Mix In-A-Jar Recipes

Apple Crisp Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:18:00.000-06:00

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup chilled butter or margarine
1 cup chopped pecans

Combine all ingredients and seal in a zip-tope or vacuum seal bag (or jar). To give as gift, Place 2 cans apple pie filling in gift basket with the mix along with the following preparation instructions.

Apple Crisp

Spread 2 cans apple pie filling in a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle topping over apples. Bake at 400 degrees F for 19 to 21 minutes or until filling bubbles and topping is golden brown. Serve warm.

Cobbler Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:17:00.000-06:00

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon powdered vanilla
Combine and blend the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

Attach these instructions to the jar:

Berry Cobbler

Serves 8 to 10

4 cups fresh berries (blueberries, strawberries,
raspberries or boysenberries)
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
1 package Cobbler Mix
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl combine berries, juice, sugar and cinnamon. Place berries in a 13 x 9-inch pan. In small mixing bowl blend the butter with the egg. Add the Cobbler Mix and stir until the mixture sticks together. Drop the cobbler topping by tablespoonsful on top of the berry filling. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Friendship Cake and Starter Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:16:00.001-06:00

1-gallon jar
1 cup canned cubed pineapple
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons brandy
1 cup maraschino cherries, including juice
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons brandy
1 cup sliced canned peaches, including juice
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons brandy

Cake
1 (18.25 ounce) box cake mix (flavor desired)
1 small box instant pudding (flavor to compliment cake mix)
3/8 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup chopped nuts
1 portion fruit

In the one gallon jar, combine the pineapple, 1 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons of brandy. Let ingredients sit in jar for 2 weeks, stirring daily.

At the end of two weeks, add the maraschino cherries, 1 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of brandy. Let the mixture sit for two more weeks, stirring daily.

During the forth week add the canned peaches, 1 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of brandy. Let sit another two weeks, stirring daily.

Separate the liquid from the fruit. The liquid is your starter and you can use the fruit on ice cream or cake.

Now you are ready to prepare the fruit for two cakes. DO NOT refrigerate the liquid.

In a large gallon jar, put 1 1/2 cups of the starter, 2 1/2 cups of sugar and 1 (28 ounce) can sliced peaches. Mix well and cover jar with a paper towel. Do not refrigerate or screw lid on jar. Stir every day for 10 days.

Next, add 2 1/2 cups of sugar and 1 can (16 ounce) crushed pineapple. Stir every day for 10 days.

Add 2 1/2 cups sugar and 1 (16 ounce) can fruit cocktail. Slice contents of 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries and add with juice. Stir every day for 10 days.

On baking day, drain the fruit and divide it into two equal parts. Save the juice and use it as starter for friends. You will have enough for five starters (approximately 2 cups each). DO NOT refrigerate the liquid because it will stop the fermenting action.

To each cake mix, add pudding mix, oil, and eggs. Beat until smooth and fold in fruit and nuts (batter will be thick). Pour mixture into a greased tube pan, then bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes. Turn cake out of pan while hot. When cooled, the cake freezes well. The choices of flavored cake mixes and pudding mixes is yours and coconut may be substituted for nuts.

Makes 5 cakes with starter to give as a gift with each cake.

Peach Crumb Cake Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:16:00.000-06:00

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup quick oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Layer the ingredients in the order given into a wide mouth 1-quart canning jar. Pack each layer into place before adding the next ingredient.

Attach a gift tag with the following instructions:

Peach Crumb Cake

Contents of Peach Crumb Cake Mix jar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 (29 ounce) can peach pie filling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Empty contents of jar into a mixing bowl, stirring to combine.

Melt butter and stir into dry ingredients to form a crumbly mixture. Press half of the crumbs into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan and top with peach pie filling. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over filling. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

NOTE: You can include a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and a can of peach pie filling with your gift jar.

Savory Onion Bread Mix in a Jar Recipe

2006-11-06T14:13:00.000-06:00

1/4 cup dehydrated onion flakes
3 1/3 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon powdered milk
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon dried sage, optional
1 envelope yeast

Place the onion flakes in a small zip-type bag and set aside.

Combine remaining ingredients, except for the yeast, in a one-quart jar. Add the bag of onions and the yeast to the top of the mix and close the jar. Store the mix in a cool, dry place.

