Food Gift Recipes
John’s Dilly Beans
This is a simple canning process requiring no fancy equipment. You can even use a stockpot instead of a canner. As I unpacked my older son’s duffle bag after his first summer at camp 10 years ago, I found a small glass jar carefully nestled among the dirty socks and damp towels. When I…
Homemade Chai Concentrate (for iced or hot chai lattes)
This warmly spiced concentrate can be made ahead and stored in the fridge. Then simply combine with your milk of choice for perfect hot or iced chai lattes whenever the mood strikes. To all the coffee drinkers out there, stay with me! 😀 When my teenagers took a liking to iced chai lattes from…
Chocolate Caramel Matzo Brittle
Sweet, salty, and crunchy, this traditional Passover treat will be a crowdpleaser any time of year! Good recipes have roots in the most unexpected places. Standing on the sidelines of a lacrosse game last year, the grandmother of my son’s good buddy and teammate mentioned a seasonal recipe she likes to make for family…
Healthy 5 (or 6) Ingredient Blender Muffins －sweetened with whole fruit
These satisfying muffins are sweetened with whole fruit and offer a convenient grab-and-go breakfast or snack. And as with a good banana bread, the options with this easy recipe are endless! Sugar. It’s a major buzzword these days because so many of us eat too much of it. Generally speaking, I’m a healthy eater, yet…
Crock Pot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup (with freezer bag option)
Crock Pot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup is classic comfort food that’s wholesome and easy to make. Freezer bag option provides added convenience. We all have days that don’t go as planned. Computers crash, kids get sick, or the car doesn’t start, but we still have to eat. An easy recipe is especially welcome…
Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies
When it comes to justifying dessert, I’m never at a loss. Ice cream has calcium, right? And cobblers are loaded with wholesome fruit. Holidays provide ample opportunities for rationalizing a cookie here and a piece of pie there…and we only live once! Yet in the big picture, the healthy lifestyle I strive for is a…
Raspberry Vanilla Muffins
A combination of frozen fruit and pantry staples makes these muffins a convenient year round option. I love that the recipe uses the whole bag of fruit too. I’m a firm believer in celebrating the little things in life. With all the worry in the world today, why not seize any excuse to create a…
Magical Reindeer Food
Magical Reindeer Food is a fun activity to do with your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews and brings out the wonder of the season. Perfect for kids to give to their friends or use themselves on Christmas Eve. Printable gift tags included! Years ago, when the kids and I still peered towards the moon in…
Eggnog Quick Bread
Capture the flavor of the holidays with this irresistible quick bread, which makes a lovely gift and is perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. The quick glaze adds a hint of decadence and a snow-capped look but is purely optional. Several times over the years, I’ve seen the claim that a perfect…
Spiced Pecan Chex Mix
This sweet and savory spin on the classic snack mix is easy to make and hard to resist. Perfect for gift giving too! Why is it nearly impossible to replace a favorite pair of shoes? You know, the shoes that are really comfortable and go with everything, but their near perfection wasn’t apparent until…
7-Minute Holiday Caramel Sauce
7-Minute Holiday Caramel Sauce is a holiday twist on my classic recipe, and adjustments for classic and salted variations are included in the recipe header. Easy and foolproof! As I was purchasing my favorite vanilla bean ice cream a few months ago, a friendly cashier asked me if I had tried a flavor called…
3-Ingredient Cinnamon Ornaments
Three simple ingredients come together with ease for a project that’s fun for adults and kids alike. Once dried, you can decorate as desired or opt for a rustic look. Great as a gift and the aroma will last for years! Choosing the right gifts for the many special people in our lives can…
