Edible vegan gifts for the holidays.FINDING PERSONAL AND AFFORDABLE ways to wish family, co-workers, teachers, and neighbors the best of the season can be a real 'treasure' hunt. However, if you do a little planning and are willing to spend some time in the kitchen, you'll find that gift-giving can be economical and heartfelt at the same time. Also, if you make it a 'community' project, you even get to spend quality time with friends and family. Plus, a jar of homemade spicy nuts or salsa is less expensive than a basket of scented soaps or another bottle of wine, and they are definitely much more personal. Making edible gifts work means coming up with a plan now, not a week before the holiday. Experts suggest breaking the project into two parts--first deciding what you're making and then deciding how you'll package it. Do both as early as possible. You will enjoy having time to locate ingredients and packaging materials, and you'll probably save some money, too. We suggest trying to make just one or two ideas and then using those for multiple gift recipients, especially if you are new to giving edible gifts. Also, consider foods that will last at least a few weeks, preferably without refrigeration refrigeration, process for drawing heat from substances to lower their temperature, often for purposes of preservation. Refrigeration in its modern, portable form also depends on insulating materials that are thin yet effective. . This is easier for you since there will be no need to rush the gift out or make it at the last minute. In addition, it is more considerate con·sid·er·ate adj. 1. Having or marked by regard for the needs or feelings of others. See Synonyms at thoughtful. 2. Characterized by careful thought; deliberate. for the recipient, who may not want to eat it immediately. HEALTHFUL health·ful adj. 1. Conducive to good health; salutary. 2. Healthy. health  ful·ness n. YET FUN IDEAS
A homemade gift for someone shows how much you care--and they can enjoy it, too! And a healthful gift really does Warren Trotter, better known as Really Doe, is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. He is affiliated with Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music family and label. Discography Songs
* Make a basket packed with a variety of salsas Salsas is a Portuguese parish in the district of Bragança. The population in 2001 is 424, its density is 16.5/km² and the area is 25.76 km². , fruit preserves
* Create a recipe file. Write out two or three of your favorite healthy recipes on attractive cards. Package in a small, interesting box with extra cards. * Tie a beautiful ribbon, a length of interesting cloth, or a short hand-knitted scarf around a loaf of homemade seven-grain bread. * Fill a large holiday mug with an assortment of green and herbal teas, dried ginger, and dried fruit. * Collect a variety of hot cereal packets or small boxes, or make up your own mix. Package in a pretty bowl, and tie up in a large cloth napkin napkin See Sanitary napkin. or small tablecloth with a big bow. * Pot culinary herbs, ready to grow, in an ornamental pot or tin. Rosemary, basil, parsley, chives chives alliumschoenoprasm. , and thyme thyme (tīm), any species of the genus Thymus, aromatic herbs or shrubby plants of the family Labiatae (mint family). The common thyme, which is used as a seasoning herb and yields a medicinal essential oil containing thymol, is the Old World grow well on a windowsill. * Fill a big glass jar with a variety of colorful legumes Legumes A family of plants that bear edible seeds in pods, including beans and peas. Mentioned in: Cholesterol, High legumes (l : layer lentils, kidney beans kidney bean phaseolusvulgaris. , black-eyed peas, etc., into a colorful pattern. Then, include a soup, stew, tangine, or ragout ra·gout n. A well-seasoned meat or fish stew, usually with vegetables. [French ragoût, from ragoûter, to revive the taste, from Old French ragouster : re-, recipe. The same can be done with dried fruit--include a recipe for a cold (or hot) fruit soup, tea, or compote. PACKAGING A big part of giving edible gifts is the container, so have fun with this part. Cookie tins or foil are available in many colors and shapes, but you may want to think outside the cookie tin. Search online or at craft stores, where you'll find loads of recyclable choices, such as colorful cardboard food containers or seasonal cardstock. The plain white boxes sold in varying sizes at candy and baking supply stores can be used year-round. You can decorate these yourself or 