Have you started shopping yet? Gifts for the family this year are a little tricky as we’ll be bringing them home on a plane, but I’m already almost done. (My secret is online shopping ) In the past, I’ve always given something homemade and I think I’ll have to make a few of the items below, even if they don’t make it back to the midwest with us.

Here are some of my favorite savory (and a few sweet) ideas for homemade food gifts to give to loved ones this year!

Curried Pecans – via me

Salted Maple Caramel Sauce – via me!

Pineapple-Infused Vodka – via me

Rosemary Olive Oil – via Whole Foods

Curried Lentil Soup – via Good Housekeeping 

Tuscan Spice Rub – Eating Well

(source)

Slow-Cooker Bacon Jam – via Martha Stewart (my friend Mary Beth gave this to us last year and we LOVED it!)

Hot Mango Chutney – via Tinned Tomatoes

Limoncello – via Hedonia 

Caramel-Almond Popcorn – via Martha Stewart

(source)

Olives with Fennel Seeds and Orange – via Martha Stewart

Do you give homemade food gifts? Or, if you are on the receiving end, do you eat them? I just read an article that said most food gifts go to waste – the horror! 

Don’t forget to donate to the Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin!  

Fall always seems to be a favorite of seasons among the masses, and I always get really excited for slowing down, using the crock pot and making football food.

Since I’ve lived in the Midwest my entire life, I have no idea what fall will feel like in Southern California. I’m sure I’ll miss the change of seasons but I also really like palm trees, so I might be ok.

Because I’ve had a few weeks without a kitchen, I can’t wait to cook some fall foods once we are settled in California. Here are some that have caught my eye! Add your favorites below!

Breakfast

Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal (Budget Bytes)

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal 

Butter Toffee Oatmeal 

Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts (Healthy. Delicious) 

Pumpkin Doughnuts (Annie’s Eats) 

Veggies/Sides

Braised Red Cabbage

Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta & Parmesan

Roasted Cauliflower with Brown Butter & Pepper

 Slow-Cooker Pork & Beans (Savvy Eats)

Main

Sweet Potato, Spinach & Chorizo Soup

Acorn Squash Soup with Crab

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili (Weekly Bite) 

Sweet Potato Corn Chowder (The Healthy Everythingtarian) 

 Smoky Potato Soup with Kale (Fake Food Free)

 Crock Pot French Onion Soup (How Sweet It Is)

Sweets

Apple Bread Pudding with Brandy Sauce 

Maple Vanilla Almond Clusters (Pinch of Yum)

Individual Pumpkin Pie Trifles (The Avid Appetite)

Autumn Almond Butter (The Wannabe Chef) 

Pumpkin Spice Lattes (Eating for England)