Sharing Bountiful Baskets | Fig Preserves & Goat Cheese | Fall Burrata Platter

This year I hosted another "Thanksgiving Basket" party with my friends, a tradition I started and shared last year.  I've added some photos from this year's party and a couple of appetizer recipes that I made from the new Barefoot Contessa cookbook, Cooking for Jeffery.  These would both be great appetizers to add to your Thanksgiving menu - both so easy and very seasonal.  And, oh my goodness, the fig preserves.  So. Good.  

Fig Preserves & Goat Cheese

Burrata Platter with Prosciutto, Arugula and Butternut Squash

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About the project from last year:

Every year our Church hosts a Thanksgiving dinner for members the week before.  This year, I was asked to contribute the centerpieces for each table.  Initially, I thought - easy, I'll just grab some candles from the store, some leftover wheat bundles and call it a day.  I was sort of thinking of it as just one more thing I had to do during the launch of my Holiday product line and just before we were hosting Thanksgiving at our house...  perfect.  

Then I had a moment.  I thought, during the Holiday season I really hate "wasting" money on decorations when it could put it to better use - I wanted the centerpieces to do something besides look pretty.  

My idea was to make a big bountiful basket for each table to serve as the centerpiece, each containing all of the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner (minus the Turkey), and each made for and donated to a family in need after the dinner was over.

These baskets were made not as handout, but as a gift that was joyfully made and given.  I wanted them to have fresh vegetables and fresh herbs, just like I buy for my own family.  The idea was to be that it wasn't just a gift of utility, but of grace and plentiful bounty, that even in struggling times, sharing and experiencing something beautiful is still important.  I wanted each family receiving these baskets to experience the joy of receiving a beautiful gift - not to be thought of as a donation.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 

The plan was for Mike and I to buy and donate all of the supplies for these 24 baskets.  I thought it would be fun to recruit some friends to help assemble the baskets - a party, maybe a little girls night with wine + snacks, to make it fun.

That's when the magic happened.  I send an email to about 15 friends from Church and our neighborhood Mom's group to invite them over for a fun night putting together Thanksgiving baskets.  Within 15 minutes, almost all had replied "Yes, and what can I bring to contribute!"  I made up a shopping list, thinking we'd still be donating a good chunk of the goods.  These women replied back in record time, donating every single item on the list.  It was amazing.

And what's more, they were glad to do it - so very happy to help.  I feel so blessed to have cultivated a group of friends with such large hearts and willing spirits.  These women take care of their own children and families all day long, work jobs, run their households, and exhaust themselves taking care of others, yet they jump at the opportunity to help and take care of someone else.  To think, I almost missed this opportunity by taking the easy way out.

The sweet Fig Preserves (I served warm) paired with tangy goat cheese on crackers or toasts - they are so, so good.  I have a new go-to favorite easy appetizer. 

The recipe from the Barefoot Contessa's book called for fresh figs for this recipe.  So, I made a point of going to the fancy market in my neighborhood that always carries them this time of year... but they were out.  So, I adapted the recipe for dried (preserved) figs... to make Fig Preserves.  Basically, you just have to reconstitute the figs in orange juice for about an hour before to plump them up.  I loved the result, but am still looking forward to trying the recipe with fresh figs... hopefully very soon.

Fig Preserves & Goat Cheese

1 - 14oz package of preserved whole Figs
1 cup of orange juice
....
2 teaspoons of grated orange zest
1/2 cup orange juice
3 cups of sugar
1 tablespoon of vanilla (or bean paste)
....
soft goat cheese
crackers or toasts for serving

Cut each preserved fig into 6ths - I did this with my kitchen scissors.  In a medium bowl, place the figs with 1 cup of orange juice, or as mush as it takes to cover them completely.  Let sit an hour, or until plump.
....
In a heavy bottomed saucepan, place orange zest, 1/2 cup of orange juice, sugar and vanilla.  Bring to a simmer, stir.  Add figs.  Cook at full simmer, uncovered for 1 hour until sauce thickens like jammy syrup.

Cool slightly before serving.  I like to serve warm with cold soft goat cheese, crackers and toasted slices of baguette.

Fall Harvest Burrata Platter with Arugula, Prosciutto & Butternut

I added roasted butternut squash to this recipe since the original called for figs, and we were already having the fig preserves.  I also thought it helped to make it more of a meal.  Also, the vinaigrette recipe is my own.

Salad :
4-6 cups of Baby Arugula
1/4 pound of Prosciutto, very thin
Fresh Burrata Cheese (or Fresh Mozzarella)
Roasted Butternut Squash cubes
...
Toasted Baguette Slices
...
Vinaigrette :
1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon of dijon
1 teaspoon of garlic salt
1/2 cup of olive oil

Assemble platter with arugula, slices of prosciutto and butternut squash on one side.  On the other side, add cheese & baguette slices.  Drizzle vinaigrette over the cheese and salad.

Photos from last year : 

Here are some of the busy bees buzzing around filling baskets, making sure they were each beautiful. 

