Staff Picks Local Gift Guide
Mendocino-Made Give-ables for Your Favorite Folks
A collection of Mendocino-Made gifts perfect for giving this holiday season.
For the food lover in your life, Six California Kitchens contains culinary wisdom and recipes from The Apple Farm’s Sally Schmitt. Available at philoapplefarm.com, The Apple Farm, and The Farmhouse Mercantile. $38
Get your hands on Eternal Bliss Body Oil from AfterGlow, maker of natural skin and body care products. Then get your hands, massage style, on someone you like. Available at afterglownaturals.com. $15
According to its label, the Cloud of Protection Spray by Nieves is a “Defense against illness, bad vibes and stinkiness.” We just like the complex combination of juniper, eucalyptus, and rose. Find it at Unique Boutique in Willits or at bynieves.com.
Black Oak Coffee Roasters Black Bart is earthy and smoky—and it’s made right in Ukiah. Available at their Ukiah location or online at blackoakcoffee.com. $16
Melinda Price of Peace & Plenty Saffron Farm says she’s been put on this earth to make her Saffron Infused Raw Honey. Crimson strands of locally grown saffron impart a unique flavor that’s delicious drizzled over yogurt or in tea. Get yours at peaceplentyfarm.com or at the Peace & Plenty Farmstand in Kelseyville. $20
From her Albion studio, Lee of Lee’s Haven encapsulates the ocean in her beautiful jewelry by using iridescent abalone. Available at The Farmhouse Mercantile in Boonville.
Mendocino Grove boasts platform tents with heated sheets, as well as bathhouses with spotless facilities and hot showers. Their package certificates include 2 nights, your first batch of firewood, and a s’mores kit. Available at mendocinogrove.com. Starts at $530.
Terra Savia produces a line of delicious olive oils, including this tasty Meyer Lemon variety that can’t be beat for salads or pasta or even dipping. Terra Savia owner, Yvonne Hall, drizzles it over vanilla ice cream—yummy! Get yours at the Terra Savia tasting room in Hopland or terrasavia.com. $25
Woodworker Bob Nelson of Rohnert Park makes stunning wood bowls with wood sourced from Anderson Valley’s Mailliard Ranch. Available at The Farmhouse Mercantile in Boonville.
Add some local flavor to your holiday cocktails with craft vodka and agave spirits from the Boonville Distillery, available at their location in downtown Boonville (boonvilledistillery.com). $39/$48
Black Trumpet Infused Pink Himalayan Salt by Mendo Family Forage is created with wild-gathered black trumpet mushrooms from the Mendocino Coast and adds an earthy richness to soups, rice, or sauces. Available on Etsy.com from MendoFamilySpirit. $16
Caramelized Onion Ghee by Ghee Well is a slightly nutty spread or cooking fat with a higher-than-average smokepoint made in Arcata with Walla Walla sweet onions from Shakefork Community Farm of Carlotta, CA. Available from Gheewell.com. $32.
Just because most people can consume turkey tail without any issues doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful. When you first try a new foraged food, ingest just a small amount and then wait for a day or two before consuming more.
Photo by Tom Fisk courtesy of pexels.com
The Word of Mouth Vegan Holiday Gift Guide
We often put together a sweet selection of local goods and nibbles you can offer as gifts to friends and family for the holidays. This year, just for fun, we’re adding an extra twist: as well as being produced with care and expertise in Mendocino County (and a few from a little further away), each of our recommendations is also vegan. So no matter who you are giving to, we’re pretty sure you can find a gift that fits.
Vegan Cheese from The Bewildered Pig
Chef Janelle Weaver dedicated the bulk of summer 2021 to researching and experimenting with how to make sublime vegan cheeses, and her effort has been well worth it. The Bewildered Pig now offers Faux-Mage, three unique vegan “cheeses.” The collection includes a flavor-packed “Powerhouse Spread,” a luscious Camembert-like cheese cultured with fermented locally grown grains, and a Faux-Mozz, a soft cheese made from a cashew base.
Available by pre-order only at TheBewilderedPig.com.
