Gelato Recipes for the Holidays

Here are a incorporate of great gelato recipes that you should check out for the holidays this year. As I said before, I think gelato is going to be America's next food craze and you should introduce your friends and family to gelato this Holiday season. Why give another fruitcake, or bring a pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving dinner.

Everyone will love your homemade gelato and will appreciate that you put in the effort to make it yourself. Gelato makes the excellent low-budget holiday gift. Just put your gelato in a tupperware container, wrap it with a bow and include a card (with the gelato formula of course). I give homemade gelato to all of my friends. Many look forward all year to receiving my gelato. I go the extra mile and use an elegant glass container instead of tupperware. My friends get a heart felt gift, they get to keep and use the container it came in, and they can try to double it because I include the gelato recipes. Lots of my friends have gotten into gelato manufacture after receiving a gift from me.

Try these gelato recipes (from Bon Appetit magazine) this holiday season:

Cinnamon, Chocolate & Toffee Gelato - assuredly excellent with Hot Chocolate!

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

2 cups whole milk, divided

5 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

1/2 cup chilled heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup coarsely crushed toffee candy (such as Skor, Heath bar, or Almond Roca)

Preparation

Whisk sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt in heavy medium saucepan until blended. Gradually add 1/4 cup milk, whisking until cornstarch is dissolved. Whisk in remaining 1 3/4 cups milk. Whisk over medium-high heat until mixture thickens and comes to boil, about 6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and cook 1 puny longer, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat; add chocolate. Let stand 1 minute, then whisk until melted and smooth.

Transfer gelato base to medium bowl. Mix in cream. Place bowl over large bowl filled with ice and water and cool, stirring often, about 30 minutes.

Process gelato base in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions, adding toffee while last puny of churning. Exchange to container; cover. Freeze at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.

Zagablione Gelato - Try this one with a puny Egg Nog

Ingredients

4 large egg yolks

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup whole milk

1 cup heavy whipping cream

6 tablespoons imported dry Marsala

2 tablespoons dark rum

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Whisk yolks and sugar in medium bowl until thick, about 2 minutes. Heat milk and cream in medium saucepan over medium heat until mixture bubbles at edges. Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into yolk mixture; return to saucepan. Stir over medium heat until custard leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across and climatic characteristic registers 170°F, about 6 minutes. Immediately pour custard straight through sieve set over another medium bowl. Stir Marsala, rum, and vanilla into custard. Cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Process custard in ice cream maker. Exchange gelato to container. Cover and Freeze until firm, at least 6 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.)

Please enjoy these remarkable gelato recipes this holiday season.

Gelato Recipes for the Holidays

Variable Frequency Drive Basics Absolute Pressure Sensors Homemade Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

Read More

Homemade Gifts for the Holidays

Is it just me or have the holidays become more and more high-priced over the years? whatever your single brand of holiday celebration (Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus?), this time of year creates a hefty amount of financial stress with the pressure to be buying more and more gifts for all the population in our lives. Sure, the thought of my empty wallet makes me yelp, but I truly think this monetary obsession sidesteps the greater meaning behind these gifts. The holidays should be a time to show our loved ones that we care, not to dazzle them with big, flashy electronics. Instead of exhausting your bank account, why not surprise loves ones with homemade gifts from the heart? Over the years, Recipe4Living has collected a range of great gift recipes, and hand-picked a couple favorites just for you. whether it's homemade soup mix for the cooking-challenged or gorgeous bath salts for the diva, your gift is sure to be touching.

Beauty Gifts

Desert Sands Bath Salts

Creating three colored layers of pretty bath salt, this recipe makes a extraordinary gift.

Ingredients

5 drops yellow food coloring

2 drops red food coloring

4 drops musk fragrant or necessary oil

3 drops Jasmine fragrant or necessary oil

3 C. Epsom salts

1 C. Baking soda

2 tsp. Liquid glycerin (skin moisturizer) (optional)

Directions

Combine baking soda, epsom salt and glycerin until well blended. Add scents stirring until there is no clumps left. It will be a fine powder. Divide the blend evenly into 3 isolate bowls. In the first bowl add 3 drops yellow food coloring, in the second add 3 drops red food coloring and in the third bowl add 2 drops yellow with 1 drop red food coloring. Stir each bowl until the color is well mixed. Allow the air to dry it for a few hours before placing in a bottle. Once dried, layer the colors in an airtight glass jar beginning with red first, then orange then lastly yellow. To use, add 2-3 tsp. Of the blend to running bath water. Soak as desired.

