An open house offers an ideal opportunity for you to bring something special from your home to your host. If you make your own housewarming gift, it's often less expensive and more appreciated. Joining Heidi Bohay is Theresa Parra, the manager of Bristol Farms Cooking School, who shares some great gift ideas that will be a delight to your host and easy on you. Her gift baskets include homemade herb-infused vinegars and a variety of flavored cordials that are packaged in exquisite bottles and baskets found in cookware stores, thrift stores, flea markets or yard sales. - This coffee-themed basket is perfect for the java junkie (figure A). It features Parra's homemade coffee liqueur and includes instant cappuccino and flavored coffee packets. She has added an inexpensive coffee cup and has filled the bottom of the basket with coffee beans that can be ground and brewed at a later time.
- This elaborate basket is perfect for a couple who has just moved into a new home (figure B). Parra has included placemats, napkins, napkin rings, an apron, eggplant salt and pepper shakers, herbed vinegar and flavored oil. All this is packed into a large wooden bowl with two smaller bowls tucked inside, along with a book on salads.
- Strawberry-mint vinegar and orange liqueur complement this fruit basket, and each bottle is labeled with a gift card around its neck (figure C). The wire mesh basket that holds the gifts in this arrangement can be reused later for fruit or bread on the dining-room table.
- Instead of a basket, Parra has used a brass pot in which to present these etched bottles of herbed vinegar with orange and thyme (figure D). Straw and dried flowers fill the pot and add a look of country freshness.
Making Herb Vinegar Stored in unique and eye-catching bottles, homemade herb vinegars make the perfect gift for any party. Parra demonstrates how easy they are to make: - Choose a distinctive bottle from a thrift store, yard sale, or flea market.
- Select one or a combination of herbs that you particularly enjoy. Parra provides plenty of rosemary, basil, chives, sage, thyme and mint from which to choose (figure E).
- Push plenty of herbs into the bottle and place a funnel in the top.
- Slowly fill the bottle with your choice of vinegar (Parra recommends red, white or champagne vinegar for any herb vinegar). Look on the label for those with an acidity level of 6 percent or lower. Pouring near the sink will help prevent messy spills.
- When bottle is filled, cork the top and decorate, if you wish, for a personal touch.
- For a different flavor, try using fruit in the vinegar instead of herbs. Blueberry and raspberry work well, says Parra, while orange and lemon peel add a tangy citrus flavor.
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