Ask Permission Many folks on a restricted diet simply aren’t comfortable eating treats—no matter how lovingly and safely made—from a kitchen that isn’t 100% free of their allergens. Before spending time and money on a recipe that your friend won’t be able to enjoy, ask them if they’re comfortable accepting a home baked treat. Let…
Category: Edible Gifts
{edible gift} Spicy Chipotle Beef Jerky
Around the holidays I give and receive lots of sweets, which is fine, but sometimes you want a little something different. That’s why this year I’ve decided to make some spicy beef jerky for several of our friends. If you have a food dehydrator (I got mine a few years ago for $5 off Craigslist)…
{edible gift} Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans
I have always enjoyed chocolate covered espresso beans, but I have never been able to understand why they tend to be so expensive. There have been times in my life I think where I have spent $8 for a small bag. It doesn’t make any sense. The materials themselves are not actually expensive. I think…
{edible gift} D.I.Y. Cocktail Party In a Box
Can you believe it we are in the heat of the holiday season, the past year has gone so quickly for our family, as I’m sure it has for most of you. My kitchen is relaxing after an amazing Thanksgiving food bonanza and I am preparing for some major homemade gifting this year. Between family,…
{edible gifts} Two Gifts in Under 20 Minutes
‘Tis the season to give gifts, even small ones. I give a fair number of edible gifts to friends, but most of them take weeks or months to prepare. For example, we make around 3 gallons of maple syrup every spring and only use one gallon or so a year ourselves. We give the…
{edible gift} Spicy Chocolate-Dipped Almonds
Chocolate almonds are an easy project that children can participate in. My eleven year-old niece Isabelle and I spent a relaxing half hour making them. Most of the time is spent dipping the almonds in the chocolate mixture. We decided to experiment with a “Mexican” flavor by adding cinnamon and cayenne pepper and we loved…
{from scratch holidays} Cranberry Squares
Thanksgiving and its attendant leftovers are my favorite things about that holiday. I’m sure my family isn’t alone in that planning the Thanksgiving meal also means planning for maximum leftover efficiency. We all have our favorites – my son is the stuffing king, my daughter hoards the mashed potatoes and gravy, and my husband loves…
{edible gift} Apple Leather
I have been blessed to find new neighbors who own apple trees this year! Though I am somewhat sheepish to go up to a random person’s house, knock on their door, and ask if they use their apples, I do it anyhow. Both times I’ve done this, the people have responded kindly, and say…
{edible gift} D.I.Y. Cocktail Bitters
My friend Julie turned me on to homemade infusions years ago. She has a big shelf in her amazing kitchen/dining room filled with homemade bitters, digestifs, infusions, shrubs, and the like. It’s like walking into a delicious apothecary. Julie recently attended the FSC Schenectady Food Swap and brought with her a bunch of her homemade bitters…
{recipe recap} From Scratch Holidays
I know, I know. Halloween was only yesterday. BUT like magazines, we want to be weeks ahead of the game so you have time to prepare, shop for & create dishes for your Thanksgiving meal, appetizers for a your holiday party, and cocktail suggestions for a New Years Celebration. We also strive to provide you…
{recipe} Calabaza en Tacha (Candied Pumpkin)
Editor’s Note: Swapper Becky H wowed us with her piece on The Simplicity of Coconut Butter and now she’s back as a regular monthly contributor! I’m excited to have Becky join the team because she will bring something new, as a native of The Rio Grande Valley, she will be featuring recipes & stories influenced by…
{recipe recap} D.I.Y. Halloween Candy
Halloween is right around the corner, why not get creative in the kitchen with your chocolate skills or your sugar skills! The FSC Time Machine starts us out with the Becky Show with all of her fabulous posts from last October from her D.I.Y. Halloween Candy Series, then we move into other sugary items that…
{diy projects} Quince Jelly & Membrillo
Quince is an interesting fruit – too tart and hard to eat raw, the fruit turns from green to golden yellow fruit when ripe and grows on small thorned trees. Quince is part of the pear, apple, and rose family, and the ripe fruit smell floral and fragrant. I am lucky to have a neighbor…
{food swap recipe} The Simplicity of Coconut Butter
Editor’s Note: I’m happy to announce a new {community voices} guest contributor, Swapper Becky H. Since Becky’s arrival here in Upstate NY, she has become a staple in the local food movement, becoming a KFF CSA Family and Farm Stand Crew Member and also attending FSC Academy classes and food swaps. Becky has had recent…
{food swap recipe} Drunken Martini Olives
Editor’s Note: FSC Swapper, FSC Academy teacher Leah A is back with another food swap recipe from her stockpile of awesomeness. She’s shared Magic Shell, Cucumber-Infused Sake, Spiced Nuts, and her case for contracting Swap Fever. Now: DIY Martini Olives! I swapped for these suckers, and I can say, without hesitation that they are one…