Note: Liquid glycerin used as a skin moisturizer, is a by-product of soap making. Glycerin can be found at condition food stores, some drug stores, or major division shop depending on where you live. It's also facilely available on the internet as well.

Oatmeal Soap Balls

These soothing and exfoliating soap balls also make great gifts.

Ingredients

1 C. Instant Quaker oatmeal

1 bar mild soap, such as Ivory

1/4 C. Water

Food coloring (optional)

Directions

Grate oatmeal or use a mini-processor oatmeal. Put into a bowl. Do the same with the soap. Add the water and blend well. If adding food coloring, add it to the water for even consistency. Shape into balls and put on wax paper to dry. Balls can be put into packaging or wrapped with plastic wrap and tied with raffia. A gift tag can be attached to the raffia.

Other attractiveness Recipes

Oatmeal Soap

Chamomile Lip Balm

Candy Cane Bath Salts

Bath Bags

Lilac Bubble Bath

Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath

Vanilla Rose Bubble Bath Gel

Orange blossom Soap

Gingerbread Bath Salts

Velvet Apple Bubble Bath

Bath Salts

Lotion Sticks

Apricot-Orange Lip Gloss

Gardenia Dusting Powder

Breakfast Anyone?

All-in-One Pancake Mix

Ditch the box and get inspired. This homemade pancake mix keeps in an airtight package so you can make pancakes whenever you want.

Ingredients

2 C. All-purpose flour

2 tsp. Baking powder

1 tsp. Salt

1/3 C. Dry milk powder

1/3 C. Shortening

1 Tbs. Sugar

2 Tbs. Soy flour

Directions

In a large bowl, mix together flour, soy flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and dry milk. Cut in shortening until blend resembles base cornmeal. To use, portion 1 C. Pancake mix and couple with 1/2 C. Water. This makes a thick pancake. Add more water 1 Tbs. At a time if you prefer a thinner pancake.

Note: With the addition of soy flour you do not need to add an egg.

Drinks

Fruit Extracts/Flavored Vodka

Making your own citrus extracts to use in recipes will give you a much purer fruit flavor. You can do this with lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, or tangerine. Peel the fruit in strips, leaving the pith behind. Place the strips in a jar, and cover them with good-quality vodka. Cover the jar tightly and let it stand at room temperature for two weeks, shaking the jar daily. Discard the peel, replace it with fresh peel, and let it stand for two more weeks. Take off the flavor, and use the flavored vodka in recipes calling for extract. It will keep indefinitely.

Instant Chai Tea Mix

For a great, super-cheap gift idea this holiday season, give this delicious chai tea mix in a decorated jar.

Ingredients

1 C. Pwdr. Dry milk

1 C. Non dairy creamer-dry

1 C. Fr. Vanilla pwdr. Creamer

1 1/2 C. Sugar

1 1/2 C. Instant tea

2 tsp. Ginger

2 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Cloves

1 tsp. Cardomon

Directions

In a large bowl, couple milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 C. At a time, until blend is the consistency of fine powder. Store in your popular jar or decorative bottle. To serve: Stir 2 heaping Tbs. Chai tea blend into a mug of hot water.

Makes about 4 C. Mix

Other Drink Mix Recipes

Citrus Spice Tea Mix

Hot Russian Tea Mix

Sugar-Free/Caffeine-Free Hot Spiced Tea Mix

Irish Crème Liqueur

Sugar-Free Cherry Tea Mix

Kahlua

Russian Tea in a Gift Jar

Spicy Winter Tea Mix

Heartwarming Tea Mix

Mocchacino Mix

Kids

Bathtub Finger Paints

Kids of all ages will love taking a bath with these fun paints on hand!

Ingredients

1/3 C. Clear liquid dish soap

1 Tbs. Cornstarch

Food coloring

Directions

Mix liquid soap and cornstarch together in a small bowl until blended. Pour blend in equal amounts into ice cube tray. Add a couple drops food coloring into each compartment and mix.

Note: In case this accidentally gets into eyes flush with water for 5 minutes. If problems persist consult your physician.

