Great Gifts from the Kitchen--Seven Tempting Treats To Make and Give This Holiday

Whether you just enjoy the creativity, or prefer to personalize and give more meaning to your presents, or are simply budget conscious, gifts from the kitchen are a gratifying option for the holidays. Here are just seven of the many kitchen gifts I've happily given out over the years. (Just clicking on the titles will take you to the how-to and recipes.)

Gourmet Herbed Vinegars--For the right person, (usually a fairly adventuresome or gourmet cook),  homemade herbed vinegars can be the perfect gift. Not only do the bottles make a charming decorative kitchen accent, but the cook who likes to ready  homemade mayos, vinaigrettes, Bearnaise or quick pan sauces will be thrilled with their fresh, intense flavors and zip. Note that the vinegars are also easy to prepare.



Candied Grapefruit and Orange Peels--
The homemade version of this confection tastes so spectacular that just writing about it is making me want some now. In fact it's really hard to understand how store-bought citrus peels can be so much less appealing, but that's usually the case. Note that "as is" homemade candied peels are both fat- and gluten-free; of course, if you dip the strips in chocolate, they will then include cocoa butter, the natural fat of chocolate.
Hearty Minestrone Soup Mix

This is a perfect gift from the kitchen when your recipient is diet-conscious or simply doesn't like sweets. A convenient, not to mention eye-catching, jar of mix can be effortlessly combined with water and a can of tomatoes for a whole pot of healthful, nourishing minestrone. (By choosing certified gluten-free ingredients, you can tailor your soup mix to those allergic to gluten.)

Nearly Foolproof, No-Beat Chocolate Rocky Road Fudge--

It took me many tries over several decades to come up with a fudge recipe that looked and tasted good and came out right every single time. If you can bear to part with the batch, it makes a fine holiday gift for any fudge or chocolate fan.





Cranberry-Chocolate Chip Bars-in-Jars Mix--
Attractively-layered containers of "bars-in-jars" mix make thoughtful gifts for favorite teachers, relatives, or friends, and can be readied by teens or younger children working along with a grownup. The recipient stirs the mix together with butter and an egg for an almost effortless pan of festive homemade chocolate chip-cranberry bars.


Citrusy Homemade Limoncello Liqueur--
For the occasional tippler, or fan of all things Italian, a bottle of this potent lemon-scented liqueur would make a truly memorable gift. Better get on it though--the lemon peels have to steep at least a week and the holidays are almost here.


Stained Glass and Light Catcher Cookies--
Festive, highly giftable rolled cut-out cookies can be created fairly easily using this simple "stained glass," technique. Children love both giving and receiving these.