I admit it - I love the holiday season. I love wrapping gifts and mulling cider and cooking for friends and being cooked for (well, okay, I love those last two any time of the year!). It can get hectic, but it's fun.
Here are two of the ways I downplay the "hectic" part and play up the fun: gift baskets using the preserves I've already made earlier in the year, and a few quick and easy last minute recipes.
I put together food gift baskets that include my homemade preserves, but also take help from the store when appropriate. Examples include a risotto kit with my home-dried mushrooms and dried herbs from my garden plus arborio rice and white wine; or a tea party collection with grapefruit marmalade and homemade scones plus looseleaf black tea and maybe a handsome tea pot.
If I just need a jar of something special and homemade asap, 24-hour Spiced Cauliflower Pickles, Overnight Dill Pickles, or any of these last minute food preservation gifts fit the bill.
Back to the wrapping and mulling...
Photo ŠLeda Meredith
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