Gift Certificates for Vegan Restaurants
We are fortunate in this county to have some truly outstanding vegan restaurants. Fog Eater Cafe in Mendocino Village serves up “California Cuisine with a Southern Twang,” while Ravens Restaurant at The Stanford Inn offers an elegant menu of seasonally inspired dishes, often sourced right out of the inn’s garden. For casual Caribbean fare that’s both hearty and delicious, head to Taste Buds in Ukiah.
Chile Treats from Boonville Barn Collective
The folks at Boonville Barn Collective, makers of the culinarily beloved Piment d’Ville, have some new goodies! Favorites include their Citrus and Chile marmalade, a seasoning salt made with Daybreak Seaweed featuring wakame and sea salt, and even a floral and fruity kombucha vinegar by our friends over at Wilder Kombucha. (If an item you want is sold out on the website, stop by the Ukiah Natural Foods Coop.)
Gift Tote from Filigreen Farm
Filigreen Farm in Anderson Valley has gathered a selection of the season’s bounty into a gift tote for your friends and family. The tote includes a 500ml bottle of olive oil, dried fruit (peaches, prunes, and raisins), an everlasting bouquet, and quince apple butter. All items are Demeter certified Biodynamic, CCOF certified organic, and all grown and produced at Filigreen Farm.
Email farmstand@filigreenfarm.com to order and pick up at a designated time at Velma’s Farm Stand in Boonville.
The Terra Sávia Beauty Box
You can be just as conscientious about what goes on your body as what goes in it. With that in mind, natural beauty products are a great gift for the people you love. Created with their own lavender and olive oil, the Beauty Box from Terra Sávia—Hopland’s winery, vineyard, and olive mill—includes a gentle olive oil soap, a refreshing lavender spritzer, and a delicate olive oil moisturizing cream with a light lavender scent.
Hot Drinks to Warm the Vegan Soul
One of our favorite cold-weather drinks is the spicy and nourishing Tuber Tonic from Mendocino Tea Company. For coffee lovers, we are fortunate to have an abundance of high quality roasters in the county: Thanksgiving Coffee in Fort Bragg, Little Green Bean in Point Arena, and award-winning Black Oak Coffee in Ukiah.
MendocinoTea.com | ThanksgivingCoffee.com
LittleGreenBeanRoastery.com | BlackOakCoffee.com
A Bit Farther Afield
Our neighbors to the south have some excellent vegan gift options as well. The lavish dishes at Cozy Plum Bistro in Santa Rosa deliver scrumptious satisfaction one normally doesn’t associate with vegan food. To see the benefits of eating vegan, folks can visit Charlie’s Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary in Sonoma, offering both farm tours and animal sponsorships. Also from Sonoma, Renegade Foods is an online shop that sells 3-packs of plant-based charcuterie with Spanish flavors.
Mendocino County’s Climate-Conscious Companies
Five Businesses Taking Measures to Care for the Planet
by Cozette Ellis
Surf Market
Surf Market in Gualala offers a wide variety of ethically- sourced local produce, seafood, and other artisanal goods. It works to grow the local economy and food systems through involvement in the Mendo-Lake Food Hub and the Go Local Mendonoma Coast. Through the market’s partnership with Sonoma Clean Power, they use solar by day and geothermal by night, achieving a long-pursued goal of powering the store with 100% locally-produced renewable energy.
Ukiah Natural Foods Co-Op
Driving through Ukiah, you cannot miss the sage green Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op, or their shiny new two-story expansion project. The Co-op not only values the quality of their products, but they also work to increase the quality of life for their community. In 2020, they donated $8,450 to community grants and nonprofits, $7,839 to 29 local schools, and $2,224 to local nonprofits with their former change-for-change program. They also give all food waste generated in-store to farmers for animal feed, and they donate “unsaleable”—read, not pretty enough—food to Plowshares.
Thanksgiving Coffee
If you have lived in Mendocino County for some time, you likely know Thanksgiving Coffee. Founded in the Noyo Harbor in 1972, this coffee company has been locally and internationally involved in social justice and environmental sustainability work from the start. It’s a Certified B Corp, as well as Fair Trade and USDA Organic certified. The company partners with small coffee-grower cooperatives on five continents. In addition, they are the primary sponsor of Bee Bold Alliance, a pollinator protection organization.
