If you’re looking for a holiday gift that’s heartfelt, animal friendly and won’t gather dust, head to the kitchen. Homemade food gifts often feel far more personal than something store-bought, says chef Elle Simone Scott, food stylist and author of Food Gifts: 150+ Irresistible Recipes for Crafting Personalized Presents.
For Scott, a personalized food gift might mean homemade pancake mix or granola for the brunch lover in your life, a fresh loaf of bread for a busy friend, homemade crackers or spiced nuts for a party host, or dairy-free cookies for a vegan giftee—anything that makes the recipient feel known, considered and special.
The great part about food gifts is it’s always needed. Even when they don’t think they need it, they need it. You gotta eat, right?”
Chef Elle Simone Scott, food stylist and author
As a weekday vegan, Scott often gifts naturally plant based staples such as tomato sauce. “I like the versatility in those gifts,” she says. If she wants to fill a basket, she’ll add homemade bread or ravioli. “It’s super easy, and you can fill it with vegan cheeses, which I love.”
Courtesy of Steve Klise/America’s Test Kitchen
Unlike many gifts, recipes can always be adjusted, she says. “Something that’s not normally vegan can probably be veganized. You have a little bit more range when you’re giving food gifts as opposed to something you shop for at the store.”
“The great part about food gifts is it’s always needed,” she adds. “Even when they don’t think they need it, they need it. You gotta eat, right?”
Stuffed dates for every occasion
“In the Middle East, boxes of stuffed dates line the cases at artisanal candy shops,” says Chef Scott. “It’s traditional to give an assortment of flavors.”
Mahathir Mohd Yasin/Shutterstock
Walnut-pomegranate
5 pitted medjool dates
10 walnut halves
1 tsp date molasses
5 tsp unsweetened shredded coconut
¾ tsp freeze-dried
pomegranate seeds
- Using a paring knife, cut slit down the length of each date without cutting through entirely. Gently open each date; stuff with two walnut halves.
- Place date molasses in a small bowl and coconut in a second small bowl. Dip each date in molasses, then dip in coconut, pressing to adhere.
- Sprinkle freeze-dried pomegranate seeds over dates.
Pistachio-orange
5 pitted medjool dates
5 tsp pistachios, chopped
¼ tsp grated orange zest
1⁄8 tsp flaked sea salt
- Using a paring knife, cut slit down the length of each date without cutting through entirely.
- Combine pistachios, orange zest and salt in bowl. Gently open each date and stuff with 1 tsp pistachio mixture.
Chocolate-almond
5 pitted medjool dates
5 whole almonds
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped or grated (most brands are vegan)
2 Tbsp very finely
chopped pistachios
- Using a paring knife, cut slit down the length of each date; do not cut through entirely. Gently open each date and stuff with 1 almond.
- Microwave chocolate in a bowl at 50% power so it’s warm, not hot; stir often, until about two-thirds melted. Stir until smooth.
- Place pistachios in a small bowl. Working with one date at a time, dip each in chocolate; transfer to bowl with pistachios; toss to coat. Refrigerate until chocolate is set.
Total time: 10 minutes | 1 to 5 servings
Walnut pomegranate Per date 106 cal, 3.6 g fat, 1.1 g pro, 19.8 g carb, 17.1 g sugar, 2.2 g fiber, 2 mg sodium
Pistachio-orange Per date 81 cal, 1.1 g fat, 0.9 g pro, 18.8 g carb, 16.2 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 59 mg sodium
Chocolate-almond Per date 158 cal, 6.7 g fat, 2.1 g pro, 24.4 g carb, 19.8 g sugar, 2.9 g fiber, 2 mg sodium
Chef Elle Simone Scott’s tips for thoughtful, sustainable wrapping
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Save your jars. “I like to repurpose things as much as I can. I love saving jars, especially if they’re interesting shapes.” Use them to hold sauces, dips or spice blends. Add a handwritten label or a ribbon to finish it off .
Keep pretty fabric and ribbons. “If I’m at a fabric store and I see some beautiful fabrics or lace, I might just grab little pieces that cost about five dollars or so, just to add to the arsenal. I can leave myself room for creativity.” Use them to line a box of cookies or wrap around a loaf of bread.
Reuse gift boxes and tins. “I love saving boxes that I get as gifts.” A sturdy box with a lid is perfect for stuffed dates, dips and crackers, or bags of granola.
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