Gifts from a jar

[Dace]

Thank you Lori...what a great thread and great ideas! I love the way everyone is so happy to share info here

I want to add something nice to my baskets, a foodie thing. I love the bean soup idea.....

Justy how about the Hoppin' John recipe? That is a good one to give at the holidays....supposed to est it on New Years for good luck all year long. That one would be cute with a little card explaining the lore.
I'd love a scone recipe too.

 

[FarmerChick]

You can do much the same in creating a journal jar for children. Make the journal prompts more specific to the age of the child. For example:

You have created a new bubble gum. It gives the chewer the magic power of_____
Was there a time you felt alone? Describe it.
You have been given an island. What will you call it and what will you do there?
Write new words to the song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
The prompts need not be elaborate, just something to get the imagination moving. You should plan to make about 250 to 300 prompts, or make 365, one for every day of the year.

Blessing Jar

A blessing jar is done in much the same way as a writing prompt jar. You can use favorite scripture verses and references, one for every day of the year (365). The recipient will pull one out to meditate on each morning. These can be randomly chosen from the Bible or you can have a theme, such as:

Promises for Moms
Promises for Believers
Provision
Security
Healing


Any bath salts etc. can be put in a jar.
Handmade soaps in a jar.

Dry rubs and seasonings.


Anything that can fit in the jar is fair game.

One jar I received from a friend was so thoughtful.
It was labled "IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY"

It had inspirational sayings inside. When I was done, tired, burned out, etc. it was to pull one slip out of the jar. OH YES, they were nice.....like TAKE A HOT BATH, IT WILL MAKE EVERYTHING FEEL BETTER. Or, DO YOU THINK IT IS TIME FOR A CHOCOLATE FIX?
LOL-LOL
Yea, I used up all those slips....LOL...and each time I pulled out a slip, it made me smile. Helped my mood big time!





just some jar stuff

 

[delia_peterson]

Justusnak, why don't you share post your favorites? Because honestly, I could not choose they all sounded so good...
And how far ahead of the holidays can you make these?

 

[justusnak]

Hoppin' John Soup Mix ( in a jar)

1 Cup dried black-eyed peas
1 Tablespoon dried, minced onion
1 Tablespoon dried vegetable flakes or soup greens (??)
1 Chicken boulion cube, unwrapped
1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 boil-in-bag white rice.

Place the blackeyed peas in a pint jar. Place the onion, veg.flakes, bouillon cube,garlic, thyme,cumin,black and red pepper in a small food storage bag, close with twist ties and cut off top of bag. Place bag on top of beans, in jar, and place rice on top. Close jar.

Place a tag on the jar with the following:::

1 Jar hoppin' John Soup mix
2 or 3 cups of water.
1 can ( 14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained.
4 Slices crisp-cooked bacon, crumbled, OR 1 smoked ham hock.
Lemon pepper or hot pepper sauce.
Chopped parsley ( optional)
1.) Remove rice and season packet and set aside. Place beans in a large bowl; covered with water. Soak 6 to 8 hours or overnight.( to quick soak the beans : place beans in a large pot; cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, and boil for 2 minutes. Romoves from heat; let soak, covered, 1 hour) Drain beans, discard water.
2. ) Place soaked beans, water, tomatoes, bacon, and contents of season packet in large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours or untill beans are tender. Mash beans slightly with potato masher. Season with Lemon Pepper. Submerge the bag of rice in boiling salted water; boil 10 minutes. Drain rice; mix with parsley(if desired) Serve soup with Rice.

 

[justusnak]

Justusnak, why don't you share post your favorites? Because honestly, I could not choose they all sounded so good...
And how far ahead of the holidays can you make these?

One of my favorite soups is...

Itialian-style Bean soup mix.

1 1/2 c dried Great Northern or Navy beans( we use the navy beans)
1 Tblspoon dried minced onion
2 tspoons dried basil leaves
2 chicken bouillon cubes, unwrapped
1 tspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 tspoon dried minced garlic
1/2 tspoon black pepper
1/4 c grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 c uncooked medium pasta shells.

1) place beans in bottom of jar....cmbine onion, garlic, basil,bouillon cubes, parlsey, garlic,ann pepper in small bag. place cheese in its own small bag. place spice bag, and cheese bag on top of beans, then place the pasta on top of the spices. Place the lid on tight, and decorate.
ON THE TAG.

