Making Herbal Gifts series - Cleaning and Greening

Last year I made a lot of Lavender, Rosemary and Rose Petal vinegars and some homemade Lavender furniture polish. You wouldn’t think that any of those items would be suitable to give as presents but I had a friend who wanted to become greener around the home so suddenly these items and a few others seemed like a perfect match.  (If you like in the Chicagoland area, I will be giving a program on this topic in the Spring at the Wauconda Public Library.)

I saved this gift idea to the last so that you could make them more for yourself than as a gift, unless you have a friend like mine...

I have described how to make and use vinegars before, so check out these posts for more details on how to make vinegar you can use for cleaning:

http://backyardpatch.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-tues-day-making-herbal-vinegar.html

There have also been a couple other opportunities to do blog posts on cleaning with herbs.  Here are a couple others if you are interested:

http://backyardpatch.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-cleaning-with-herbs-joyous.html

http://backyardpatch.blogspot.com/2011/06/cleaning-with-herbal-essential-oils.html

Cleaning for the Holidays Recipes

Here are a few other recipes you can try around your home or make up for the neat nick in your acquaintance (that would be my hubby!)

Bathroom Scrub

This is a two-part cleaner you keep in a shaker and a spray bottle and used together to clean and deodorize you bathroom and kitchen.

Materials:

  Baking soda

  Thyme vinegar (or plain white if you don’t have herbal vinegar)

  Essential oil of something disinfectant (thyme, sage, clary sage, tea tree)

Directions:

Add the essential oil by drops to the baking soda and place in a shaker container.  Place the vinegar in a spray bottle.

Directions for use: Spray the tub/shower walls and floor with the vinegar.  Shake on the fragranced baking soda.  Spray again with vinegar.  Everything will fizz, clean and deodorize.  Wipe the mixture around to clean stubborn spots and then rinse.

Soft Scrub

I love this because a tooth brush and this blend and you can get the faucets shining brightly. and it is great on shower tile and soap scum.  I use it to spot clean the floor tile between washings.

1 cup of baking soda, borax or washing soda

1 cup of castile soap

Mix together and put in a plastic lidded container.  Dip a sponge or cloth in and use as a soft scrub for your tub, tile and toilet.

Window Cleaner

Make a great all-purpose window cleaner so you can see those pretty lights.

1/4 cup vinegar

1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent

2 cups of water in a spray bottle

Combine all items together in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Spritz the window and wipe with a clean lint-free cloth.

Check back in March for more details on the program in Wauconda scheduled for April 4th.

Making Herbal Gifts - Chutney, mustards, etc.

Adding to the previous food items, like homemade gingerbread men and trees and spiced

cookies and all the things mentioned earlier I thought I would include these easy to make at the last minute items. 

My husband pointed out over Thanksgiving that his favortie gift to recieve are condiments.  Chutneys, relishes, exoitic jellies and such, especially if they are homemade or small batch made like those you find in local gift emproiums.  His sister and brother in law find him some great ones while travling in the UP of Michigan each year.


Here is a great seasonal chutney with all the perfect spices that I makes it a great gift and a wonderful side dish for holiday cooking.  To give as a gift you will need to waterbath can the chutney in mason jars.  For full details on this process I recommend checking out the Ball canning website.

Spiced Cranberry Chutney

·         1 tablespoon(s) canola oil

·         1 large onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 1/2 cups)

·         1 tablespoon(s) grated fresh ginger

·         1 teaspoon(s) ground allspice

·         2 stick(s) cinnamon

·         1 cup(s) sugar

·         4 cup(s) cranberries, fresh or frozen

·         1 cup(s) dried apricots, diced

·         1 cup(s) apricot nectar

·         1 teaspoon(s) grated lemon zest

·         2 tablespoon(s) lemon juice

·         1 teaspoon(s) kosher salt

·         1/2 teaspoon(s) freshly ground black pepper

·         2 large Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut in 1/2-inch dice

Directions

1.   Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat; add onion, ginger, allspice, and cinnamon sticks. Cook, stirring mixture frequently, until onion is translucent and tender, about 10 minutes.