'hire' your children to do so. Or you can festoon festoon, sculptured or painted architectural or interior ornament consisting of a garland of leaves, flowers, or fruit, or some combination of these, held by ribbons or folds and draped at the ends. the boxes with a bouquet of ribbons, alternating thin and thick widths. Cellophane cellophane, thin, transparent sheet or tube of regenerated cellulose. Cellophane is used in packaging and as a membrane for dialysis. It is sometimes dyed and can be moisture-proofed by a thin coating of pyroxylin. (clear, colored, or decorated with holiday images) is another choice, as are glass jars in assorted colors and antique (or gently used) wood or metal boxes. Last year, we found fun bags, cut out of thick flannel flannel, large group of napped plain-weave or twill-weave fabrics made of cotton, wool, or man-made fibers. Flannel fabrics vary in closeness or firmness of weave and in degree of napping. . The way the gift is placed in the container makes it interesting, as well. Think about baking homemade vegan vegan /veg·an/ (ve´gan) (vej´an) a vegetarian whose diet excludes all food of animal origin. ve·gan n. biscotti Biscotti (plural of Italian biscotto, roughly meaning "twice baked") are crisp Italian cookies often containing nuts or flavored with anise. Traditionally, biscotti are made by baking cookie dough in two long slabs, cutting these into slices, and reheating them to dry or hard pretzels in thick paper cones, resembling giant ice cream cones An ice cream cone or cornet is a cone-shaped pastry, usually made of a wafer similar in texture to a waffle, in which ice cream is served, allowing it to be eaten without a bowl or spoon. . Balance the cone in the center of a box with sides high enough to support it. Place small jars or paper bags of cinnamon sugar Cinnamon sugar is a mixture of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar used as a spice for desserts. While premixed versions are available commercially, it is simple to prepare at home. (made with date sugar or palm sugar), granulated gran·u·late v. gran·u·lat·ed, gran·u·lat·ing, gran·u·lates v.tr. 1. To form into grains or granules. 2. To make rough and grainy. v.intr. nuts, cookie crumbs CRUMBS is an improvisational theatre duo based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The duo consists of two actors, Stephen Sim, and Lee White. Other members include videographers, musicians, photographers, webmasters, illustrators, producers, agents, publicists, graphic , fruit preserves or jams, and other items that can be used for dipping. If 'traveling' is an issue, then include the recipe and the dry ingredients in the cone, rather than the finished product. If you are presenting closer to home, think about baking loaves loaves n. Plural of loaf1. loaves Noun the plural of loaf1 loaves loaf of zucchini zucchini Subspecies of Cucurbita pepo, dark green elongate summer squash in the gourd family, of great abundance in U.S. home gardens and supermarkets. The creeping vine has five-lobed leaves, tendrils, and large yellow flowers. , banana, or carrot bread. Hollow out Verb 1. hollow out - remove the interior of; "hollow out a tree trunk" core out, hollow empty - make void or empty of contents; "Empty the box"; "The alarm emptied the building" gouge, rout - make a groove in a small section of the loaf, and place small jars of nut butters or fruit preserves into the hollow. This is an easy dessert for the giftee to serve! RUBS Why not give your friends and family a rub this year? No, not the promise of a massage (although you could offer that as a gift certificate), but an assortment of rubs that can liven up Verb 1. liven up - make lively; "let's liven up this room a bit" liven, enliven, invigorate, animate energize, perk up, energise, stimulate, arouse, brace - cause to be alert and energetic; "Coffee and tea stimulate me"; "This herbal infusion doesn't foods without contributing additional fat. A rub is a mixture of herbs, spices, and seasonings. The advantage of a rub is that it can keep well if placed in an airtight air·tight adj. 1. Impermeable by air. 2. Having no weak points; sound: an airtight excuse. airtight Adjective 1. container and kept in a cool place. A batch of rub is quick to make and easy to use. Once you've made several batches in several flavors, you are ready to turn your rub into a gift. Rubs present nicely poured into small glass jars, such as canning jars. You can place a new handkerchief or bandana under the lid, and then screw the lid securely