1 jar Italian-Style bean soup
5 to 6 cups water
1 cup pasta sauce.
8 ounces baby spinach leaves (optional)
Salt and pepper.
1) remove pasta, cheese, and spices, set aside.
Place beans in a large bowl, cover with water, soak 6 to 8 hours, or overnight.
2) combine soaked beans, water, pasta sauce and contents of season bag in a dutch oven. Bring to boil over high heat, lower to a simmer, cover and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or untill pasta is done. Season to taste, Serve with parmesan cheese. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Cranberry Pecan Muffins. ( YUMMMMMM)

1 3/4 C all-purpose flour
1 C dried cranberries.
3/4 C chopped pecans
1/2 C packed light brown sugar.
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt.
1.) Layer ingredients attractively in any order in a quart jar Make sure to pack each ingredient down lightly before adding the next.
Add tight fitting lid, and decorate.
TAG:::1 jar cranberry pecan muffin mix.
3/4 c milk
1/4 cup ( 1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 egg, beaten.
Preheat oven to 400. Grease or line muffin tins. ( 12)
Pour contents of jar into bowl, add milk, butter and egg. stir just to moitsen Spoon evenly onto cups
Bake 16 to 18 minutes, or untill toothpick inserted into middle of muffin comes out clean.
Makes 12 muffins.

 

[delia_peterson]

Hmmm..I can tell I am going to make these recipes myself! They sound soooo good! Thanks! But how far ahead of the holiday (or even birthday) should I make these? I quess they keep a long time?

 

[justusnak]

Because they are dry ingredients...these will keep for a few months. Just make sure the lid fits tight.

 

[keljonma]

There are a bunch of recipes here, and I have some more..

http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=62&p=1

 

[keljonma]

Pecan Pie Muffins

1/2 cup flour
1 cup light brown sugar; packed
1 cup pecans; chopped
Layer ingredients in a pint sized canning jar.

Attach to Jar..
Pecan Pie Muffins:
1 jar Mix
2/3 cup butter; softened
2 eggs; beaten

Preheat oven to 350
Grease and flour 18 mini-muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.

In a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and pecans.
In a separate bowl beat the butter and eggs together until smooth, stir into the dry ingredients just until combined.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Cups should be about 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on wire racks when done.

Makes 18 mini muffins.



HEART SMART MUFFINS

2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins, currents or walnuts

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

Recipe to attach to jar:

HEART SMART MUFFINS
Preheat the oven to 350
Empty Heart Smart Muffin mix in large mixing bowl; stir to combine.

1 egg slightly beaten
3/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup applesauce
1 1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup blueberries or raspberries, fresh or frozen (optional)

Mix until completely blended. Spoon the batter into greased muffin tins, filling 2/3 to 3/4 full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm or cool completely on a wire rack.


Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Layer the following ingredients in order in a wide mouth quart size canning jar:

3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder (clean inside of jar with tissue after this layer)
1/2 cup brown sugar (pack firmly)
1 1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chocolate chips
1 3/4 cup flour + 1 tsp. baking powder + 1/2 tsp baking soda (mixed)

Press firmly between each layer.
Place lid and ring onto jar.

Recipe to attach to jar:
Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Add:

1 1/2 stick butter or margarine
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix until completely blended. Shape into balls and place 2" apart on sprayed baking sheets. Bake at 375 for 13-15 minutes. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies

 

[keljonma]

Viennese Coffee Balls

2 cups cookie crumbs, any kind of cookie, but shortbread is good
1-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 cup chopped nuts
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 tsp instant coffee crystals
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Layer ingredients into your jar. Tap jar gently to settle each layer before adding the next one. Add more nuts if needed to fill gaps. Makes 1 quart jar. Because this starts with cookie crumbs, which may contain butter, for best results, do not store jar for more than 1 month before gifting or using.


Gift Tag Directions:

Place contents of jar in large mixing bowl.
Add 4-5 tablespoons strong coffee or water, using just enough to moisten.
Form into 1-1/4 inch balls; roll generously in 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar.
Place on a sheet waxed paper and let stand till dry, about 1 hour.
Before serving, roll again in powdered sugar, if desired.