Photo Credit: Excerpted with permission from the publisher, Ten Speed Press, from Salty Snacks by Cynthia Nims. Copyright 2012
It just doesn’t feel like the holidays until I’ve worked out my edible holiday gift game plan. This involves combing through cookbooks, food magazines and blogs and now, Pinterest boards for the perfect something-something to give my friends, family and co-workers. And by “something-something,” I mean three or four something-somethings.
It’s just so hard to decide whether to go with a sweet or savory recipe that I usually do both. (And then find some other delicious-sounding thing, and make that too.)
Sweet treats are more conventional – they are what people love (and expect) to get around the holidays: homemade cookies, candies, jars of jam, cocoa mixes. But pretty soon, you’re drowning in sugar. Savory treats are more unexpected, but sometimes they don’t seem as festive. You can’t decorate a dill pickle or spicy nut mix with sparkly red and green sprinkles, afterall. That’s where cute packaging comes in. I struggle to find just the right bag or box every year, then give up and use Tupperware or Mason jars.
This year, (spoiler alert!) I’m making cheddar-cayenne crackers, candied almonds and my make-it-every-year holiday gift: bourbon balls. The combination is sweet, smoky, savory and just labor intensive enough to satisfy my edible gift itch for another year.
Need some gift-giving inspiration? Try these recipes!
SAVORY
Parmesan Thumbprint Cookies with Tomato-Tart Cherry Jam (pictured)
Whole Preserved Lemons
Chili and Lime Seasoned Nuts
BBQ Popcorn
Cheese Sables
Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
SWEET
Holiday Nut Bark
Salted Caramel Brownie Bites
Homemade Brownie Mix
White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
Espresso Brownie Cookies
Cinnamon Swirl Scones
