“
It’s the thought that counts.” We’ve all heard that phrase a time or two during the
holiday season. But here’s the thing, people who struggle financially during the
holidays sometimes have a hard time buying into the good intentions rule.
To counterbalance those feelings, try creating something homemade. We’ve compiled a
dozen fun and easy DIY gift ideas. From bacon salt to shaving cream and spa kits, there’s
something here for everyone.
DIRECTIONS
♥ To make the lemon-infused olive oil:
Infused Olive Oils
Source: justputzing.com
INGREDIENTS
♥ Lemon-Infused Olive Oil
• 2 whole lemons
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 4-oz glass bottle with cork
♥ Rosemary-Infused Olive Oil
• 3-4 sprigs rosemary
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 4-oz glass bottle with cork
♥ Chili-Infused Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp red chili flakes
• 1 to 2 whole, dried Thai chilies (op-
tional)
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 4-oz glass bottle with cork
1. Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife,
carefully strip one lemon of its zest. Try to
keep each strip long and wide, and avoid
getting any of the bitter white pith under-
neath. Stuff zest strips into your bottle. Set
aside.
2. Zest your second lemon, and set aside. (It's
not as important to make the zesting pretty
with this lemon. Just make sure you're only
getting the zest, and not the pith.)
3. In a saucepan, heat olive oil until a few small
bubbles start forming. (If your oil starts
smoking, take it off the stove and allow it to
cool for 10 minutes.)
4. Scoop zest from second lemon into the
warm olive oil. Let it steep for about 30 min-
utes.
5. Carefully pour the lemony oil into your bot-
tle over the uncooked strips of lemon zest,
making sure not to get any of the cooked
lemon zest get in. Don't overfill.
6. Cork the bottle and store in the refrigerator.
7. Serve drizzled over salads, or in everyday
cooking. (Use and/or throw out within 10-14
days.)
♥ Garlic-Infused Olive Oil
• ½ to ¾ cup whole, peeled garlic cloves*
• Juice from ¼ lime
• 1 to 2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 4-oz glass bottles with cork
INSIGHT
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