Modesto -- Let’s face it: You could easily buy a present for everyone on your list. But it doesn’t have the same heartfelt ring as a gift from the heart.
So bake up a batch of cookies, make some fudge or get the children involved with one of the pretzel projects featured here. Then start a new tradition by giving a little bit.
Cut fudge into small pieces and bake cookies into bite-size morsels. Place your homemade gifts — just one item is enough — into small packages set off with a colorful ribbon or a handmade card. Give just enough for a few sweet tastes.
Sometimes less is more, especially when it has everyone looking forward to a gift from your kitchen again next year.
Santa hat pretzels
Instructions
You'll need mini pretzels, mini marshmallows, melting white chocolate and red sugar crystals for this recipe.
Carefully melt chocolate in microwave in 30-second intervals according to package directions. Be careful: White chocolate burns easily, turning brown. You can melt it in a double broiler.
Dip top of pretzel in melted chocolate. Immediately stick marshmallow on right side of pretzel and sprinkle on red sugar crystals before the white chocolate cools. You should be able to visualize a Santa hat. Refrigerate for 10 minutes until candy sets.
Pistachio Brigadeiros
Ingredients
7-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons double cream
1 teaspoon light corn syrup
1–2 tablespoons almond paste, preferably Fabri
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1 cup finely ground pistachios
Instructions
Place the condensed milk, double cream, corn syrup, pistachio paste and butter in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
As soon as it starts to boil, turn the heat to low and cook, whisking constantly while the milk thickens into a dense fudge, about 8 to 10 minutes. You know it is done when you tilt the pan and the whole fudge slides as a piece, leaving the burnt bits on the bottom of the pan.
Slide the mixture into a bowl, without scraping the bottom of the pan. Leave to cool at room temperature. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Scoop the mixture by the teaspoonful and, using your hands, roll each into a little ball, (¾-inch) in diameter.
Place the ground pistachios in a bowl. Roll 4 to 6 brigadeiros at a time in the nuts, making sure they cover the entire surface. Store in an airtight plastic container at room temperature for 2 days or up to 1 month in the refrigerator. Eat them at room temperature.
This recipe is from "The Brazilian Kitchen: 100 Classic and Creative Recipes for the Home Cook," by Leticia Moreinos Schwartz (Kyle Books, $19.95).
Citrus salts
Makes a generous 1 cup
Ingredients
1 cup coarse salt
3 tablespoon citrus zest
Instructions
Mix salt and zest in a bowl. Spread on baking trays and air dry overnight. Package in small containers for gift-giving. Use as a finishing salt on fish, beef, poultry or vegetables.
Let's face it: You could easily buy a present for everyone on your list. But it doesn't have the same heartfelt ring as a gift from the heart.
So bake up a batch of cookies, make some fudge or get the children involved with one of the pretzel projects featured here. Then start a new tradition by giving a little bit. Cut fudge into small pieces and bake cookies into bite-size morsels. Place your homemade gifts — just one item is enough — into small packages set off with a colorful ribbon or a handmade card. Give just enough for a few sweet tastes. Sometimes less is more, especially when it has everyone looking forward to a gift from your kitchen again next year.
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