Thursday, October 14, 2010

Gifts In A Jar


So Many To Choose From...
Gifts in A Jar can be a fun gift for any occasion, but with Christmas around the corner, it can be a special gift for a teacher, shut - in, grandma, or the person who has everything. There are so many ready made "recipes" for gifts and you can add just about anything together to make up your own concoction. Make them extra special with your own unique touches.

Carrot Cake Mix in a Jar
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Combine and blend ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

Attach the following recipe to the jar:
Carrot Cake
Makes a 13 x 9-inch cake.
1 jar Carrot Cake Mix
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups grated carrots
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 13 x 9-inch pan. Place Carrot Cake Mix in large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the mix and add the oil, eggs, carrots and pineapple. Blend until smooth. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool the cake and frost, if desired, or dust with confectioners' sugar.

Christmas Cookies in a Jar
With layers of vanilla chips, oats and dried cranberries, this delectable cookie mix looks as good as it tastes! For a special gift, tuck a jar in a pretty basket with wooden spoon, cookie sheet, kitchen timer and instructions."PREP TIME 15 MinCOOK TIME 10 MinREADY IN 25 Min
INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup orange flavored dried cranberries
1 cup vanilla or white chips
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS :
In a 1-qt. glass jar, layer the sugar and brown sugar, packing well between each layer. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; spoon into jar. Top with oats, cranberries and chips. Cover and store in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.
ATTACH TO JAR: To prepare cookies: Pour cookie mix into a large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Beat in butter, egg and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Drop by the tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Oatmeal Breakfast Biscuits in a Jar
3 cups Self-Rising Flour
1 cup quick oats
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup chopped English walnuts
Layer Self-Rising Flour, oats, sugar, raisins and walnuts in a glass jar and decorate as desired.Gift Tag: Empty contents in medium bowl. Stir in 1 cup milk or buttermilk and 1/2 cup melted butter until dough forms. Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with additional granulated or coarse sugar, if desired. Bake at 450° for 10 to 12minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 12 to 15 biscuits.

Texas Two-Step Soup Mix in a Jar
1 (1.61 ounce) package brown gravy mix (regular or no-fat)
2 tablespoons mild red chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
10 to 12 regular-size tortilla chips, coarsely crushed
1 to 14 cups uncooked small to medium-size pasta (such aswheels, shells, macaroni)
Pour gravy mix into wide-mouth pint jar. In small bowl, stir together chili powder, oregano, cumin, onion and garlic salt. Pour into jar to make second layer. Add layers of tortilla chips and pasta to fill jar. Seal with lid. Attach gift tag (below) and decorate jar as desired. Attach a gift tag with the following instructions:

Texas Two-Step Soup
Brown 1/2 pound ground beef in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Add contents of jar and 7 cups water; heat to boiling. Stir in 1 (15 ounce) can corn with red and green bell peppers and 1 (16 ounce) can chopped tomatoes. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Serve with crushed tortilla chips and shredded Monterey jack cheese, if desired. Makes 8 servings.

Mexican Fiesta Dip in a Jar
This is an unusual Southwestern dip mix that can be given in a small sombrero.
1/2 cup dried parsley
1/3 cup minced onion
1/4 cup dried chives
1/3 cup chili powder
1/4 cup ground cumin
1/4 cup salt
In a large bowl, combine the spices and store in an airtight container. Attach this to the Jar:
Mexican Fiesta Dip Makes 2 cups
3 Tbsp. Mexican Fiesta Dip Mix
1 cup mayonnaise or low-fat mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream or low-fat yogurt
In a medium mixing bowl combine the Dip Mix with the mayonnaise and sour cream. Whisk the mixture until smooth. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Serve with tortilla chips or fresh vegetables

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