JAR GIFTS for CHRISTMAS
Do you want to make a gift that will be appreciated for Christmas and really enjoyed? Here are some suggestions for easy canning jar gifts.
HEARTY BEAN SOUP MIX
1/4 cup dried garbanzo beans
1/4 cup dried navy beans or lima beans
1/4 cup dried red kidney beans or pinto beans
1/4 cup dried whole or split peas
3 Tablespoons minced dried onion
2 Tablespoons whole wheat berries (optional)
2 Tablespoons pearl barley
2 Tablespoons dried celery flakes
2 tsps. instant beef bouillon granules
1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed
1 bay leaf
Dash Salt
Combine all ingredients in a plastic bag or layer in an airtight container. Store, tightly sealed, until needed. Add the following recipes when giving the gift:
BASIC HEARTY BEAN SOUP: Combine contents of package with 7 cups water in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour. (Or soak bean mixture in the water overnight in a covered pan.) Do not drain. Bring beans and liquid to boiling, reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender. Remove bay leaf. Season to taste. Makes 6-8 side dish servings.
MEATY BEAN SOUP: Follow basic recipe through the soaking step. Add 1 3/4-1 pound smoked pork hock or beef shank crosscuts. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour for pork hocks or 1-1/2 hour for beef shanks. Remove meat, chop coarsely and return to soup. Remove bay leaf. Add 1 16-oz. can tomatoes, cut up and undrained. Add one medium carrot, chopped. Cover and simmer for 30 more minutes. Season to taste. Makes 4-6 servings.
SPICY BEAN POT: Follow basic recipe but reduce water to 5-1/2 cups. Remove bay leaf. Brown 1/2 pound ground beef and drain off fat. Add 1 tsp. chili powder and cook 1 minute. Add to bean soup along with 1 10-oz. can Rotel. Heat through, stirring occasionally. Season to taste. Serve in tortilla bowls or with corn chips. Garnish with jalapenos, if desired. Makes 6-8 main-dish servings.
CHEESY BEAN SOUP: Follow basic recipe through the soaking step, except reduce water to 4 cups. Remove bay leaf. Mash beans slightly. Add 2 cups milk and 1 6-oz. link cheese food or smoked cheese food. Cook and stir until beans are soft. Makes 4-6 main dish servings.
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PLEASING PASTA SOUP MIX
1/2 cup small shell macaroni or other small pasta
1/4 cup dry lentils
1/4 cup dried chopped mushrooms (optional)
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon minced dried onion
1 Tablespoon instant chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
Dash garlic powder
Mix all ingredients in a plastic bag or layer in an airtight container. Store, tightly sealed, until needed. Give with the following recipe:
PLEASING PASTA SOUP: Combine contents of package with 3 cups water in a 2-quart saucepan. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 40 minutes, or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Makes 3 side dish servings.
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MOCHA FIRESIDE COFFEE
2 1/2 cups powdered non-dairy creamer
2 cups hot cocoa mix
1 cup instant coffee granules
1 cup Ovaltine chocolate drink mix
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients: mix well. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 6 cups mix. Give gift with instructions: To serve, add 1 tablespoon mix to 3/4 cup boiling water.
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CHOCOLATE CAPPUCCINO COFFEE MIX
1 c. powdered creamer
1 c. powdered chocolate milk mix
2/3 c. instant coffee
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Mix all ingredients together. Store in airtight container. Give gift with instructions: Use 1 heaping tablespoon per cup of boiling water.
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ORANGE CAPPUCCINO COFFEE MIX
1/2 c. instant coffee granules
1/2 tsp. grated dried orange peel (can be found in spices)
1 c. nondairy powdered coffee creamer
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Finely grind coffee and orange peel in a blender or food processor. Add remaining ingredients and process until well blended. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 1 2/3 cups coffee mix. Give with serving instructions. To serve: stir about 2 heaping teaspoons coffee mix into 6 oz. hot water.
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HEARTWARMING TEA MIX
1 jar (15 oz.) instant orange breakfast drink mix
1 c. sugar
1 c. unsweetened instant tea powder
1/2 c. presweetened lemonade-flavored soft drink mix
1 tsp. EACH imitation pineapple extract and imitation coconut extract
In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients. Makes about 4 1/4 cups tea mix. Give with serving suggestions. To serve: Stir a rounded tablespoonful of mix into 6 oz. of hot water.
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