Making a Christmas Breakfast Basket for a Boss

Giving a gift to the boss can be difficult. If your income doesn't warrant something expensive, it is hard to find a nice item. One year, a friend and I pooled our funds and gave our boss a box of candy that was only made in this area. It was a great item since he was at a distance and there was no way, outside of going online that he could have purchased a box himself. There are a few things that you can give and the next two articles will focus on gifts that need to be nice but purchased on a small budget.

Give the Gift of Christmas Breakfast.

You can make a basket that includes all the items for a wonderful Christmas breakfast. Just like a restaurant, you can mix and match these items to your budget. Start with the pancakes.

Create a homemade pancake mix or if time is at a minimum buy a "just add water" box of mix. I actually like the box of mix better, since it is easier and more cost efficient. Make your mix by using 1/4 cup of baking powder, 12 cups of flour, 2 tbsp of salt, 2 cups of dry milk, and 1 cup of shortening. You will need to keep this in the refrigerator in a bowl with a lid or plastic bag. Later, package the mix in mason jars.

When you give the mix attach a note that says:

"Mix 3/4 cup of water and 1 egg with the 1 1/3 cup of dry mix. Keep mix refrigerated"

Include a carton of eggs in the basket. The carton will be enough for both eggs for breakfast and the egg that is needed in the recipe.

Pancake Syrup

Make flavored pancake syrup for your basket. This recipe is so easy that even the kids can help make it. In fact, many of my recipes are from my days as a teacher and my fascination with children's cook books. This may have been from one of them.

Orange Syrup

Grate a whole orange to make orange zest. Remember not to use any of the white part, since it is bitter. Add 5/8 cup of concentrated frozen orange juice. (It is easier to scoop it out with a tablespoon, so use 10 tablespoons if you do that.) Stir in a cup of light corn syrup and 4 tsp of lemon juice. Put in a container with a lid and store in the refrigerator.

Easy Berry Syrup

You can use fresh berries or frozen. If you use frozen defrost them in a strainer and allow the juice to drain away. You'll need a pint of fresh berries or a 10ounce box of frozen ones. Puree these in a blender. Use 1/2 cup of the puree.

Add 2 tsp of lemon juice and 1 cup of light corn syrup. Mix well and store in the refrigerator in a capped jar.

Homemade Maple Syrup.

I remember my mother making syrup with brown sugar, butter, and Karo syrup (clear corn syrup) when we were out of the real thing. She used a cup of brown sugar and one of regular sugar. Mixed in both a cup of water and one of the light corn syrup and boiled it. After it boiled she continued to cook it on low for 2 to 4 minutes and then added 1 tsp of vanilla. We always were served this in a glass-measuring cup, and anything left over was put in a bottle and put in the refrigerator. This doesn't have a true maple taste, but I have never acquired a love for that flavor.

I have included a link from another member at Associated Content for a Maple Syrup recipe.

Finish Your Basket.

Decorate a box or find a basket to include all the items. Put a few oranges or grapefruits or frozen orange juice concentrate or some coffee in the basket and pancake mix, eggs, perhaps some frozen hash browns, and if you are bucking for the raise, a package of breakfast meat. I use that term, because you can use thin sliced breakfast steaks, bacon, ham, or sausage. If you are using the breakfast steaks, repackage and freeze them. Put a note that they are breakfast steaks and need to be frozen. This is a ready-made breakfast that is fit for a king, queen, or your boss.