I know what you’re thinking. It’s Saturday night. It’s 5 days til Christmas. And you still have so many gifts to get! Now, I don’t know what trendy tech gadget your brother Bobby might like, but if you’re looking to please your foodie friends (hint, hint last minute family members!)…I might have a few ideas.
I read a lot of cookbooks. I mean a lot, a lot. I read them for fun, like novels, taking in the stories and beautiful photography, for research, looking at the science of how ingredients blend together and what I can create on my own, like poetry, how the components all marry together on a plate just so and for work, helping me pick the perfect book every month to review for the Just Food monthly column I write. I wouldn’t say I’m the authority, but I have some opinions.
Whelp, it’s here. I know retailers have been threatening us with Christmas decorations since June but today is officially the first day of December and Christmas is just around the corner. Shopping days are very limited and nobody wants to spend their evenings or weekends at a store. My favorite place has always been the kitchen and the holidays are no different. Whether it’s baking a (now gluten-free) dessert, whipping up some sides or creating some delicious gifts, the kitchen is where I spend most of my time.
After my experiments with infused vodkas and homemade gin last Christmas, the requests have come in. Mostly from my husband. So when I came across this super simple Apricot Brandy recipe on Buzzfeed’s list of 30 Best DIY Food Gifts, how could I resist? PS–there’s a ton of other awesome suggestions as well like bacon salt, cinnamon honey butter and homemade dog biscuits.
I know it’s after Christmas, and perhaps much of your gift giving is complete. However, homemade gifts are not for holidays alone. They make fantastic birthday, housewarming, shower or just because I care gifts. I waited a while to post this recipe (along with the soon to come infused brandy recipe) because I wasn’t about to give away gift ideas to my Christmas recipients. I don’t know if they’re reading right now, but when it comes to surprises, you can never be too cautious.
Brooklyn Locavore 