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Natalie Allen shows students how to make a meal.

Make your own food gifts for the holidays

Sharing homemade food is a great way to show others you care.

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Learn how to make three easy and delicious goodies from Natalie Allen, registered dietitian and clinical instructor of biomedical sciences at Missouri State University.

Quick and easy salsa

This item has a fun, spicy twist for the holidays. It’s a great option for people trying to go easy on desserts over the holidays.

Ingredients

  • 2 cans of Original RO-TEL
  • 1 28-oz can of whole tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup of chopped onions
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 jalapeno pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp of sugar
  • 1/4 tsp of salt
  • 1/4 tsp of cumin
  • 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro (or more to taste)
  • Juice of a lime

Directions

Chop garlic, jalapeno (if you want a little heat), onion and cilantro. Add in a blender with all other ingredients. Pulse blender to desired texture. Refrigerate for at least one hour before enjoying. Salsa will keep for two-three weeks in the refrigerator, also freezes well. Makes six cups total (adapted from The Pioneer Woman).

Sweet and spicy pecans

These addictive little treats dress up a salad or make an ideal appetizer before dinner. Your house will smell amazing as they roast.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb pecan halves
  • 1 cup of white sugar
  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 tsp of water
  • 2 tsp of vanilla extract
  • 3/4 tsp of cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp of salt

Directions

Line a jelly roll pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Whisk together egg whites, sugar, water and vanilla until frothy. Add pecan halves and stir until coated. Add sugar, salt and cinnamon, mix well. Spread the nuts in single layer on a prepared cooking sheet. Bake at 250 for one hour. Stir every 15 minutes. Makes one pound of candied pecans, about 12 servings (adapted from Allrecipes.com).

Dipped pretzel rods with homemade hot chocolate mix

Make this combo with the little ones in your life. The pretzels are fun to decorate and kids have a ball sprinkling and drizzling. The hot chocolate mix is a decadent treat and it’s easy to make a large batch, so you can share with everyone on your list.

Ingredients (dipped pretzel rods)

  • A bag of pretzel rods
  • Almond bark (white, milk or dark chocolate all work)
  • Holiday sprinkles

Directions

Melt almond bark per package directions. Try melting in a microwave safe, tall cup, as it will be easier to coat the pretzels. Dunk pretzels, then lay on wax paper. Sprinkle and add decorations before almond bark dries. Package pretzel rods together and give with hot chocolate for a great gift.

Ingredients (hot chocolate mix)

  • 3 1/4 cups (8oz) of nonfat dry milk
  • 3 1/4 cups of powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups of coffee creamer
  • 2 1/2 cups of Nesquik Chocolate

Directions

Mix all ingredients and store tightly covered. Use 1/3 cup of mix to one cup of hot water, milk or coffee. Delicious. Makes 21 servings.