Gifts from the Kitchen #3

The first salsa is one I make in the winter when fresh tomatoes are not great.  Everyone who has this cannot believe it is made with canned tomatoes.  Make ahead and divide into smaller jars, add to a basket with chips and they have a great snack basket.

             Easy Texas Salsa

1 sm can (4 ½ oz) Black Olives, chopped
1 sm can (4 ½ oz) Green Chilies, chopped
1 sm can (4 ½ oz) Jalapeno Relish chopped
1 - 14 oz can Diced Tomatoes
4 Green onions, finely chopped
1 ½ TBS Oil
¾ TBS Vinegar
1 tsp Garlic powder (can use a sm spoonful of jarred chopped garlic)
½ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Pepper
Combine & refrigerate overnight. Makes 1 qt. An empty Miracle Whip jar is perfect. Everyone raves & can’t believe it is made with can tomatoes.

      Salsa Mix in a Jar
1 ½ c dried cilantro
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 c dried chopped onion
1 TBS salt
1/4 c dried red pepper flakes
1 TBS pepper
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients until well blended. Put into a 1-pint jar. Put the following instructions on a gift tag:
           Spicy Salsa
Blend 2 TBS salsa mix with one 10 oz can Mexican-style tomatoes. Serve with tortilla chips.
          Salsa Spread
Blend 2 TBS salsa mix with 1 c softened cream cheese. Serve with crackers or tortilla chips

This mix is great in a basket wtih chips and a cute bowl.

Gifts from the Kitchen #2

Happy Friday!  This is the second installment of Gift from the Kitchen. Today has drink mixes and creamers.  Add any of these to a basket with a mug and a book for the recipient.


Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar

6 ½ c powdered milk
1 pkg non-instant chocolate pudding mix
1 c powdered chocolate drink mix
½ c powdered non-dairy creamer
½ c powdered sugar
½ c unsweetened cocoa powder
In a large bowl, combine powdered milk, chocolate pudding mix, chocolate drink mix powder, creamer, confectioners' sugar, and cocoa. Divide the mixture between two 1 quart jars. Seal, and decorate as desired. These can be stored in a dry area for up to 3 months. Attach a tag with the following instructions: Hot Cocoa: Dissolve 1/3 c cocoa mix in 1 c boiling water.

Cappuccino in a Jar

2/3 c instant coffee
1 c non-dairy creamer
1 c powdered chocolate drink mix
½ c sugar
¾ tsp cinnamon
3/8 tsp nutmeg
Have ready 2 (12 oz) canning jars. Put the instant coffee into a food processor, and process to a fine powder. If you don't have a food processor, put it into a large plastic bag, and crush with a rolling pin. In a large bowl, combine creamer, chocolate mix, instant coffee, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir together until well mixed. Spoon into 2 - 12 oz jars. Attach a note to each jar that reads: Cappuccino: Mix 3 TBS of powder with 6 oz hot water.

Peach Tea Mix

1 c instant tea
1 - 3 oz pkg Peach Jell-O
2 c sugar
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; mix well. Store in an airtight container. Give with instructions to serve. For one mug use 2 tsp tea mix with 8 oz hot water. Makes about 3 1/2 c tea mix. Can use Strawberry Jell-O or your choice of flavor.

Snickerdoodle Coffee Mix

1 c sugar
1 c powdered milk
½ c vanilla flavored powdered creamer
½ c baking cocoa
3 TBS instant coffee granules
½ tsp allspice
¼ tsp cinnamon
Combine ingredients and store in an airtight container. Attach instructions. Makes about 3 cups Instructions: Add 3 TBS mix to 3/4 c boiling water; stir well. Makes one serving.

Mocha Creamer

1 jar non dairy powdered creamer (6 oz)
1 c chocolate mix for milk
½ tsp cinnamon
In a medium bowl, combine creamer, chocolate mix and cinnamon. Store in an airtight container. Give with serving instructions. Makes about 2 ½ c creamer (or 4 gifts).  To serve: Stir 1 TBS creamer into 6 oz of hot coffee.

Gifts from the Kitchen #1

Happy Friday!  I'm going to start a Friday series, Gifts from the Kitchen.  I'll post items you can make and give.  We all like to give a small gift to the people who are special to us, the childrens' teachers, the postman, the list goes on.......  I hope you find something to help you.

I wish I could give credit where it is due - but........ I have had some of these for 20 plus years!  I've given you two breads and two soups and a dessert.  When you add a bread mix, soup mix, and a dessert mix to a basket you have a perfect gift.
              Beer/7 - Up Bread
3 c Self rising flour
1/3 c Sugar
2 TBS Butter, melted
12 oz Beer or 7 –Up
Mix dry ingredients, add butter then beverage. Put into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 45 – 50 minutes, or until done. It will sound hollow when done.

             Quick Muffin Recipe
1 c self rising flour
1 TBS sugar
1 TBS mayonnaise
Mix thoroughly and spoon into greased muffin tins. Bake about 15 minutes. Makes about 6 muffins. You may add berries, chocolate chips or any other flavoring.

               Chili Mix in a Jar
3 c dried beans (pink, red, or kidney -- sorted).
Put into a jar or large bag.
3 TBS chili powder
2 TBS dehydrated onions
1 TBS garlic powder
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp salt
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Combine spices and put into a small bag.
         Include in your gift basket:
8 oz. can tomato sauce
2 14oz. cans diced tomatoes in juice
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.

               Italian Soup Mix in a Jar
½ c dried pinto beans
½ c dried pink beans
½ c dried kidney beans
1 c small pasta, uncooked
1 TBS dried parsley
1 TBS chicken bouillon
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp salt
½ tsp dried, minced garlic
Layer beans in order listed in a one quart wide mouth jar; set aside. Place pasta in a plastic zipping bag; gently pack on top of beans. Secure lid; set aside. Toss remaining ingredients together; place seasonings in a small plastic zipping bag and add to jar. Tie on instructions. Instructions: Set plastic bags to the side; pour beans into a mixing bowl. Rinse with water; drain. Cover beans with water; let soak overnight. Rinse and pour into a 5 quart Dutch oven; add 8 cs water, a 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, seasoning packet, one c sliced carrots, one c sliced celery and one c chopped onions. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 2 hours; uncover and boil gently until thickened, about 35 minutes. Stir in pasta; heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Makes 2 quarts. Gift giving idea: Slip a soup mix inside a new thermos and tie on some mittens...a clever gift for a winter celebration.

                S'Mores in a Jar
1 sleeve graham crackers, crushed
1/3 c brown sugar
1 ½ c mini marshmallows
1 c milk chocolate chips
Layer ingredients in the order listed in one quart, wide mouth jar. Secure lid; attach instructions.
       Instructions
Pour mix into a greased 9 x 9" baking pan; set aside. Whisk 1/2 c melted butter and 2 tsp vanilla extract together; pour over mix. Stir well; pat lightly into pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Cool; cut into squares.

Gifts from the Kitchen

If you are like us when the kids were in school - there were teachers, office staff, school nurse, and others that you wanted to recognize for taking care of them day in and day out. And don’t forget everyone else on your list, mailman, neighbors etc. Of course you can’t buy something for everyone, so gift mixes or pre-made treats are perfect. I was just thinking of this when Tiffany posted these great snack mixes.

http://eatathomecooks.com/2011/11/the-no-bake-no-cook-no-time-gift-solution-4-snack-mix-recipes-in-a-jar.html


I’ll post some mixes I’ve used over the years. I’ll apologize in advance that I can’t give credit to the original owner, some were passed down, some were from friends and some I just don’t know.

Here’s to a Happy Holiday!

Kelly