22 Ways to give the gift of food

Epicurious.com

Let's assume it's time to celebrate another one of life's many milestones-a birthday, wedding anniversary, graduation, job promotion-or the holidays have crept up again and you're pressed for gift-giving ideas. Instead of the usual-generic gift card, a tie, or flowers-why not express yourself with the gift of food? Even if you're separated from the one you love by many miles, your edible gift can be transported easily with proper planning and packing, and should be appreciated by your hungry recipient.

Below, Judith Choate, author of Homemade, shares some of her edible-gift tips. For basic information and helpful tips on how to can, as well as additional canning recipes, check out our guide to canning.

Recipes:

Three from Homemade
Carrot-Ginger Tea Bread

My Never-Ever-Fail Chocolate Fudge

Tapenade


Baked Goods
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Toffee Brownies

Rosemary Shortbread

Parmesan Black-Pepper Biscotti

Carrot-Ginger Tea Bread

Lemon-Raspberry Cupcakes


Nuts and Candies
Chocolate Truffles

Caramel-Dark Chocolate Truffles with Fleur De Sel

Chocolate Peanut Toffee

Greek Sesame Seed Candy

Sugar-and-Spice Candied Nuts

Parmesan Pepper Popcorn

Sugared Spiced Nuts


Spreads and More
Mixed-Berry Jam

Spiced Tomato Chutney (mountain Jam)

Spicy Dill Pickles

Tapenade

Olive Oil Infused with Porcini and Rosemary

Basic Tomato Sauce


Recipe Tips:

Proper Identification
Before wrapping the gift or packing it up in a box, Choate suggests labeling the present with "its name, date of preparation, and, if necessary, a tag giving cooking or serving instructions."

Reuse and Recycle
"I save decorative bottles and jars all year long," says Choate. "Many imported vinegars, oils, and condiments come packed in beautiful and unusual containers that are easily reused. It's fun to buy old containers at auctions, flea markets, and thrift shops."

How to Pack
Bars and drop cookies
Choate offers two suggestions: "Wrap each cookie individually in plastic film or carefully pack the cookies in a sturdy container (such as a tin) in layers, separated by colorful tissue paper, rice paper, baking sheets, or waxed paper."
Candies
Choate suggests shipping candies only when there is cool and dry weather so they don't melt in transit. Candies "should be individually wrapped in plastic film to keep them from sticking together."
Cakes, Breads, and Tea Breads
Larger baked goods "should be wrapped in foil or plastic film, labeled, and then gift-wrapped." Choate also recommends sending cakes overnight or frozen with express delivery.



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