Harvest Market
Harvest Market in Fort Bragg and Harvest at Mendosa’s in Mendocino are two of the best options if you’re in the area and in need of a local grocery store. A family-run business since its founding in 1985, and a Certified B Corporation, Harvest Market has implemented multiple climate-conscious practices over the years, such as adding solar panels at both stores, banning single-use bags two years before the state mandate, installing LED lights, implementing new refrigeration systems that are 82% more efficient, and focusing on organic produce.
Terra Sávia
Terra Sávia is a winery and olive mill dedicated to conservation, sustainability, and memorable experiences. Terra Sávia exists in the “Grandeur of Simple,” and offers a unique experience with recycled ancient redwood furniture, dozens of rescued animals milling about, fruit and floral gardens, a local nursery, and a produce farmstand—an environment that welcomes everyone. A perfect setting for their organic, award-winning olive oils and wines.
Summer Outdoor Adventures in Mendocino County
Where to Go to Play Outside
Things change! Check websites for current info before you depart.
Go Wild at B. Bryan Preserve
Run away to Africa on the Mendocino coast with a tour of B. Bryan Preserve in Point Arena. You can hop in the vintage Land Rovers for a 3:30pm guided tour or enjoy a self-guided tour in your own vehicle every morning at 10:00am. B. Bryan Preserve is home to three kinds of zebra, antelope, and giraffe—all endangered. Both tours end with feeding the majestic giraffe!
Stroll Among the Flowers at the Botanical Gardens
The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens boasts 47 acres and 4 miles of trails, displaying and conserving plants in harmony with the Northern California coastal ecosystems and preserving public access to the coast. Their collections span camellias, conifers, succulents, magnolias, and so much more, including over 124 species of rhododendron.
Float Up Big River
Drink in the gorgeous views and listen to the birdsong perched atop your own redwood outrigger canoe! Catch-a-Canoe and Bicycles Too! rents these un-tippable vessels to take you up Big River into miles of undeveloped forestland. You’ll spot otter, osprey, seals, and geese, among other wildlife. Depending on the tide, it’s an easy glide along the current or a vigorous upper body workout against it.
Explore the Wild Gardens
at the Grace Hudson Museum
The beautiful Wild Gardens at Ukiah’s Grace Hudson Museum is an outdoor educational environment full of native Northern California plants and habitats. You’ll learn about regional ecosystems, environmental sustainability, and the cultural traditions and land management practices of the Pomo Indians, the original inhabitants of the region.
Ride the Rails in Fort Bragg
Climb aboard the Skunk Train’s two-person rail bikes for an electric-powered adventure into the redwoods. The two hour journey includes a stop at Glen Blair Junction for a picnic or mini-hike. Bring water and layer up for this exciting open-air excursion along the rails.
Hike, Bike, and Beach
Below are some more excellent resources for finding where to play outside this summer.
Public Beaches and State Parks: mendoparks.org
Coastal Hiking Trails: mendocinolandtrust.org/trails
Mendocino Bike Rentals: catchacanoe.com
Fort Bragg Bike Rentals: emeralddolphin.com/bike-rentals.html
Ukiah Area Options: visitukiah.com/outdoor-recreation
County-wide Activities: visitmendocino.com
Thank You: Appreciation for the Heroes Among Us
Parents
We know that you did not sign up for this. Loving your children, yes, but wrangling them into completing assignments, possibly on a topic you are not stong in, or in another language, all while balancing your own workload! We salute you, parents!
Local Business Owners
Doing the painful work of rapid adaptation, implenting online and curbside services that didn’t exist before. Some businesses have even ceased work entirely for the safety of employees and customers. Your patience and sacrifice has not gone unnoticed.
West Business Development Center
No sooner had the county been plunged into chaos by the pandemic than Mary Anne Petrillo and all the crew at West Center dove in to help, digitally convening businesses to provide information and tools to move forward with empathy and new skills.
