Spicy Horseradish Mustard

Packed into a sealable crock or mason jar, this condiment makes a wonderful gift. Once you become familiar with the recipe, it can be customized: You can take out the horseradish and garlic for a more mellow experience, change the vinegar from cider to red wine for more tang, or sub whole brown mustard seeds for the yellow for a darker, nuttier flavor. One thing to remember: The flavors benefit from two weeks of aging in which to meld, so it's best to start this project a bit before the holidays. If pressed for time, however, simply attach a tag with the date on which you recommend the crock be opened.