Anyone have Good Edible Gift Ideas for Weddings?
I was recently asked, in a pinch, to sing at an acquaintance's wedding. They hired me to sing (I'm getting paid a little), but graciously also invited me to the reception. We're all broke graduate students, but I'd like to give them a handmade food gift to wish them well. Here are my limitations:
1. I don't know how to can, and frankly I'm terrified of it. I own the Ball canning guide, but am still convinced I'll kill someone.
2. I don't own a car, and so I have to rely on a sort of lackluster grocery store because the wedding is Sunday and don't have time to take buses for hours and hours.
On the upside, other than canning I am fearless in the kitchen and willing to try anything, sweet or savory. You all always have such great ideas - - can you help me out?
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17 Comments:
Oh, forgot to mention - on Saturday morning I'll have access to the Madison, WI downtown farmer's market, and all that has to offer....
BangieB at 12:57AM on 08/27/09
I suggest that you don't give them anything perishable. Even if they aren't going on a honeymoon, they may have plans for romantic dinners at restaurants for the next few days,
Maybe you could pick a few recipes and provide the nonperishable items and wrap 'em up with the recipe cards? Or maybe your version of gifts in a jar for your favorite cookie recipes, where you package up all the dry ingredients, pre-measured, along with the recipe.
dbcurrie at 1:39AM on 08/27/09
How about a 'morning after' romantic breakfast basket, with jams, scones, breakfast cookies in jars, coffee, teas, drinking chocolate, and some fancy cups, spoons, and so forth? I know that chocolate-dipped spoons for coffee and honey-dipped spoons are popular as well.
HeartofGlass at 5:41AM on 08/27/09
Look up some muffin, scone and quick bread recipes. Take all of the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, etc.) and place them in a cellophane bag. Make a recipe card listing the fresh ingredients (eggs, butter) attach to the bag of dry mix and give it to the couple. You can do pancake mixes in bulk if you like and include a card with instructions to complete the pancakes. Alton Brown has a good scratch pancake mix. The bags are available at places like Target and/or if you have any kind of craft store near you. The ingredients for the dry mixes are all pantry staples but when the couple prepares any of the mixes, they can procure the more exotic, fresh ingredients. I've been giving these mixes for years and they are always well-received.
therealchiffonade at 5:52AM on 08/27/09
No food unless it's dry and packaged. Penzey's spices has some nice spice starter packs. King Arthur Flour has some good mixes but also unusual ingredients and cooking equipment.
I guess I would probably get some cookie cutters (they're unlikely to get a duplicate gift, and these should last a lifetime) with maybe a cookie cookbook and/or some colored sugars. These should be available locally and would fit into even the most meager budget.
lemonfair at 6:48AM on 08/27/09
There's a sweet housewarming tradition from It's A Wonderful Life. Get a pretty basket, line it with a pretty kitchen towel, and include the following: bread, that this house may never know hunger; salt, that life may always have flavor; and wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever (and write that part out on the card so the gift makes sense.) Get a box of herbed bread mix or the like, a nice salt in a grinder, and a bottle of wine or sparkling grape juice. Cost is less than $20, and it's a dear little gift.
orangemiles at 7:55AM on 08/27/09
You could always make your favorite cookie recipe and put it in a screw top jar. For example if you wanted to make oatmeal raisin put each layer of dry ingredients in a jar, write out the recipe and stick it to the jar or tie it to the jar with a string. Include some cookie cutters, and a cookie sheet and you're good to go for less than $20.
kmgagne at 9:00AM on 08/27/09
ooo, kmgange - i like that idea of giving a recipe to the newly weds.
also, you could make one of those delicious nut mixtures that people sometimes give out during the holidays - my mom's friend makes sugar and cinnamon glazed pecans, for example. the new york times has a good recipe for "spiced nuts with sugared bacon." you could make either of those and put it in a nice jar with a bow.
finally, you could try infusing some sort of alcohol with a flavor - like vodka with ginger. again, put it into a nice decanter when you're done and voila! actually, if you do it with something colorful like mint, that will look pretty.
kristin314 at 9:22AM on 08/27/09
What about something they could snack on if they're traveling? You could make a nice granola with nuts and dried fruits and put it into a disposable, cellophane bag tied with a ribbon. Or chocolates? Or add chocolate chips to the granola?
My sil dropped us off at the airport for our honeymoon, and she brought us sandwiches for the journey. It was perfect because we had a long trip ahead of us involving four flights and it was nice to not be stuck eating airport food!
yayfood at 9:51AM on 08/27/09
Don't bring it to the wedding. You're allowed some leeway, so bring something after they get home. One of the things I do is make soup and freeze it (in a plastic bag, laid flat in baking pan to freeze; don't forget to label it) so that it's easy to warm up on a night when the giftee(s) need an easy hot supper. Bread, cookies, a pot of chili...lots of options.
lemons at 9:55AM on 08/27/09
Since you are part of the wedding, I assume you will be spending some QT with the bride and groom's families. If you aren't close enough to them to get a key to their house, maybe one of the families can help you.
