Now You're CookingDivine recipes and much more

Receiving a homemade gift demonstrates extra planning on the part of the bestower. Many of us would enjoy creating lovely homemade presents for others but cannot formulate the ideas needed to get started. If this describes your situation, please read on.

Clear a workspace on your countertop or table. Clean the space thoroughly with hot, soapy water prior to beginning. Place the recipe card or cookbook on a stand or clip near your workspace, then assemble all ingredients.

Rubs and Seasonings: use small, clean zip lock bags to hold a combination of rubs and seasonings to put on meats, poultry and fish. Be sure to label each bag with its ingredient list and what type of meat it should be used for. Include a roasting pan,oven mitt, pot holders, oven baking bags, meat fork or meat thermometer if desired.

Hot Drinks: use clean zip lock bags. The size depends on how many servings will be in each bag. Combine ingredients for a variety of hot drinks, label the bags with the type of drink and ingredients. For gifts of hot tea you may include tea cups,tea pot, tea cozy to keep the pot warm and a tea infuser. For gifts of coffee include generous sized mugs,flavored syrups and a can of whipped cream. For gifts of hot chocolate include generous sized mugs, marshmallows or a can of whipped cream. For gifts of hot cider include mugs that reflect a hobby or talent of the recipient, cinnamon sticks and pretty paper napkins.

Liqueurs: Use small to medium sized sterilized bottles with lids or corks. Liqueurs are sweetened spirits that are infused with certain flavors. There are many types of flavorings like fruits, creams, chocolate, coffee , nuts, brandy, anise, scnapps, herbs and spices. Label each bottle with the type of liqueur and its ingredients and tie onto the bottle with raffia or ribbon. Include bar glasses, shot glass, stirrers and cocktail napkins if desired. (Note: Recipient must be of legal age to consume alcohol.)

Sweet and Sassy Sauces: Use small to medium sized sterilized bottles with lids or corks. Create a variety of sauces to be used on salads, vegetables, fruit, etc. Label each bottle with the type of sauce and the ingredients. Include a set of pretty salad or fruit bowls and use a matching serving bowl to present them in.

Cookies: use med to large sterilized jars and lids. Layer ingredients for cookies, using only the dry ingredients, in a jar. Place lid tightly on the jar and cover the lid with a pretty piece of fabric that has been precut to completely cover the lid. Secure the fabric with raffia and a wooden spoon in the tie. Dangle the cookie recipe from another piece of raffia on the outside of the jar. Include a cookie sheet, oven mitts and spatula if desired.

Slow Cooker: Use med to large sterilized jars and lids. Layer dry ingredients for slow cooker recipes, in the jars, then place the lid tightly on the jar. Cover the lid with precut fabric that reflects the hobbies, talents or the recipient’s favorite colors and secure it with raffia. Label the jar and dangle the recipe from a strand of raffia on the outside of the jar. Place the jar into a slow cooker if desired, taking care to add packing between the jar and the crockery to prevent breakage.

Muffins and Breads: use meduim to large sterilized jars and lids. Layer dry ingredients for muffins or breads in each jar, then place the lid tightly on the jars. Cover the lids with precut fabric and secure with raffia. Label each jar and dangle the recipe from a strand of raffia on the outside of the jar. Include a muffin tin or bread pans, oven mitts and paper muffin tin liners if desired.

Soups and Breads: Use medium to large sterilized jars and lids. Layer dry ingredients for homemade soups or breads in each jar, then place the lids tightly on the jars. Cover the lids with fabric that has vegetable or kitchen them design. Cut fabric in a circle large enough to completely cover the lid, then secure with raffia. Label each jar and dangle the recipe from a strand of raffia on the outside of the jars. Include soup bowls, soup ladle, crackers and bread pan if desired.

Bars and Brownies: Use medium to large sterilized jars and lids. Layer dry ingredients for homemade bars or brownies in each jar, then place the lids tightly on the jars. Cover the lids with precut fabric that has a chocolate theme and secure it with raffia. Label each jar and dangle the recipe from a strand of raffia on the outside of the jars. Include a baking pan, oven mitts and rubber spatulas if desired.

Make A Mix: Create meat mixes, hot roll mixes, soups, dessert mixes and more, to be used on hectic days when time is of the essence. Place the dry ingredients in clean zip lock bags, sterilized jars with lids, or any other container that can be tightly sealed to keep moisture out.
Label the containers, along with what it’s to be used for and what quantity to use for each recipe or meal. If using for a gift, you may want to include something that relates to what the mix is being used for.

Mug’Ems: Single serving recipes that can be baked and served right in the mug are great for someone who lives alone, whether young or old. Make sure the container you’re using is microwave safe and is usable for food. Individual portions may also be placed in small oven-proof bakeware. Soups, desserts and more are a welcome treat when presented in this fashion. Wrap the container with clear cellophane and tie with rafia,inserting a small bouquet of flowers in the tie, then attach the recipe and ingredients to the handle of the container with another strand of raffia. A small recipe book of other Mug’Em recipes could be included if desired.

Bath and Body: Use pretty, sterilized bottles in clear and pastel colors. Fill with ingedients for using in the bathtub, or lotions and fragrances to be used after the bath. Seal with clean lids or corks and tie raffia or ribbon at the top of the bottle. Label each bottle with the ingredients and its use. Include a bath sponge, along with the bath and body products in a pretty basket, lined with a couple of washcloths that complement the recipients bathroom decor.

Each time these thoughtful gifts are used, it’s a reminder of your friendship and love, knowing that you set time aside to plan and make something special because that’s who you are.