An equivalent amount of bulk yeast can be substituted for the pre-packaged yeast, but if you choose to do this you'll need to keep the mix with yeast in refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.

Include the following instructions on a gift tag:

1 jar Onion Bread Mix
1 1/8 cups warm water (105 to 110 degrees F)
1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil

Follow your bread maker instructions. For most bread makers, place the water and oil into the bread pan, then add the dry ingredients on top, add the yeast last. Bake as for "white" bread.

This mix can be used for traditional bread if you don't have a bread maker. Just mix ingredients as you would for white bread. Knead, let rise, punch down and form loaf and place in greased pan. Let rise again and bake in a 350 degree F oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

Parmesan Herb Cornbread in a Can with Herb Butter recipe

2006-11-06T14:12:00.000-06:00

1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons canned Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon herb blend of choice

Place ingredients into a medium bowl. Blend with a whisk. Place mixture into a zip-type sandwich bag. Place bag into a 14-16 ounce decorated can. Place 1 teaspoon additional herb blend into a separate snack size zip-top bag. Label this "Herbs for Butter."

Attach gift tag with the following instructions:

Parmesan Herb Cornbread in a Can with Herb Butter

Remove mix from can. Set aside herb packet for later use. Empty bag of mix into a medium bowl. Add 1/3 cup milk, 1 tablespoon oil and 1 egg white. Mix well. Remove any labels or decorations from can. Grease can well with some shortening or margarine on a paper towel. DON'T spray can with cooking spray as recipe will not work in a sprayed can. Spoon batter into can and place on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 450 degrees F for 23-26 minutes. Bread is done when a bamboo skewer placed in middle of bread comes out clean.

While bread is baking, mix herbs from herb packet with 1/2 stick of soft butter or margarine. When bread is done. let it cool for 15 minutes in the can. Run a plain table knife around edge of bread to loosen it from can. Shake can to allow the bread to slide out.

To serve, cut bread into slices the desired thickness and serve with herb butter.

Mini Pumpkin Muffin Mix in a Bag recipe

2006-11-06T14:10:00.000-06:00

3 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup raisins, sweetened dried cranberries, or chopped nuts (optional)
1 (15 ounce) can pure pumpkin

Combine all ingredients, except pumpkin, in large bowl. Pour into 1-quart resealable plastic bag; seal. Set bag of muffin mix and can of pumpkin in a paper sandwich-type bag. Tie top of bag with raffia or ribbon.

Attach the following recipe:

Mini Pumpkin Muffins

Pour muffin mix into large bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup vegetable shortening with pastry blender until mixture is fine. Add 1 cup pumpkin, 1 cup milk and 2 large eggs; mix until just moistened. Spoon into greased or paper-lined mini-muffin pans, filling 2/3 full. Bake in preheated 400 degree F oven for 15 minutes; remove to wire racks. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Makes about 60 mini muffins.

Heavenly Garlic Bagels Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:09:00.000-06:00

3 cups flour
3 1/3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon paprika
3 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

Place yeast into a small zip baggie and set aside, or set aside a pre-packaged envelope of yeast. Mix and place remaining ingredients into a quart-size jar. Lay baggie of yeast on top of mix and apply lid.

Attach the following instructions to the jar if giving as a gift:

Heavenly Garlic Bagels

Place all ingredients of the jar plus 1 1/8 cups water into bread pan of your bread maker, in the order recommended by manufacturer. Insert the bread pan into the bread maker, and select "Dough" and loaf size (1 1/2 pound loaf), select desired delay option, and press Start.

When dough cycle has completed, remove dough from bread maker, and set aside two 1/4-inch balls of dough. You will use these later to determine if it is time to boil your bagels. If the dough pops to the top of the boiling water right away, you are ready! Place dough on a floured surface and divide into 8 equal portions. Form balls, and gently press your thumb through the middle of each ball, and slowly stretch dough into a bagel shape. Leave bagels to rise on same floured surface, lightly covered with a towel.

While bagels are rising, bring 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon sugar to boiling water and stir to dissolve sugar. Drop first dough ball (you set these aside earlier) into boiling water, using a slotted spoon. When dough balls pass the test, boil the bagels by dropping them carefully into the boiling water, 2 or 3 at a time. Boil on each side for 1 1/2 minutes, then remove from water and cool on a wire cooling rack for 1 minute.