Other Kid-Friendly Recipes

Schooldays Cookies

Reindeer Ginger Pops

Candy Roll

Cherry Bubbles

Don't Forget the Pets

Kitty Heaven (Sardines and Rice)

Ingredients

2 flat cans of sardines in oil

2/3 C. Cooked rice

1 Tbs. Cooked chopped liver

1/4 C. Parsley, chopped

Directions

Combine all ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon to break up sardines into bite-sized pieces. Store unused portion in refrigerator, tightly covered.

Yield: 2 servings

Fido's popular Treats

Ingredients

1 C. Uncooked oatmeal

1 C. Boiling water

1/2 C. Margarine

1/2 C. Milk

1 egg, beaten

1 Tbs. Sugar

1-2 tsp. Bouillon granules

3/4 C. Cornmeal

2 1/2-3 C. Whole wheat flour

Directions

In a large bowl, pour boiling water over oatmeal and margarine. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir in milk, egg, sugar, bouillon and cornmeal. Add flour, 1 C. At a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead in the final half C. Or more to make a stiff dough. Pat or roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into bone shapes and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 50 minutes.

Sauces and Seasonings

Cranberry Pear Chutney

Cranberry Pear Chutney is a savory and versatile complement to a huge range of dishes and edibles, year-round. It's as good with grilled or roasted chicken, ham or pork, as with cold meat or cheese sandwiches. Make it ahead and keep ready for spur-of-the-moment snacks; or take a jar as a gift for someone.

Ingredients

4 C. Fresh or icy cranberries, picked over, and stemmed

2 1/2 C. Sugar

6 whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks, each about 3 inches long

1 tsp. Salt

4 firm Bosc or Anjou pears, peeled, halved lengthwise, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 C. Golden raisins

1/3 C. Diced crystallized ginger (see note)

1/2 C. Whole hazelnuts, roasted, skins removed, and halved (see note)

Directions

In a deep 6-qt. Saucepan, couple the cranberries, sugar, 1 1/4 C. Water cloves, cinnamon and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often to dissolve the sugar. Cook until the cranberries begin to open, about 10 to 12 minutes. Adjust the heat so the blend simmers. Stir in the pears, onion, raisins and ginger. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until thick, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Take off from the heat, stir in the hazelnuts, and allow the blend to cool to room temperature. Discard the cinnamon sticks and cloves if you can find them. Refrigerate in tightly sealed jars for up to 3 months.

Makes about 2 qts.

Other Sauce and Seasoning Recipes

Safari Sauce

Kiwi Relish

Herb Honey

Caesar Salad Dressing Mix

Memmie's Chili Sauce

Green & Red Pepper Jelly

Herb Vegetable Dip Mix

Casserole Sauce Mix

Tabil Spice Mix

Sweets

Coconut Brownie Mix in a Jar

Give this walnut and coconut brownie mix to man with a sweet tooth.

Ingredients

1/3 C. Chopped walnuts

1/2 C. Chocolate chips

1/3 C. Flaked coconut

2/3 C. Brown sugar, packed

3/4 C. Sugar

1/3 C. Baking cocoa

1-1/2 C. All-purpose flour

Directions to Attach to Mix

Add brownie mix to 2 eggs, 2/3 C. Oil and 1 tsp. Vanilla extract. Blend well. Spread in greased 8X8 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until town tests done.

Makes one dozen.

Candy Cane White Fudge

A festive fudge for the holidays and a great way to use up all those leftover candy canes!
Ingredients

12 oz. White chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 14 oz. Can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 C. Coarsely chopped peppermint candies

Directions

Butter an 8-inch square baking pan; line lowest and sides with foil allowing foil to increase over sides of pan by about 1 inch. Butter foil. Over medium-high heat in top of double-boiler or heatproof bowl set over pot of hot water couple white chocolate and condensed milk. Cook, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth, 5 minutes. Pour blend into pan; sprinkle candy over top. Using knife lightly swirl candy into chocolate mixture. Refrigerate until firm, about 6 hours or overnight. Cut into 1 inch squares, brilliant shapes or rectangles. Store in refrigerator.

