Give homemade gifts from the kitchen this holiday season

(ARA) - Buttery chocolate cookie dough with chocolate chunks, nuts and marshmallows. Creamy caramels with apple cider and warm spices. These are just a taste of some of the irresistible sweets you could be gifting this holiday season.

Homemade holiday gifts deserve special presentations, but these finishing touches don't have to mean a lot of extra time or money. Break out the crafting supplies, hit up a vintage shop or venture online to gather an inspired collection of packaging materials. With a few simple tips, you can create a memorable presentation worthy of the sweet, buttery goodness inside.

* Create a candy cone. To package small, individually-wrapped candies such as Spiced Apple Caramels, find some festive paper at a craft or scrapbook store. Roll it into a cone and tape it shut at the seam. Add ribbon or other decorations and then fill the cone with candy.

* Think outside the cardboard box. Consider packaging your gifts in a simple wooden box with a festive bow tied around it. Visit your local craft store for interesting containers to help you break free of the typical cardboard variety.

* Take and bake. A ready-to-bake treat such as North Pole Cookie Dough is the perfect hostess gift. Consider presenting it in disposable pint-sized ice cream containers. You can find them online or simply ask for a few from your local ice cream shop. Just don't forget to add a festive tag with baking instructions.

* Be sure to label. Use festive gift tags with the name of your recipe so your lucky friends and family know what a special treat they're receiving. Custom complimentary gift tags can be found at butterisbest.com.

Visit ButterIsBest.com to find more holiday cookie and candy recipes courtesy of America's Dairy Farmers. While there, sign up for the daily holiday cookie e-newsletter, "Better Baking with Butter," available to subscribers from Nov. 22 to Dec. 25.

Spiced Apple Caramels
Makes about 75 caramels

Ingredients:
2 cups apple cider
2/3 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon apple pie spice (If you cannot find apple pie spice, substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon allspice.)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup (one stick) butter, cubed
Freshly ground cinnamon or course sea salt (optional)

Directions:
Pour cider into small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until reduced to 1/3 cup; approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Line 8-inch square pan with buttered parchment paper or aluminum foil. In small bowl, combine heavy cream, salt, apple pie spice, cinnamon and reduced cider; set aside.

In large, heavy-bottom saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup. Cook over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Insert candy thermometer and simmer until syrup reaches 234 degrees.

Remove from heat, remove thermometer and very slowly whisk in cream mixture (mixture will foam and may spatter). Add cubed butter and stir or whisk until cream and butter are fully incorporated. Return pan to heat, reinsert thermometer and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until temperature reaches 250 degrees.

Remove from heat and pour caramel into prepared pan; let mixture cool slightly, then sprinkle with freshly ground cinnamon or sea salt, if desired. Cool completely at room temperature or refrigerate until set.

Once set, remove caramel from pan lifting out by parchment paper or foil. Cut caramel into 3/4-inch squares. Wrap each piece in small wax paper square, twisting at each end. Store caramels in airtight container in cool place or refrigerate up to two weeks.

North Pole Cookie Dough
Makes three "pints" of dough or two dozen cookies

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 2/3 cups flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (two sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1 cup roasted almonds or toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

Directions:
Place 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips in microwave-safe dish. Microwave 30 seconds on high, stir and continue to microwave in 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Set bowl aside and cool to room temperature.

In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and both sugars using electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add melted, cooled chocolate and vanilla, blend until fully incorporated. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture slowly; mixing until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chunks, nuts and mini marshmallows.

Fill pint containers with cookie dough and refrigerate up to four days or freeze up to one month. When giving as a gift, attach following baking instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons, or using small cookie scoop, onto parchment-lined baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Flatten dough slightly using back of spoon. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly cracked but centers are still soft.

Remove from oven and cool slightly on baking sheet before transferring cookies to wire rack to cool completely.


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Cool Food For Kids

(NAPSI)-With a growing obesity crisis in America, now is the time to help children understand more about healthy food choices, well-balanced meals, portion control and the benefits of increased physical activity. With most families constantly on the go, however, dining together at home, healthful eating and family exercise often go by the wayside.

Fortunately, you can find help in the frozen-food aisles of your local grocery store to easily bring your family together at mealtime. Whether it’s a complementary side dish or a complete ready-to-heat-and-eat meal, there are many great-tasting, nutritious options you can get from the freezer to the table in minutes—and all for a very good value.

Special deals on many popular frozen foods were found in October when the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) celebrates Cool Food for Kids. Try these Cool Tips from the NFRA to help develop healthful family lifestyles:

• Check serving sizes on the nutrition labels to keep your food portions at just the right amount.

• Frozen foods can make it easy to put a cool dinner together—try frozen vegetables, potatoes, chicken or fish.

• Get your family up and moving by planning fun activities after dinner.

