Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Joy to the Cookie (Cranberry Nut Cookies) in a Jar

 

I really wish I had taken a picture of just the jar here, because this mix, when layered, looks gorgeous.  The cookies themselves are lovely!  

Joy To the Cookie

Ingredients for the Jar:

• 5/8 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Assembly Instructions: 

Using a canning funnel, layer the ingredients in a 1 quart canning jar in the order listed.  Decorate the jar with cloth, stickers, ribbon or other accessories.  Make sure to include the cooking instructions!

Cooking Instructions:  

Ingredients not Included:

1/2c. softened butter

1 Egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a cookie sheet.

In medium bowl beat together the ingredients that were not included with the jar until fluffy.  Add the contents of the jar and mix together until blended.

Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto baking sheets, bake for 8-10 minutes.

Cool.

Holiday crafting, Tutorial, Cream of Elf (er... Mushroom) Soup

This is yet another soup that was made for my "Naughty and Nice" gifts.  This soup is just amazing, and the kudos for the awesome name goes to my husband, who giggled for a long time before he was even able to share it with me.  It's easy to put together, and it looks incredible in the jar.

 

Cream of Elf (er.... Mushroom and Wild Rice) Soup

Ingredients for the Jar:

• 1 package Country Gravy Mix (2.75 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/4 cup uncooked wild rice
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped dried mushrooms (I used Oyster and Porcini)

Assembly Instructions: 

Pour Pioneer Country Gravy Mix into wide-mouth pint jar. In small bowl, stir together bouillon granules, onion, celery and parsley. Pour into jar to make second layer. Add layers of wild rice, white rice and mushrooms. Seal with lid.

Decorate the jar with cloth, stickers or ribbon and don't forget to include a tag with the cooking instructions!

Cooking Instructions: 

Empty contents of jar into a large saucepan. Add 7 cups water; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Makes 6 servings.

Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Oh Soup Divine - Soup in a Jar

This again is a mix of a few different recipes that I had looked at for my "Naughty and Nice" project, and after a little fine tuning, I must say that it is a delightful mix!  Without further adieu, here is my "Oh Soup Divine" mix in a Jar!

"Oh Soup Divine"

Ingredients for the Jar

• 1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
• 1/4 cup dried minced onion
• 1/2 cup dried split peas
• 1/2 cup uncooked small shaped pasta
• 1/4 cup barley
• 1/2 cup dry lentils
• 1/3 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 cup uncooked tri-color spiral pasta

Assembly Instructions:

Use a canning funnel to fill your jar with ingredients.  Using a wide mouth 1 quart canning jar is easiest.  Layer the ingredients in the order provided, tapping the jar on the table occasionally to help items settle.

Decorate the jar with fabric, stickers or ribbon and make sure to attach the cooking instructions.

Cooking Instructions:

In large kettle, brown 1 pound ground beef or stew beef cut into bite-size pieces in a little olive oil. Remove tricolor pasta from top of jar and reserve. Add the rest of the jar contents to the kettle with 12 cups water. Let come to a boil and simmer 45 minutes. Add tricolor pasta and simmer 15 minutes more. Serve with your favorite bread or rolls and a tossed salad.

Holiday Crafting, Tutorial, Santa Sweat (Spiral) Soup in a Jar

I knew from the moment that I started the "Naughty and Nice" project that I wanted to do a spiral noodle soup in some form.  I did a lot of research into what jarred soups people had made and what recipes there were to choose from.  Armed with all of this knowledge, I used the basic form from a couple of different recipes to design my "Santa Sweat Soup" to be included in my "Naughty" packages.  Here is the way to make it, I hope you enjoy!

Santa Sweat Soup (Spiral Soup) in a Jar

Ingredients that you need for the jar:

1 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/3 cup beef boullion granules
1/2 cup dried minced onion
3-1/2 cups of tri-colored spiral pasta (or enough to fill the jar)

Assembly Instructions:

Mix all the powders together to blend, and add to the jar using a canning funnel.
Add the Spiral pasta (for added fun, separate the colors and layer them for a unique look)


Decorate the Jar with fabric, stickers, or tie a ribbon around the top.  Include cooking instructions and gift away!

Cooking Instructions:

Ingredients:
8 c. Water
2 c. Crushed or Diced Tomatoes
1 Jar of Soup mix
Optional:  Veggies of your choice

Instructions:
Bring water and tomatoes (and veggies if desired) to boil in a soup pot.  Add the Jar of Soup mix and simmer for about 15 minutes or until noodles are tender.  Garnish with crackers or Parmesan cheese.