For years we have been putting together holiday gift baskets for several friends and neighbors. We collect unusual bottles, baskets and vintage linens or make large napkins with colorful tropical fabrics to line our baskets.
I recently made several of the gifts from my kitchen which will be included, along with cookies and homemade holiday breads in this year's baskets.
A couple of months ago I ordered about 100 vanilla beans from a mainland company to use in several gifts this year. See ordering information below.
Homemade Vanilla Extract
Add a few vanilla beans, some whole and some split to vodka, rum or brandy. I prefer a dark Jamaican rum since the "sweetness" of the rum gives the extract a smoother, richer taste. Keep in a dark cool place for at least a month, shaking every once in a while. You can reuse the beans. The bottles I used this time can turn into candleholders after the vanilla is used.
To re-use the beans in a new batch of vanilla, just keep in the bottle and add more vodka, rum or brandy. You might have to add a bean or two more. To save for other uses, the bean should be air dried before you store it so it will not mold.
Vanilla Sugar
Insert one or two split vanilla beans in a jar of refined sugar. In just a couple of weeks the sugar will be perfumed with the vanilla scent and taste. You can reuse the beans.
Vanilla Beans
I tied 6 vanilla beans with red raffia and made little gift bundles. Place each bundle in a small zip-lock bag or wrap in clear or colorful Saran wrap.
Liliko'i (Passion Fruit) Vinaigrette
Cut passion fruit and scoop out seeds and pulp. Place in a saucepan with small amount of water and enough sugar to make a syrup - about 1 cup sugar per 1 cup liquid - bring to a boil and cook until the pulp starts loosening. Pass through a fine mesh colander or sieve. Add distilled white vinegar. Taste depends on how tart/sweet you like your vinaigrete. Bring to a boil. Cool and store in a clean bottle or jar in refrigerator. Decant into decorative gift bottles just before you assemble your basket.
Hawaiian Sea Salt with Alae and Red Pepper Flakes
In one of our bulk markets, I found some plastic containers of Hawaiian salt with alae (red clay). I bought a large container and mixed it with a large container of red pepper flakes. I then filled smaller seasoning jars I had been saving for the purpose.
Lemon-Ginger Jelly
I have to fezz up that I did not make the jelly myself this year. I found some delicious jellies at one of the recent craft fairs in which we participated and bought some to give as gifts.
I would have preferred to have used Hawaii grown vanilla beans, but could not purchase in bulk from the nearby vanilla farm in time to start preparing the gifts.
For information on buying vanilla in bulk, please visit
www.vanilla.com
www.arizonavanilla.com