Brush each bagel with an egg wash (1 egg plus 1 tablespoon water) and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired. (Nonstick cooking spray may be substituted for egg wash.) Bake at 400 degrees F on baking sheet which has been sprinkled with cornmeal (can use greased baking sheet), for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Variation: Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garlic bread seasoning for a more pronounced Italian flavor.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:08:00.001-06:00

1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried bananas, finely chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups Bisquick
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Layer ingredients in a wide-mouth 1-quart canning jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredient.

Attach a gift tag with the following instructions:

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, place the contents of this jar. Make a well in the center. Mix 1 1/4 cups milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 eggs (slightly beaten) and 1/2 cup butter or margarine (softened) into dry mixture. Stir until completely blended. Spoon the batter into a large loaf pan that is well greased with wax paper in the bottom. Bake for 1 hour or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack before removing.

Cherry Berry Bread Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:08:00.000-06:00

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked)
3/4 cup dried cherries
3/4 cup dried cranberries

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats, cherries and cranberries; mix well. Transfer to resealable plastic bag, a decorative jar with lid or other airtight container. Store in cool dry place.

Variation
Substitute raisins for dried cherries and cranberries and increase ground cinnamon to 1 1/2 teaspoons in mix.

Instructions to be included with gift jar or bag:

Cherry Berry Bread

3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup milk
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine,
melted and cooled
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray four 6 x 3 3/4-inch disposable aluminum foil mini loaf pans with no-stick cooking spray. Or use two 8 x 4-inch disposable aluminum foil loaf pans.

Place bread mix in large bowl. In small bowl, combine honey, milk, butter and eggs with wire whisk or fork; mix well. Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not overmix.) Pour into pans, dividing evenly.

Bake mini loaves for 23 to 27 minutes or regular loaves for 35 to 40 minutes or until tops of breads feel firm when touched and wooden pick inserted near center has a few moist crumbs clinging to it. (Do not overbake.) Cool breads in pans on wire rack. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Store at room temperature up to 2 days. For longer storage, label and freeze.

Makes 2 large or 4 mini loaves.

California Cornbread Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:07:00.001-06:00

2 cups Bisquick baking mix
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder

In a large glass or ceramic bowl, stir all the ingredients together. Store in an airtight container/jar.

Attach to jar if giving as a gift:

California Corn Bread

Serves 4 to 6

1 jar California Corn Bread Mix
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the cornbread mix in a large mixing bowl and add the eggs, milk and butter. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Poor into a greased 8-inch square baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.

Blueberry Scones Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:07:00.000-06:00

2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
1/2 cup vanilla sugar *
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon dried lemon peel
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup dried blueberries

Stir together flour, sugar, milk, baking powder, lemon peel and salt. Cut in shortening using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in berries. Layer into a 1-quart canning jar, tapping gently on the counter between layers to settle before adding the next. Add additional dried blueberries to fill in small gaps if necessary. Stores at room temperature for up to 6 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months.

* To make vanilla sugar, fill a 1-quart jar with sugar. Split a vanilla bean in half lengthwise and add both halves to the sugar. Flavor gets better after a couple of weeks, and it will keep as long as regular sugar.

Attach the following instructions on a gift tag:

Blueberry Scones

Place jar contents in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 beaten egg and 1/4 cup water; stir just until moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and quickly knead gently for 12 to 15 strokes or until nearly smooth. Pat to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into desired shape and place 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush with milk. Bake at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly and serve warm.

Black Forest Banana Bread Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:06:00.001-06:00

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together in mixing bowl. Layer ingredients in 1-quart wide-mouth jar in following order: flour mixture, sugar, chips and nuts. Seal jar.

Decorate jar and attach a gift tag with the following instructions:

Black Forest Banana Bread

Makes 1 loaf.

1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
2 eggs
1 jar Black Forest Banana Bread Mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Drain cherries, reserving 2 tablespoons juice. Coarsely chop cherries.

Beat butter in large bowl until smooth. beat in bananas, eggs and reserved cherry juice until well blended. Pour evenly into prepared pan.

