Detroit – Channel that urge to create into holiday gift baskets. Here are a few ideas from Tina Miller, Meijer Healthy Living Advisor.
Healthy Dessert Basket
Arrange the following desserts wrapped in festive containers in a basket lined with tissue paper.
Holiday Trail Mix
-Combine honey roasted nuts, dried cherries, dark chocolate chips, and Gourmet Kettle corn in a fancy container wrapped with ribbon.
Mini Lemon Tarts with Raspberries
Makes 15 tarts
15 mini fillo tart shells
½ Jar of lemon curd
Raspberries
Mint leaves
Arrange tart shells and fill with a spoonful of lemon curd. Top with raspberries and garnish with mint leaves. Place tarts in a festive holiday tin.
Raisin-Banana-Flax Nut Bread
Serves 12
1/3 cup Meijer Canola Oil
1/3 cup flax meal
½ cup raisins
1 banana, mashed
¼ cup chopped walnuts
2 large eggs
1 pkg. Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix
1. Heat oven as directed on package. Coat bottom of 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine bread mix, flax meal and raisins in medium bowl; mix well. Add remaining ingredients and water according to package directions. Fold in mashed banana and mix in nuts.
3. Pour bread mix into loaf pan and top with rolled oats and a sprinkle of raw cane sugar. Bake and cool as directed on package.
Tip: Wrap in bread wrapping package from Meijer or a festive dishtowel for a perfect gift from the kitchen.
Nutrition & Health Basket
-Fill a basket with nutrition magazines, cookbooks, wine, dark chocolate, fruits, and a "special homemade gift."
Crockpot Fun Basket
-Fill a large basket with a 1.5 quart Crockpot, a package of dried figs, apples, and cinnamon, attached with a homemade recipe card (Kristen's Crockpot oats with figs & apples).
Kristen's Crockpot Oats with Figs & Apples
Serves 4
1 cup steel cut oats
1 apple or pear, peeled and chopped
4 dried figs, chopped
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Rinse oats and soak in cold water for 1 hour. Drain oats and add to small (1.5 quart Crockpot). Add 2 cups of water, apple, figs, and cinnamon. Stir to mix. Turn on Crockpot and cook for 7-8 hours. Serve hot with almond milk (optional).
Nutrition Information: Calories 150, Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 3 mg, Carbohydrate 40 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 3 g
Create your own personalized gift basket that will be sure to please!
v Line a holiday basket with a colorful hand towel or placemats. Arrange an assortment of teas, 1-2 holiday mugs, a small jar of honey and some fresh citrus fruits.
v Assemble a quick meal gift for a busy family - In a large serving bowl or colander; arrange a package of Meijer Select Pasta, Meijer Pasta Sauce, a bottle of Red Wine, an Italian cookbook and a box of bread sticks.
v Crockpot basket (purchase a Crockpot size of your choice with imperishable foods and a homemade recipe card to go with the foods (Crockpot Oats, Chili, Chocolate Fondue, etc.)
v Make a "South of the Border" basket using green/red tortilla chips, salsa, whole- wheat tortillas, a 6-pack of Coronas and a couple limes.
v Line a basket with holiday cloth napkins. Fill with a dozen holiday cookies and tuck in an envelope with a gift card.
v Spa basket: Select a medium sized container and decide on a soothing color scheme such as light blue. Line the container with a small fleecy blanket and add a fragrant candle, bubble bath, body lotion, a book, CD of relaxing music, dark chocolate bar, herbal tea, etc.
v Kid's fun basket: Select a bright colored container and fill with children's book, crayons or markers, coloring/activity books, card games, 100% juice boxes, healthy snack mixes or granola bars, etc.