Frontline Workers, Grocery and Delivery
We simply could not do this without you. Your smiles and recognition beneath your masks have not gone unrecognized. You show up, putting yourselves at risk so that we can stay at home to eat, work, and live. Thank you.
Health Care Professionals
Our local clinics have completely changed how they see patients. With a premium on safety, patients can now get a check up or prescription curb-side or via telemedicine. Your expertise, care, and compassion help keep us safe.
Crafters and Creators
Our famed Tamar Distillery shifted from making gin to sanitizer for nursing homes. Anderson Valley Brewing Company donated a portion of sales to the COVID-19 Relief Fund at the Community Foundation. Individuals have sewn literally thousands of masks from their homes. We have such pride in your ingenuity.
Community Action Nonprofits
There are too many to name them all! Fort Bragg Food Bank has successfully transitioned to drive-through service. Plowshares feeds hundreds of people in need with strict safety guidelines in place. NCO’s many programs have pivoted to help their clients weather this crisis. The Community Foundation of Mendocino County has also stepped up to coordinate funds and keep all sorts of programs operational. Thank you for all you do!
Teachers and Schools
Talk about super heroes. Never before has the critical role our school staff and teachers play been so apparent. In a matter of days, they completely transitioned to distance learning, as well as creating a massive food production and distribution operation. Our students and parents are sincerely grateful for you.
Farmers, Ranchers, and Producers
Grocery shelves bare of flour? Mendocino Grain Project can help you out. Global meat shortage? Mendocino Meats, John Ford Ranch, Magruder Ranch, and others may have what you need. The CSA for Nye Ranch sold out immediately, but you can still stop at their farmstand on Saturday to grab armfuls of flowers to feed your soul. Thank you for keeping food on our tables!
Mendocino County Farmers Share Their Thoughts on Spring
Vickie and Mike Brock
Brock Farm, Boonville
Spring is so uplifting after the sleepy winter, flowers and blossoms blooming, everything is abuzz. Time to get off your butt and catch it. Now the work really begins.
Carissa Chineff and Ella Hanson
Forget-me-not Flowers, Laytonville
Ella: Spring is all about the trials and tribulations of the seasons, the process of waking up from a long winter sleep and visions taking hold and blooming into fully realized actions.
Carissa: During the winter months, I’m constantly on the hunt for signs that spring is coming. I’m scooting aside leaves and grass, hoping to find the tiny evidence that the bulbs haven’t been sucked down by ground dwelling critters. When spring arrives, so does the thrill of watching the thousands of new seedlings that are about to burst with growth. It signals a time of fresh, new life.
Blaire, Daniel, and Aedyn AuClair
Folk Life Farm, Covelo
We are excited about spring lambs and spring brassicas.
Rita Bates
The Apple Farm, Philo
I love how surprised I am at my enthusiasm every year when spring is on the horizon, and I get so giddy about shopping for seeds and popping them in the dirt. Never seems to matter how zeroed out I was from the end of apple season just a couple months before. Plus the fruit tree blossoms never get old!
Ruthie King
School of Adaptive Agriculture, Willits
Spring! Dormant perennial grasses shooting up out of the ground, using their stored energy to grow new solar panels and push sugar out of their roots, feeding the microbes … Spring for my flock means fast rotation in portable fencing over lush green grass, lambs jumping and playing, and shearing season for the woolies who grow renewable fiber that pulls carbon out of the atmosphere, building it into soil.
Pam Laird
Blue Meadow Farm, Philo
I love the emerald nearly neon-green of spring. New life bursting out of the soil! I come alive as well. Such a time of promise, but this year tinged with anxiety that we may not get enough rain.
Rachel Britten
Mendocino Grain Project
What’s different for me this year is the scale of field preparations. Almost everything we do is dry farmed, so the weather in the spring is critical and especially interesting in the era of climate change. So right now is our planting window and it will be a sprint. I’m looking forward to getting acreage planted and growing.
Kyle & Mel Forrest Burns
Nye Ranch, Fort Bragg
All winter we anticipate those early blooming flowers on our farm and the coastal headlands around us. They’re the sweetest symbol for the most exciting and physically challenging time of the year for a regenerative small farm!
