Homemade gifts from the farm

Black Friday and Cyber Monday kicked off the holiday shopping season. Before you join the mob of consumer shoppers, consider giving unique and thoughtful homemade gifts from the farm.

Stuff stockings with these kitchen, bath and garden themed gifts, or give to your favorite holiday hostess.

Kitchen: Spice and everything nice

Spicy herb blends will warm your friends and family during the coldest months of winter. Buy bulk ingredients from a local natural food store or Amish grocer.

Seasoned Salt

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons ground mustard
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon celery powder

Creole Seasoning

• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon pepper
• Italian Seasoning
• 3 tablespoons dried basil
• 3 tablespoons dried oregano
• 3 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon garlic flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

BBQ Rub

• 3 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons sea or kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon smoky paprika
• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
• 1 tablespoon granulated onion
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Bath: Soothing salts and massage oil

Scented bath salts and massage oil sooth winter skin and relax away holiday stress. Purchase decorative glass containers from a local craft store.

Scented Bath Salts

• 1 cup mint, chopped
• ½ cup rosemary, chopped
• 6 cups Epsom salts

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Store in air tight container until use. To use, add ¼ cup to foot bath or 1 cup to hot bath water.

Massage oil

• 4 Tbsp sweet almond oil
• 10 drops essential oil of choice

Pour oil into a small container with a lid. Slowly add drops of essential oil and mix thoroughly.

Garden: Add homegrown flavor to holiday feasts

Peachapeno preserves are delicious on warm buttermilk biscuits, or use Peachapeno as a glaze for holiday ham or turkey. Pour Sweet n’ hot pepper preserves over cream cheese for a festive appetizer; serve with crackers.

Peachapeno preserves

Ingredients

• 7 cups peaches, peeled and chopped
• 2 packed sleeves jalapenos, deseeded and shredded
• 2 pkgs dry fruit pectin
• ½ cup lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 7 ½ cups sugar

Directions

1. Combine peaches, peppers, pectin, lemon juice and butter in heavy stockpot, hard boil 1 minute while stirring.
2. Add sugar; stir as dissolves. Hard boil 1 minute while stirring.
3. Skim foam.
4. Ladle into 8 half-pint jars.  
5. Process according to safe canning guidelines.

Sweet n’ hot pepper preserves

Ingredients

• 3 cups hot green peppers, seeded
• 3 cups mild green peppers, seeded
• ¾ cup vinegar
• 7 cups sugar
• 2 pkgs Fruit Pectin
• ½ tsp butter
• ½ tsp green food coloring

Directions

1. Chop peppers and vinegar in a food processor or blender.
2. Pour into a heavy stockpot. Add pectin and butter to stockpot and bring to boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
3. Add sugar. Hard boil 1 minute.  Remove from heat. Stir in food coloring.
4. Ladle into 8 half-pint jars.  
5. Process according to safe canning guidelines.

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