Edible Gifts

This is the time of year when gifts are concocted in my kitchen . Thanksgiving appetizers must include my Florentines , a two-bite spinach quiche . The recipe was one found years ago in a magazine and tweaked to make it my own . They were originally assembled in tiny homemade crepes , fitted into mini-muffin tins . Time and nerves morphed the crepes into wonton wrappers ,which are much easier to manage, do the job beautifully and require no prep time ! Last weekend saw eight dozen of the little darlings enter the freezer's icy embrace . They require only fifteen minutes in a 400 degree oven to bring them to the table and rapid extinction .
The next task was the Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce with Frangelico...soooo silky and decadent ! That part was completed yesterday . The portion that didn't go into gift jars (or consumed by a greedy cook ) will be the centers for truffles...also for gifts . The cool thing about making truffles ( besides eating them ! ) is that a quick trip to Michael's will supply you with small treat boxes , doilies , paper cups for each candy and ribbon . The finished product looks magazine-worthy and , at six truffles per box , there's enough to go around .
The jewel- toned jars of summer preserves , normally presented , never made it into production... the summer had other plans for me . It is a very good thing to be able to assemble with dear and precious people , to give thanks for all the blessings of the past year . May your year be filled with joy , surrounded by those you love...who love you back !