Mustard Roasted Cashews

Who doesn't love a salty bowl of roasted nuts? This recipe elevates the experience to a whole other level. Coated with a spicy honey mustard mixture, these raw cashews roast to golden brown perfection. They make a great appetizer at a cocktail party and thankfully, travel well too. To make this recipe vegan, simply substitute maple syrup for the honey. For an extra touch, sprinkle them with rock salt and sautéed chives.

Easy Whole Grain Brownies

These brownies are fudge-y, rich and chocolate-y. Endlessly adaptable, these brownies will take all kinds of mix-ins depending on what you like: coconut flakes are fabulous here, toasted nuts, bitter cocoa nibs or chopped chocolate are all great. Make a pan and then invite friends over to share with.

Brandied Fruitcake

This decadent and complex fruitcake layers together sweet, nutty, boozy, and floral flavors to create an addictive treat that tastes like the showstopper of a medieval feast. Want to send your mouth on a dizzying journey that will reconfigure your conception of the limits of flavor? Pair this fruitcake with a thick slice of cambazola blue cheese.

Crispy Coconut Macaroons with chocolate

Take a bite of these rich coconut macaroons to be whisked away to a tropical paradise. Whipped chickpea liquid holds together sweet coconut flakes to make these moist, delicious cookies. They’re perfectly brown and crispy on the outside and soft and tender in the middle . Add a dark chocolate crust to kick up the decadence another notch.

Cashew and Coconut "Eggnog"

This plant-based take on the classic holiday drink has all the rich, delicious flavor you love about eggnog. Blended cashews and coconut milk give it a creamy, luxurious texture while cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla add the flavors of the season. Serve it virgin or with your favorite booze!

Quick-Pickled Red Onions with Cilantro and Jalapeno

With their bright pink hue, delightful crunch, and vibrant Latin flavor, these pickled onions are the perfect add-on to tacos, sandwiches, salads, soups, and just about anything else you can imagine. The recipe comes together with minimal time and effort, and the onions keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, (if they last that long) making them a terrific DIY gift! (Photo source: Jared Kent)

Autumn Apple Cider Molasses

Pumpkin spice may get all the glory in the fall, however the humble apple is truly hard to beat. Versatile and comforting like your favorite fuzzy sweater, this sweet-yet-tart cider molasses is autumn in a jar and pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes. Keep it simple or add an extra fall kick with your favorite spices—the choice is yours! Either way, it makes a great topper for pancakes, glaze for roasted vegetables, or base for endless homemade hot ciders. (Photo credit: Emily Anderson)

Hot and Spicy Tepache

This recipe is a slight variation on traditional Mexican tepache that pre-dates Spanish colonization. Although there is no set “formula” for tepache, it is generally made from fermenting the rinds of pineapple with sugar, water, and spices. Crisp, tangy and effervescent with a spicy bite, this tepache is excellent served cold, over ice or as part of a mixed drink. (Photo credit: Emily Anderson)

Vegan, Beverages & remedies, Edible giftsEmily AndersonNovember 25, 2020DIY food gifts, holiday food gifts, pineapple, tepache, spicy, ginger, fermented, cinnamonComment

Old-fashioned Vanilla Ginger Beer

Step aside ginger ale and make room for the new—er, old—kid on the block. This recipe returns to ginger beer’s fermented roots with an added dash of vanilla for extra flavor. Once you taste this crisp, zingy ginger beer, it will be hard to return to store bought ginger ales. It’s the perfect recipe for those new to fermenting beverages: simple with very little active prep time. (Photo credit: Emily Anderson)

Vegan, Beverages & remedies, Edible giftsEmily AndersonNovember 25, 2020DIY food gifts, holiday food gifts, ginger, fermented, ginger beer, vanillaComment

Infused Vinegar Two Ways

Add a little zest to your dishes with infused vinegar! Although often marketed as an expensive specialty item, infused vinegars are ridiculously easy to make and beautiful to behold. Once you learn the process, you can create unlimited flavors for all occasions. The Spicy Ginger Pepper Vinegar makes an excellent addition to stir-frys, roasted vegetables and greens, while the Sweet Raspberry Vinegar is delicious in a salad dressing or over vanilla ice cream. (Photo credit: Emily Anderson)

Sweet Fermented Hot Sauce

It’s a classic summer tale—too many hot peppers and a need to use them. A gift to the fire gods themselves, this hot sauce is sweet and spicy, and the perfect partner for eggs, roasted vegetables, and bean-based stews. (Photo: Mila Holt)

Lavender, Basil, and Thyme Infused Truffles

The uses for perennial herbs are endless, so why not make them into chocolate? Everyone is familiar with the classic chocolate-mint combo, however basil, chamomile, lavender, and thyme can all make excellent additions. Paired with a luxuriously smooth center, these plant-based and plant-infused truffles are sure to be a hit. (Photo credit: Emily Anderson)