Bake 1 hour or until golden brown and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Apricot Bread Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:06:00.000-06:00

1/2 cup nuts, chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups Bisquick
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Layer ingredients in a wide-mouth 1-quart canning jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredient.

Attached the following instructions to a gift tag:

Apricot Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease well a large loaf pan and place wax paper on the bottom.

In a large bowl, place the Apricot Bread mix. Make a well in the center. Mix 1 1/4 cups milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 slightly beaten eggs and 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine into dry mixture. Mix until completely blended. Spoon the batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack before removing.

Apple Muffin Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:05:00.001-06:00

2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup chopped dried apple

Combine and store in an airtight container. Attach the following recipe to the jar:

Apple Muffins

Contents of jar
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Turn jar contents into medium bowl. Add remaining ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:05:00.000-06:00

3 cups black beans, sorted
3 tablespoons dehydrated onion
3 tablespoons granulated garlic
1 teaspoon crushed oregano
2 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (do not omit)
1 1/2 cups white rice.

Put black beans into the bottom of a jar.

Combine spices in a zip-type bag.

Put rice in a zip-type bag.

Attached the following instructions on a gift tag:

Wash beans. Put in pot with contents of seasoning bag. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and cover beans with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil and simmer until very well done (about 2 hours). Beans should be very soft. Add water as needed to keep beans from sticking. There should be some liquid left on beans when done.

To cook rice, put 3 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt into a pot and when it boils, add rice. Lower heat, cover and steam for 20 minutes.

Serve about 1/2 cup rice in bowl, and ladle beans over the top. Sprinkle with minced cilantro, finely chopped green onion, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Turkey Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar Recipe

2006-11-06T14:04:00.000-06:00

1 cup uncooked fine egg noodles
1 1/2 tablespoons chicken-flavored bouillon
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried whole thyme
1/8 teaspoon celery seeds
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 bay leaf
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Store in an airtight container.

Attach these instructions to the jar:

Turkey Noodle Soup

1 package Turkey Noodle Soup Mix
8 cups water
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup minced onion
3 cups cooked diced turkey

Combine the Turkey Noodle Soup Mix and the water in a large stockpot. Add the carrots, celery and onion and bring to a boil. Cover the soup and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Stir in the turkey and simmer an additional 5 minutes.

Tortilla Soup Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:03:00.000-06:00

1 cup converted long grain rice
2 to 2 1/2 cups slightly crushed tortilla chips
1 (5 ounce) can chicken
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles

Mix the following and place in a sandwich bag.

2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoons lemon-flavored sugar
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon dried cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dried minced onion

1 wide-mouth quart jar and lid

Place ingredients in jar in this order: Add rice to the jar first. Add the seasoning packet into jar. Fill jar with tortilla chips. Add the lid to the jar.

Cut a circle of fabric to cover the top part of the jar. Attach the fabric with ribbon or twine.

Include both extra cans and the soup mix in a little bag or basket.

Attach the following instructions to the jar, bag or basket:

Tortilla Soup

Remove tortilla chips and seasoning packet from the jar into a dish and set aside.

In a 1-gallon soup pot, add the rice and 10 cups of water. Add the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles, the can of chicken, and the seasoning packet from the jar. Bring to a boil; lower the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add tortilla chips, replace the cover and simmer 5 more minutes. Makes 3 quarts soup.

Texas Two-Step Soup Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:02:00.001-06:00

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 as
wheels, 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.

Nine Bean Soup Mix in a Jar Recipe

2006-11-06T14:02:00.000-06:00

1 pound black beans
1 pound red kidney beans
1 pound barley pearls
1 pound pinto beans
1 pound Great Northern beans
1 pound navy beans
1 pound lentils
1 pound yellow split peas
1 pound green split peas
1 pound black-eyed peas

Mix all together or layer in nice pint-size Mason jars. Tie them with a raffia bow, and give as gifts. Attach the following to a gift tag:

Texas Ranger Nine Bean Soup Mix in a Jar

2 to 3 cups Texas Ranger Nine Bean Soup Mix
1 pound ham, diced
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 (10 ounce) can Ro-tel tomatoes and green chiles
1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes and liquid, broken up
Salt and pepper, to taste

Wash and sort beans. Place in a Dutch oven and cover with water 2 inches above beans. Let soak overnight.

