If youโre thinking about giving a homemade gift to friends and family this year, theย Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Serviceย has five easy seasonal recipes and delicious ideas to share from theย Dinner Tonight program.
Whether you are a last-minute shopper who needs ideas or someone who has sworn off another trip to the mall but needs a hostess gift to take to a holiday party, Dinner Tonight is here to help.
โHomemade gifts are always a heartfelt way to share something meaningful and delicious,โ said Odessa Keenan, AgriLife Extension Dinner Tonight specialist, El Paso. โTaking the time to make something for someone is special. And you donโt need to be a great cook or baker to make something wonderful.โ
All you need is ingredients, many of which you may already have in your pantry, a few mason jars and a cute ribbon or bow. Itโs a great way to wrap up your shopping list in your own kitchen, Keenan said.
Homemade gifts to give
Keenan shared the following five Dinner Tonight recipe ideas to make for the holidays. The complete recipes for these DIY gifts and other inspirations from Dinner Tonight can beย found on the website.
Cranberry Apple Granola
Granola is a popular and easy-to-make snack or topping for Greek yogurt. Thisย cranberry apple granola recipeย can also be tailored to personal preferences by using other dried fruits. A one-minute Dinner Tonightย YouTube videoย can guide you through this easy recipe.
Chai Tea Latte Instant Mix
Instead of paying big bucks for one cup at a coffee shop, aย chai tea latte instant mix recipeย allows the recipient to enjoy many cups of this delightful drink at home. Here is a shortย YouTube videoย to guide you through gift-making.
Everything Spiced Nut Mix
Cashews, pistachios and almonds are combined with three different types of seeds and a handful of other ingredients to make a unique and rich-flavored snack. Make a large batchย following this easy recipe, divide it among friends, or take it to a holiday potluck or gift exchange.
Protein Hot Chocolate
Extra protein makes this favoriteย holiday drink recipeย even more filling and satisfying. ย A hit with kids and adults alike, gifted alongside a container of marshmallows, this is a sweet treat the whole family can enjoy.
Candied Pecans
A fantastic appetizer or snack,ย candied pecansย are lightly sweet and pair well with beer or wines such as moscato, riesling and blanc du bois if you want to add them for an adult gift, said Keenan. Aย YouTube videoย is also available to guide you through this simple, six-ingredient dish.
Keep food safety in mind making a homemade gift
When giving friends and family homemade food items, Keenan said to keep a few tips in mind:
- Food allergies. You never know who has a foodย allergy to an ingredient.ย Make sure to list all ingredients on a label and attach it to the gift.
- โBest if used byโ date. Homemade gifts are great but when should they be used by? Make sure to mark when the item is best used by or if it can be frozen for later use.
- Instructions. Giving spice mixes or homemade drink mixes is great. Just donโt forget the directions.
- Storage. Make sure you note how to store the food items, especially if they are perishable.ย Let the recipient know if an item belongs in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry.
Note that these tips do not apply to food products for sale. Keenan said if you are interested in selling foods made at home,ย visit this website to learn more about Texas Cottage Food Law.ย
Dinner Tonight program
The Dinner Tonight program is a helpful recipe and food safety resource to use year-round. It was developed to provide busy families with quick, healthy, cost-effective recipes that taste great, said Keenan.
โNot only does the Dinner Tonight program provide recipes, it also has weekly video demonstrations on a variety of topics, including cooking tips and techniques, nutrition topics, menu-planning basics and information on healthy living.โ
For more information about Dinner Tonight and healthy recipes, go toย https://dinnertonight.tamu.edu/. ย
