Gifts from the Kitchen: Maple-Chipotle Spiced Nuts
November 09, 2009
Since I’m teaching a cooking class next week -”Gifts from the Kitchen”, I thought I would share with you my recipe for Maple-Chipotle Spiced Nuts. There’s no oil or butter in this recipe. Just egg whites, some of my favorite seasonings and nuts. I love Priesters Pecans, especially this time of year. This makes a great Christmas gift but is wonderful anytime. For more information on my class, see Birmingham Bake and Cook. I am also taping a “Gifts from the Kitchen” television segment Tuesday for NBC 13 Daytime Alabama and will let you know when it’s going to air.
Maple-Chipotle Spiced Nuts
1 (6-ounce) can whole natural almonds
11/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon chipotle seasoning
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 egg whites
Cooking spray
2. Combine pecans, almonds and next 3 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir in maple syrup and egg whites, stirring well. Spread evenly onto a foil-lined baking sheet coated well with cooking spray. Bake at 325F for 10 minutes. Stir mixture and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until crisp. Cool and break into pieces, if needed
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Easy and Healthy Christmas and Holiday Gift Idea-Dried Fruit Mix
December 12, 2008
Some of you may know that my background and love is really in healthy and light cooking, but I know with the holidays, it’s hard to focus on that. Even in my profession of being a Recipe Developer, I deviate from my healthy schedule, especially when working on holiday recipes. Usually, most magazines work six months in advance so I am preparing heavy holiday foods in the summer (during bathing suit season), and am grilling light summery food in the winter (luckily, I live in the south). As far as healthy gift ideas, I thought I would share one of my (and my kid’s) favorites-dried fruit mixed with a touch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. We went threw our jar in less than one day, so I hope this will be as popular as it was at our house.
Dried Fruit Mix
Prep: 10 minutes
Ingredients
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dried apples
3/4 cup pitted prunes
3/4 cup dried aprictots
1/2 cup dried blueberries
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Preparation
1. Layer all ingredients in a 1-quart jar in the order given; tightly seal. Makes 1 gift jar.
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Homemade Food Gifts-Chocolate Butterscotch Bar Cookie Mix
December 10, 2008
Homemade treats and gifts are so comforting during the holidays, and who wouldn’t love a gift that looks like this? I made a few of these, and everyone went nuts over them. I couldn’t make them fast enough. Not only is this the easiest gift in the world to make, but the finished product is beyond awesome (and when I say that, it’s good). You can find one-quart jars almost anywhere, but if you’re having trouble, check Walmart or your local grocery store. These recipes can be made ahead, and don’t forget to make a few extra batches to keep on hand for family munching, drop-in guests, or any time of the year.
Chocolate Butterscotch Bars
Prep: 5 minutes
YIeld: 3 dozen
Ingredients
11/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
2 cups (12 ounces) butterscotch morsles
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Preparation
1. Layer all ingredients in a 1-quart jar in order given; tightly seal. Makes 1 gift jar.
Chocolate Butterscotch Bar Cookies: Combine Chocolate Butterscotch Bar Mix and 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk. Press into a greased aluminum foil-lined 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely and cut into squares.
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Easy Christmas Gift Ideas-Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
December 08, 2008
We love hot chocolate at my house! My kids consider it a real treat when I say, “Who wants hot chocolate?” They love it in the morning, after school, and sometimes, instead of dessert, after dinner. And my non-coffee friends will stop at Starbucks for hot chocolate as fast as I will get my latte (and for those who know me, that’s a lot). So, I thought what would be a simpler and better holiday gift than the gift of hot chocolate? This recipe is a breeze and tastes great. Feel free to give a large 1-quart container or several small 4-ounce jars. Whichever you choose, I know you and your friends will love this recipe. The only thing that is missing is the milk.
Hot Chocolate Mix
Prep: 5 minutes
Ingredients
13/4 cups powdered sugar
11/2 cups nonfat dry milk
11/4 cups unsweetened cocoa (I used Hershey’s)
4 cups miniature marshmallows
Preparation
1. Stir together all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Place in a large or small airtight jars and store at room temperature.
Gift Card Enclosure and instructions: Stir 1/2 cup Hot Chocolate Mix into 1 cup warm milk, stirring well. Serve immediately.
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Homemade Christmas Gifts-White Chocolate, Pistachio and Cherry Bark
December 03, 2008
Everyone loves white chocolate bark during the holidays, but this version has a twist with pistachios and dried cherries which gives it a sweet and salty taste with a crunch. This recipe is so easy and takes no time at all. Be sure to purchase already shelled pistachio nuts in the nut section of your local grocery store. You may also substitute sliced almonds for the pistachios and dried cranberries for the cherries (sometimes dried cherries are hard to find). If you give these as gifts, make sure you put a note on the gift tag to keep the bark refrigerated until ready to enjoy, but up to one month for best flavor.
Dried Cherry and Pistachio Bark
Feel free to double or triple this recipe.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 1 minute
Yield: 11/2 pound
Ingredients
1 (12-ounce) package white chocolate morsels or any white chocolate
1 cup pistachio nuts, shells removed and toasted
1 cup dried cherries or cranberries
Preparation
1. Place white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, covered with wax paper on HIGH 1 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring once. Add pistachios and cherries, stirring well. Spread on large baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
2. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break bark into pieces. Store in a tightly sealed container in refrigerator up to 1 month. Pack in decorative boxes or tins lined with wax tissue paper or colored cellophane for gift giving.