Treat Yourself: A Sweet Affair in Fort Bragg
A Sweet Affair Patisserie is a tiny shop nestled in the middle of Fort Bragg. Within the petite space can be found serious culinary street cred. Brittney Tuomala graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York before climbing the ladder in prestigious roles at Brasserie in NYC, becoming pastry commis at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery in Yountville and acting as pastry assistant at Coqueta in San Francisco.
Throughout her career, she has prided herself on creating exquisite works of confection using only the finest ingredients. Having returned to her hometown of Fort Bragg, Brittney opened A Sweet Affair to provide much needed indulgence for locals and visitors alike. Raising two sons keeps her busy when she is not at the bakery.
The patisserie is filled with beauty and humor, as seen in the small sign in the window proclaiming the health benefits of cupcakes. Rainbow-hued macarons and seasonal delights fill the pastry case. The walls are adorned with all manner of fun items like colorful aprons, whimsical mugs, and dishware. The hardest part of a visit to A Sweet Affair is choosing what to get. Here are just a few of the many delicious ways to treat yourself.
Macarons in the Italian style, made of almond flour and egg whites whipped into a meringue cookie with a crispy exterior and soft chewy center. A kaleidoscope of offerings change with the seasons—peach, olallieberry, pistachio, strawberry, raspberry—but the most popular is coconut with caramel. What the heck, buy twelve and have a tasting!
Cupcakes of all kinds (see cupcake health tip)! Chocolate Oreo, red velvet, lemon strawberry, or funfetti. Just the right size to delight yet not overfill.
Passion Fruit Strawberry Mousse Cakes are luxuriant in their sweetness. The fresh strawberries often come from Mist Farm in Mendocino.
Orange Creamsicle Crème Brûlée holds its delicate orange richness within a white chocolate shell that cracks satisfyingly when you tap it open.
The Olallieberry Financier is a decadent brown butter cake baked with olallieberries and homemade jam with honey mascarpone.
A spiral of perfectly toasted meringue covers the not-too-sweet lemon curd tart. Other fresh fruit tartlets and flavors of panna cotta shift with whatever is at its peak of flavor.
A Sweet Affair
401 N. Main Street Suite 301, Fort Bragg
Thurs-Sat 12-5, Sunday 12-4
(707) 961-1362. www.asweetaffairpatisserie.com
Kid Approved!
Mendocino County's Happy Snack Spots for the Short Set
One friend says her son is obsessed with Oco Time in Ukiah. We are too! What is not to love about exquisitely crafted sushi and edamame, not to mention the namesake-noodly Oco.
At Poleeko Roadhouse in Philo, you will never leave hungry. But the most kid-fun thing about this place is that when you snack on the complimentary peanuts, you throw the shells right onto the floor! This is common in many Texan or east coast bars, but it is a revelation of harmless rule-breaking for many munchkins.
Just down the road at Lauren’s, all tables have a stockpile of white paper and a little bucket of colored pencils, so eaters of all ages can be creatively engaged while they wait. If you have a particularly squirrelly little person with you, head over to the kids’ corner, where books, toys, and games can keep them busy until food arrives.
On the other side of Philo, turn onto Philo Greenwood Road and you'll soon come across the self-serve farm stand at The Apple Farm. When the apple season is in full swing, you can often sample a variety of their heirloom apples before grabbing a bag of your favorites, or reach into the cooler for a sweet, crisp apple juice for the road.
Princess Seafood Fish Market in Noyo Harbor is the perfect combo of quick food that does not skimp on quality and a warm, family-friendly space. The all-female fishing crew can often be found taking turns at the grill. Kids can watch the crustaceans in the crab tank or scamper around the heated outdoor seating. Dog-friends are welcome outside as well.
Also in Noyo Harbor, Sea Pal Cove is hands-down the most satisfying meal after a long day playing at the beach or hiking the hills. A contender for best fish 'n' chips in town, this tiny spot has an enormous outdoor deck. Sit by the giant fire pit and watch the boat traffic. Young ones can spot sea lions or even a river otter. Keep an eye on your meal, though, or the super quick gulls will help themselves.
