Homemade Holiday Gifts in a Bottle

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

12 Dec 2007 11:50 PM

In a previous blog I revealed that my best friend from Hawaii was forgoing her holiday baking and opting to prepare homemade salsas and a variety of dressings to give as holiday gifts.

She's done with the salsa and is now in full dressing mode. The following recipes are the ones she is using for the remainder of her holiday gifts. Frankly, I thought it was a wonderful idea and wished I had thought of it first. With the push these days to eat healthier the dressings are a wonderful alternative to the traditional holiday candies, cakes, cookies and chocolate-covered everything.

What's more, each of the recipes is easy to make and easy on your wallet. Even the presentation is affordable. Simply pick up a few empty bottles from a discount store and embellish them with festive raffia, ribbons and homemade labels.

AUNTY LISA'S DRESSING

Ingredients:

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed tomato soup

1 small onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

1-1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup vinegar

1-1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon dry mustard

1-1/2 tablespoons salt

1-1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon paprika

Directions:

Place the ingredients into a blender; cover and blend well. Makes about 3-3/4 cups.

SPICY CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD DRESSING

Ingredients:

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 green onions, chopped

1-inch piece ginger, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Directions:

Combine soy sauce, honey, garlic and salt; let stand 5 minutes. In a small saucepan over low heat, heat oil, scallions, ginger and pepper for 3 minutes.

Combine both mixtures. Makes about 1-1/4 cups.

PAPAYA SEED DRESSING

Ingredients:

1 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup tarragon vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1 tablespoon minced onion

1-1/2 tablespoons fresh papaya seeds

Directions:

Place all ingredients except papaya seeds into blender; cover and blend at high speed 2 minutes. Add papaya seeds and blend until seeds are size of coarsely ground pepper. Makes 1-1/2 cups.

Related Articles:

Hawaiian Style Holiday Gifts-Fruit Salsa and Passion Fruit Dressing

Salsa Recipes

Salsa and Black Bean Soup

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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