2.   Stir in sugar, cranberries, apricots, nectar, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper. Stir mixture to dissolve sugar, then bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 22 minutes. Stir in apples. Continue to simmer 10 to 12 minutes longer, stirring once or twice, or until apples are tender yet still hold their shape.

3.   Remove from heat and transfer to a serving bowl. Cover surface of chutney with plastic wrap. Cool at room temperature 30 minutes, then refrigerate several hours until well chilled and chutney has set up. (Chutney can be made up to 3 days before serving and stored in the refrigerator.)

4.   For long term storage or to give as a gift, you will have to process this mixture in a waterbath canner.  Pour the mixture into sterilized mason jars leaving ½ inch head room.  Seal with heated lids and rings and place in boiling water for 12 to 15 minutes.  Remove from boiling water and allow to cool.  Place any jars that do not “pop” in the refrigerator and use quickly.  Those that seal will stay fresh for a year.

I posted several Mustard recipes in a blog back in August.  This was the basic recipe I recommended and I still think it is the easiest and most versatile.  It makes a great gift when combined with some summer sausage and hard cheese and crackers in a gift bag or basket.

Make-It-Yourself Gourmet Mustard

1 cup of Dijon-style mustard
¼ cup dried herbs (or about one-half cup finely-chopped fresh herbs)
1½ tablespoons dry white wine

Combine all ingredients in a lidded jar and refrigerate for a week before using, so that the flavors mellow and mingle. Keep for up to three months (although it certainly won't last that long).


Some zesty herbal combinations to make this more personal are:

• Minced thyme, parsley, and marjoram, with one clove garlic
• Minced tarragon with basil and thyme
• 1-2 tablespoons prepared or freshly grated horseradish, one clove garlic, ¼ cup grated fresh ginger root, 2 tablespoons honey
• Substitute red wine for white, with basil, chives, and a clove of garlic.

Making Herbal Gifts - Liquors and Spiced Wine

One of my favorite ‘quick presents’ is a bottle of wine, something that many people resort to buying for people they don’t know what to buy for, but I add an extra dimension to my gift.  Sometimes I add a couple of mulled wine glasses (the kind with a handle on) and pack the lot up in a basket with mulling spices.  You can pre-mix the seasoning, or add a little recipe scroll and a pretty organza bag full of spices contained in the recipe so that the recipient can make up batches of soothing, warming and delicious mulled wine

Mulling Spices for Wine or Cider

8 to 10 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
6 to 8 whole cardamom pods
3 star anise

Add spices to 1 750 ml bottle of dry red wine (like cabernet sauvignon or merlot) with a slice of lemon and orange.  If you like it sweet add 2/3 cup honey.



If you have in time and inclination, you can also make your own liquers.  I found these three receipes in my files and tried the first one with great success.

Many wonderful drinks had their beginnings in medieval monastic gardens and stillrooms. They're easy to make, but they do take time to age. If you start now, you'll be offering your liqueur New Years’ Eve guests and still have some to serve at spring events. To ensure that your liqueurs are worth the time it takes to make them, use the best ingredients, store in glass or ceramic containers, and age in a cool dark spot.

These recipes use vodka and white wine; brandy or white rum are also good. Berry Rosy Liqueur
2 pints blackberries or raspberries
1 cup fresh rose geranium leaves
4 cups vodka
½ cup white wine Syrup:
1 cup sugar
½ cup water Combine the berries, geranium leaves, vodka, and wine in a wide-mouth jar with a tight-fitting lid. Steep for one month in a cool, dark place. Open and crush the berries slightly with a potato masher and steep for another 4-5 days. Strain, pressing the juice from the berries, then filter through a coffee filter or double layer of cheesecloth. To make the syrup, bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan, add sugar, and stir until dissolved. Cool. Add half the syrup to the liqueur; taste, then continue to add and taste until it is as sweet as you like. Pour into a bottle, cap it, and age in a cool, dark place for three weeks to three months. Makes about 1½ quarts.