on. Jazz up the rub jar with ribbon, small strings of beads (strung on elastic), or paper strands. Add a card with "how to" use rubs, and you've got a great gift! Each rub recipe makes enough for 2-3 pounds of vegetables, tofu tofu Soft, bland, custardlike food product made from soybeans. Believed to date from China's Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220), tofu is today an important source of protein in the cuisines of East and Southeast Asia. , seitan sei·tan n. A chewy, protein-rich food made from wheat gluten and used as a meat substitute. , and even croutons. GREEK RUB (Makes 1/2 cup or 1 serving) You can actually add this rub to a mixture of oil and vinegar for a great salad dressing. For cooking, sprinkle it on tomato halves and broil or add to roasting potatoes or winter squash. 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1 teaspoon fresh ground block popper 1 teaspoon crushed vegetable bouillon 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. Total calories per serving: 52 Fat: 2 grams Carbohydrates: 8 grams Protein: 1 gram Sodium: 953 milligrams Fiber: 1 gram ETHIOPIAN RUB (Makes 1/2 cap or 1 serving) This is probably the most exotic and expensive rub we have seen, but it is well worth the time and cost. Try it on roasting potatoes or plantains. 4 whole cloves 2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 3/4 teaspoon black cardamom seeds 10 black peppercorns 1 teaspoon coriander seeds 10 small dried red chilies 2 1/2 teaspoons paprika 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger 1/4 teaspoon allspice 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves In a small frying pan over low heat (no oil), lightly toast whole cloves, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, cardamom seeds, peppercorns, and coriander seeds for approximately 2 minutes. Allow to cool. Remove stems from chilies and grind with toasted spices. Add remaining ingredients. Store in an airtight jar. Total calories per serving: 16 Fat: <1 gram Carbohydrates: 3 grams Protein: 1 gram Sodium: 5 milligrams Fiber: 1 gram CARIBBEAN RUB (Makes 1/2 cup or 1 serving) Also known as 'jerk' rub, try this recipe with seitan or even as a 'sprinkle' on roasted corn on the cob. 1 Tablespoon onion flakes 1 Tablespoon onion powder 2 teaspoons ground thyme 2 teaspoons sugar (Use your favorite vegan variety.) 2 teaspoons dried chives or scallions 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon cayenne 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon Mix all ingredients together. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Total calories per serving: 74 Fat: <1 gram Carbohydrates: 18 grams Protein: 1 gram Sodium: 5 milligrams Fiber: 1 gram (Makes 1/2 cap or 1 serving) This savory recipe enhances tofu, tempeh, Tofurky, potatoes, ... you name it! 2 Tablespoons dried crushed oregano or thyme 1 Tablespoon dried grated lemon rind 1 Tablespoon (vegan) brown sugar 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder Place all of the ingredients in a small bowl, and stir to mix well. Total calories per serving: 62 Fat: 1 gram Carbohydrates: 15 grams Protein: 1 gram Sodium: 5 milligrams Fiber: 3 grams OTHER EDIBLE GIFTS These gifts take more time to make than the rubs--sometimes several days--but they make exceptionally impressive gifts. PICKLED LEMONS (Makes thirty-two 2-Tablespoon servings) Pickled lemons make a great condiment for mild hot entrees or can be added to curries, soups or stews, cooked vegetables, or fresh salads. 6 lemons 2 Tablespoons salt 2 garlic doves, minced 1 teaspoon ground paprika 1/4 cap red pepper flakes 1 cap vegetable oil, room temperature Wash lemons thoroughly, cut into quarters, and remove the seeds. Roll in salt and pack into a quart-sized jar. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 2 days. Combine remaining ingredients, add to jar, and let stand for 4 or 5 more days. When done, store in the refrigerator until ready to use as a present. Total calories per serving: 64 Fat: 7 grams Carbohydrates: 1 gram Protein: <1 gram Sodium: 436 milligrams Fiber: <1 gram FRUIT BASKET CENTERPIECE (Makes approximately 16 caps) * Pictured on the cover. Assemble this to give as a 'centerpiece' gift. You'll need skewers and a basket. 