More Gifts from your Kitchen

 

From a blog post made December 5th, 2006:

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 tried buying locally sourced vanilla beans in bulk, but was not successful, so ended up ordering about 100 vanilla beans from a mainland company to use in several gifts this year. 

Homemade Vanilla Extract
Add a few vanilla beans, some whole and some split to vodka, dark 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 or light brown sugar.  In just a couple of weeks the sugar will be perfumed with the vanilla scent and taste.  You can reuse the beans.

If you are using vanilla beans that have been previously used for making vanilla extract, make sure the bean(s) are thoroughly dried before you put it/them into the sugar or it/they will develop mold.  The way I dry my used vanilla beans is to leave them out on the counter on kitchen or tea towels and let them air dry completely.  Turn them over a couple of times to make sure all sides are dry.

For every 2 pounds of sugar you pour into a plastic or glass container that seals tightly, add at least one or more (I add a few to mine, since I like a strong vanilla flavor) by sticking them into the sugar. 

Seal and leave for about a month. That's it!

To give as gifts, put a cup of sugar into a clear glass jar or container with a sealable lid - I like to use the canning jars with clamp lids and gaskets - Insert a bean, seal and decorate jar with a ribbon or a decorative holiday theme fabric cap.  Be sure to label it attractively.

Can be used when baking cookies, dusting on cakes and pastries, sprinkle over your oatmeal, or even to just to add a teaspoonful in your coffee or tea.....or use your imagination!

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 sea 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 add to our gift baskets.

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.

From a blog post made December 5th, 2006:

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 tried buying locally sourced vanilla beans in bulk, but was not successful, so ended up ordering about 100 vanilla beans from a mainland company to use in several gifts this year. 

Homemade Vanilla Extract
Add a few vanilla beans, some whole and some split to vodka, dark 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 or light brown sugar.  In just a couple of weeks the sugar will be perfumed with the vanilla scent and taste.  You can reuse the beans.

If you are using vanilla beans that have been previously used for making vanilla extract, make sure the bean(s) are thoroughly dried before you put it/them into the sugar or it/they will develop mold.  The way I dry my used vanilla beans is to leave them out on the counter on kitchen or tea towels and let them air dry completely.  Turn them over a couple of times to make sure all sides are dry.

For every 2 pounds of sugar you pour into a plastic or glass container that seals tightly, add at least one or more (I add a few to mine, since I like a strong vanilla flavor) by sticking them into the sugar. 

Seal and leave for about a month. That's it!

To give as gifts, put a cup of sugar into a clear glass jar or container with a sealable lid - I like to use the canning jars with clamp lids and gaskets - Insert a bean, seal and decorate jar with a ribbon or a decorative holiday theme fabric cap.  Be sure to label it attractively.

Can be used when baking cookies, dusting on cakes and pastries, sprinkle over your oatmeal, or even to just to add a teaspoonful in your coffee or tea.....or use your imagination!

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 sea 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 add to our gift baskets.

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.