Holiday gift ideas from the kitchen

New Haven (WTNH) - Nicole Straight from "Time to Eat" was here with some affordable holiday gifts from the kitchen, for anyone on your list who loves to cook... or loves to eat!

Butcher salt

3 parts Kosher salt
1 part ground black pepper
1 part Italian Seasoning

Mix together ingredients and add to a small jar. Tie with a festive piece of ribbon and attach a tag that reads: Butcher Salt. Add a pinch to your favorite dish.

Making and giving cookie dough

Here's a thoughtful gift for the holidays you can give, and you won't even have to turn your oven on. This a decadent cookie dough recipe makes a thoughtful gift. The recipient can make cookies anytime they want a sweet treat.

Dark chocolate chewy cherry cookies

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
Scant 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
6 oz dark chocolate, chunks
1 cup dried cherries

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees with racks in upper and lower thirds.
Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
Beat together butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, then add eggs 1 at a time, beating until combined well. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Add chocolate chunks and cherries and mix until just incorporated.
Drop 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie about 2 inches apart onto 2 ungreased large baking sheets.
Bake, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until puffed and set, 7-8 minutes. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool.

Visit Nicole's "Time to Eat" website at http://www.timetoeat.info/index.html.