Gifts in a Jar are a super (and thrifty) gift idea. There are a lot of good recipes out there for the baking mixes in a jar – here are a few more that you might not have thought of…

1. CHICKEN SOUP WITH BOW NOODLES

Approx 3 1/2 cup Bow Noodles (farfalle)
1/4 cup Mushrooms — dried, chopped (opt.)
2 Tbs Minced Onion — dried
3 Tbs Chicken Bouillon granules — instant
1 Tbs Parsley flakes
1 teaspoon Thyme
6 -7 whole cloves

You can do this two ways. You can layer the bow noodles with the
spices in between (except for whole cloves). Or you can put the
noodles in the jar with the spices tied up in a baggie.

Add these directions to your gift card…
Chicken Soup with Bow Noodles
Bring 8 cups water to boil in a large pot. Add contents of jars
EXCEPT whole cloves. Push whole cloves into a small onion and drop
into soup. Simmer until noodles are done approx 8- 12 minutes. The
cloves give this soup a WONDERFUL flavor!!

2. CHILI GIFT BASKET

3 cups dried beans (pink, red, or kidney — sorted).
Put into a jar or large bag.

3 Tbsp. mild chili powder
2 Tbsp. dehydrated onions
1 Tbsp. granulated garlic
1 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
Combine spices and put into a small bag.

Include in your gift basket:
1 8oz. can tomato sauce
2 14oz. cans diced tomatoes in juice
1 package Corn Bread Mix

Label:
Wash beans. Put into pot with spices. Cook until done, about 1 to 1
1/2 hours. Meanwhile, brown 1 lb. ground beef (if desired), and
drain. Add meat to the beans with the tomatoes and sauce. Simmer to
blend flavors.
Serve with Chili Corn Bread, if desired.

3. For: Chili Corn Bread
Include in the package with the Corn Bread Mix, 1 small can whole
kernel corn and 1 small can diced green chili’s (not the hot kind).
Stir the well-drained corn and chili’s into the corn bread just
before baking. Bake in a well-buttered 8″ square pan at 425 degrees
for 25 minutes.

4. CHOCOLATE MINT COFFEE

3/4 c Nondairy powdered creamer
1 c Sugar
3/4 c Instant coffee
1/4 c Cocoa
6 Peppermint candies, crushed

In blender, process all ingredients until candies are pulverized.
Store in a jar.

Attach this to jar:
To prepare Chocolate Mint Coffee-
1 1/2 tbs Mix
6 oz Boiling water
Whipped Cream -Candy Cane — for garnish (optional)
Pour boiling water over mix in cup. Garnish with whipped cream and
stir with candy cane.

5. CINNAMON PANCAKE MIX

3 cups all-purpose flour
3 Tblsp. sugar
2 Tblsp. baking powder
4-1/2 tsps. ground cinnamon
1-1/4 tsp. salt

In brown bag or 1 quart jar, combine all ingredients; seal bag or
jar, adding dried fruits (apples are especially good!) if necessary
to fill small gaps.

GIFT TAG DIRECTIONS:
In medium bowl, combine 3/4 c. milk, 1 egg, and 2 T. salad oil. With
fork, blend in 1-1/3 c. pancake mix until moistened but still lumpy.
Cook on lightly greased griddle or skillet. Makes about 10 5″
pancakes.

6. COCONUT GRANOLA

2/3 cup shredded coconut
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 1/2 tsp. grated orange peel
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 oz. wheat flakes
1 1/2 sticks melted, unsalted butter
4 oz. barley flakes**
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
4 oz. Rolled oats
1/2 cup blanched whole almonds
1/2 cup dry-roasted cashews

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum
foil.
Mince orange peel with sugar in food processor about 1 minute. Add
butter, maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg and blend 5 seconds. Add
remaining ingredients; toss thoroughly. Spread on pans and bake
until dry, stirring every ten minutes, about 45 minutes. Cool and
store in airtight container or jar. Attach a pretty lid if giving as
a gift

7. CREOLE SEASONING MIX

2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon pepper

Combine all ingredients. Yield: 1 gift (about 1/2 cup). Place in a
pretty jar tied with a ribbon.

Attach these instructions for use: Use to season chicken seafood,
steak or vegetables.

8. DOG BISCUIT MIX IN A JAR!!

1 quart wide-mouth canning jar
1 dog biscuit cookie cutter
16 inches of a pretty ribbon
1 large envelope; (punch a hole in the upper left corner
1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
1 teaspoon brown sugar; or white sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
pinch of salt

In a medium mixing bowl, combine: 1 cup all-purpose unbleached
flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/2 cup
instant nonfat dry milk powder, 1 teaspoon brown sugar or white
sugar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, pinch of salt . Using a funnel,
pour dry ingredients into the jar.