There may have even been some competition...

The new farmhouse table piled with potatoes and pie shells.

Mike was out of town so Emma got to join in on the Mom's night.

Here are the baskets set up at the church the next day.

Thank you to all of my dear friends that came together to make a little magic this season.  I'm so honored and blessed from your giving!

Sharing this Thanksgiving | Gift Cards for Giving!

When your home is sparkling with beautiful holiday decorations and brimming with love and special moments with your family, it is easy to think you are doing everything right during the Holiday season.   Your table is bountiful, your family is happy - it all feels good.  However, if we forget to remember or neighbors and we forget to share, then we are missing out on the best part.

We all love those warm and fuzzy moments during the holidays.  For me, I love pulling though Starbucks on a blustery day and getting a peppermint mocha while I listen to Christmas music makes me just feel good.  Baking with Emma (while we listen to Christmas music... is there a theme, here?) gives me warm fuzzies just thinking about it.  Buying gifts and wrapping them beautifully - my favorite part of the Christmas season.  All of these moments don't compare to the gift of joy you give to yourself when you spend your holiday sharing, giving and loving our struggling neighbors.



During this season of cozy, warm snuggly moments, give freely and openly.

We are living in the most abundant society ever known.  We have investment accounts and savings accounts and insurance policies - all just in case.  All of this is to make us feel safe and secure.   In a society that concentrates on self, there is an unwarranted fear of not having enough.  From the time we are little, saving and keeping are engrained in our minds of the model of responsible living.



Not sharing your gifts deprives you from whole-heartedly enjoying the real joy of life - giving freely.

Give with a free heart, give without fear.  What we have been given is given to us with the responsibility of using it to help others.  We are merely the stewards of the gifts we've been given.

"No one ever becomes poor by giving." - Anne Frank

When I wonder how much is enough to give, I think about how much I spent the last time I went to target or what I spent on my last blouse or sweater - my last "feel good" splurge.



It is always weighing on my mind that I don't do enough to share and give.  I think, do I need to take a day every week to volunteer?  What are my best gifts to share?  Where could I volunteer that my best gifts could be used?  But then I remember I have this little store and I have this little blog.  This is what I do best.  This is my ticket to giving and sharing - this is my way to multiply my efforts.

Gift Cards for Giving :  You give, I give!

I'm partnering with Harvesters (amazing food bank that creates 3 meals for every $1 donated) this Thanksgiving to help them feed families, children, seniors, veterans - people.  I'm matching your donation with a Everyday Occasions gift card equaling 50% of what you give*.  That means, if you donate $100 to Harvesters, I will send you an e-gift card for $50 by the next morning.

*I have set a total limit of gift cards to $1,000, meaning $2,000 total raised for Harvesters.  I almost did 100% rewards ($100=$100), but I wanted to give you some of the pleasure of giving, too.  This way, we both give as much as we get... and we can raise even more money this way! : )  

That means that this little store and this little blog can come together and provide 6,000 meals this Holiday season.  Wow.

Here's what you need to do :

1.  Make a donation to Harvesters.  This is a link to our Harvesters' campaign : http://harvestersvfd.harvestersvfd.org/

2.  Forward me the email confirmation from your donation including your donation amount.

3.  I will send you an email gift card code for Everyday Occasions in the amount of 50% of your donation.  ($100 donation = $50 gift card)

Harvesters is an organization that services families who are food insecure my local region.   They can stretch a dollar!  Each $1 donated creates 3 meals.  Unbelievable!   Learn more about the organization at Harvesters.org.

Giving Tuesday | Make a Charitable Donation and get a $20 Gift Card!

 Did you know that there is enough food on the planet right this second to feed everyone in the world? 

‘When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ - Matthew 25

I don't give out of a need to get bonus points or to redeem myself in some way, or to help me "feel" the holiday spirit.  These types of giving become more about myself than others.  I give because I want to help.  I believe that this world, this earth is filled with so much bounty, so many gifts - enough for everyone.  I like to help others, strangers and ignored people just as I would help my own.  We have enough, we just have to figure out how to share.  I have more than enough, so I share.  If you are reading this blog, you likely have enough to share. 

Each year I share my favorite ways to give (read last year's here).  Throughout the holiday season I find a way to give spontaneously to strangers, Emma helps me pick out toys to donate toys to children's' charities, I spend some time volunteering and and I give money.  I always give anonymously, if possible.  The credit is not mine to take.  I probably know I don't give as much as I can, but I try.  All of these things take some planning, but for me are a part of our holiday schedule - because we have enough, too much, not to share.  

Giving Tuesday

I know that most of you are givers, too.  Today I am going to give to you for giving to others.  For the first 10 people who donate any amount to a charity of their choice (I've listed some of my favorites below), I will send you a $20 gift card for my store.  Forward the confirmation email to store@jennysteffens.com from your donation (again, of any charity of your choice - church, foundation, soup kitchen, whatever) and I will send you a code for a $20 gift card.  

