Favorite Food Gifts

Every year at Christmas, I look forward to sharing my love for cooking by giving food gifts. There is something special about knowing someone spent time creating a gift just for you! Especially if you are foodie like me, you REALLY appreciate it. I enjoy giving sweet treats around the holidays but I still try to keep things light. Everything I make is tailored to be more healthy. I will splurge occasionally, but I have experimented in the kitchen and have learned how to substitute ingredients. You can always refer to other websites for modified recipes (refer to my Favorite Resources page at the top).

Last year I baked and baked and baked! I gave christmas colored tins full of homemade cookies. The recipes varied from chocolate chip cookies, nutella and almond cookies and cranberry and white chocolate biscotti's (All of the recipes were modified to cut back on the fat and sugar).

This year I wanted to change it up and try something different. This past November I saw an article in Cooking Light magazine featuring pomegranates. The article discussed the health benefits of the pomegranate and included multiple recipes. The recipe that caught my eye was a Pomegranate and Pear Preserve. I had always wanted to make preserves but never had before...so this was the perfect opportunity to learn!

The recipe was slightly complicated the first time because I did not have my ingredients prepped. However, the second time I was prepped and ready and things went pretty smooth. This is a quick process (30 minutes) unless you choose to seal the jars (1 hour). Sealing the jars keeps the preserves from spoiling for up to several months.

Here are some pictures from my Preserves Excursion!

Fresh Pomegranate Seeds

Lemon Zest

Rosemary - The Surprise Ingredient

Pomegranate Juice, Pears, Rose Wine and Sugar boiling away...

Finished Product....wrapped and ready to be given!

I hope that you enjoyed these photos and are brainstorming ways you can share you love of cooking with others this Christmas. Unleash your creativity in the kitchen this year.

Some of my other favorite food gifts include:

- Herb Infused Olive Oil

- Infused Vodka

- Vanilla Extract

- Sweet and Salty Roasted Nuts

- Spice Blends (Jamaican, Barbecue, Jerk)

Happy Cooking and Giving!

~Little Chef-titian

Holiday Highlights Part 1

Part I of Holiday Highlights: Thanksgiving Dinner

This is long overdue but I wanted to highlight some of the thanksgiving dishes that were part of our spread. Keep in mind this is only a few select dishes from the endless menu that was prepared. Most of you know that I am not a "southern" cook, however, I enjoyed learning how to prepare some of these traditional home cooked recipes from Hunter's grandmother. I realize the gift she gave me by teaching and passing down her recipes. These are some of my favorite moments with family, especially when the joy of cooking is shared from generation to generation.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2010:

Oven Roasted Turkey

Baked Sweet Potato Casserole (with extra sugar because it was SWEET!)

Creamy Whipped Potatoes and Seasoned Southern Collards

Oyster Stuffing and Traditional Stuffing

Homemade Corn Bread

Deviled Eggs with Green and Black Olives

Dessert: Pumpkin Spice Cake Sprinkled with Powdered Sugar

I love this picture. It is beautiful to watch the work of her hands.

This is Granny Ruby. She shares a love for cooking and working in the kitchen as I do. We talked about food all day long and discussed various recipes. I particularly was fascinated by her knowledge of growing her own foods. I also learned how to can and freeze summer foods for the winter. I look forward to putting this knowledge into practice.

The food was delicious as always and the family time was memorable. I hope you get to reflect over your time spent with family this holiday season and value the conversations, laughter, and experiences shared.

Watch out for Holiday Highlights Part II: Christmas Dinner...Coming Soon!

Happy Holidays!

Little Chef-titian