On summer weekends in Fort Bragg, the line for Cowlick's Ice Cream can stretch out the door, but there is a reason for that. The ice cream is crazy good! It's made in-house with wonderful, seasonal flavors like peach sorbet or black cherry. Be brave and try the ice cream made with local candy cap mushrooms. It tastes like creamy, vaguely apple pie-chai-ness. Surprisingly kid-approved!
If you're looking for a quick bite or a slice of well made pizza (or more Cowlick's Ice Cream), look no further than Frankie's in Mendocino. Indoor and outdoor seating and a locally inspired menu with vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan options make this a great stop for eaters of all stripes.
If you're in the mood for Cajun fare, The Big Chief in Laytonville has a welcoming, enclosed garden patio where kids and furry companions can soak up the sun while enjoying the best po' boys around. Grownups can take advantage of the top notch beer selection at the Draft Punk bar, and the littles will appreciate the kombucha on tap.
Photos:
Top left — Sisters Katherine and Clara Barcelo enjoying their Cowlick's ice cream.
Top right — Apple options at The Apple Farm
Bottom left — Art from a young diner at Lauren's
Bottom right — Fresh salad, fries, and battered fish at The Chief
The Best Picnic Spots on the Mendocino Coast
by Holly Madrigal
It’s a local secret that the best time to get outdoors on the coast is in the spring or fall. Leave the socked in foggy days to the summer tourists and place your blanket or pick a bench at these stellar spots, organized from north to south.
Usal’s Candelabra Trees, Lost Coast
Very rugged dirt road is 13 miles north of Westport or 14.5 miles from Leggett. Easy to miss the turn off, so use that odometer. 6 miles to the trail. Truck or 4WD recommended. Best picnic spot to see elk. Challenging to get to but well worth the trek, this enchanted forest is unlike anything you have seen before. When the rugged dirt road descends toward Usal Beach, the trailhead to the Peter Douglas Trail is on your right. Don’t be surprised to see herds of elk grazing nearby as you step into the coolest otherworldly forest.
Provisions: Don't miss The Peg House in Leggett for their truly world famous chocolate brownies. House-made signature sandwiches and a great selection of beer and wine will fill out your picnic basket.
Pacific Star Winery, Westport
33000 Highway 1 (12 miles north of Fort Bragg)
Best picnic spot to see whales. Yes, this is on private property but has hands-down one of the best views, perched above a rock shelf that creates incredible crashing waves and blow-spouts of mist. Lean back in their Adirondack chairs, sip a glass of Pacific Star vino, and count whales to help with their ongoing whale and wildlife tally.
Provisions: Grab some delicious local cheese and crackers as well as wine at the Pacific Star tasting room. The Westport Market has a great specialty food selection.
Coastal Trail, Noyo Harbor to MacKerricher S.P.
Trail access at multiple locations throughout Fort Bragg and Cleone
The challenge here is to pick your favorite artist-crafted redwood bench along this ten-mile stretch. The benches are truly works of art (some made by Krenov Woodworking School grads). Fort Bragg has invested in developing this stunning trail that is now connected so that you can park at the Noyo Headlands or Pomo Bluffs and walk or bike on the trail, past Otsuchi Point (named for the sister city in Japan) and Glass Beach all the way to MacKerricher and Ten Mile beach. This flat, accessible trail bustles with happy families and dogs out on their afternoon walks. The entire length is peppered with sandy beaches if you want to dip your toes in the sand.
Provisions: Harvest Market is where the locals go for their plethora of ready-made salads, sushi, entrees, flavorful olive bar, and top-ofthe- line cheese display. The General Store on Redwood Avenue has great culinary finds like vintage candy, Mexican soda, and readymade sandwiches. Roundman's Smokehouse cures their own meats and can provide a tailor-made charcuterie for your tastes. You can also grab some horseradish-garlic-honey mustard and specialty cheese. Yum!
Greenwood State Beach, Elk
Across the street from the Elk Store in this tiny village 13 miles south of Mendocino.
