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

Getting ready for Christmas

For me, getting ready for Christmas begins with getting ready to make homemade gift baskets. My homemade gift baskets are never without my signature pomegranate jelly. My daughter will be coming home soon from college for winter break. We both will be baking all the goodies that go into the baskets. Can't wait!

I like to decorate the house for Christmas with natural elements from the garden whenever possible.

Pomegranates and berries from the garden make a stunning centerpiece. 

Pomegranate jellies are all labelled and ready. I like to have homemade jellies and jams on hand for last minute gifts and for hostess gifts.

 

If you don't know what to buy for the people on your Christmas list, think of my book as a gift that will make a lasting impression. 

You can get an autographed copy of my book here.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

I am joining Tablescape Thursday, French Country Cottage, Common Ground, The Charm Of Home, Show and Tell, Foodie Friday,  How Sweet the Sound and Ivy and Elephants.

Wow-us- Wednesday

Homemade gifts

I find that homemade edible gifts are the best to give in keeping with the spirit of the season. Offering something from your own kitchen with your personal stamp to your friends and family is the best way to celebrate the season. Any one of these gifts would make a lasting impression with your friends and family.

 Cardamom flavored Cashew shortbread

What could be better than homemade garam masala powder as a Christmas gift? Garam masala powder will add flavor and aroma to the dish.

My most popular pomegranate jelly

Sweet and spicy cocktail nuts

Some more ideas for homemade gift baskets

*Almost all these recipes are adopted from my cook books. Both my cookbooks will make great Christmas gifts.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my books, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen and Trader Joe's Simply

Indian at my website komalinunna.com.

Sharing at:
Inspire me Tuesday
Wow-us-Wednesday
Common ground
Ivy and Elephants
French Country Cottage
Show and Tell
Foodie Friday

Homemade gifts - Pomegranate Jelly

For many, pomegranates are a mysterious fruit that are purely decorative during holiday season. For me, pomegranates are a super fruit that appear in my salads, glazes, desserts, drinks and at  breakfast.
One thing that is always present at my breakfast table is pomegranate jelly, which is also a consistent part of my Christmas gift baskets. The more I learn about the health benefits of pomegranates and its antioxidant power, the more I want to include in my day-to-day living.
If you are not familiar with how to open and make juice out of fresh pomegranates please check out my previous post about pomegranate juice. 

  

Pomegranate Jelly

I have always made pomegranate jelly using only my homemade pomegranate juice. I keep the juice in the refrigerator for a couple of days before attempting to make jelly. You will have sediment at the bottom after two days. Use only clear juice to make this jelly and discard the sediment.

Yield: Six 8-ounce jars  

•  3 1/2 cups pomegranate Juice
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)
• One package (1.75 ounce)  Sure Jell powdered fruit Pectin 
• 5 cups granulated sugar 

In a medium saucepan, combine pomegranate and lemon juice along with pectin and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Skim off all the foam. Add sugar all at once. Stir once and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minute. 
Ladle the hot liquid into sterilized jars. Wipe rims and screw on lids. Process in the boiling-water bath for 5 minutes.

Trader Joe's Simply Indian (both printed and kindle version) is available to buy at Amazon. Trader Joe's Simply Indian is a compilation of gourmet Indian recipes made from fresh and ready to use ingredients available at Trader Joe's.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

Sharing at:
Foodie Friday 
French country cottage 
Show and Tell 
Tablescape Thursday 
Pink Saturday 
Seasonal Sundays 
Clever Chicks 
Tabletop Tuesday 

Last Fall Harvest at the Nunna Farm

Even though it is wet and drizzling here in California, we started  our last fall harvest from the orchard. This year, our pomegranates have done better than any other year before. I would never dream of wasting any fruit that is grown in our orchard. I have been very busy drying persimmons and making pomegranate jams for my Christmas gift baskets. Even though I am appreciative and feel blessed with this overabundance of pomegranates and persimmons, I think I am ready for a break from harvesting.

Stay tuned for recipe for pomegranate jelly in future posts.

Trader Joe's Simply Indian (both printed and kindle version) is available to buy at Amazon. Trader Joe's Simply Indian is a compilation of gourmet Indian recipes made from fresh and ready to use ingredients available at Trader Joe's.

For more memorable centerpieces, tablescapes, and recipes (including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan recipes), please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.

Sharing at:
Metamorphosis Monday
Seasonal Sundays  
A stroll thru life 
Wow - Us - Wednesday
French Country Cottage 
Pink Saturday