Holiday: Gifts from your garden

When things get a little tight financially, I think of gifts that I can make for my friends and family. This fall, I looked to my bountiful garden and had a great gift idea.

I decided to make “specialty” vinegars and oils for my gift baskets.

Rosemary and garlic vinegar and hot pepper oil would be a great addition to any kitchen.

• Start with clean clear bottles.

• Use washed Rosemary that is freshly picked.

• Clean garlic cloves, think of two or three per bottle.

• Warm vinegar to about 120 degrees

• Add herb and several cloves of garlic to each bottle.

• Pour vinegar into bottles and allow to cool.

• Heat the oil to about 120 degrees as well.
• Add red pepper flakes to the oil and allow to steep for seven to ten minutes.

• Red peppers from the garden are washed.

• Insert into the bottles.

• Pour warmed oil in the bottles and allow to cool.

• A nice day's work, corks and labels ready to go when the oil and vinegar are cooled.

• Next very slowly melt wax over the stove. I use leftover Christmas candles to have a red wax.

• Cork the bottles and dip the top of the bottle in the wax.

• Put a pretty label on the bottle.
• Store until Christmas.

Total cost of gifts, $23 for 34 bottles.

You will have the satisfaction of giving your friends and family a gift from your garden and saving money at the same time.