I do it to myself every single year. The holidays roll around and I find myself in a complete frenzy – not buying gifts, but making them. All of them. Like I am some kind of spectacular, one-woman craft factory. Hand-dipped beeswax candles, beaded earrings, woolen mittens, porcelain teacups, or how about personalized lino block monogram stationery? And every year I curse myself for being unable to achieve a true likeness in the watercolour painting I did of your cat.
Well, this year that’s all about to change. If there is one thing I’ve learned in the first four weeks of motherhood, it’s that I am not only unable to maintain spectacular, one-woman craft factory status, but that I am lucky to take a shower on a regular basis. I surrender.
A few weeks back, before baby, I had a dear friend and fellow foodie over for dinner. She brought with her a small jar of mysterious, yet delicious-looking matter that turned out to be dried apricots and spices in a lime syrup that tasted amazing on, oh, just about everything that came out of my kitchen. Needless to say, I copied her. And then the wheels of the craft factory got to turning and I whipped up a second batch with honey, nuts, and a whack-load of holiday spices that I dig. It came together so quickly and effortlessly, that I realized this would be a perfect gift to give this holiday season – inexpensive, simple ingredients, and best of all, totally achievable to make with a baby on the hip (or in the blink of an eye that he’s napping for). Hoorah!
So far I’ve tested this versatile delight on salads, cooked whole grains, grilled cheese (to die for), savoury crepes, and roasted veggies. It’s kind of like the exclamation mark that every dish deserves. And as a die-hard fan of anything with the salty-sweet balance, I am looking forward to all the semi-bland meals I can punctuate with these incredibly simple little syrups. If you’re looking for some sweet-on-sweet action, the adventurer in you would surely love either one of these delicacies drizzled on oats, yogurt, pancakes, French toast, or ice cream too.
There aren’t really “recipes” for these jars of goodness, just guidelines. If you don’t like a certain ingredient, omit it and maybe find one that suits your tastes and if you are really a fan of something in particular, add lots. Be intuitive, be creative, and enjoy the process of crafting something special for someone you love.
Infused Syrup Gift Jars
Maple + Apricot
pure maple syrup
dried apricots (please ensure they are sulfite-free – they should be dark brown in colour)
pink peppercorns
rosemary sprig
star anise
Directions:
1. Roughly chop apricots into small chunks and place in a jar. Add all other ingredients in the amount you desire.
2. Cover with maple syrup. Store in the fridge.
Honey + Nuts
raw liquid honey
walnuts (lightly toasted, if desired)
pistachios (lightly toasted, if desired)
orange peel
fennel seeds
cloves
Directions:
1. Roughly chop nuts into chunks and place in a jar, keeping some of them whole. Add all other ingredients in the amount you desire.
2. Cover with honey. Store in the fridge.
Here are a few more ideas for MNR holiday edible gifts. Out of all the crafting I do, these are my favourite things to give any time of year.
Superfood Haute Chocolate Mix
Holiday Granola
Simple Gourmet Granola
Orange Cranberry Hazelnut Cantuccini
Zata’ar Spice Blend
Chai Tea Spice Blend
Detox Tea Blend
Keep in the fridge until giving:
Superfood Nut Butter Cups
Chocolate Fudge
Hazelnut Butter
Raw Salted Caramel Apple Dip
Fig Lavender Walnut Jam
Chlorella Cream
Green Giant Cilantro Pesto
Energy Orbs
And because I’ve been receiving emails from readers about what to serve at a healthy holiday feast, I’ve rounded up my favourites from the last year that would combine to make a great meal. Don’t forget to check out my past post about this topic, with a few complete menu plans: Holiday Menus
The Life Changing Loaf of Bread
Beet & Black Lentil Borscht
Crispy Cornmeal Sweet Potato Fries
Blood Orange Braised Cabbage on Barley
Spaghetti Squash Baby Cakes with Crispy Sage
Cinnamon Wreath
I wish you all the very best this year from me and my very new family! Have a safe, healthy and happy holiday everyone.
Love, light, and gratitude,
Sarah B.
nice idea post by u. thanks a lot.
Made this and loved it – thanks for sharing!
http://serendipityandkate.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/infused-syrup.html
Hi,
this looks amazing! I really love to know how long you can keep this jar’s in the fridge or on the shelf or if you have any idea how to make the jars longtime storable (like jam).
Thank you a lot!
To keep up with the competition you need a strength and
conditioning program that delivers results.
The split dodge is the most important dodge that a middie
has in his arsenal. ‘Their ball-pressure caused us to
turn it over,’ Kowalczyk said.
It is necessary never to fully overlook your desires for
snack foods like frozen goodies. Elsewhere in the house,
keep your pets away from the Christmas tree and any electronic decorations.
Apart from that, some awareness campaigns are required so that more people
know about this and stop this.
Yummy food and great pictures.
You might want to take your time looking through the items on their product line just to get your bearings of what you can
buy from them. Someone new to micro-dermabrasion
may feel discouraged because of skin reaction. t just avoid getting dark spots in random areas but also preserve your youthful-looking
skin for a longer time.
The photos and the foods look amazing! Love all of the great ideas.
xo,
Michele
http://healthyfashionista.com/
You mentioned a jar with Lyme Syrup? Do you have a recipe for that–I am very curious! Lovely blog by the way, thank you for the inspiration.
In conjunction with the new online service, Amazon is also offering
customers a $5 credit for future use, once they purchase any of the select game titles on their list.
Fast delivery and cheap price will always be our aim.
Can you really like the actual appears associated with whistling lightsaber as well as yelling blaster fireplace.