Yield: 64 pieces

Other Sweets Recipes

Caramel Popcorn Kit in a Jar

Jingle Balls

Dark Chocolate Praline

Peppermint Chocolate Fudge

Snowman Soup

Cranberry Nut Fudge

Fool Proof Fudge

Premier White Almond Bark

Nature's Candy

Holiday Sugar Cookies

Soup

French store Soup Mix in a Jar

The layers in this bean-rich soup in a jar give it a pretty presentation for a gift and a tasty result.

Ingredients

1 lb. Dried navy beans

1 lb. Dried pinto beans

1 lb. Dried Great Northern beans

1 lb. Split peas

1 lb. Yellow split peas

1 lb. Dried black-eyed peas

1 lb. Lentils

1 lb. Dried baby lima beans

1 lb. Dried lima beans

1 lb. Dried soybeans

1 lb. Pearl barley

1 lb. Dried red beans

Directions

In a very large container, couple navy beans, pinto beans, great Northern beans, split peas, yellow split peas, black-eyed peas, lentils, baby limas, limas, soybeans, barley & red beans; mix well. Divide evenly into 14 lidded jars. Attach a card to each jar with the following recipe:

French store Soup

Ingredients

2 qts. Water

1 ham hock

1 1/4 tsp. Salt

1/4 tsp. Ground pepper

1 (16 oz.) can diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 large onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

Soak 2 C. French store Bean Mix in water to cover, 8 hours or overnight. In a large soup pot, bring 2 qts. Water & ham hock to a boil. Sell out heat and simmer 20 minutes. Take off ham hock. Stir in soaked beans, salt, pepper, diced tomatoes & green chilies, onion & garlic. Bring to a boil again, skimming foam off the top. Sell out heat, cover and simmer about 1 hour, until beans are tender.

Potato Soup Mix

Give this instant soup mix to friends and family who are uncomfortable with cooking!

Ingredients

1-3/4 C. Instant mashed potatoes

1-1/2 C. Dry milk

2 Tbs. Instant chicken bullion

2 tsp. Dried minced onion

1 tsp. Dried parsley

1/4 tsp. Ground white pepper

1/4 tsp. Dried thyme

1/8 tsp. Turmeric

1-1/2 tsp. Seasoning salt

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Place in 1 qt. Canning jars to store.

Instructions to attach to jar:
To serve: Place 1/2 C. Mix in soup bowl and add 1 C. Boiling water. Stir until smooth.

Makes 6 servings.

Other Soup Recipes

Arizona Bean Soup Mix in a Jar

Turkey Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar

Mushroom Barley Soup Mix

Texas Two-Step Soup Mix in a Jar

Condensed Cream of Soup Mix

Other

For the Whole Family- Why not originate a family cookbook, one for each member of the family? This sentimental treasure creates a extraordinary keepsake to be passed down for generations. Check out how to do it here: originate a family Cookbook at Recipe4Living.com.

For the Lovers of the Great Outdoors- satisfaction the nature lovers in your family will all natural alternatives to ward off bug bites and save their garden.

Insect Repellent Sachet

Ingredients

4 parts tansy 4 parts patchouli

2 parts lavender

1/2 of 1 part powdered Orris Root

Directions

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl. Fill cloth bags made from remnants. Tie off with a bow.

Animal Repellent

The smell of this home made repellent will keep animals away from your outdoor garden.

Ingredients

1 Tbs. Cayenne pepper

1 Tbs. Garlic powder

1 qt. Water

1/4 tsp. Liquid detergent

Directions
Mix well. Spray on all organery plants. Note: Do not use around your pets .

Weed Killer

The vinegar is what kills the weeds, but the dish soap holds the vinegar in place so it stays on the plant instead of running off. This works great on grass or weeds in sidewalk or driveway cracks, too. Best time to spray is in the middle of the day when the sun is hottest.

Ingredients

1 C. Of vinegar

1/2 C. Of regular dish soap (not dishwasher detergent)

Fill the rest of the bottle up with water.

Directions

Use a funnel to place the following ingredients in a medium spray bottle practically the size of a quart, but it doesn't have to be exact. Shake well before each use. Spray blend directly on the weed itself; if weed is out in the yard, be specific not to spray
the grass!

Copyright © 2006 Ampere Media Llc

Homemade Gifts for the Holidays

Belkin N Wireless Router Heat Pump Compressor Troubleshooting

Read More