Homemade Christmas Gifts: The Cooking Light
Interview
From LoveToKnow Christmas
If your holiday cookie recipes are a bit stale, there are many other homemade Christmas gift creations to try. Edible treats slip easily into Christmas gift baskets, delight neighbors and friends, and give cooks and bakers a chance to put their personal touch on the season’s festivities.
LoveToKnow Christmas had the pleasure of asking Julianna Grimes Bottcher, an associate food editor for Cooking Light magazine, about her favorite homemade Christmas gifts. Cooking Light has 11 million subscribers worldwide and is America’s largest food magazine.
Interview with Cooking Light’s Julianna Grimes Bottcher
How did you become interested in cooking and recipe development?
I grew up in a small town in west Texas, and my dad and grandfather were both farmers. Each summer my sisters and I harvested fresh vegetables from our farm just beyond the back fence. We walked door-to-door selling our wares and always saved just enough to take up the street to our grandmother's house. Nana was a great cook, and I loved to be her kitchen helper. It was this time in the kitchen with my grandmother that fostered my interest in cooking.
As an associate food editor for Cooking Light, what are some of your responsibilities?
Although each day is a new adventure, every week begins the same: Monday morning meetings. I sit down with the art staff and we plan and review our photography schedule. Next is our food editor meeting. We all sit around a table and discuss stories, deadlines, work-related issues, and we look at the week ahead.
Since I am responsible for stories from concept to print, I work on aspects of stories from several different issues on any given day. With most stories, we begin planning a year in advance, so our food editors all sit down once a month to brainstorm story ideas, and plan each issue. Then we each contact writers and recipe developers to get the new stories underway.
When I receive recipes, I calculate the nutrition. After making any necessary notations on the recipes, I send them to the Cooking Light Test Kitchens for testing. Taste testing is easily the best part of my job. Each day at noon, the food editors and test kitchen staff sit down together around our tasting table for a working lunch. We sample and evaluate each recipe.
Once recipes come back to me, I edit the recipes, the text, and pull together the story package. As the story folder goes through our process, I work with the art staff to plan and execute photography.
What do you find exciting or rewarding about cooking during the holidays?
I love cooking during the holidays because it is the one time of year where I take my time in the kitchen. Just like most people, I am often in a rush to cook dinner during busy weeknights, and I wind up cooking dishes that allow me to get in and out of the kitchen quickly. I love to take my time and prepare special treats for family and friends during the holidays.
What’s your favorite holiday dish to create?
I especially love to make tamales at Christmas and give them as gifts.
And to eat?
I love to eat anything that's tasty and interesting.
Why are edible holiday gifts such a treat to make and to receive?
I've always believed that handmade gifts are the most personal, and if it's edible, that's even better.
What encouragement would you give a novice cook or baker who wants to make homemade Christmas gifts?
I encourage you to do a trial run and a taste test. Also, it's best to gather all of your ingredients before you begin.
How do the recipes you've suggested below help us break away from the typical cookie?
Cookies are traditional and a wonderful holiday gift, since they can be made ahead and usually freeze well. If you want to offer a more unique gift, think of other things that travel well and keep fresh for several days. Sauces, quick bread, and candy make good gifts as well.
Finally, what would you leave on the table for Santa when he visits on Christmas Eve?
Santa probably gets his fill of milk and cookies, so I might leave him a slice of Herb-Crusted Standing Rib Roast with a glass of red wine.
Homemade Christmas Gifts from Cooking Light
Grimes Bottcher selected some of her favorite homemade Christmas gift ideas to add to your edible gift-giving bounty. If you’ve already planned some batches of holiday cookies but want to try something new, these items should complement your cookie collection well.
- Golden Pumpkin-Walnut Loaf – Place in a basket with miniature coffee samplers, cream cheese, and fresh fruit.
- Sun-Dried Tomato Jam – This is a great, sweet-savory alternative to spice up appetizers and poultry.
- Orange Mini Bundt Cakes – As shown in the Cooking Light cover shot above, these are terrific for breakfast or dessert.
- Glazed Honey Nuts – A simple, surprisingly tasty snack that ships and keeps well.
Kumquat in Spiced Syrup with Cloves, Cinnamon, and Star Anise – A citrus cousin, this unexpected treat can be used in a variety of ways.
Candied Hazelnut Brittle – Your grocer’s produce section should have a bin of hazelnuts ready for picking.
Toasted Pecan Divinity – Divinity is a perennial favorite, and this candy recipe is easy to make.
Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting – For goodness' sake, just look at ‘em!
Conclusion
Cooking and baking are two activities that add such personal joy to December holidays. In addition to gifting new seasonal treats, make a memory by inviting family and friends to create these and other recipes with you. Then, have a sampling party, wrap up the wares, and everyone gets to share the goods.
- Jazz up your incredible, edible homemade Christmas gifts with these gift packaging ideas.
- Start your Cooking Light subscription with two free trial issues.
- Also try LoveToKnow Recipes for more inspiration.
~Tracey L. Kelley
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