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Showing posts with label Pesto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pesto. Show all posts

Wednesday, 25 December 2013

Homemade Christmas Gifts

An inexpensive way to treat loved ones on any occasion is to make homemade gifts. This Christmas I made homemade Baileys, Pesto and Laundry washing liquid. I found a really easy Baileys recipe on Pinterest (click link for original recipe) but I've converted it below to make it easier to follow. the pesto recipe is my own - trialled and tested on my husband and friends, and the laundry washing liquid recipe is from a dear friend.

Happy Homemaking! X

Homemade Baileys

1 & 2/3 cups of your choice of Whiskey - I used the Highlands brand from Aldi ($26)

1 can of condensed milk
1 cup of thickened cream
2 tbsps of chocolate syrup
2 tsp of vanilla essence
1 tsp of coffee (dissolved in a drop of hot water)

If you can be bothered taking your blender out, pour all the ingredients in and wazz up for a minute or two until a smooth consistency. Otherwise pour the ingredients onto a jug and whisk up until smooth. This yields about 1 litre or just under.

I mark the use by date by the cream date, but the alcohol can preserve it for a week or so longer. If you're worried, pour the baileys into a ice cube tray and freeze it.



Homemade Pesto 

2 bunches of washed basil with stems cut off
150g bag of pine nuts
60g grated Parmesan
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

Combine all the ingredients in a mortar and pestle or a food processor and pour enough olive oil until you're happy with the consistency. And you're done! Use this as a dip with cheese and crackers or use about half a cups worth in a cream sauce. Yummo!



Laundry Washing Liquid

1 & 1/2 litre of water for the stove 
1 cup Lux Soap Flakes (from the grocery store)
1/2 cup Borax (from Bunnings)
1/2 cup washing soda (from the grocery store)
8 litres of cold tap water
8 - 12 drops of essential oil of your choice (lemon, lavender, orange, rosemary, clove)

Put 1 1/2 litres of water on the stove in your regular saucepan and add 1 cup soap flakes, 1/2 cup borax and 1/2 cup washing soda. Using a whisk, allow the mixture to fully dissolve as you stir it whilst on low-medium heat.
Once you think the mixture has dissolved, put approximately 8 litres of cold water in a 10L bucket and add the hot soapy mix to the cold water and stir. At this time you can also go ahead and add your choice of essential oil.
Using a soup ladle and a funnel, pour the mixture into containers. (I use old milk and juice bottles)

Use ½ cup in a normal load of washing and use a booster for really soiled clothes. 

You can continue to use a fabric softener if you need, although I use White Vinegar as a fabric softener.