Posts tagged: foodie gift
Christmas cookies: Eat it or gift it!
Let's agree that December, is a month to treat ourselves with nice homemade sweets. There is no better way to say thank you than by giving a little box of cookies prepared with love in your kitchen.
Get your apron on and choose a recipe!
You can easily gift them, carefully sealed in a container. Even though they probably won't last too long, just know that you can store them up to one week in an airtight container. But who am I kidding, the cookies weren't even cooled, and half of the batch was already gone. I had to hide a few to be able to share these cuties with you!
I know the statement "My diet starts next week." very well, I say it month after month. If that's the case for you, you might want to consider this quinoa salad. If not, here are some tasty recipes for you.
If you are baking for a nut-free environment or want to stay classic, you can't go wrong with those shortbread cookies. The warmth of the sugary-buttery mix will make you eat them by the handful.
Classic Shortbread cookies
(Yield 15-20)
Ingredients: -
1 cup of butter, diced
1/2 a cup of sugar
1 cup of flour, sifted
Vanilla, optional
Preparation: - Preheat oven to 370 degrees F. In a bowl, mix the butter, sugar, and flour until it holds together. Refrigerate 15-20 min. Roll the dough out half an inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, make squares. Repeat until finished. On a baking sheet, place the shaped cookies. Bake 25 minutes.
Is it cold outside? Are you are in a hot chocolate and marshmallows kind of mood? No problem, we got you covered with those oh so addictive almond-chocolate shortbread bites. Don't try to control yourself in front of those, you can't. They are a buttery treat with the perfect balance of chocolate and almond, plus a sweet touch of marshmallow. Irresistible.
'Hot chocolate cookie', almond-chocolate and marshmallow
(Yield 15)
Ingredients: -
1 cup of flour
1/2 a cup of almond ground
1/4 a cup of sugar
A pinch of salt
2 tablespoon of cocoa powder
1 cup of soft butter, diced
1 egg yolk, medium size
Preparation: - Preheat oven to 325 F. In a bowl, put the flour, ground almond, sugar, salt and cocoa powder. Mixing well, add in the butter, it will be crumbly. Add the egg yolk and continue to mix. Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.
If you want to add a little European twist, with a world-flavored cookie, you'll impress your friends with your pronunciation of Maaantecaos, if you make these delicious cookies! You'll be the Christmas star of the evening... not the one on the tree! You'll love that little orange flavor... Close your eyes, you could be on the street of a little town in Andalucia, where Orange trees make the shadows on the sidewalk...
Spanish Mantecaos (Yield 15)
Ingredients: -
1 and 1/2 half cups of flour
1/2 cup of sugar
100ml of oil
2 teaspoons of orange blossom water
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
Preparation: - Preheat oven to 370 degrees F. In a bowl, put the flour and the sugar. Mix. Pour the oil and the orange water. Mix well until it holds together. Make little balls of 1.5 inches diameters. Bake 25 minutes or until golden. Decorate with icing sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon on top.
Written and photographed by Melanie from Bon Appét'Eat.
Chocolate Dipped Candied Citrus Slices
Still wondering what in the world you're going to get that special someone for Christmas this year? Don't worry, because I've got you covered with these chocolate dipped candied citrus slices!
After a while, buying presents gets a bit tough because everyone seems to have everything they need or want. When you want to show you care, I always say go for the tastebuds. Nothing says I love you like a plate full of beautifully candied citrus slices, dipped in chocolate and served with a bow, am I right?
These elegant slices of sugary citrus are dipped in dark chocolate and look so fancy, no one will know that it took you very little time and effort to create them.
INSTRUCTIONS: In a large skillet, heat water and sugar over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Add the orange and lemon slices and continue to cook over medium heat, turning from time to time. Once the liquid is reduced to a thick syrup and the slices are translucent, approximately 20 minutes, reduce heat to low and simmer until the syrup is thick. Turn the slices occasionally as then cook, approximately 10 minutes.
Transfer the slices to a cooling rack and you can save the syrup to use as a citrus simple syrup in cocktails! Cool the slices for at least 12 hours before dipping.
Dip the citrus slices halfway into the melted chocolate and set on parchment paper to harden, approximately 1 hour. Package in cute little mini loaf pans and wrap as desired.
Recipe & Photos by Meghan Bassett
Gift This! Infused Olive Oils - Garlic, Rosemary & Chili Oils
Christmas is only a couple days away and if you're anything like me, you're panicking about those last couple of presents you still have yet to buy. Instead of a Starbucks gift card or some flowers, why not make a gift that is memorable, hand-crafted and really useful?!
These three infused oils are the perfect trio to gift to anyone on your Christmas gift list. The garlic, rosemary and chili oils will infuse a hefty dose of flavor into whatever anyone cooks with them.
The best part is it'll only take you a quick trip to the craft and grocery stores to get what you need to make these oils. They come together in minutes and don't even require gift wrap because they already look so stunning.
Whether you have a pro chef in your life or someone who's just starting to learn to cook, they'll love these handcrafted oils!
INSTRUCTIONS: Add cloves, rosemary and peppers to their own individual jars. If you don’t want the chile oil to be as spicy, remove the seeds from the peppers before adding to the jar. Pour 6 oz of oil into each and seal. Add cute labels and you’re done!
Recipe & Photos by Meghan Bassett
Maple Bacon Marshmallow Bark
Can you believe it's almost December?! My mind is still reeling from Thanksgiving and holiday parties are already filling up each and every weekend from now until Christmas. I'm trying to think ahead and all I can think to give people is something food-related for Christmas presents...
Big surprise considering my entire life revolves around food. Well, more specifically bacon... This maple bacon marshmallow bark is a fun sweet and savory treat that no one will be able to get anywhere else! Forget candy canes or caramels, this chocolate bark can only be found in one place... your kitchen!
A treat like this one is SUPER easy to make and barely takes any time. You just need a microwave and a freezer to get this little pile of treats whipped up. Then box it up and give it out as Christmas presents, hostess gifts for all those parties you'll be attending, or just load up on massive amounts of this bark for yourself. The sweet and savory combination makes this bark the ultimate snack to indulge in on any chilly afternoon this December!
INSTRUCTIONS: Add the dark chocolate chips to a microwavable bowl. Microwave the chocolate for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove the bowl and stir. Place back in the microwave for 15-second intervals, stirring in between each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in walnuts. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Spread the melted semi-sweet chocolate in an even layer on the wax paper. It should be approximately 1/4″ thick. Sprinkle with bacon and mini marshmallows. Allow it set for 30 minutes in the freezer. Shop This Post Pig of the Month BBQ Applewood Smoked Maple Bacon
*Recipe & photos by Meghan Bassett