The day before they get back from the honeymoom, drop off at their house a basket of foodie goodies... maybe a nice meal waiting in the fridge or freezer, a plate of cookies, maybe some fruit, a nice bottle of wine, etc.
That way they are getting food when they will really appreciate it, and it buys you some time so you're not trying to deal with wedding stuff and cooking stuff at the same time.
wasliche at 11:35AM on 08/27/09
A 8 x 8 baking pan with a home made brownie mix and instructions, all wrapped up in pretty tulle (cheaper than gift wrap) and ribbon.
Make a garlic and dired herb Italian dipping seasoning. Place in a pretty bag or decorated jar. Couple that with some olive oil and a small dipping bowl (thrift shops are great for that.)
Make some citrus salt- 2 cups sea or kosher salt, 2 T. fresh lemon zest, 1 T. fresh lime zest. 1 T. fresh orange zest. Preheat oven- 200 deg. Mix salt with zest and spread on baking sheet. Bake until zest is dry. Let cool. Pulse in a blender or food processor until evenly blended. Place in a pretty jar.
Make some rib rub, or seasoning blends or brine seasonings. (Lots of great rib rub ideas grilling websites. Read a few, then create your own blend.)
Buy some honey from the farmer's market, a small box or two of fine tea from the grocery store, find a small basket and two lovely tea cups at your local thrift store and tuck them into the basket with two cloth napkins. Add a bow.
Pick up some maple syrup at the farmers market and make some maple sugared walnuts or pecans. --
• Vegetable oil spray
• 2 cups walnuts or pecans
• 4 tablespoons real maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, five-spice powder and/or cayenne (optional)
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Generously coat an 11-by-14-inch jelly roll pan with vegetable oil. Toss the walnuts in a bowl with the syrup. In another bowl, mix the sugar, salt, pepper and additional spices if desired. Toss with the walnuts.
Spread the nuts on the prepared pan, using a fork bcoated with vegetable oil spray to break up any clumps. Place in oven for 5 minutes. Turn nuts over with a spatula. Turn oven down to 300 degrees and bake 5 to 8 minutes more, watching carefully to be sure nuts do not burn and stirring twice to break up any clumps. Nuts should be deep golden and bubbling.
Remove pan to wire rack, break up any clumps, then turn onto waxed or parchment paper and allow to cool completely. Store in airtight container.
Buy some small potted herbs. Decorate the outsides of the pots with pretty paper wrap and ribbon. Include a recipe card with a favorite recipe using each herb.
Make some herb infused vinegars.
CJ McD at 11:38AM on 08/27/09
Great, thanks so much everyone! Lots of great ideas!
BangieB at 12:37PM on 08/27/09
I did this for my cousin for a "dinner for two" basket
Non edible:
Basket, menu cards, recipe cards, invitation (from one spouse to the other), candles, creme brulee cups
Edible:
--Jar of wild rice with dried cranberries, with recipe for a pilaf (I'm from MN and since you are from Wisconsin, I assume you can find wild rice!)
--bag of Provencal flavoring
--mini bottle of olive oil (found this at World Market, by total chance. Not necessary)
I based it off of this kit, which I thought was ugly & expensive, but had way less stuff than what I put in! http://www.styleandentertaining.com/romantic-dinner-kit-for-.html
inothernews at 12:55PM on 08/27/09
Oh also, I just got married and here are two awesome things I loved.
--A group of our friends left a bag of snacks and wine in our honeymoon suite. We ate beef jerky while sitting in a hot tub. They also had snacks we could pack with us for our honeymoon trip, like trail mixes, chocolate bars, etc. (Vosges bacon bar!!!) That was awesome. It all was packed in a reusable Whole Foods bag that was easy to carry with (we were driving).
--And another group of friends cleaned up our house for us before we came home, so we didn't arrive to a wall of wedding boxes. We did this for another couple, who left their home in a tear. We cleaned up their house, made the bed, did the laundry that was left behind, etc.
inothernews at 12:58PM on 08/27/09
Slightly addictive. Don't remember where I got this recipe.
Holy Mole Roasted Almonds
If you like Mexican food, you’ll love these. And so will your guests. Serve them at your next party or BBQ.
1 egg white
1 Tbs. water
2-1/2 cups almonds 1/2 cup sugar
1 oz. semisweet chocolate, very finely grated
2 Tbs. cocoa powder
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 scant tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne or ancho chili powder (optional)
Preheat oven, 300 deg.
In a medium bowl, beat the egg white with water until frothy. Stir in almonds. Drain in a colander.
In a medium bowl, stir the remaining ingredients. Toss the almonds in the chocolate mixture to coat. Spread evenly in a foil-lined, greased jelly roll pan or baking sheet.
Bake 40 minutes or until crispy, stirring frequently. Watch closely towards end of the baking time; do not let scorch.
Variations:
Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the chocolate mixture.
CJ McD at 10:30AM on 08/28/09
I would find a recipe for preserved cherries in brandy or make them Rumtopf. You might include a warning to let it rest for a few months.
If you find that the cost of the ingredients is more than or equal to, say, a bottle of Rose Sofia Copppola sparking wine, then there's no shame in giving them the sparkling wine with a nice note from yourself.
Ortolan at 4:32PM on 08/28/09