GIFTS FROM HEART AND KITCHEN

Media News Group

My hankering for homemade holiday treats started with my Aunt Lillian’s peanut brittle. Every year throughout my childhood, her nut-laden gift of candy arrived a few days before Christmas. Packed looseygoosey in a pristine coffee can, Lillian’s crunchy confections disappeared far too quickly.

Those jagged brittle bits fueled my appreciation for delicious gifts from the home kitchen.

Here are some gift ideas designed to be both easy to prepare and tasty:

• A dry concoction for making hot chocolate goes together quickly. The recipient combines a portion of the mix with milk in a saucepan; on the heat, the mixture is whisked while the good stuff simmers. Marshmallows or whipped cream is optional.

• There’s so much to love about bourbon balls. Yes, they are easy to prepare, plus they can be made a week in advance and stored airtight in the fridge. The adult appeal of their unmistakable bourbon flavor doesn’t hurt, either.

• Chef and restaurateur Zov Karamardian has a signature jumble cookie that I have made my own, adding a little wheat germ to the mix and subbing dried cranberries and golden raisins for the raisins. The cookies are rich in toasted nuts and dried fruit, as well as chocolate chips. The dough freezes well, and once the cookies are baked, they keep for several days in an airtight container.

• Spiced pecans are delicious tossed into green salad or eaten out of hand. I like to add medium-coarse pepper to the sugar and salt that coat them. Feel free to omit the pepper if you prefer. Store cooled nuts airtight.