The holiday season is a time that we traditionally share gifts with one another. A lot of time is spent figuring out just that special gift for the right person. Sometimes a gift from the kitchen can be that just right present. Whether purchased or homemade a special little bit of us is wrapped up with each cheerful package that we pass on to family and friends.
Try this life’s solution for kitchen gifting to those just right children in your life. I can remember thinking as a child when it came to playdough, the more colors the better. With this recipe for homemade playdough you can whip up in under 15 minutes, from start to finish, the color possibilities are endless.
Homemade Playdough 
In a medium saucepan mix;
stir to combine:
2 cups of flour
1 cup of salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar (do not omit)
Add:
2 cups of water
2 Tablespoons of cooking oil
Several drops oil of wintergreen, peppermint, or other essential oil
(optional- for aroma only)
Several drops of food coloring
(if doing multiple colors from 1 batch add to dough after cooking)
Instructions for cooking:
Cook over medium-high heat stirring constantly about three to four minutes. Mixture will pull away from sides of the pan forming a dough ball. Remove from pan and knead on a flat surface immediately (be careful dough can be very hot to handle). If you are coloring dough after cooking separate into smaller dough balls, add the drops of desired food coloring to each ball, and continue kneading until each color is mixed (wear gloves as color can stain hands until it is thoroughly mixed). Store in an airtight container (zip-lock bags work great). Keeps 3 to 4 months.
For gifting:
Wrap playdough separate or add some plastic silverware, cookie cutters, small plastic toys or cars, and a small plastic cutting matt or tray.
Try this life’s solution for kitchen gifting to those just right canine tail-waggers. This recipe for dog bones can be made with whole wheat flour or grain free. When making homemade food for dogs be aware there are some commons foods that should be avoided because they are toxic (chocolate, xylitol- an artificial sweetener, nutmeg, macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins, and foods in the allium family- onions, garlic, chives, shallots, leeks- raw, cooked, or dried) or cause sensitivity to some dogs (avocadoes, citrus, and most dairy foods).
Butternut Nutter-Butter Dog Biscuits
In a large bowl combine; then stir to combine forming a dough ball, knead if necessary:
2 cups whole wheat flour
or for grain free – 2 cups coconut flour
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup butternut squash puree
or pure pumpkin puree
1/3 c. natural peanut butter
(check label for xylitol –toxic to dogs)
1 Tablespoon molasses, honey, or maple syrup
(optional)
1 tablespoon canola or soybean oil
2 eggs
Instructions for baking:
Roll dough out on a floured surface about ¼ inch thick, cut with a shaped cookie cutter of shape by hand. Place biscuits on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or baking mat and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, turn oven off and leave in for an additional 20 minutes to continue the drying process while cooling. Remove from oven. May need to leave out 1 to 2 days to continue drying before packaging, especially the grain free ones. Package in an airtight container. Can be stored on counter for up to 2 weeks, in the refrigerator for 1 month, and in the freezer for 6 months.
Makes 26 – 3 inch biscuits, serving 1
Nutrition Information for whole wheat biscuit: Calories: 66, Total Carbohydrate: 9g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Protein: 3g, Total fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: .5g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 14mg, sodium: 29mg
Nutrition Information for grain free biscuit: Calories: 72, Total Carbohydrate: 7g, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 3g, Protein: 3g, Total fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 29mg
For gifting:
Package batch of biscuits in an airtight container. If for multiple canines tie a small stack of bones with a ribbon, and wrap. Make sure ribbon and packaging is removed before gifting to your canine friend.
Try this life’s solution for kitchen gifting for all the rest of those just right people in your life. The idea is to put together a Meal Basket/Box (you can do even better than the one’s they sell in the catalogs). This gift requires no cooking unless you want to include homemade items. The example pictured above is a Breakfast Basket. These instructions will provide you guidelines on putting a meal box together, but feel free to get creative with yours personalizing your basket is what makes it the just right present.
Breakfast Basket
Gather:
Basket or decorated box
New dish towel (to line basket or box)
Small packets of tea
Fruit
Bagels – packaged or homemade (if you make them include the recipe as an extra)
Jam (store bought or homemade)
Container of cream cheese (optional; add just before gifting as it requires refrigeration)
Placemats (buy them, have fun making them, or get the kids involved- some scissors, paper, tape, and page protectors or clear contact paper is all it takes to be creative you can even add a special picture)
Instructions for Packaging: Be creative, try a couple of arrangements, pick the one you like the best. Don’t forget to add any refrigerated items just before delivering.
For Gifting: The basket or box can go as is, or wrap and decorate. If items need refrigeration do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
There are many other meal baskets you could put together an Italian Meal Basket, a Beverage Basket, or A Family Secret Meal basket, just use your creativity and knowledge of that just right person you are creating this gift for and you will have that just right present.
Happy holidays from EFNEP!
If you are interested in more recipes, nutrition information, or classes, visit our website at www.cceschoharie-otsego.org or contact Michelle Leveski, EFNEP Nutrition Program Educator by calling 518-234-4303 ext. 115 (please leave a message), or emailing her at mml39@cornell.edu.
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