Close jar tightly. Tie dog biscuit cookie cutter and instruction
card around the top of the card with a pretty ribbon.

Type baking instructions (see below) on a pretty piece of paper or
card and tuck inside the envelope.

Instruction Card:
Make Your Own Dog Biscuits
Position a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat it to 250 degrees
F. Place Dog Biscuit Mix ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Add in
1 large egg, 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup grated
Parmesan cheese, 1/4 to 1/2 cup (or more) hot chicken broth, beef
broth or very hot water. Make a dough that’s very heavy, but not
sticky. Add more flour or water, 1 teaspoon at a time if dough is
too moist (use flour) or too dry (use hot water). Turn out dough
onto a floured pastry cloth and knead 8-10 times until elastic. Let
dough rest for 5 minutes. Roll out dough ½ of an inch thick and cut
with a dog-bone shaped cutter. Place cookies close together as they
will not spread.
Bake for 1 hour, rotate the baking trays in the oven (turn tray
around 180 degrees), and bake them another half hour. Cool the
cookies in the pan for 1 minute, then transfer to a wire cake rack
to cool completely.

9. “SHAKE -N- BAKE” MIX IN A JAR

3 cups corn flake crumbs
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup sesame seeds
4 teaspoons dried parsley flakes — crushed
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon onion salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Combine with a fork until
evenly mixed. Pour into a 5-cup jar with a tight-fitting lid. Seal
container. Store in a cool dry place. Use within 2 months.

Attach this note to jar:
Shake -n- Bake
To use: Pour desired amount of mix into a large plastic food storage
bag; set aside. In a shallow bowl, beat 2 eggs and 1 tablespoon milk
until blended. Dip each piece of chicken, fish, or pork into egg
mixture; drain briefly. Place 2 to 3 pieces at a time in plastic
bag, shaking until evenly coated. Remove from bag; arrange on
prepared baking sheet. Bake as desired.

10. GOURMET HOT COCOA MIX
The best tasting instant hot cocoa you will ever have!

1 25 ounce box non-fat dry milk
1 16 ounce jar non-dairy creamer
1 15 or 16 ounce container of presweetened cocoa mix (like Nestles
Quik)
1 13 ounce jar chocolate malted milk powder
1 cup powdered sugar

Mix all the ingredients together in a very large container. Use a
wire whisk to be sure it is distributed evenly. Divide mixture into
jars with tight lids.

Add this tag to jar:
To make hot cocoa, place 2 – 3 tablespoons of mix into a mug. Add
boiling water and stir well. You may use more or less mix to taste
or depending on the size of the mug.

11. HERBED RICE MIX

1 package ( 3 ponds ) long grain rice
2 cups dried celery flakes
2/3 cup dried minced onion
1/2 cup dried parsley flakes
2 tablespoons dried chives
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
3 to 4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons pepper

Combine the first eight ingredients; mix well. If giving for gifts
place two cups each in a jar: makes 40 batches ( 10 cups total ) .

INSTRUCTIONS TO ATTACH TO JAR:
To prepare one serving of rice: In a sauce pan over medium heat,
bring 2/3 cup water and 1 tablespoon butter to a boil. Add 1/4 cup
rice mixture. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove
from heat; let stand for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
Fluff with a fork. Yield: 1 serving. NOTE: To prepare more than 1
serving, multiply the rice mix, water. and butter by the total
number or desired servings and cook as directed.

12. INSTANT CAPPUCCINO MIX

1 c Instant Coffee Creamer
1 c Instant Chocolate Drink Mix — powdered
3/4 c Instant Coffee Crystals
1/2 c Sugar
1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg

Combine all of the ingredients and mix well. Pour into jars.

Attach the following note to jar:
Instant Cappuccino Mix
Use about 3 tablespoons or 4 teaspoons per 6 oz cup of boiling
water.

13. JAMBALAYA MIX

Makes 1 1/2 Cups of Mix

1 cup raw long-grain rice
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1 tablespoon green bell pepper flakes
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Place mix in a jar. Decorate and attach gift tag with the following
Recipe:

~JAMBALAYA~
1 1/2 cups Jambalaya Mix
3 cups water
8 oz can tomato sauce
1/2 cup cooked ham or smoked sausage
1/2 cup cooked shrimp

Combine first three ingredients and bring to a boil (in a 6 quart
pot). Reduce heat to simmer, add ham or sausage and cook 20 minutes.
Add shrimp and cook 5 minutes more. Remove and discard bay leaf.
Makes about 8 Cups

Visit More Thursday 13′ers and Have A Merry, Merry Christmas!