Spiced Pear Liqueur
8 ripe pears, juiced (about 4 cups pear juice)
2-inch piece ginger root, peeled, sliced
1 whole nutmeg
1 cinnamon stick
4 cups vodka
½ cup white wine

Syrup:
2 cups sugar
1 cup water

Combine the pears, ginger root, spices, vodka, and wine and proceed as above, steeping for 5 weeks. Strain, filter. Make the syrup and add as above. Bottle and age for at least 4 weeks—the longer the better.

Van Der Tum Liqueur

This is a slightly different liqueur from South Africa.  It was served on special occasions.  The spices in it make it perfect for this time of year.

6 whole Cloves
1 stick Cinnamon
1/2 Nutmeg, grated
3 cups Brandy
2 Tbls. sliced Mandarin Orange peel
3 cups Rum
1 cup white sugar
½ cup water

Bruise the cloves and cinnamon and tie, with the nutmeg, in a muslin bag. Place the muslin bag, brandy, orange peel and rum in a clean, sterilized jar and seal. Allow to infuse for one month, shaking the jar gently every day. Strain the liqueur through muslin. Boil the water and sugar until very thick, then combine with the liqueur. Decant into dry, sterilized bottles and seal.

As always you can find more recipes of a seasonal nature by visiting our Advent Calendar which adds a new holiday recipe or craft each day through December 25th.  It also has some hidden treasure int he form of discounts and free items from the Backyard Patch.

Christmas Herbs

I did a pair of posts last month on Holiday Spices, and this is in a similar vein but with more herbs and a few more traditions.  I have also included a recipe or two to go with some of the items.

Herbs play a rich and varied historical role at Christmas time and many favorite traditions surround these wonderful plants and their uses. Here are some traditional Christmas herbs to enliven your festivities with a few out of the ordinary recipes to try them:

• Clove: The lovely rich spicy fragrance of cloves is very much part of Christmas and was traditionally used this time of year to provide lovely aromas in the warm rooms of the home. Clove studded oranges, pomanders, are a very traditional Christmas craft.

Spiced Door Sachets

A broken vanilla bean

2 whole nutmeg crushed

10 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks, broken

Cut a 6″ diameter circle out of cotton fabric. Place the spices in the center of the

fabric. Gather the fabric up to enclose the spices and tie with one end of a

7 inch long gold ribbon. Tie the other end of the ribbon to a doorknob. Whenever

the door is opened or closed, scent will be released into the room.

• Lavender: It is said that Mary draped Jesus’ robes and blankets on lavender bushes to capture the scent. This herb is also credited with changing Mary’s robes to blue from the flowers. Lavender is a very important and familiar fragrance, which also can help treat insomnia.

Lavender Dryer Bags
 
5” x 5” cotton muslin or cheesecloth squares (2)
Thread
Lavender
 
Sew large "tea bags" out of the muslin or cheesecloth squares, leaving an opening at the top to fill with lavender. Sew the top shut. No need to sew fancy, just place the squares together and sew a single seam along the top about ¼ inch from the edge.  Roughly squeeze the bags before tossing in the dryer with wet laundry. When laundry is done the scent is light, not overwhelming at all.  Especially nice to use on loads of bedding (sweet, fragrant dreams).  Bags are reusable! When the lavender is no longer doing its job, take a seam ripper and open about 2 inches on one end, empty the bag, refill and sew shut. For one last kick at the can, crush the used lavender and toss it around your carpet. Let sit for about an hour then vacuum.  Tip: Make more than one dryer bag so that the same bag isn't in one load after another, alternate them so each bag has a chance to cool down before being used again.

