This homemade recipe costs literally pennies to prepare, therefore makes a perfect homemade treat to give with a bottle of wine. 

Ingredients

• 2 tsp (10 mL) dried parsley flakes
• 2 tsp (10 mL) dried basil leaves
• 2 tsp (10 mL) dried oregano leaves
• 2 tsp (10 mL) dried onion flakes (or ½ tsp (2 mL) onion powder
• ½ tsp (2 mL) garlic powder
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) cayenne powder

Directions

Stir together all ingredients and place in a small candy bag (found at craft/bulk food stores). Tie with decorative ribbon and attach recipe card with instructions. Tie to the neck of a wine bottle, or sparkling water.

Pistachio and Dried Cherry Cheese Ball  

What you will need:

• ½ lb./8 oz. softened goat cheese
• 1/4 lb./4 oz. cream cheese
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) finely chopped dried cherries (or dried cranberries)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) liquid honey
• 1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated orange zest
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• prepared cheese ball mix
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) roughly chopped pistachios (or chopped nuts of choice)

1. Place goat and cream cheese, chopped dried cherries, honey and orange zest in a mixing bowl and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a medium-size fry pan over medium high heat. Cook onion for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until lightly brown.
3. Add prepared ‘cheese ball mix’. Cook, while stirring, until herbs are fragrant (about 30 seconds). Remove from heat and cool slightly.
4. Add onion/herb mix to bowl with cheese. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, mix ingredients until evenly combined.
5. Form into a ball (if mixture is too soft to form, chill mixture for about 30 minutes).
6. Roll ball in pistachios. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
7. Serve with crackers, pickled veggies, cured meats and dried fruit.