It is not my first time to go to see this website, i am
visiting this web page dailly and obtain pleasant facts from here everyday.
Happy New Year! I just finished making my first batch with local honey, Australian nuts, cinnamon sticks and lemon rind from our back yard lemon tree! Cannot wait to start using with the quinoa / millet breakfast! I have also made some gift pots for January birthdays. They look adorable (and yummy)! Thanks for the inspiration (as always). x
Every recipe is infused with inspiration, thank you.
Hey there! I simply would like to offer you a big thumbs
up for the excellent info you’ve got right here on this post.
I am returning to your blog for more soon.
love this idea!
What a gorgeous gift – it looks delicious and beautiful!
WOW! loved your idea. It looks amazing
I can’t wait for your new cookbook….seems like you have two new children in your life – personally – your sweet son and professionally – your amazing cookbook!
Cherie
beautiful!
Great topic thankss
Love walnuts and all of the other ingredients. Forget the gift giving…going to make some for myself and show them off in my kitchen. Thanks so much for sharing!
Uhm, yes, I shared this with my gift giving and crafty cousin with ulterior motives. 🙂 YUHM.
These look so amazing!! Seriously I love your photography!! So beautiful!!
This is such a wonderful idea, and totally doable for anyone. I have all those ingredients in my pantry right now, and might just have to concoct a creation of my own. 🙂
Love this as a gift idea! I have been making nut butters this year, but this looks like another fun addition to my holiday gift bag!
For years I wondered why I was so knackered and out of money in January. Then I realised that we have 4 birthdays (of close relatives) and Saint Nicolas and Christmas in December. For Saint Nicholas the school of our children requires that the gifts are homemade (all the children get the same type of gift) This year it was not clear if my eldest would get a bought gift or get a handmade gift. Part of me felt sad, these gifts are really the most beautiful and cherished things they have (in my mind). My daughter thanked me the other day for all the beautiful gifts now she knows Saint Nicholas’ secret.
What could life be if it is not personal?
For a truly beautiful and moving story about gifts: http://karenmaezenmiller.com/the-hidden-gift-of-macaroni/
Happy holidays, and I wish you so much joy and love with your baby boy, please take your time for him because even though it might be or seem so much and so overwhelming -such a small being- it will change before you know it. Every moment will never come back in that way every moment is different and new.
Kind regards;
Simone
P.S. I loved you cranberry christmas cake, I might make it again for christmas this year. I always find homemade Granola in a nice jar a great gift. Also felting once you get the hang of it is great, thick and sturdy (or thin and supple), warm, beautiful colors, and quicker than knitting. And sooo much possibilities.
That is such a great idea! Such a tasty and beautiful gift!
What a wonderful idea! I especially love the thought of just casually dripping it over a savory salad or a fruit salad… And lovely as a gift of course. Thanks for sharing!
They look stunning! What a wonderful idea. Robyn xx
Anyone have advice on where to cheaply buy glass jars in Canada like the ones Sarah is using? I always have a hard time tracking them down.
Thanks, Sarah. The recipe is very elegant!
This is just in time! I was wondering what to make for gifts for my neighbors…thank you!
THANK you for another food-heaven-inspiration:-)) I made few weeks ago my first skin salve with home infused olive oil (with fresh lemon balm leaves from the balcony herb-garden) and cacao butter and some organic bea way…these skin treats are my special xmas presies this time…tons of love and smile to you+Finn and happy holidays!
I too, would love to know appx shelf life in fridge. Thanks!
Love your blog.
I’ll be going to Copenhagen for a few days on Monday.
Any suggestions what I could check out food wise?
Live vegan and raw stuff, and especially interested in fermentation.
Best, Raphael
I just adore your posts, and your experiences shared about your new motherhood role. Congratulations!! So, I would love to make this for christmas gifts and wonder how long it can go without refrigeration, and what the shelf life is so I can put that in the card for the receiver. Thank you again!
These are fabulous! Great gifts for the holidays. Also, your photos are stunning–pretty colors.
Sarah, just checked into your site after some months …oh my, Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy! You have been an inspiration to me, I hope to be able to photograph as well as you, but that’s a tall order! All the best to you, Lisa
Every year I suffer from the same crafting and cooking frenzy, I’m glad I’m not the only one! These infused jars look so pretty and joyously simple! Thank you for sharing!!!
Dear Sarah, oh what did you do with this post! I have become a full-time infusion creatress – your photographs and descriptions sparked an explosion of fruit and spices combinations – can’t believe just how wonderful these concoction fragrances create Christmasy thoughts and feelings! Thank you so much!
i love this idea! now i’m going to be the one copying you!! happy holidays :)!
This is a wonderful idea, Thank you! Happy Hoildays!
What a gorgeous gift idea for all my foodie friends! Love it 🙂
The recipes sound fabulous. Can’t wait to try these. Must say the photos on your blog are absolutely spectacular! So beautiful, tranquil and inviting.
Delicious round-up and very simple but delicious xmas presents.
Happy holidays from my family to yours :*
I love this idea! Every year I buy way too many presents but this year I plan to make all my gifts. This will definitely be added to the list.
Thank you for the inspiration during the year!
xx
Lovely idea! I’ve been trying to brainstorm to come up with some good Xmas gift ideas with a budget. This might does the trick! I’m going to be hosting a Xmas dinner party at my house, just wondering if you have any good reccomandations for what to make? Something that’s simple yet pleasing at the same time 🙂 Thanx!
I love this idea and I just finished making a batch of your orange cranberry hazlenut cantuccini to give as gifts – delcious 🙂
Thanks for the inspirations and good ideas!
All I want for Christmas is a MNR cookbook 😉 if only that existed!