Food Gift Recipes
Paleo Granola
My favorite grain-free granola is lightly spiced and naturally sweet without being sticky like many Paleo granolas. The recipe also offers savings over expensive store-bought alternatives and convenient choices based on what you may have on hand. This recipe was inspired by my Aunt Peggy, who first brought me a jar of her favorite Paleo…
Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup has become my go-to remedy for fighting colds and flu and is very easy to make. For best relief, take it at first sign of a virus. A spoonful a day also works well as a preventative measure. (As a bonus, this all-natural remedy tastes far better than conventional, store-bought syrups－and is less…
Homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream
Quick and easy to make at home and every bit as delicious as the store-bought bottle－less expensive, too. Irish cream is delightful in coffee, on the rocks, or in a variety of baked goods. It’s a novel treat for holiday and hostess gifts and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! A reader from France kindly…
Roasted Pumpkin Butter
Naturally sweetened and perfectly spiced, this foolproof, no-scorch recipe adds something special to toast, oatmeal, yogurt, baked goods and more. Plus it freezes well and makes a lovely gift. If you’ve never made pumpkin butter before, this foolproof recipe is reason to start! The flavor of homemade pumpkin butter is truly in a…
Apple Crumb Cake
From holiday meals and casual entertaining to easy weeknight desserts, one-bowl Apple Crumb Cake is a go-to dessert for fall and winter–and it even passes as coffee cake! My grandmother’s apple cake has long been a family favorite. For years, we focused on the sheer deliciousness of it, as well as the fact that we could whip it…
Congo Bars
Congo Bars = the ultimate blondie! Perfectly chewy and so much easier to make than a batch of cookies, this foolproof recipe is a childhood favorite that has stood the test of time. Readers occasionally ask me if I ever really mess up a recipe – and the answer is a definite “Yes!” Earlier this…
Easy Fermented (or Fresh) Garden Salsa
Who knew how easy it is to make flavorful homemade salsa that’s full of gut-healthy probiotics? No special skills or equipment are needed, and unlike other fermented foods, salsa takes only a few days to ferment.🍅 Does the idea of fermenting food sound daunting? Did you ever think to ferment salsa? (And why would…
Zucchini Banana or Applesauce Bread (grain-free & naturally sweetened)
This grain-free, naturally sweetened zucchini bread puts a healthy spin on the ultimate summer quick bread. As an added bonus, it’s easy to customize and tastes great! This bread is all about choices. In the big picture, this recipe illustrates how we can have our proverbial cake and eat it, too. Cake－or quick bread in this…
Candied Jalapeños (a.k.a Cowboy Candy)
Spicy-sweet pickled jalapeños add flavor to burgers, sandwiches, tacos, rice, and more. Bake them into cornbread or use whenever you don’t have fresh jalapeños on hand. I’ve included lots of delicious ways to make use of these zippy bites, and over time you’ll discover countless more ways to enjoy them! This is one of those whisper-down-the-lane…
PB&J Breakfast Bars
Healthy, filling and easy to make, Rachael Ray herself thinks these tasty bars are a total win! Convenient for grab-and-go breakfasts and anytime snacking. As if a compliment by Rachael Ray isn’t cool enough, the following recipe comes from a cookbook I recently reviewed call The Teen Kitchen －and Amazon just named it one of the best cookbooks…
Healthier Spreadable Butter
Soft, spreadable butter is easy to make and contains a dose of heart healthy Omega-3s! Why pay a premium for soft, spreadable butter when you can make it healthier and tastier at home? Even if you think ahead and soften butter before using (or simply manage with firm butter－yes, there are bigger challenges in life!)…
Lolita’s Low Sugar Granola
Granola is supposed to be healthy, right? Yet too often a small serving is surprisingly high in sugar and calories. Happily, Lolita figured out a way to do it differently. Lucky for us, she shared her trade secrets! Granola is supposed to be healthy, but so often the first or second ingredient is sugar. All…