1 each flesh pineapple and cantaloupe Honeydew (optional) Watermelon (optional) 2 pints strawberries 3 caps gropes (assorted colors) Cut the top off of your pineapple with a knife and discard. Slice 1/2-inch thick slices from the remainder of the pineapple. Push a flower cookie cutter into the center of each pineapple slice and cut out your flowers. Slice your cantaloupe in half and scoop out the seeds. Use a melon bailer to scoop out one ball for every two flowers. Cut the melon balls in half. You can use watermelon and/or honeydew as well for this to make assorted colors and flavors. Put a six-inch bamboo skewer through the center of the pineapple flower and then push the melon ball half onto the tip of the skewer, creating the center of a flower. Repeat until all of the pineapple flowers have been used. Remove the leaves from the strawberries and push each of them lengthwise onto their own skewers. Wash the grapes and stick five or six onto each skewer. Push them up the skewer so that they touch one another. Roll some modeling clay into a ball or take some florist's foam, and place into your basket. Stick your skewers into the clay and arrange your fruit flowers to your liking. Some tips: * Cut the ends of your skewers with kitchen scissors to achieve various stem heights. * Don't push the fruit through the top of the skewer. * Use the melon rinds instead of modeling clay or florist's foam to attach your skewers into the basket. * Fill your arrangement with parsley for extra color and to hide the clay. Total calories per serving: 59 Fat: <1 gram Carbohydrates: 15 grams Protein: 1 gram Sodium: 6 milligrams Fiber: 2 grams CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE TREE (Makes approximately 35 truffles) This takes a bit of doing, and definitely can't be shipped but the "oohs" and "ahhs" are well worth it. 1 cup vegan cake numbs (Vanilla, chocolate, almond, and carrot cake work well.) 1/2 cap vegan brown sugar (or any coarse vegan sugar) 1 cup dry vegan chocolate beverage mix (not unsweetened cocoa) 1/2 cap ground almonds 1 cap vegan chocolate chips 1 cap apricot jam Shredded dry coconut for garnish, if desired Combine the cake crumbs, sugar, dry chocolate beverage, and ground almonds in a bowl and set aside. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, in a quart bowl, for approximately 30 seconds on HIGH or on the stove, in a small pot, stirring constantly until melted. Add the chocolate into the dry ingredients, and mix well. Add just enough jam to make a stiff mixture that you can roll into balls. Place the mixture in the refrigerator and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Roll into 1-inch balls. Next, roll the balls in coconut, if desired. Refrigerate the balls for at least 24 hours before assembling. FOR THE TREE YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING: * A 10-inch (circumference) polystyrene ball, or a ball made of a material in which you can stick toothpicks. These can be found in craft stores or florist shops. * A 'pot' for the base of your tree. This can be a ceramic flower pot filled with marbles or a clay flower pot filled with hay. * A wooden dowel--the length is your choice, depending on how high you would like your 'tree' to be. * Enough colorful ribbon to cover your ball and your dowel and to make decorative little bows, approximately 4 yards. * Modeling clay * Double-sided tape * 35-40 toothpicks TO ASSEMBLE: First, cover the dowel with ribbon. Secure at the bottom and top with tape or clay. Press the dowel into the polystyrene ball. Cover the ball with ribbons, using the tape to help the ribbons stay on. Place some modeling clay into the bottom of the container you have selected. Press the other end of the dowel into the container and make certain it is secure. Dot the ball with toothpicks. Alternate small bows, made from the leftover ribbon, with the chocolate balls. Plan to serve or deliver fairly soon after assembly. Total calories per truffle: 71 Fat: 2 grams Carbohydrates: 14 grams Protein: 1 gram Sodium: 9 milligrams Fiber: 1 gram Chef Nancy Berkoff Nancy Berkoff is The Vegetarian Resource Group's Food Service Advisor. She is the author of Vegan Meals far 1 or 2, Vegan Microwave Cookbook (programming) cookbook - (From amateur electronics and radio) A book of small code segments that the reader can use to do various magic things in programs. One current example is the "PostScript Language Tutorial and Cookbook" by Adobe Systems, Inc (Addison-Wesley, ISBN , and numerous other cookbooks The following is a list of cookbooks, sorted alphabetically by author's surname. This is not a list of external links to commercial sites; please list only cookbooks here. This literature-related list is incomplete; you can help by [ expanding it]. . |
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