Holiday Gifts From Your Kitchen

Food gifts are appropriate for just about everyone. Homemade gifts can save time; energy and money as well as providing that personal touch. Food gifts can be tasty and nutritious at the same time. A healthy gift from home is always welcomed.• Consider giving the food item in a container that can be used again or add a small gift that will promote healthy eating or an active lifestyle throughout the year.• Make a no-salt seasoning blend and combine it with a heart-healthy cookbook.• Fill a salad spinner with a bottle of low-fat salad dressing.  Make your own dressing and share the recipe or add a bottle or two of your favorite purchased dressings.  Add a bag of spiced nuts, dried cranberries or a can of mandarin oranges to dress-up their salad.• Make Pumpkin Spice Bread or Cranberry Bread.  Wrap with a cutting board and a decorative knife and tie with a bow.• Combine dry beans, lentils or split peas along with spices and herbs for a hearty vegetarian soup mix.  Don’t forget to share the soup recipe. A soup mug or small bag of low-fat crackers could be added.Lentil and Split Pea Soup Mix1 tsp garlic powder2 tsp dried minced onion1 tablespoon dried minced parsley½ tsp dried thyme½ cup red or brown lentils½ cup yellow or green split peasCombine all ingredients into an airtight container, a freezer zip-top bag or layer into a 12” decorator cone for a festive appearance. To make soup: combine mix with 4 cups water, cover and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes or until lentils are tender.  Stir occasionally to keep from sticking. To freshen the soup add a squirt of lemon juice or a dash of balsamic vinegar just before serving.Cinnamon Pecans1 egg white1 tsp water½ tsp vanilla12 packets Splenda1 tsp cinnamon4 cups pecan halvesPreheat oven to 225 degrees.  Beat egg whites, water and vanilla until foamy.  Add the Splenda and cinnamon.  Stir the pecans into the egg white mixture to coat.  Spread pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with a no fat cooking spray.  Bake for 1 hour, stirring three times.  Allow cooling completely on the baking sheet.  Store in an airtight container.No Salt Seasoning Blend6 Tablespoons dried oregano6 Tablespoons onion powder3 Tablespoons dried basil2 Tablespoons dried marjoram2 Tablespoons garlic powder1 Tablespoon dried rosemary1 Tablespoon dried thyme1 ½ teaspoons black pepperCombine all ingredients.  Store in a tightly closed container or shaker.  Use in salads, salad dressing, soups or for chicken, fish or vegetables.A word of caution:Always keep food safety in mind! Remember to include a note on storage of the food item. Use non-perishable items when filling gift baskets or boxes that will be kept unrefrigerated.  If you include foods that need to be refrigerated, be sure to put a note on the outside of the package.By Cheryle Jones Syracuse, MS.