If you suddenly realise you need a few extra gifts, then why not have a go at making your own? The gifts below use foods that you are likely to have in the cupboard. Better still they make use of old jam or coffee jars – reuse trumps recycling!
Spiced nuts
Lucie made these masala cashew nuts based on this recipe from Cook2Nourish.
You’ll need
1 1/2 cups cashew nuts
1 teaspoon coconut oil (or sunflower or olive)
8-10 curry leaves
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dry roast the nuts in a frying pan for 4-5 minutes and then put aside. Stir fry the curry leaves in the oil adding the spices after about 30 seconds. Add the nuts back, mix well and toast for another 5 minutes. Or if you have the oven on, you could roast them in a baking tray for around 10-12 minutes at 200°C. Let them cool completely and transfer to your jar.
Images by Lucie Mayer
If you don’t have chilli or garam masala, use what you have! Turmeric, paprika, cumin, coriander or black pepper would work well. Or go sweet with cinnamon or nutmeg and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Experiment with different herbs from your garden like rosemary, sage or thyme? Mix it up with almonds, peanuts, pecans or walnuts – you could even throw in some seeds.
Broth mix
This is an easy one for any soup makers in the family. Layer up different pulses or dried bean for a colourful jar, ready to add to a soup or stew.
Top tip – check the cooking times and include ones that take a similar time and ideally that don’t need pre-soaking. Here we have red lentils, green lentils, mung dal and split peas.
These coffee jars have a plastic seal on the lid that you can take off to add in some decoration. A great way to reuse last years Christmas cards. You can write any cooking instructions underneath.
Image by Jo Milton
Sugar scrub
Treat a friend or family member to some pampering with a homemade sugar scrub. Brown sugar is soft enough to use as an exfoliant on your body or face. The basic ingredients are sugar (2 cups) and softened coconut oil or almond oil (1 cup). You can use a food processor or mix by hand.
Add in a few drops of their favouite essential oil. Or you can scent them with herbs or dried spices like cinnamon and ginger. Holland and Barrett have some ideas for festive scrubs to try.
More ideas …
If you have any extra fruit in the freezer, how about making a festive jam? BBC Good Food’s recipe uses cranberries, but you could swap them for other berries or add in some cooking apples.
Or you could make a jar of these chocolate truffles. With only three ingredients, they couldn’t be easier. Roll in cocoa powder or dessicated coconut to stop them sticking together in the jar.
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Replenish 