• Mistletoe: This herb has played a role in Christmas celebrations for centuries and many people have fond memories of being kissed under this herbal sprig. It is interesting to note that this herb was a symbol of love before Christ or Christmas. The berries on the mistletoe sprig are supposed to be removed as each kiss is taken; however, since these berries are poisonous this probably is a tradition best left in the past!
• Rosemary: Traditional legends say that anyone catching the scent of rosemary on Christmas Eve will have happiness and good fortune. This herb can also make a charming tiny Christmas tree trimmed with decorations or just a pretty festive bow. This herb was scattered on the floors of homes in medieval times so that the pungent pine like scent rose as people walked across the room.  I enjoy cooking with it for holiday dinners.

Rosemary for Remembrance

Make a rosemary essential oil inhaler. Inhalers are small containers about the size of a tube of lip balm for carrying a scent. To use one, take it apart, add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to either a cotton ball or cotton rod, and screw the whole thing back together. Some containers are made of metal and come in a rainbow of color choices, or you can purchase a more simple plastic model.   Rosemary for improved memory.  You can also use lavender essential oil for relaxation or peppermint to ward off depression.

• Costmary: Costmary exudes a wonderful balsam scent and is called Bible leaf.   The large leaves were often pressed into bibles to use not only as a page marker, but the scent was believed to help you stay awake. The legend is that Mary created a healing ointment from costmary for various ailments.
• Rue: This herb is considered to be an herb of grace and The Roman Catholic Church used brushes fashioned from rue to sprinkle holy water during mass. Grace is a very important part of Christmas and rue is still used in several countries to make Christmas crowns for celebrations. Crushed rue seed can be added to soups, salads and sauces for seasoning and flavoring. Dried rue repels insects such as fleas and lice and is good to tuck into pet bedding.
• Peppermint: Peppermint is a popular flavor and taste for the holiday.  In candy, teas and decorations this flavor can not only freshen the breath, release stress and settle the stomach it is good for treating depression.

Peppermint Bark
  block of white chocolate
  peppermints or candy canes

Microwave white chocolate about 2 minutes. Stir so it won't stick or burn. Stir in peppermints or candy canes you have finely crushed. Pour in a cookie sheet, lined with wax paper. When set, break into pieces.

• Ginger: It simply would not be Christmas without gingerbread cookies, and gorgeous gingerbread houses. This spicy flavor warms us and can be wonderful for treating digestive issues.

Basic Ginger Bread

1 cup maple syrup
1 cup sour cream
1 egg, slightly beaten
2½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 tablespoons butter, melted
Sweetened whipped cream for topping

Blend maple syrup, sour cream and beaten egg with a whisk or spoon. Sift dry ingredients together and stir into liquid mixture, beating well. Add melted butter and mix thoroughly. Grease and flour a loaf pan (9x5x3-inches) and bake at 350º for 35-45 minutes (junior loaves, 7 3/8x3 5/8x2¼, 35-40 minutes; mini loaves, 4½x2½x1½, 25-30 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm, topped with sweetened whipped cream. Makes 8 servings (one large loaf, two junior loaves, 6 minis).

• Bay Laurel: A bay tree makes a lovely decorative mini Christmas tree and is easily planted in the spring to provide bay leaves for soups and stews. This herb can also be used for pretty wreathes and table arrangements as well.

This last recipe uses several of the herbs listed above, including Bay!

Herbal Tub Tea

The ultimate tea is one in which you soak your entire body.  I make and market four different tub teas/bath bags, but I have crafted many more.  They are a great way to enjoy the healthful benefits of your garden and really are simple to make.  You can use a muslin bag or a tea ball.  And if you are feeling gifty you can package them cutely in a tea cup or mug.

Making tub tea really depends on what benefits you want to access.  Use a combination of several herbs to give the widest benefit.  You can mix and match and try what works for you!

Stimulating - Rosemary, lavender, peppermint, lemon balm

Relaxing - lavender, chamomile, elderflower

Refreshing - lemon balm, basil, spearmint, oolong tea

Invigorating – raspberry leaves, bay leaves, mugwort

Cleansing – sage, thyme, lemon verbena, green tea

Once you have crafted your combination of herbs, shoot for a total volume of about ¼ to ½ cup, place them in a cotton bag, coffee filter, or square of fabric.  This giant tea bag can be placed in the bath where the warm water will cascade over it as you fill the tub, or you can make a stronger more healing infusion by boiling the tea bag for 15 minutes in a small sauce pan with about 1 cup of water, then pouring the resulting tea into the filled tub.

If you enjoy these recipes, please check in on our daily Advent Calendar for more holiday theme herbal recipes.

Herb of the Week (sorta) Ginger!

Ginger Snaps a Holiday Tradition!

I have been looking for a ginger snap recipe that is reminiscent of the one we used to make when I was a kid.  This is not exactly like that, as using cranberries never occurred to my family, but the flavor is the closest I’ve found and I think it is the combination of both ground and grated ginger that does it.  Ginger is a long giving flavor, so you will have an entirely different cookie when these are stored and eaten later than you will when they pop warm from the oven.  Enjoy!

Cranberry Gingersnaps

(makes 5 dozen)

Ingredients

·         2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

·         1 teaspoon baking soda

·         1 teaspoon ground ginger

·         1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·         1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

·         3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine, softened

·         1 egg

·         2 tablespoons peeled grated fresh ginger

·         1/4 cup molasses

·         1/2 cup dried cranberries

·         1/4 cup sugar

1.      Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2.      Combine the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

3.      In the bowl of an electric mixer beat together the brown sugar and butter on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg, grated ginger, and molasses, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Reduce the speed to low and mix in the flour until a dough forms. Mix in the cranberries.

4.      Pour the sugar in a small bowl. Roll level tablespoons of the dough into balls, then roll the balls in the sugar to evenly coat.

5.      Arrange the cookie balls about 1 1/2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake on the center rack of the oven until the cookies flatten and darken slightly, about 14 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Allow the baking sheet to cool before adding another batch of cookie balls, or use multiple baking sheets and alternate the pans with each batch.

Just a reminder we are almost half-way in the advent calendar presentation, so stop by and check out the herbal recipes, crafts and tips we are sharing daily.  Click here!

Making Herbal Gifts Series - quick and easy

In the continuing series of Making Herbal Gifts, I am giving you something quick and easy to do.  Many people want to make gifts but children and family time is a premium, so these few suggestions are quick and easy.  Especially with the holiday so close.

Spiced Door Sachets

Materials:
6″ diameter circle of cotton fabric
broken vanilla bean
2 whole nutmeg crushed
10 whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks, broken
ribbon

Method:
Place all items in the center of the fabric. Gather the fabric up to enclose the spices and tie with one end of a 12 inch long piece of ribbon. Tie the other end of the ribbon to a doorknob. Whenever the door is opened or closed, scent will be released into the room. You can use other winter scented herbs and spices in place of the ones above and tie several sachets together to give a stronger scent, the small bags can be hung individually on the tree as decorations. A couple of drops of orange oil is also
nice and the sachets can be freshened up with the addition of a few drops of a suitable festive essential oil.


Scented Cards, Tags & Writing Sets

Materials:
a large seal-able box
cards and envelopes or tags or stationary
blotter paper
cotton fabric or cheese cloth
your choice of essential or fragrance oils

Method:
Cut the blotter paper to the size of the bottom of the sealable container.  Place a few drops the oils onto the blotter paper.  Wrap the blotter in a fabric so the oil does not mark the cards, paper or tags.  Place the items over the wrapped blotter paper and seal the box. Leave the fragrance to permeate the cards for approximately two weeks. I use Glad containers, place the items inside, wrap them and give them as gifts.  While the gift waits to be delivered and unwrapped the cards inside become scented. You can use any combination of scented oils, from just a plain pine scent to a spicy or herby concoction. Or for stationary something brighter, like lavender, citrus or mint.

Herb Decorated Candles

Materials:
simple pillar candle
pressed flowers and herbs
or fresh fragrant herbs

Method:
Two ways to do this one.  Use Fresh herbs and tie them around the candle with raffia and include a note saying to remove the herbs before burning the candle.  Use pressed flowers and leaves by attaching them with thinned white glue to decorate the surface of the candle.  Do not use hot glue as this is flamable.

Don't forget to vist the ADVENT CALENDAR for more tips, recipes and holiday ideas using herbs.  We even include a few discounts as well.  Visit each day until December 25th for new daily additions.

Making Herbal Gifts - Lip Balms and Bath Bags

Don't forget to check out the Advent Calendar for more recipes and tips available each day until Dec. 25th!


Pampering Gifts

Herby pamper products to give as gifts are sweet, fun and much less expsnsive that the store alternatives.  At a recent workshop I made Herb Bath Bags, Bath Salts, Lip Balms and more.  Here are a few recipes we did not get to try that day.

Chocolate Lip Gloss
This one is simple & easy and you can make it with your kids.  It uses a few simple ingredients from the grocery and a microwave!

2 tsp. petroleum jelly

1/8 tsp. honey

10 mini Hershey's milk chocolate chips

1/8 tsp. shortening

Directions:

1. Carefully mix all ingredients into a microwave safe container.  Make sure they are all clumped together.  Do not put a lid on. 
2. Heat on high power for 30 seconds, stir then repeat until fully melted. 
3. Then pour into a small bottle and freeze for 15 minutes or until solid. 
4. Then you can apply on to your lips.

Store bought salt scrubs can cost a pretty penny these days, but the ingredients to make your very own salt scrub right at home cost next to nothing. This simple body scrub recipe provides a refreshing departure and the delicious scents will invigorate your senses while exfoliating and sloughing away dead skin. Here’s how to make a cinnamon ginger body scrub right at home. 

Cinnamon Ginger Body Scrub

·         1 cup sea salt

·         1/2 tsp ground ginger

·         1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

·         1 cup olive oil (almond oil works well too)

·         Fork

·         Large spoon

·         Small mixing bowl

·         Airtight glass or plastic jars

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the sea salt, ginger, cinnamon and oil. Mix vigorously with a fork until fully combined.
2. Let the mixture sit until the salt has settled to the bottom of the bowl (about an hour). There should be a thin layer of oil covering the mixture. If you need to add more oil, do it now.
3. Scoop the mixture into an airtight container. If you’re selling the scrub at a fair or giving it away as gifts, pick out some cute vintage bottles or wide-mouthed glass jars to store them in. Make sure that the containers you choose seal completely, so the mixture doesn’t dry up.
4. Use the scrub. While in the shower or at the sink, apply the scrub to damp skin and scrub gently. Rinse with warm water. Avoid using salt scrubs on delicate facial skin.

This Bath Truffle is something I want to develop into a product, some day, but for now I only make it for my freinds... Try it with your leftover champagne.

CHAMPAGNE BATH TRUFFLES

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups baking soda
7 Tbls. citric acid
3.5 Tbls. cocoa butter

a little left over champagne
1 tsp. your favorite essential/fragrance oil (optional)
a little gold mica and/or cosmetic grade glitter (optional)

Directions:

1. Melt the cocoa butter
2. Place baking powder and citric in a bowl and mix well
3. Add the champagne to the melted cocoa butter - how much champagne?  Well hopefully you won't have too much left in the bottle, but about a third of a champagne glass is enough.  Don’t add too much or the mixture will be too sloppy.
4. Pour the champagne/cocoa butter into the baking soda/citric acid mixture and mix well.
5. Add your fragrance/essential oil if you are using it and mix again. 
6. Add your gold mica and/or glitter if you are using them and mix again.
7. Place into molds - ice cube trays, little petit fours cases, small cup cake tins - they'll all do.  Leave to set. 

Directions for use:  Run a warm bath, pop a champagne bath truffle into the bath and enjoy.

If you like bath and spa items but do not have the time to craft them yourself, try those made by the Backyard Patch with organic herbs and natural ingredients -- Backyard Patch Bath Products!