Elixirs for Xmas: Winter-Spiced Vodka

I have always been fascinated with infusions but I have never attempted any. This year it will be different.

I am planning on giving many liquid gifts this year and have been doing some early preparations. For all my Elixirs for Xmas posts, click here.

This potent potable sounds especially delicious.

Winter-Spiced Vodka from . . . → Read More: Elixirs for Xmas: Winter-Spiced Vodka

Elixirs for Xmas: Homemade Lemon Extract

Believe or not, I think my family and friends are getting tired of getting the obligatory jar of jam for Christmas, so this year I wanted to do something completely different.

Elixirs for Xmas will be a brief series here at EE, prior to the holiday season.

Why so early?

Because all of these infusions . . . → Read More: Elixirs for Xmas: Homemade Lemon Extract

Elixirs for Xmas: Homemade Vanilla Extract

I love to make homemade gifts and usually work at it throughout the year, especially with canning up summer’s bounty. To “mix it up a bit” (pun intended), I decided to make a few elixirs and extracts to give as gifts this year, too.

If you’re planning on giving homemade vanilla extract for Christmas or . . . → Read More: Elixirs for Xmas: Homemade Vanilla Extract

DIY Body Lotion

Is your skin still trying to recover from the harsh winter? Try out this super-simple recipe for a do-it-yourself, super rich lotion. . . . → Read More: DIY Body Lotion

Pre-Spring Cleaning

We did some pre-spring cleaning last weekend and our cabinets and windows are sparkling. Read on for some homemade cleaners that really work! . . . → Read More: Pre-Spring Cleaning

Felted Dryer Balls

OK—no snickering at the title of this post. It could have been worse. I could have simply titled it “wooly balls.” 🙂

I tried to be proactive all year and keep on the look out for cool homemade gift ideas. During the months of November and December, I would like to share with you some . . . → Read More: Felted Dryer Balls

Butter (DIY)

In my recent Día de Muertos post, I mentioned making my own butter for the Pan de Muerto recipe from Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.

I wanted to post the procedure here.

But first….a “remember when.”

In the early 80s my mom had her heart set on a KitchenAid stand mixer. Mom had many careers . . . → Read More: Butter (DIY)

Sous Vide Steaks (DIY)

Remember a while back we attended a cooking class and had sous vide octopus and Chicken Saltimbocca? That chef/instructor also commented that this water-bath method was the only way to do steaks to perfection.

So what happens when you take your husband with you to cooking class?

What happens when said husband has a temperature . . . → Read More: Sous Vide Steaks (DIY)

Chipotles

How to make your own chipotles and a hot sauce update. Peppers, peppers, everywhere… . . . → Read More: Chipotles

Hot Sauce (DIY)

With all the peppers, I started making hot sauce again.

Jalapenos and Santa Fe peppers.

I have four or five varieties of jalapenos—Tam (a mild one), Mammoth, and just regular old hot ones. I also picked up a Santa Fe pepper plant. The Santa Fe variety is also called Guero and can be . . . → Read More: Hot Sauce (DIY)