November 26, 2007

PERFECT NEIGHBOR GIFT

Neighbor gifts are often the most difficult to come up with. If you are like me, you have loads of neighbors you love and want to recognize for the holidays. And if you're like me in other ways, you don't have a zillion dollars to spend for Christmas so really elaborate gifts aren't an option.

This year I'm going to make each neighbor a jar of homemade cranberry relish. I tested this at Thanksgiving time and it's perfectly sweet and tart. I know with all the holiday parties there are nice turkey and ham dinners to be eaten and this relish compliments them perfectly {plus it's yummy on left over sandwiches}. It's very festive to look at and easy to make.
















Here is the recipe if you want to make it for all your neighbors. I envision it looking so holiday festive in cute little jam jars and homemade labels.

Preparation time: 15 minutes.

*Make sure you don't chop the ingredients too small or it will look and taste more like mush or jam than a relish. I did each fruit separately so I could control the consistency better.

  • 2 cups washed raw cranberries
  • 2 skinned and cored apples
  • 1 large, whole (peel ON) seedless orange, cut into sections
  • 2 cups granulated sugar

1 Use a KitchenAid mixer or something similar {I use this one}. You can also chop by hand {though that will take a lot of work}, or you can chop in a food processor {be very careful not to over-pulse, or you'll end up with mush}.

6 comments:

love.boxes said...

that is just beautiful. What a lovely and thoughtful and christmasy gift!

Katharina said...

Wow, that looks pretty, tasty, and festive. Thanks for sharing!

amber {daisy chain} said...

Great idea! I have an entire street of neighbors that I like to give a little something to each year - I think you've got it!

Holly Conger said...

Tonia, this was my favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving. I know your neighbors will love it!

Anonymous said...

Where can I find little jam jars to put it in? this is delicious!

Tonia Conger said...

I got my jars at the grocery store. I wish I had old ones from when I was a child. They used to be so much prettier.