Steph de Sousa is a chef and recipe and content creator.
She has over 1 million followers on Instagram.
She calls herself ‘The Frugal Foodie’ and loves cooking delicious family food on a budget
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Steph will be appearing at the Sydney Good Food and Wine Show Christmas Markets this weekend
Today, Steph is making edible Christmas gifts.
Recipe below:
Gingerbread GranolaThis super easy recipe is perfect for making in bulk, and the best part? It’s totally giftable and yummy! Ingredients4 cups whole oats (not quick oats)2 cups pecans2 cups shredded coconut1/2 cup dried cranberries1/2 cup diced crystallised ginger2 teaspoons cinnamon2 teaspoons ground ginger1 teaspoon cardamom1/2 cup melted coconut oil1/2 cup maple syrupMethod
- Pop all the ingredients into a big bowl and mix it all up with your hands. Don’t be shy—it’s fun! Once everything is coated and smelling amazing, spread it evenly on an oven tray lined with baking paper.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 10 minutes, then give it a stir and bake for another 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy. The house is going to smell like Christmas!
- Once it’s cooled, you can pop it into cute jars, ready to gift to your loved ones… or keep it all for yourself! Perfect over yoghurt, in a smoothie bowl, or just eaten by the handful (no judgment here).
FESTIVE JAM
Ingredients
- 2 kg strawberries
- 1 kg green apples
- 3 kg sugar
- 1 whole lemon, cut in half
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp powdered ginger
- 5 star anise
- 5 cloves
Instructions
- Throw everything into a big pot, give it a good stir, and bring it to a boil.
- While the jam’s bubbling away, pop your jars in the dishwasher on a hot cycle to sterilise them.
- Once the jam is boiling, turn the heat down to medium and let it simmer but still bubbling, for 30-60 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking.
- When it looks thick and luscious, scoop a spoonful onto a plate and let it cool. If it sets nicely, your jam is ready!
- Make sure the jars are still hot when you pour the hot jam in—this helps with sterilisation and keeps your jam fresh longer. Fill the jars right to the top (air is the enemy of good preserves!). Screw the lids on tight, flip the jars upside down, and let them cool like that. This ensures the lids are sterilised, too.
- Once cool, flip the jars upright and store them in your pantry. After opening, keep your jam in the fridge. It’s the perfect little gift to brighten someone’s day—sweet, spicy, and oh-so-Christmassy!