With the holiday season in full-swing, it is almost impossible not to be swept up in the shopping frenzy that comes with it, whether for gifts, decorations, special meals, or the (occasional) “treat yourself…” While gifting can be fulfilling, it can also at times be stressful and more than a little pricy.
This year, consider ways you can “Simplify the Holidays” with upcycled crafts, homemade treats, and creative ways to avoid wasteful packaging. Thanks to the help of Master Preserver Terri Langley of MAʻO Organic Farms , Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation offered 'Tis the Season-ings” workshops around Oʻahu in December, sharing Aunty Terri’s simple yet elegant edible gifts.
Whether you have an abundance of garden rosemary and basil, or a few fresh lemons and limes lying around, simple herbs and citrus flavors can be transformed into delicious salt rubs for all of your holiday fixings. Try out Aunty Terri’s Herbal and Citrus Salts and be sure to pack smart with reusable containers like decorated mason jars.
Herbal & Citrus Salts
Ingredients:
- Hawaiian salt
- Fresh or dried organic herbs such as rosemary, basil, lemongrass, thyme, or sage
- Fresh organic lemon, lime, orange
Directions:
- If using fresh herbs and citrus, preheat oven to 350°F
- Pour salt into a large bowl with plenty of room for mixing
- Remove leaves from herb stems and finely chop herbs, add to salt
- If using citrus, remove the zest (colored part of the peel) with a grater or zester and add to salt
- Lomi the salt with clean hands for about 5 minutes, squeezing between your fingers to release the herbs’ and citrus’ natural oils
- Place salt mix in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes to dehydrate
- Cool, store in airtight container for best results
Click here for KHF's Simplify the Holidays Homemade for the Holidays: Edible Gifts Resource Guide which inclused the above recipe and recipes for Refrigerator Pickels, Saurkraut, and Kimchi plus info more preserving info and inspiration.