Valentine’s Day is all about romance so this year I decided to Spice things up with a gift basket full of goodies. I know what you are thinking. It’s not that kind of goodies, although if you want to spice things up with a romance gift basket I’ve got one of those too. I like to cook, usually, and I had a serious craving for some salsa and chips. With no salsa in the house I faced a serious problem. Did I want to change, put on makeup and run to the store or just whip up my own spice mix? Make my own spice mix won out. This gift basket seemed like a great idea for other people with the same problem.
The gift basket was simple to put together. I started with a small red & white basket and filled it half way with crinkled paper shreds. I added a red and white dish towel, a can of diced tomatoes, four bottles of salsa with varying degrees of heat, the homemade salsa mix and and a can of diced tomatoes. I placed the spices in a small, airtight, resealable jar which can be picked up at the dollar store for around a buck. Finally, I added a small whisk to stir the mixture. Other good choices for this basket, if you wanted to make it bigger, are red plates, corn or nacho chips, and a bottle of sparkling cider with two glasses. This could also easily be changed around to make a SuperBowl Basket.
The homemade spice mix is easy to make, requiring only five ingredients and is great to have one hand if you need a last minute dip. I am never above having people think I fussed, even if I didn’t! Just mix the ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Then it’s ready to go whenever you need it!
- 1/2 cup crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 Tbsp. dried parsley flakes
- 3 Tbsp. dried cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup dehydrated onion flakes
- 2 Tbsp. minced dried garlic
- Mix all spices and store in an air-tight container. Divide into small containers for gift baskets.
- To Make: Add 2 tablespoons salsa mix to one (28 ounce) can of tomatoes. Add 2 teaspoons of hot sauce if desired.
What’s your favorite recipe to spice things up in the kitchen?
I wish hubby would get in the kitchen and cook. I’d totally whip him up a spice basket if he did. It’s a really lovely idea!
This is a perfect idea! My husband would just love this!
This sounds so yummy! I need to pick up these ingredients.
What a fun and unique gift basket! Love getting cooking things!
This is such a great idea! We use a lot of spice blends here.
I love gift baskets. Great way to make someone’s Valentines Day memorable
I love gift baskets for holidays. I’m especially fond of the homemade kind, but I am even more fond of those that have thought and are not traditional.
I love a fancy gift basket. It’s great! We use those spices all the time in our kitchen!
This is super clever! I want to do something like this for Valentine’s, my husband would actually like it!
I have a few recipes that I like to spice things up. Some in the kitchen and some not in the kitchen.
This is a great idea for a gift basket. I know a lot of people that love to cook and they would enjoy a gift like this. Thanks!
What a fun gift idea! Unique for Valentine’s Day!
I love spicy food. I like to add a little spice to my food when i cook. My favorite is to bake chicken in spicy salsa. I serve on rice and top with cheese.
Creative little way to gift and have spices ready to enjoy anytime. Good to have extra flavor.
I need to make some of this for my own kitchen. I bet it tastes good on a lot of things.
That is a great idea for a Valentine’s basket gift. I may have to do this!
You found the way to my heart! I would absolutely love a gift like this for Valentine’s Day or any occasion.
What a great idea! My mom is an amazing cook and would love this!
What a great V-day basket idea. We got one once – but it was for Christmas that had all BBQ rubs and marinades.
I’ve never thought to make a spice basket. This would be great for both of my kids!
I want to try making this now. We usually keep salsa in the house, but never homemade.
That’s a cute themed basket! Lots of friends would love this one!
What a great gift basket idea. I will have to make this for my husband.
I love salsa, I used to buy it form the restaurant and top my chicken cutlets with it! And, I love extra seasoning, I would add more cilantro as well!
thanks,
Mitch
This is such a great looking spice mix. A perfect gift!
This seems like a nice basket idea. It made me think about Valentine’s baskets I can do for friends.
That’s a really cool gift basket. I like it on the inside, and on the outside too!
I love the play on words. and the spicy spice recipe. I haven’t even started thinking about Valentines Day. I guess I need to get started LOL
That’s such a cute and unique idea! Not your average gift basket!
It’s definitely unique and that is what is so cool about it.
The gift basket is such a cute idea, I might try something similar to this for Valentines Day!
I love this. Baskets always make such great gifts.
This sounds like such a great idea, a gift basket is perfect for Valentines day.
What a neat idea. Awesome gift idea’
What a really great idea! I never would think to do this but I know I would love to recieve it so why not gift it? Awesome
Love these spices. Definitely going to mix this up to keep on hand.
How easy and spicy! I like it. An unusual kit for a great and spicy day. I’m trying to come up with some inspiring V-day gifts too!
what a fun gift basket for the culinary valentine in your life. Love making my own spices
I love the idea of making gift baskets. The dry spice mix sounds like an amazing idea. Yummy!
I really like the sound of your dry spice mix! We are all for spicy around here
That is such a great idea! I know I love spicy food so I would be thrilled to get something like this.
Great gift for a spicy valentines day :),I will have to do one of my own.Thank you for sharing.
BBQ! If I made my husband BBQ and did not make him do it, he’d get spiced up and love me forever.
He sounds like my husband. He fairly froths at the mouth whenever I make something.
What a perfect gift to give. I really like this idea so much. the spices are wonderful.
That is a cute idea, maybe for a co-worker or something? I like spice mixes, uses them all the time.
I never would have thought about something like this for a Valentine’s gift. We don’t really do Valentine’s Day in our house because it’s also my nephew’s birthday.
That made me hungry for a snack. I haven’t had my lunch yet and you are speaking food. I bet I even have all the ingredients to make this.
I love this idea! Keeping Valentines day spicy!
I adore Gift Basket ideas. This one sounds like something we would enjoy!
I’m always looking for Valentine’s gifts that are an alternative to candy. Can’t wait to try this spice recipe.
I have told my husband every year to NOT buy me candy. I love this.
I pinned your Spice Recipe – this would make a great gift for any holiday! Thanks! Our favorite spice I would say is a garlic mixture that my hubby makes. Very tasty!
This is such a good idea – and so unique. Baskets are so much fun, and who can’t use spices?
I love adding different spices (like red pepper) to spice things up. I’m also a huge fan of cilantro and wish I had more of it in my life. I love this basket idea!
I am also a big fan of cilantro. I use it in everything I can 🙂
Great and different gift idea – would be a good idea for coworkers or neighbors!
What a great gift idea. we ALWAYS have chips & salsa in the house. It’s our favorite snack.
We always have chips and salsa in our house too! I could eat that all day!