Looking for inexpensive gift ideas for the Foodie? I have a number of do it yourself gifts that you can make in your kitchen. You can always make up pancake, brownie, cookie mixes and place in a decorative jar. I really like the spice mixes and liquor recipes because they ready to use with out any added preparation. Cost of spice blends can be minimized by buying herbs and spices in bulk.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

1 small bottle with a sealable top
Rum
Approximately 3 vanilla beans

Wash and sanitize your bottle. Carefully cut down the center of each bean to expose the seeds. Place Vanilla beans in the bottle and cover with Rum. Seal and store in a dark place for 4 – 6 weeks allowing the vanilla flavors to infuse with the Rum.

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

1/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons onion powder

3 tablespoons dried thyme, crushed

2 tablespoons ground allspice

2 tablespoons ground black pepper

3 to 4 teaspoons ground red pepper

1 tablespoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

Combine all the spice together and mix well. Place in your favorite decorative small jar.

Makes about one cup of seasoning.

Greek Seasoning

8 teaspoons dried oregano

8 teaspoons salt

6 teaspoons onion powder

6 teaspoons garlic powder

4 teaspoons cornstarch

4 teaspoons black pepper

4 teaspoons parsley flakes

4 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons thyme

Combine all ingredients together and mix well. Place seasoning mix into your favorite decorative container. Makes about one cup of seasoning.

Chesapeake Bay Seasoning

4 tbsp salt

2 tbsp cayenne pepper

2 tbsp ground celery seed

2 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika

2 tbsp dry mustard

2 tbsp ground black pepper

2 tbsp ground bay leaf

1 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and use in your favorite seafood recipes.

(bay leaves may be easily ground in a coffee grinder!)

Cajun Spice Mix

3 Tbsp salt

3 Tbsp garlic powder

2 teaspoons paprika

4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 teaspoon onion powder

4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

5 teaspoons dried oregano

5 teaspoons dried thyme

2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Combine all and mix well. Store in a decorative airtight container. Makes about a cup.

Memphis Style BBQ Rub

1/2 cup paprika

4 tablespoons salt

4 tablespoons onion powder

4 tablespoons fresh ground black pepper

2 tablespoon cayenne

Combine all and mix well. Makes about a cup.

Garam Masala

4 tablespoon ground cumin

2 tablespoons ground coriander

2 tablespoons ground cardamom

2 tablespoons ground pepper

4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all spices and mix well.

Creole Seasoning

2 tablespoons onion powder

2 tablespoons garlic powder

2 tablespoons dried oregano

2 tablespoons dried basil

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon white pepper

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

5 tablespoons paprika

3 tablespoons salt

Combine and mix well. Makes about 1 ¼ cup.

Homemade Kahlua

1 12-cup pot very strong coffee
2 lbs. light brown sugar
4 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 Liter bottle Bacardi 151 Rum

Bring coffee to a boil in a large pot. Gradually add 2 lbs. light brown sugar and return to boil stirring constantly. Let cool until room temperature.

After mixture has cooled to room temperature stir in you rum and vanilla extract.

Bottle and enjoy!

Quick Orange Cognac (or Brandy)

1 Fifth of Cognac or Brandy

4 Oranges, zest only no white part

½ cup sugar

½ cup juice from your oranges

Zest oranges and combine in a sauce pan with sugar and orange juice. Bring to a boil and simmer about 5 min or until all the sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature and strain. Combine strained orange syrup with your liquor, bottle and enjoy!

Irish Cream Liquor

1 Cup Heavy cream

14 oz sweetened condensed milk

1 2/3 C Irish whiskey (Jameson’s etc.)

1 tsp instant coffee

2 Tbsp chocolate syrup

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp almond extract (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend for 30 seconds.

Bottle in a tightly sealed container and refrigerate. Shake before using.

They say it will keep for up to 2 months but I doubt it will last that long.

Must be kept refrigerated.