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

Gifts from the garden

When I go out to dinner parties, I like to give the hostess gifts from my house or from my garden. Last weekend, I made a gift basket for a friend from my garden.

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 Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Patty's Weekly Story, Seasonal Sundays and a A Stroll Thru Life.

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