting the wax over medium-high heat, carefully adding more chunks until the can is about two-thirds filled. To color the melted wax, break half of a peeled crayon into pieces, add to the wax. To add a scent, add your favorite oil. Slowly mix with a paint stirrer, then turn off the heat and let the paraffin cool for about 10 minutes.
Dip the bottom of each candlestick into the melted wax and stick it to the inner jar bottom. When the candlestick ends have hardened enough to hold, carefully pour enough wax into the jars to cover the candlestick tops but not the wicks. Allow to cool. Decorate the jars with holiday ribbons and screw on lid.