For the choc-o-holic
Cranberry and pistachio chocolate salami
Ingredients
- 100g dark chocolate
- 150g butter at room temperature
- 100g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 100g shortbread biscuits, crushed
- 100g dried cranberries
- 100g pistachio nuts
- Icing sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate gently in a bowl over simmering water.
- When melted, set aside and allow the chocolate to cool a little.
- Cream the butter and the sugar and add then add the eggs. Whisk for few seconds and fold through the melted chocolate.
- Pour into a large bowl and fold the shortbread, cranberries and pistachios through until evenly combined with the chocolate
- Turn the dough out onto a surface dusted with icing sugar and work it into a salami shape. Put the chocolate salami onto a layer of clingfilm and then wrap it tightly.
- Refrigerate for a couple of hours until firm. When ready, wrap it in paper and decorate.
*Note: This recipe contains raw eggs.
For favourite teachers
Mini medical aid kit
What you need
- A small plastic box such as a lunchbox or a make-up travel container found at supermarkets or pharmacies
- Red craft foam plus another sheet for lining the box
- Plasters, cotton wool, gauze, antiseptic, tweezers, small scissors and any other items that you choose to fill the medicine kit
What to do
- Decorate the top of the box by cutting a cross out of the red craft foam and sticking it on using craft glue or double-sided tape.
- Trace the outline of the box onto the second sheet of foam and cut it out. Line the inside of the box with it.
- Fill the box with all of the necessary medical goodies and tie up with ribbon. Finish off your gift with a homemade label.
For furry friends
Doggy treats
Ingredients
- 4 cups carob chocolate chips (found in the health section of supermarkets)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Melt the carob chocolate over a pot of simmering water and then stir in the peanut butter until combined and smooth.
- Add the nuts and the cinnamon, then stir the mixture to coat the nuts.
- Line a baking tray with foil, lightly greased with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the mixture onto the foil and spread it evenly. Chill until set and then break it roughly into doggy bite-sized pieces.
Tip
We placed ours into a new dog’s bowl and wrapped it up as a gift.
For the kitchen goddess
Cook’s salt
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Maldon sea salt
- A variety of dried herbs and spices
- Dried garlic
- Dried onion
- Crushed black pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the salt with the herbs, garlic, onion and pepper.
- Place the mixture into a pretty jar and decorate it with a ribbon and a gift label.
- Try these great combinations: Salt, dried chilli, crushed pepper and dried origanum OR Salt, pepper, fennel and chilli (for fish).
For grannies, aunties and moms
Coffee and vanilla body scrub
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 cup ground filter coffee
- Vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the olive oil and coffee together.
- Add about four drops of vanilla extract and spoon the mixture into a pretty jar. Decorate with ribbon. To use, simply rub onto the body and rinse off in the shower.
For best friends
Magnetic buttons
What you need
- A variety of buttons
- Round magnets found at craft and hardware stores
- Bostik Clear Gel glue
What to do
- Simply stick the magnets to the backs of the buttons and allow to dry.
- Use on fridges and reminder boards or present them as a gift to a granny along with a favourite piece of laminated artwork.