Homemade Savoury Edible Gifts

driedgFirst of all I would like to apologise to all my dear visitors for such a long silence (some have probably thought I’d stopped blogging…) due to long holidays. Just like every year, I had planned writing at least one post in advance and… just like every year, somehow it didn’t work…

Coming back from my holidays, I started to panic realising it’s time to think and start buying Christmas presents. I still haven’t decided on bigger ones, but I thought maybe this year, for the first time in my life, I might make and offer some edible gifts, at least as a small addition to the more “serious” stuff…

I know cookies, biscuits and jams are often offered, not only for Christmas, so I tried to list here some more unusual savoury edible gift ideas you might find inspiring (if you know my food preferences a bit, you will not be surprised by the abundance of chilli-based products….). All of these are easy to prepare, some can be made in almost no time at all, and all the ingredients are available in December, at least in Europe (fresh imported chilli is available all year round, I hope in the rest of the world too).

Made in less than 30 minutes

Quick Chilli and Garlic Oil with Sediments
Quick Chilli and Garlic Oil with Sediments
Peperoncini sott'olio (Fresh Chillies with garlic and Oil)
Peperoncini sott’olio (Fresh Chillies with garlic and Oil)
Furikake (Rice Seasoning) with Chilli and Prune
Furikake (Rice Seasoning) with Chilli and Prune
Dried Bonito and Sesame Rice Topping (Furikake)
Dried Bonito and Sesame Rice Topping (Furikake)

Requiring more time but equally easy (or even much much easier)

Dried Vegetable Stock Mix
Dried Vegetable Stock Mix
Dried Powdered Garlic
Dried Powdered Garlic
Raimu Koshou (Chilli and Lime Zest Paste)
Raimu Koshou (Chilli and Lime Zest Paste)
Dried Apples
Dried Apples

For those who are not afraid of preserving

Pineapple and Chilli Jelly
Pineapple and Chilli Jelly
Mango and Chilli Sauce
Mango and Chilli Sauce

Time-consuming and requiring more efforts but a rare treat for Thai food lovers…

Thai Chilli Jam (Nam Prik Pao)
Thai Chilli Jam (Nam Prik Pao)

14 Replies to “Homemade Savoury Edible Gifts”

  1. Welcome back Sissi! I hope you had a brilliant vacation and I do hope that you share some of your culinary adventures and discoveries with us. I know exactly what you mean about the panic that sets in this time of year … I send most of my gifts via international mail which means I have to have everything ready, wrapped and packaged by the end of Nov (!) and that’s just relatives! (now I have to focus on my own family). Your homemade edible ideas are perfect – not just simple as you say but also quite unique in the characteristic style and beauty of your blog.

    1. Thank you so much, Kelly. You know, the gifts I send abroad are also easier and quicker to organise because, just like you, I know I have to do this in advance… though I’m not as well organised as you! Thank you so much for the compliments. You are so kind, as always…

  2. What a great reminder of some very creative edible gift ideas. I am still loving your vegetable soup mux and the dried garlic suggestions. This past fall, I used your radiator-drying method to dry off some herbs from the garden, doing so with some vegetables just takes it to the next level.
    I hope we will get to hear of your vacation adventures and of the delights you’ve been inspired by!

    1. Thanks a lot, Eva. I’m so happy to learn you have made this additional use of radiators! I dry my whole vegetable stock mixture on radiators and when it’s cold outside, I sometimes need only one day because the radiators are super hot!

  3. Giving something that you’ve made yourself shows the recipient how much your friendship means. Wonderful ideas for a gift that will surely be enjoyed. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and it is nice having you back.

  4. Welcome back from your holiday!! Did you go to Japan? If not, where were you off to this year? 🙂 We took a 3 week holiday as well. Drove a 3500 mile road trip through the coastal southern U.S. It was wonderful. Lots of seafood, something we don’t get here. Hope your trip was fantastic as well.

    Great list of DIY gifts!!! About a week ago when I bought a jar of garlic powder, I thought I should probably just buy a big bag of garlic and make your powder instead. But I didn’t. Next time!!! Of course all of your condiments, pastes and jams are some of my favorites! I really love the jar of stock mix. That is such a GREAT idea for a gift! I need to take another look at that one for this year. I have a couple of gifts I’d like to make for friends that would love something just like that. Thanks for reposting all of these great condiments!!!

    Hope you have an absolutely wonderful Christmas and New Year my friend! Look forward to continuing our online friendship in 2017.

    1. Hi, MJ. Yes, I went to Japan! I’ve been learning Japanese for several years and I don’t use it much here, so it’s a bit obligatory to go there 😉 Seriously, I wouldn’t skip it for anything else, my husband either, mainly for food. I also had lots of seafood, the quality cannot even be compared to what we get here either… Travelling for good food is the best reason, isn’t it?
      Thank you so much for the compliments. Garlic powder is so easy to make… probably the easiest of all these products; and it’s so much stronger than the bought one! I cannot live without it because I use it in rubs for chicken and pork (before grilling or roasting), so I have it all the time. I hope you’ve spent wonderful Christmas! I also am looking forward to continuing our friendship next year (actually I could never imagine next year without you).

      1. I know what you mean about traveling for food. Normally I only eat twice a day but when we travel, it’s usually 3 times a day just so we can eat as many places as possible. 🙂 Sounds like you had a fabulous trip!

        1. I understand you so well… I sometimes have 4 meals a day in Japan! Luckily we walk several km a day while in Tokyo….

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