We all want to give, but sometimes we don't know how or who.  I've listed some of my favorites below - some local, some global.  I would love to know some of your favorites, as well!

Hope House (this is a local domestic violence shelter, but it is easy to find one in your neighborhood)

The mission : Hope House services form a safety net of prevention, education and support for thousands of people traumatized by domestic violence every year locally in the Kansas City area.  

Your money at work :  Last year we donated a car full of gifts to their Holiday Store where the women are able to "shop" for gifts for their children.  So, a mother who is a victim of domestic abuse and who is living with her children in a shelter will have gifts to give her children on Christmas morning.

Action Against Hunger

The mission: To feed malnourished children around the world and help communities grow their own food sources.  It’s simple. Action Against Hunger/ACF International fulfills its mission by delivering aid to 7 million people in more than 40 countries annually. “Saving the most vulnerable is our first priority, so we focus on rescuing young children who are on the brink of death, and we have a 90 percent survival rate in the communities where we work,” says the organization’s chief executive officer, Nan Dale. The group doesn’t only offer handouts: In Kenya, ACF has taught more than 43,000 people how to establish vegetable gardens and plant crops that are resistant to drought.

Your money at work: A $45 donation provides 45 days of special energy-dense food for a severely malnourished child.

OxFam American Unwrapped
The Mission : Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. As one of 17 members of the international Oxfam confederation, we work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions. Oxfam saves lives, develops long-term solutions to poverty, and campaigns for social change.

Your money at work : $18 can buy a pair of chickens which produces both eggs and baby chicks, providing families with income for today and tomorrow—making this a gift that’s worth crowing about.  A $100 donation can fund a woman's new business.

3 Ways to Help this Holiday | Giving & Helping | Charities to Support this Holiday

Over the years, I have tried to do give back in unique ways during the holidays.  I like to give in ways that bring surprise and delight to those that I'm helping - to somehow bring the magic of Christmas to someone that may have never experienced the wonderment and joy Christmas can bring.

Each year I think of a new way to share the spirit of giving, but I always follow a couple of rules:

- It must be anonymous.  I always give without attachment of my name - if I'm looking for credit, then it is not giving in the Christmas Spirit. 
- I must do it without reward.  This means that I don't even get to watch them experience the joy and surprise.  I know this might sound a little strange, but I believe that if I'm giving from a pure heart, the motivation should not be myself relishing in the reaction of the person receiving.  If I am giving to receive (in the form of joy), then it is a selfish act.  Also, if their reaction is not what I would've hoped, then I might be discouraged.
- I have to give up something, too.  It can be easy around Christmas time to spend, spend, spend and add up the damage in January.  When I donate, I consciously go without something I was planning to buy for myself of for someone else. 

It can be easy to write a check, but I encourage you to think about the act and method of your giving more creatively this holiday season.  Be sure to give in a way that honors the Christmas Spirit of good will and wonderment!

1. Shelter Santa

Mike and I usually set a spending limit for our gifts - about $100 or so.  We do this because we don't 'need' anything and it forces us to be creative rather than go buy something luxurious.  Last year, I decided to spend the $100 for his gift on toys, books and clothes to give to a shelter.  On Christmas Eve morning (when we exchange), I surprised him with a huge "Santa" bag (you'd be surprised how far $100 goes in the toy department at Target) filled with wrapped gifts.  We dropped them off at a shelter for families on Christmas Eve on our way to church.  He loved that I gave him the gift of giving - I'm lucky to have a husband that "gets it."

2. Surprise Santa

A couple of years ago, I had set aside my $100 to donate or give at my whim during the holiday season.  I kept it in my wallet and waited for the perfect moment to bestow it somewhere or somehow.  Before I knew it it was Christmas Eve and I still had that $100 bill.  I thought, who would really need this tonight?  I went to a Dollar General Store at 5pm and walked the aisles until I saw the perfect candidate - she was dressed in a uniform from work and she was looking at books for children.  I had been watching her before and saw which car that she had arrived in.  So, I went outside and put an envelope with the $100 on her windshield and I left.  I didn't want to hand it to her in person, because I didn't want to embarrass her.  I didn't wait around to watch her find it.  I just wanted her to have it.  I love this method because she didn't find the money until after she had checked out so I knew that she had purchased whatever she could afford and the money would be an extra cushion for her - however she needed to use it.

3. Holiday Baking Drop Off

We all get joy from eating a beautiful Christmas sugar cookie or a festive cupcake.  There is something special about treating yourself to something beautiful that was handmade just for you.  While they might not be one of the basic food groups or at the top of the food pyramid, baked goods that are made with love can definitely have a huge impact on someone without much delight or love in their life.  One year Mike and I delivered 2 dozen beautiful cupcakes to a homeless man on the side of the road.   I know it seemed like a random gift to give someone without a home or proper clothing, but when he opened the box his face lit up.  As we drove away he yelled to us, "I LOVE CUPCAKES!" in the happiest tone.  Maybe those cupcakes brightened his day just a little.