Christmas gift baskets

Every Christmas, it is a tradition at the Nunna household to make Christmas baskets filled with home-made cookies from around the world, along with different tea cakes and baklavas. I love to give homemade gifts rather than buy items from the store, which in my opinion shows a lack of character. When you make some thing from your kitchen to give as a gift, you are putting your personal stamp on it. But this year I have been struck with a minor set back, that being my oven not able to maintain a proper temperature range.  My double-oven worked tirelessly for my baking needs for over 16 years, undergoing repairs twice already.

There was no time to get my oven repaired or buy a new one. I had no choice but to change the menu involving a baking marathon. I made masala chai mix, featured in my book Entertaining from an Ethnic Indian Kitchen. I also made two different nut brittles on my stove-top, spicy pistachio brittle and cashew-saffron brittle (both of which are also featured in my book). I also included my signature pomegranate jam. Voila! Mission accomplished. Christmas baskets delivered on time. Who needs oven anyway? Here are some of the pictures from my gift making that I want to share with you all.

Don't you think these two brittles look yummy? They taste as good as they look.

 Brittles are packed in cellophane bags to be included in the gift.

 

Jars of pomegranate jams are neatly packed and ready to go into gift baskets.

 

My homemade masala chai mix, along with brewing instructions.

 

 

 

All three items are arranged in a basket. 

 

The basket is ready to be wrapped with cellophane paper and tied with raffia. 

 

 

  Don't you wish you received this gift? Next time.

For more memorable tablescapes and entertaining ideas, please check out my book Entertaining from an Ethnic Indian Kitchen at my website komalinunna.com