Recipe: Christmas Herb Shortbread

Last week, I had a visit from a friend who lives nearby to see our chickens. She has two sweet little boys, and the older one made me a glittery popsicle stick ornament. It was attached to some walnut chocolate chip cookie dough wrapped like a candy. We fed the chickens snacks in the sunshine and reminisced on our summer visits in the garden. It left me feeling so grateful for neighbors and friends and reminded me of how the garden can be a source of community year round.

Making homemade gifts from things I’ve grown has been one of the most rewarding parts of this year for me. A few weeks back, I made a calendula salve from calendula I grew and dried this summer. The recipe for that salve can be found on a blog I’m a devoted fan of, Homestead and Chill. She has so many great homemade gift ideas that I hope you’ll consider as you plan out your garden for spring.

If you didn’t put up anything for homemade gifts this year, though, don’t worry. You can use the herbs growing in your garden or windowsill this winter to make some thoughtful gifts for neighbors, friends and family. If you don’t have a windowsill herb garden, I’m still making some for the holidays. You can purchase one by clicking the button below.

Without further adieu, here’s that simple recipe for shortbread. You can mix in 2 tablespoons of any fresh herbs you have in the garden or on your windowsill, or two teaspoons of any dried herbs. I love to add rosemary, sage or thyme to my shortbread cookies.

This Thursday, I’m joining my friend McKenzie of Sprouting Vitality for a virtual event about healthy holiday hosting in partnership with Proof Eyewear. She’ll be making some healthy holiday recipes live, including some with herbs from my planters. Click the button below to learn more and register. Participants will also be entered to win a $75 gift card to Proof, the coolest local eyewear company to call Boise home.

I’ll also be at Roots Zero Waste Market this Saturday from 11-3 p.m. taking orders for holiday herb planters if you’d like to see them in person. Roots is an incredible place to shop for all your holiday dinner needs, and a constant source for my homemade gifts.

As always, I can’t wait to see how you grow.

Jamie