Since my recent obsession with Five Spice powder, sometimes referred to as the ‘wonder powder’, I took it upon myself to make my home blend as holiday gifts for friends and family. I had to share the fact that roasting and blending your own is truly several steps above the store bought version and even though I recently posted the recipe, I know most of you barely have time to cook a meal, let alone roast and grind spices. 

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Ever since I first had one of these caramels at a friend’s wedding a couple years ago, I was hooked, obsessed, and a sweet tooth convert all at once. They were from Boule patisserie. I went and bought a $20 box of them and gave them as gifts that following Christmas. Since then, the lower brow version has come on the scene, The Little Flower Candy Company makes smaller, chaper ones that are quite tasty. And since then, I have been making them myself. Spending $20 now means gifts for about 8 people, not just one.

Now that’s what I call ‘less is more’.

Paula Deen would be so proud. Another form of butter, cream and sugar at its best.. salty, creamy, buttery, and sweet all rolled into a tiny cigar-like slug of love.

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Give a gift because you want to and can. The age old saying: ‘it’s the thought that counts’ should mean more especially in the current economic landscape. I enjoy getting more for my money at all times and apply that even to gifts I can give to people. Some are one-of-a-kind objects on ebay, like vintage housewares. All of these ideas would make really nice impromptu gifts too. Here’s a list of items and ideas under $20 bucks that can come in handy when invited to those last minute holiday secret santa parties, or as a thoughtful hostess/host gift, or simply as a gift for the person who seems to have everything.

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Tis the season for soups, and stews, and roasts and braised meats. The trend of puréed soups has been prevalent for years, but carrot ginger and the like have had their limelight.  I love the idea of pairing flavors together and elevating a simple idea of puréed soup into something unexpected. This elegant, simple dish takes veggies and herbs and turns the typical vegetable soup into a luxurious starter or main.

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Come colder weather, I love braising meats and letting things simmer all day in a giant pot in the oven or on the stove. The entire house smells delicious for hours and the end result is ridiculously good you will want to invite a couple friends to come over and crack open a bottle of wine. Chinese braised meats are among the easiest thing to cook and have an impressive end result. They do not require browning prior to braising and they also don’t require wine or broth. The trick is to use a cut of meat that has bones and skin so it transforms the broth into a luscious broth as it simmers in it.

Making your own five spice powder is so worth it and what renders this dish so delicious. I know not everyone will go to the lengths to do this, so I decided to make some as holiday gifts this year. Cooking at home will definitely be more important to lots of people this coming year and is a first step to scrimping on funds but not on flavor.

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A holiday wreath can be the true sign as to how seriously one takes the holiday season. Do you make one, reuse a store bought, or buy a fresh one?  I went all out this year by making one. It’s something that can be stored and used year after year and making one is one way to guarantee that it won’t be boring.

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There’s nothing like biting into a star anise pod when enjoying a savory pork that has been braising for hours in this special Asian blend of spices. That is one not-so-fond memory of my childhood. My mom made everything from scratch and she never owned a Cuisinart let alone a spice grinder. When I say from scratch, I even recall helping her mince up shrimp and pork with a super dull knife for an hour to make wontons. Though the food was as fresh as can be and always good, we would devour our food and then be bitterly surprised by biting full force into either a slab of whole ginger or a star anise or some other Chinese spice thing that tasted more like medicine than food. bleck.

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