Most importantly, get your day started off with a great breakfast, such as this one:

Morning Glory Egg Sandwich

2 frozen “everything” bagels, thawed and toasted

⅓ cup frozen chopped mixed peppers, thawed

1½ cups egg substitute

3 Tbsp fat-free milk

¼ cup part-skim mozzarella cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Coat skillet with cooking spray. Add peppers; cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Whisk egg substitute and milk together; pour into skillet with peppers, and stir occasionally while cooking, until eggs reach desired doneness. Stir in cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon half mixture on each toasted bagel. Serve with “heat and serve” fully prepared turkey sausage and a calcium-rich orange juice, if desired. Serves 2.

For more recipes, tips and information on frozen foods, visit www.EasyHomeMeals.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/EasyHomeMeals. You can also find rules and details for entering a $7,500 Sweepstakes.


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Whole Foods Market Voluntarily Recalls Frozen Whole Catch Yellow Fin Tuna Steaks Due To Possible Health Risks

Whole Foods Market announced the recall of its Whole Catch Yellow fin Tuna Steaks (frozen) with a best by date of Dec 5th, 2010 because of possible elevated levels of histamine that may result in symptoms that generally appear within minutes to an hour after eating the affected fish. No other Whole Foods Market, Whole Catch, 365 or 365 Organic products are affected.

The product, sold in twelve ounce bags with Best by Date: exp 05 DEC 2010 with Lot Code: 4853309157A and displays the following UPC code:

* 0-99482-42078-9 Whole Catch Yellow fin Tuna Steaks (Frozen) 12 oz.

High levels of histamine can produce an allergic reaction called scombroid poisoning when the fish is consumed. The following are the most common symptoms of scombroid poisoning: tingling or burning sensation in the mouth, facial swelling, rash, hives and itchy skin, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

There have been two reported incidents by consumers. Whole Foods Market feels that while these were isolated incidents, every precautionary measure should be taken when it comes to consumer health and safety. This recall does not impact any other fish or seafood sold by Whole Foods Market.

If consumers have this product with the indicated UPC code and Best By date, they may return it to the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company by calling 512-542-0656.

Whole Foods Market has removed the affected lot code from all store shelves. Product was distributed to 28 states plus the District of Columbia including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Connecticut, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, Maine and Washington, D.C.

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Delicious New Appetizers Make Big Debut

PRNewswire/ -- With school back in session, hectic family schedules are putting pressure on family meals. But just in time, Farm Rich -- a leader in product innovation -- introduces two new great-tasting, frozen-food products. Announcing delicious Mini Stuffed Paninis and Mini Stuffed Quesadilla Slices, the perfect solutions for families or individuals who want easy-to-prepare meals or snacks made with quality ingredients.

The popularity of panini sandwiches continues to grow, and Farm Rich's Mini Stuffed Panini is the perfect way to enjoy the warm sandwiches as appetizers, mini-meals, or snacks on-the-go. Each Mini Stuffed Panini is made with 100% natural mozzarella, Romano, and Parmesan cheeses, layered with all-white meat chicken and crispy bacon. These premium ingredients are then seasoned with a savory artichoke pesto sauce, stuffed in an open slice of flatbread, and grilled.

Mexican food is one of the largest and fastest growing segments of the frozen snack and appetizer industry, and Quesadilla Slices are a terrific addition to Farm Rich's already successful product lineup. Starting with a thin, authentic, tortilla-style crust, each Quesadilla Slice is stuffed with a special blend of 100% natural mozzarella, cheddar, & Monterrey Jack cheeses. These premium cheeses are then layered with quartered strips of grilled, all- white-meat chicken and zesty tomatillo salsa to produce an irresistible snack or appetizer.

Farm Rich is committed to providing wholesome foods made with real ingredients. Both Mini Stuffed Paninis and Quesadilla Slices fulfill this promise. They are good sources of protein and calcium, and they contain zero trans fat.

"Consumers today want to feel good about the foods they serve to family and friends," said Jennifer Meetz, Senior Marketing Manager. "They are looking for meals that are easy to prepare, can be served on a variety of occasions, and contain premium, all-natural ingredients. Farm Rich's new Mini Stuffed Paninis and Quesadilla Slices meet all three of these criteria."

The Mini Stuffed Paninis and Mini Stuffed Quesadillas are perfect for back-to-school parties with classmates, as tasty after-school snacks, or even as dinners on-the-run. And with Halloween quickly approaching, these products offer a quick and easy way to provide goblins with tasty treats that contain plenty of healthy protein. "We're making frozen appetizers suitable for more than one occasion," added Meetz. "Our new products offer consumers a variety of flavors and serving options, with something to please everyone."

Both new products have up-to-date, easy-to-use packaging, too. They are part of the company's lineup of family-sized, stand-up, re-sealable, gusseted bags.

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