Gift Giving with Pistachios

Give the gift of health this Christmas, by gifting pistachios. This year is like none other. Our budgets are tight, but we also want to give more, to more people. It may be the perfect year to make some DIY gifts and do some baking. Pistachios make the perfect holiday gift. Fill your favorite containers with pistachios. Wrap pistachio loaves in beautiful tea towels or create a lovely seasoning blend to spice up a gift of pistachios.

Pistachio Bread Loaf Tied in a Tea Towel

Quick breads make great gifts. They’re easy to make and so obviously homemade, it’s really a perfect combination! Tie a band around the loaves and gift them swaddled in a beautiful napkin or tea towel for the recipient to keep!

Recipe and image courtesy of the American Pistachio Growers and Sweet Paul Magazine.

YIELD

1 loaf

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Heart of the Desert pistachio kernels, ground

½ cup Butter

⅔ cup Sugar

2 Eggs

½ teaspoon Vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon Baking powder

1¾ cups All-purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grind pistachios in a blender or food processor. Cream together butter, sugar, and pistachios in a stand mixer for 2–3 minutes. Add in eggs and vanilla and mix on low until incorporated. Measure out and mix up your dry ingredients in a bowl. Turn mixer on low and pour in dry ingredients a little bit at a time. Mix on high for about 30 seconds. Butter a large loaf pan. Pour batter into pan and bake for 40–50 minutes until golden and baked through.

Click here to watch a video on how to present this pistachio bread loaf as a gift.

Tubes of Spiced Pistachios

Spiced pistachios are always a hit. They’re naturally festive, especially when dressed up with a Chili & Paprika Spice Mix. 

Find some inexpensive test tubes online and fill all but one with spiced pistachios. Fill the last test tube with layers of spices so your recipient can make their own spiced pistachios at home! Cap each tube with a cork and washi tape and put them in a box tied with a bow! 

Recipe and image courtesy of the American Pistachio Growers and Sweet Paul Magazine.

INGREDIENTS

1 part chili flakes

1 part flakey salt

1 part paprika

1 part coarse ground pepper

Heart of the Desert Pistachio Kernels

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F and mix together spices. Set aside.

Fill a baking sheet with a layer of pistachio kernels. Drizzle nuts with olive oil and sprinkle on the spice mix, to taste. Mix well to make sure the pistachios are coated evenly. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove and cool completely.

Click here to view a how-to video.

Pistachio Diorama Jars

Edible gifts are always a treat as they help put the special people on your list in the holiday spirit. Dress up a delicious jar of pistachios by building playful, scene-setting dioramas on top. It’s all about giving gifts made with love and sharing special times with friends and family. Make the most of both with pistachios!

Concept and image courtesy of American Pistachio Growers and Sweet Paul Magazine.

You will need:

Jars, the bigger the better – Check out Weck jars

Heart of the Desert Pistachios, in the shell or out

Hot glue

Felt

Model Trees

Plastic Animals

Flakey Sea Salt

Get creative with your dioramas, there are no rules! First, glue a base of felt to the filled jar.

Next, glue on a couple trees and a plastic animal. Sprinkle some flakey salt on top to mimic snow.

TIP: 

A cluster of these jars would make a wonderful centerpiece for a holiday table.

Click here for a how-to video.

White Chocolate Circles with Pistachios and Cranberries

These treats are the perfect gift. They are so easy to make, are pretty and oh so yummy. Place them in a box with some pretty ribbons for a lovely homemade Christmas gift.

Recipe and image courtesy of Sweet Paul Magazine.

You need:

2 pounds white chocolate, melted (high-quality dark chocolate is also amazing)

1/2 cup Heart of the Desert pistachio kernels 

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Take teaspoons of the melted chocolate and place on the baking sheet.

Let sit for about 5 minutes.

Sprinkle with pistachios and cranberries.

Let stand at room temperature until chocolate sets.

Box them up and get them delivered in time for Christmas!

Making homemade gifts are a fun, family activity. They let your recipients know they were made from the heart. It’s the little things this year! Don’t feel like being crafty? Just head over to the Heart of the Desert website for some great pistachio gifts.

Have fun baking and crafting with pistachios!

Heart of the Desert is a working pistachio ranch and vineyard with four retail establishments in New Mexico. They are best known for their farm fresh pistachios and Award-Winning New Mexico wines. Each store offers wine and pistachio tastings. They offer worldwide shipping and produce attractive gourmet baskets that make great corporate and family gifts. The main store, on the ranch in Alamogordo, offers farm tours that showcases how pistachios are grown and processed as well as a stunning Tuscany themed patio that overlooks the groves and is available for weddings, private parties or enjoying a relaxing glass of wine.