Drain beans. Cover with water, and add the other ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 2 hours until the beans are done. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a little bit of water to prevent the sticking. Adjust seasonings.

Taco Bean Chili Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:01:00.001-06:00

1/2 cup dried kidney beans
1/2 cup dried pinto beans
1/2 cup dried red beans
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon chili powder or chipotle chili pepper seasoning
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 cups tortilla chips, slightly crushed

Layer ingredients in 1-quart wide-mouth jar in following order: kidney beans, pinto beans and red beans. Place taco seasoning mix, onion, chili powder and cumin in small plastic zip-type bag. Seal bag and place bag in jar. Add tortilla chips. Seal jar.

Decorate jar and attach the following instructions on a gift tag:

Taco Bean Chili

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

1 jar Taco Bean Chili Mix
4 cups water
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (Ro*Tel), undrained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 pound ground beef or ground turkey, browned and drained
Shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, sliced black olives (optional)

Remove tortilla chips and seasoning packet from jar mix. Set aside.

Place beans in large bowl. Cover with water. Soak 6 to 8 hours or overnight. To quick-soak beans, place beans in large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let soak, covered, 1 hour. Drain beans, discard water.

Place soaked beans, water, tomatoes, tomato sauce, ground beef and contents of seasoning packet in Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender.

Crush tortilla chips. Stir into chili and cook 5 to 10 minutes to thicken. Serve with cheese, lettuce and olives, if desired.

Use leftover chili to make a taco salad.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Penne Soup Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T14:01:00.000-06:00

2 cups penne pasta
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup dried shiitake mushrooms (or other dried mushrooms)
1/4 cup onion flakes
1/4 cup parsley flakes
Bouquet Garni

Layer mix ingredients into a quart home canning jar in the order given. Adjust cap. Prepare Bouquet Garni.

Attach Bouquet Garni and recipe card to neck of jar.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Penne Soup
Contents of jar
Bouquet Garni
8 cups vegetable broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced Roma tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can cannelloni beans
1/4 cup Madeira or other sweet white wine, optional
Salt and pepper

Combine soup mix, Bouquet Garni, vegetable broth and tomatoes in a 6- to 8-quart saucepot. Simmer, covered, until pasta and vegetables are tender. Stir in cannelloni beans and wine, if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Continue simmering for 15 minutes. Remove Bouquet Garni.

NOTE: If there is not enough liquid in soup, add additional vegetable broth or water.

Bouquet Garni
1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons dried crushed thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced basil
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

Combine herbs in a bowl and gently stir to blend. Place herb mixture in the center of a 5 x 5-inch square of cheesecloth. Bring corners together to form a bag and secure with a piece of white cotton string, or use a muslin spice bag. Tie Bouquet Garni to jar of Sun-Dried Tomato and Penne Soup Mix.

Chocolate Soup Mix recipe

2006-11-06T14:00:00.000-06:00

3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup nonfat dry milk
2 cups instant NesQuik
3/4 cup nondairy creamer
1 (6 ounce) box instant chocolate pudding

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and store in airtight containers.

Add the following instructions to a gift tag:

Snowman Soup

To enjoy, add 3 tablespoons Snowman Soup Mix to a cup of boiling hot water. Use more or less mix depending upon size of mug and your taste buds.

Potato Soup Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T13:59:00.001-06:00

1 3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes
1 1/2 cups dried milk
2 tablespoons instant chicken bouillon
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl; mix well. Put ingredients in a 1-quart jar.

On gift tag write: Place 1/2 cup mix in soup bowl; add 1 cup of boiling water; stir until smooth.

Pasta Soup Mix in a Jar recipe

2006-11-06T13:59:00.000-06:00

1/2 cup macaroni
1/4 cup dried lentils
1/4 cup dried, chopped mushrooms
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon onion flakes
1 tablespoon chicken soup base
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 dash garlic powder

Mix Parmesan cheese, onion flakes, soup base, parsley, oregano and garlic powder together in a small bowl.

In a one pint jar, layer ingredients in this order:

Spice mixture
Macaroni
Lentils
Mushrooms

Store with tightly sealed lid, until needed.

Attach the following recipe with a hang tag to give as a gift:

Basic Pasta Soup

Combine contents of jar with 3 cups water in a 2 quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally.