a peek inside the fishbowl

19 Dec, 2006

DIY gifts part five: consumables

Posted by andrea tomkins in: Recipes and Food

I often consider giving edible gifts, but just as often I change my mind. People eat enough crap over Christmas, why on earth would they want to eat more?

So that’s why, if you’re going to give something, it’s got to be really good.

One of my favourite recipes for sharing is one for spicy almonds. (It was written up in a post awhile back here.) I swear straight up and down that EVERYONE loves these. It’s my most oft-requested recipe. They are amazingly simple to make but have a complex taste that isn’t quite so easy to figure out.

You could give a little tin of these to your co-worker, your mailman, or your neighbor. They will remain in awe of your culinary prowess.

Note: these are dangerously addictive, especially when paired with alcoholic beverages. So don’t say you haven’t been warned!

Recipe sharing is always welcome, so feel free to link or add them in the comments below. More crafty ideas to come!


4 Responses to "DIY gifts part five: consumables"

1 | liss76

December 19th, 2006 at 10:33 am

Avatar

Chocolate Scotch Truffles
http://liss76.blogspot.com/2006/04/chocolate-scotch-truffles-recipe.html

I also make biscotti every year, but I’ve spent 10 years perfecting my technique and recipe and it’s one that doesn’t get shared. ;o)

2 | Zhenia

December 19th, 2006 at 11:16 am

Avatar

It’s also fun to give people unbaked rolls of cookie dough that can hang in the freezer for a month or so. Then, just as they’re through with the Christmas de-tox, BANG! More sugar!

Chocolate hazelnut sables are perfect for this.

3 | Kristine

December 19th, 2006 at 5:30 pm

Avatar

Christmas Classic Tourtiere

1 1/2 lbs (750 g) Ground Pork (or meat of your choice)
½ cup (125 mL) water
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp (5 mL) salt
½ tsp (2 mL) each dried leaf thyme, cinnamon and black pepper
¼ tsp (1 mL) ground cloves
1 bay leaf
1 slice white or brown sandwich bread, crust removed
2 (9-inch/23 cm) deep-dish frozen pie shells (My Mom made her own pastry but…)

In a large frying pan set over medium heat, cook pork, stirring to break up meat until no longer pink. Drain liquid. Stir in water, onion, garlic and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, tear bread into very tiny pieces. Stir into cooked pork mixture. Discard bay leaf. Cool.

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Meanwhile, follow package directions for thawing a 2-crust pie. Turn cooled pork mixture into 1 pie shell, smoothing mixture. Top with second pie shell, seal and bake on bottom shelf according to package directions.

4 | Lee

December 23rd, 2006 at 10:05 am

Avatar

My new favourite Christmas recipe:
http://pleaserememberthese.blogspot.com/2006/12/holiday-peppermint-bark.html

I can’t wait to try the nut recipe above! Thanks for sharing.

comment form:

Archives

Me and my pet projects

Ottawa Bucket list

Subscribe via email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.


  • Jenn Jilks: That is really exciting! Break a leg!
  • fun88: I was excited to discover this page. I want to to thank you for your time for this fantastic read!! I definitely liked every part of it and i also
  • Gretchen Humphrey: I had a beautiful bee& birdbath filled with a solar fountain and dozens of antique marbles that were suddenly disappearing. At first I thought my
  • Jinjer: I am sobbing reading this post. And you're right, companion is not enough. Little furry treasured gifts that they are. Thanks for sharing cutie-pi
  • Karen: Dear Andrea, Mark and your daughters I am so very sad for your family xxx Piper was/is my favourite Instagram post. You shared with us so intimately
  • Christina Banuelos: Thank you for sharing Pipers life with us. Your posts of Piper brought me joy. Every time I see your post and see what kind of mischief Piper was gett
  • Carla Slocum: I am sitting here yet again crying at your loss. We have known that loss with Asta the WFT our first pup but now have the enormous gift of Stryker the

The Obligatory Blurb

My name is Andrea and I live in the Westboro area of Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Piper who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. We also have two human offspring: Emma (24) and Sarah (22). During the day I work as a writer at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.

If you'd like to contact me, please use this form. If you're so inclined, you can read more about me here. Thank you for visiting!

 


Connect with me at these places too!

Still calling it Twitter