Greenwood State Beach has a couple of sweet spots for picnicking. At the top of the bluffs overlooking the ocean, under shade-giving trees, there's a collection of wooden picnic tables. Alternatively, head down the path to the beach and spread a blanket on the sand, where you can snack as the waves nudge up the shore.
Provisions: Right across the street, Elk Store has wonderful sandwiches (including a gluten-free wrap that is truly delightful) as well as excellent local wine and cider. They have Lovers Lane Honey Lattes and Lavender Lattes by Black Oak Coffee in perfect travel-sized cans.
Pelican Bluffs Trail, Point Arena
Just about 1 mile south of downtown Point Arena.
Best picnic spot for bird watching and geology. Newly created by the Mendocino Land Trust, this mostly level two-mile walk brings you to the edge of soaring white cliffs and prehistoric geological outcroppings. The view stretches for miles, and you can watch the birds of prey and ravens dance on the wind currents.
Provisions: Franny’s Cup and Saucer offers confections that will make your taste buds swoon. If traveling from the south, Surf Market has everything you could need, including Palazzo Creamery cheese, rustic Pelican Bread, and travel sizes of your favorite local wines.
HOME(MADE) FOR THE HOLIDAYS
There’s something extra special about giving or receiving a homemade gift, made with love in the busy warmth of a friend’s kitchen. Here are some favorites from the team here at WOM in case you get a hankering to roll up your sleeves and produce something lovely and/or delicious from your own two hands.
Spiced Nuts
Great to add to a dinner party spread, or to give as a hostess gift.
Savory
6 c nuts of choice—almonds or cashews work best (if you use salted nuts, be sure and reduce the salt called for in the recipe)
6 T lime juice
1 - 2 tsp Piment d’ville (to taste)
4 - 5 T chili powder (to taste)
3 - 4 tsp salt (to taste)
Toss the nuts in the lime juice. Sprinkle in the seasonings. Spread on a baking sheet (parchment
paper makes cleanup really simple) and bake at 250 degrees for roughly 45 minutes, or until done to your taste.
A Touch of Sweet
4 c nuts—pecans and walnuts work well
2 T butter
3 - 4 T organic sugar
2 T fresh chopped rosemary
2 T orange zest
Melt the butter in a saute pan. Add nuts and toss well. Add sugar, rosemary, and orange zest and cook for 2-3 minutes. Spread out on baking sheet and let cool.
A South Asian Touch
3 c nuts—pecans and cashews work well
1 egg white whisked with 1 tsp water
3 T organic sugar
1-½ tsp garam masala (spice blend you can buy
or make)
Mix all ingredients, spread on baking sheet (parchment makes cleanup simple), and bake at 300
degrees for 30 minutes.
Salt Dough Ornaments
Super fun for kids of all ages, salt dough ornaments are easy to make. Pull out your holiday cookie cutters and acrylic paints, and mix up some dough with:
1 c flour
1/2 c salt
1/2 c water (or more if needed)
Mix the dough, then move it onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Add extra flour
if it is sticky. Roll it to a thickness of 1/4” with a rolling pin, then cut out ornaments using cookie
cutters. Add a hole in the top of each with a drink straw, then bake at 250 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet. It can take two to three hours for the ornaments to dry completely. Flip them about halfway through.
Allow the ornaments to cool completely before glitzing them up with paint, glitter, and any other
fancy finds you might have around (I’m thinkin’ rhinestones, baby!).
Holly warning: decorative only. Not for eating.
Candied Citrus Peel
This recipe is crazy simple yet makes a delicious gift that you can almost pretend is good for you.
10 various citrus—lemon, grapefruit, orange
1 c sugar
1 c water
Superfine sugar for coating
Cut the tops and bottoms off each fruit. Peel the rind into long strips. Scrape off any excessive white pith which can turn bitter. Cut strips into uniform widths of 1/4" or so. Bring a small pot of water to boil, add peels and cook until tender. Strain peels and lay out on a wire rack to dry slightly. Meanwhile, combine 1 cup water and sugar in a saucepan and heat until dissolved. Add softened peels and stir until syrup reduces, about 10 minutes. Remove peels and place on wire rack. Air dry. Sift superfine sugar over candied peels. Dry completely before packaging as a lovely gift.