MADE WITH LOVE
Nothing beats a home-made gift and a thoughtful card. Angela Casley creates edible treats that are ideal for under the tree.
HEMP AND BASIL PESTO
Makes 1 ½ cups
A jar of pesto is one of the most delightful — and useful — gifts to receive during the festive season. Add a generous dollop to a cheese platter, use it to top crispy crostini or toss through spaghetti for a quicksmart dinner.
2 cups basil leaves 1 clove garlic
1 cup grated parmesan
⅓ cup hemp seeds
½ cup roasted pine nuts 2 Tbsp lemon juice
½ cup olive oil
1. Into a kitchen processor place the basil, garlic, parmesan, hemp seeds, pine nuts, lemon juice and olive oil. Blitz until well combined. Scrape down the sides to get every last bit.
2. Store in small jars ready to gift.
CHEESE AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO TWISTS Makes 16
The smell of melted, golden cheese may prevent one or two of these making it to the intended recipient, as you can’t beat them straight out of the oven. If presenting these twists in a gift box, consider adding a little serving suggestion to reheat before enjoying.
1 cup grated parmesan
200g crumbled feta
½ cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes ½ cup chopped chives
Pinch chilli flakes
¼ tsp salt and pepper
500g puff pastry
1 egg yolk mixed with 2 tsp water
1 tsp each of poppy and sesame seeds
1. Preheat oven to 200C. Line two baking trays with paper.
2. Into a bowl combine the parmesan, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, chives, chilli flakes, salt and pepper.
3. Roll the pastry into a 30 x 40cm rectangle and divide in half.
4. Evenly spread the cheese mixture on one half — using the back of a spoon works well for this. Place the second pastry half on top and gently push down so they stick together. Cut into 1cm strips, brush with a little egg yolk, then sprinkle half with poppy seeds and half with sesame.
5. Twist each strip three or four times and place on to the baking trays. Brush with a little more egg and sprinkle a few more seeds. Place into the oven for 20 minutes until golden and brown. Allow to cool.
6. Tie in bunches and wrap as a gift.
GUT-FRIENDLY GUMMIES
Makes 20 of each
Whether you are thinking of a healthy snack for your children or a great source of collagen from the gelatin, these natural gummies are light in sugar and simple to make. You can use any fruit juice and berries. The recipe is simple, and they are ready to enjoy any time of the day.
Coconut
1 cup coconut yoghurt 2 Tbsp honey
½ tsp vanilla
⅛ tsp turmeric
2 Tbsp gelatin
Berry
1 cup frozen berries
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup water
2 Tbsp gelatin
½ tsp vanilla
1. Line two loaf tins with baking paper.
2. For the coconut gummies, place the coconut yoghurt, honey, vanilla and turmeric in a small bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute. Add the gelatin, stirring through, and reheat for 30 seconds or until smooth. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, stir, then pour into the tin and allow to go completely cold in the fridge. Cut into pieces.
3. Place the berries in a pot with the sugar, water, gelatin and vanilla, cooking for 5 minutes until softened. Place them into a blender with the softened gelatin or use a stick blender to whizz until smooth. Pour into the tin and cool completely in the fridge, then cut into pieces.