The Gouda Life

This is it! The last post before I embark on a week (a full WEEK) of family, friends, eating, dancing and general celebration! It’s been quite a year in my kitchen and I’m so glad you could all join me for the ride. I owe a debt of gratitude to you all for reading, commenting, trying recipes out and listening to my never ending rambling. So thank you, from the bottom of my butter-soaked heart. 

That being said, I didn’t want to leave you without just one more Handmade Holiday gift idea. There is still time to throw something wonderful and unique together to give to someone special. 



I’m not much for martini’s. On the odd occasion I find myself sitting in front of one, I go right for the olives and slowly, painfully, sip the rest the way a child would poke at a plate of Brussels sprouts. 

But because I know I’m a bit of an anomaly in the everybody-loves-martini’s world, I thought I would make my favourite part of them, the boozy, gin-soaked olives, as part of an easy gift for the martini-aficionado’s in your life. A bottle of their favourite vodka or gin, one or two glasses, and a jar of salty, briny, boozed-up mammoth olives makes a gift that’s both useful and thoughtful (and will get the giftee tipsy! win-win-win!). 

There’s still two full days for you to throw this together! So get going! You’ll be in line at the Liquor Store for at least 12 of those hours.



Boozy Olives & Martini Kit

If you can’t find olives that are pitted and unstuffed (yes, thats the technical term), just buy some that are stuffed with pimentos and poke them out. 

2 small chili peppers (optional)
3-4 strips of lemon zest
1 cup gin
1/4 cup vermouth
squeeze of lime
jar of your choice
1 - 1 1/2 cups favourite martini olives (I used mammoth), pitted, not stuffed  
1-2 martini glasses (optional)
1 bottle favourite gin or vodka (optional)

Add everything but the olives to the jar. Seal and shake the jar to get everything mixed up. Add the olives and seal the jar. 

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before eating. Will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks. 

If you’re giving it as a gift, place the jar, glass and vodka in a bag and decorate to your heart’s content. 

That’s it for me for a week, all! 
May you all enjoy each and every minute of time spent with your loved ones. Travel safe, eat plenty, hug lots and Happy New Year!!