Coming up on Nov 6 we are presenting our Making Herbal Gifts program at District 214 in the Arlington Heights, IL Area, so I thought I could share this blog post I first wrote as a Guest post on the Supporting Artists blog in December 2012. The best thing about this is it is timeless and these items are great to make and perfect as gifts.
Using and gifting with herbs is such a special
holiday treat. I thought I would share a few simple ideas that you can use to
herb up your Holidays.
As an herb gardener, I enjoy the scents and smells of herbs, but this time of year the smell of spices is just as appealing. I craft these simmering spices to give my home the smell of gingerbread even when I do not have time for baking.
Simmer Spices
§ 6 whole cinnamon sticks, broken
§ 1 Tbls. whole allspice
§ 1 Tbls. orange rind
§ 1 Tbls. whole cloves
§ A handful of pine needles or fir needles, or
you can substitute 2 Tbls. of Rosemary
Place all the items with water to cover in a
simmer pot or place in a saucepan on the back burner with enough water to cover
and keep on simmer. Refill the water whenever it gets low and enjoy the smell
of Christmas!!
Seasoned Nuts
This is a recipe I share with my friends each
year. I make it to serve at open houses. As a favor or gift I give my Backyard Patch Cinnful Dessert
Blend with the recipe attached to those visiting. It is simple
and easy to make and you can change up the nuts to suit your palate. If you do
not have any Cinnful Dessert Blend, try pumpkin pie spice or just plain
cinnamon.
Stirring the seasoned
nuts, just before the oven
Cinnful Nuts (Cinnamon Roasted Nuts)
§ 1/2 cup pecans
§ 1/2 cup walnut halves
§ 1 cup peanuts (see note below)
§ 1 egg lightly beaten
§ 1 tsp. water
§ 3/4 cup sugar
§ 1 Tbls. Backyard Patch Cinnful Dessert Blend
§ 3/4 tsp. salt
Steps:
Combine the nuts. Mix together the egg and water and toss with the nut mixture. Combine the sugar, spices and salt and toss that with the nuts until they are well coated.
Spread nuts in a single layer on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Break up any large clusters and allow to cool.
(* NOTE: You can remove peanuts and increase
the other nuts by ½ cup to make a different mixture. Or substitute hazelnuts
for the peanuts.)
Inspiration Stimulation
When your creativity starts flagging because of all the pressure and use this delightful recipe for tea that combines sweet and savory herbs to construct a creative frame of mind. As a gift I tie 2 teaspoons of the herbs into cheese cloth squares or coffee filters and stack them in a decorative jar with a label including instructions.
§ 1 Tbls. Hibiscus
§ 1 Tbls. Lemon grass
§ ½ Tbls.Basil (Holy Basil if you have it is
even better)
§ 1 tsp. Rosemary
§ 1 tsp. Cardamom seed (if you have pods crush
and extract only the seed)
Combine in a container with a tight-fitting
lid and use 2 tsp. per cup of hot water. Allow to steep 5 to 7 minutes.
Energizing Bath Bag Blend
Need more energy this holiday season? This
combination of energizing herbs could do the trick. Create this blend of herbs
and use it for yourself or make up a batch with your family and give them as
gifts. The recipe makes 8 cloth bags of bath blend.
§ ½ cup lavender flowers
§ ½ cup peppermint
§ ½ cup spearmint
§ ½ cup lemon grass
§ 8 drops lavender essential oil
§ 10 drops lemon grass essential oil
§ 5 drops peppermint essential oil
§ 5 drops spearmint essential oil
Combine all herbs in a plastic bowl. Add oils
by the drop and stir with a plastic spoon or spatula (not with your hands.)
Allow to meld for an hour and then place about ¼ cup in a cotton muslin bag or
heat sealed tea bag.
TO USE: Allow bath bag to steep in hot bath
water for 3 to 5 minutes before bathing.
I hope you enjoy these recipes and if you like
herbs, please visit my Shop where I highlight not only my cooking and tea
herbs, but also baking mixes, soups mixes, and seasonal spices: www.backyardpatch.com or you can visit
me at www.backyardpatch.etsy.com
