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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2009 12:45:20 GMT
As previously mentioned,my holiday gift giving involves something to do with the citrus that I grow. Whether whole lemons themselves,preserved lemons,lemon curd or marmalade,it is a practical and economical way to go. I also enjoy receiving gifts of food. I'd much rather a tin of homemade cookies versus a badly scented candle or the like which I invariably pass along to someone else anyway. For years I made herbal vinegars and oils and experimented with different hot sauces with the various hot peppers that I grow.I still do some but not as much as I used to. Please share with us your favorites or least favorites for that matter.(either given or received). Almost everyone has some fruitcake story to share.
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Post by imec on Nov 30, 2009 13:19:36 GMT
I look forward to a gift of really good spiced, candied nuts from one friend. My Dad always made me a big batch of Mince Pies and Sausage Rolls - my Mum has taken over that duty now. I don't recall ever giving any gifts of food but I plan to put together some of my Gorgonzola stuffed olives for a couple of friends who drop by just before Christmas.
A couple of weeks before Christmas we attend a party at a neighbor's house. Last year as we departed, he presented me with a beautiful piece of beef tenderloin as a sort of impromptu gift. Well, the next day when I thought I would roast the meat for dinner, I couldn't find it. The neighbor came by to drop off a couple of items I had left there and to also give us a beautiful torte that didn't get eaten - but no tenderloin (which I had determined by this time that I had forgotten to bring home). We figured at this point that he decided he would keep it. About a month later after a frantic search to find what the hell was stinking, another neighbor who was house-sitting our friends property found the beef in the bottom of an umbrella stand near the door...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2009 14:50:08 GMT
What a horror I.! I had something terribly similar happen but wasn't my fault. My mother used to send me an overnight parcel of homemade kielbasa. The dumb f**k delivery guy set it on a small porch at a side door that we never used. (Same door in full sun). Days later,phew!!!!
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Post by bazfaz on Nov 30, 2009 15:31:21 GMT
Someone, knowing that I make grapefruit marmalade, gave me a bottle she had made. Oh dear. It had no sugar added and it was runny. How do you say thank in such a way as to be polite yet not encourage a further gift?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2009 15:35:54 GMT
I was thinking perhaps you could use it in a marinade or dressing and not what it was originally intended for. ,Doctor it up with some ginger and honey,soy sauce?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2009 22:18:27 GMT
several trees like this,the extent of my holiday shopping.my own little mini mall...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2009 22:29:41 GMT
You cheapskate!
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Post by imec on Nov 30, 2009 23:02:46 GMT
Wow! I can almost smell them lemons!
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Post by lagatta on Dec 1, 2009 1:50:36 GMT
I can't see how you define this as an "economical" gift. You have put so much time and labour (i.e. investment, in economic terms) and love (added value) into your little grove. I can't see how any other present could be more welcome than this, especially for those of us who could never grow citrus trees except in a costly greenhouse that would never give the same results.
Many Italians and Greeks around here grow little fig trees and bury them in the earth in late autumn; one Greek fellow not far away has an olive tree that he keeps in a little greenhouse of its own (sort of in a bow window in the front of his small urban house - think it is a duplex and he has tenants above).
Where I lived before the previous owner had built a beautiful grape arbour with a handmade concrete curved bench and round table beneath, but the Concord grapes at the upper limit of their zone were almost inedible.
Studying in Italy, one residence where I stayed had a beautiful fig tree by the balcony of my (large, spacious) room - I could reach out and pluck them when ripe.
Once again, can't possibly imagine a better gift. Bottled sunshine.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2009 3:17:06 GMT
I have a Greek friend in NY who nurses his fig tree in much the same way you describe. Even if he only gets one fig,he's happy. Swaddles it in burlap like a new born infant.
My initial investment per tree was minimal from knowing people in the trade. The overall maintenance and care is fairly minimal. Just the idea of not having to angst over what to buy for people is worth it. The children in my life will always receive books.That's the only shopping I do.
I have a dear friend in San Francisco that comes in to NOLA most every Christmas and she brings wonderful cheeses.She is a great connoisseur.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2009 6:52:39 GMT
Frankly, the only edible gifts that I appreciate are fresh items rather than anything specially made. Special items are often in danger of being 'saved' until they spoil.
I have been given bags of potatoes or tomatoes from someone's kitchen garden, lots of apples and walnuts, etc. I really appreciate things like that. The one 'made' item that I really loved, though, were two liters of olive oil that a friend's father brought me back from his home in Algeria to thank me for straightening out his travel problems.
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Post by bazfaz on Dec 1, 2009 8:36:22 GMT
There is a mill about 40 kms from here that crushes walnuts for you so you can have your own oil. It is a wonderful old place, built over a stream that powers all the machinery. The resulting oil is always welcome as a present.
The downside is that you have to shell the walnuts yourself before taking the kernels in sacks. The minimum they will accept is 25 kilos of kernels, which gives 12-13 litres of oil. You need to crack open and gouge out 75 kilos of walnuts to get that. It is a long process. I have done it in the past, inviting friends at 6 for a couple of hours shelling the nuts then rewarding them with dinner.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2009 11:49:51 GMT
Fresh walnut oil,what a treat. But,to have to shell all those walnuts. Having recently shelled what seemed like a half bushel of pecans I can fully appreciate how daunting a task it can be. Seems like the pile of unshelled never diminishes and the pile of shelled never increases... I am fascinated by the process of pressing the walnut oil though. Would love to see and smell that.
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Post by bjd on Dec 1, 2009 12:03:10 GMT
Walnut oil is very good but you have to keep it in the fridge once it's open because it tends to get rancid rather quickly -- much more quickly than olive oil, for example.
The only food gift I ever gave was homemade chocolate truffles -- but that was a few years ago. I just can't be bothered now.
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Post by auntieannie on Dec 5, 2009 17:01:13 GMT
I will bring some of my marmalade for my mom as she enjoys it. I do follow a proper recipe, Baz!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2009 18:04:44 GMT
My brother brought me plum jam and apple jelly that he made himself from his own backyard fruit. I am impressed that he is interested in doing that now. I guess it helps to compensate for his stick-in-the-mud life. I finally finished the plum jam but the apple jelly awaits usage. (I am not a big user of such products.) It has been 18 months, but the jar still looks fine.
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Post by Don Cuevas on Dec 9, 2009 14:36:12 GMT
I'm giving some Pumpkin Breads I just made. They are the mini-loaf size, good for two people or one glutton.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2009 5:58:35 GMT
A baked bread or brioche is the sort of gift that I would happily accept, because it is something I would never make myself (except for banana bread, which I have often given away, usually after begging by the recipient).
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2009 2:41:43 GMT
Started making marmalade. Made with Meyer lemons,carrots and ginger.Beautiful color. Will post pictures of,simply gorgeous.
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Post by imec on Dec 23, 2009 1:19:21 GMT
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Post by cristina on Dec 23, 2009 2:44:17 GMT
I need a friend in New Brunswick. I generally like food gifts, mostly because I like food. ;D Seriously, I do prefer them over other things because I have enough "things." And I like to think about the care and creativity that goes into gifts of food. I know that when I bake, I usually contemplate the feelings of the recipient and, I think that food is a very sensory item. That said, I would not at all turn down a pair of diamond earrings. (Ahem, one "thing" that I don't have but wouldn't mind owning. A simple pair of studs will do, thank you.)
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2009 2:53:14 GMT
I agree with all of the above. Being the cheapskate that I am ,99.9% of my gifts to others are food related. Will be curious to hear how the oysters are Imec.One day would love to sample all the different oysters in the world.I love that much. What a lovely friend you have there.
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Post by imec on Dec 23, 2009 3:12:50 GMT
I had to eat one as soon as I opened that box. Now, I don't get to eat these often, so bear with me as I try to come up with description. First impression is of the sea, that impossible to describe quality of salt air which has a whiff of sweetness. The are quite meaty for their size - but really only a bite or two before they're gone (sorry, I think it's pure idiocy to just swallow it). I would say, these are very well balanced oysters where neither the richness, saltiness or sweetness stands out - as it disappears, it's like you're chasing it to see which of the tastes dominates. Of course, none of them do and the only way to satisfy your curiosity is to have another, and another...
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Post by hwinpp on Dec 23, 2009 4:09:25 GMT
Yesterday my sister arrived. I got: 2 packs of 'Landjaeger' One of these, 'Roter Presssack' A chunk of mature Gouda and a chunk of Emmenthaler and a whole Serrano ham, on the bone, with the contraption to fix it to cut! She made her son lug it, he's now taller than me, when I last saw him he reached my chin!
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Post by imec on Dec 23, 2009 5:18:59 GMT
A simple pair of studs will do, thank you.) How about a pair of simple studs? ;D
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Post by bixaorellana on Dec 23, 2009 5:57:43 GMT
Oh my goodness ~~ you boys did score for Christmas goodies! The whole sea washed up on the Winnepegian (?) "shores", and HW 's sister & nephew came to the east bearing gifts. Gorgeous viands, you guys!
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Post by cristina on Dec 23, 2009 14:47:50 GMT
Wow HW! Your sister must love you a lot! What a nice bounty! How about a pair of simple studs? ;D Imec, I hate to say this, but I think the simple pair of studs will last longer than the pair of simple studs...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2009 17:25:29 GMT
Care package from New Brunswick arrived today! - oysters, scallops, clams, smoked salmon.
Those look brilliant, imec, I think I need to send myself some soon!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2009 17:26:35 GMT
A simple pair of studs will do, thank you.) How about a pair of simple studs? ;D Oh okay then, sure why not? ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2009 18:27:34 GMT
Maybe you could get a Care package of mountain oysters from Manitoba.
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