Gifts in a Jar

 

My mother never ever liked getting a gift for Christmas that had anything to do with  cooking, cleaning or eating . . .well except for chocolates that is.  I never saw her turn down a nice box of choccies.  She just didn't want to get the other stuff, like mixers or blenders, or jars of jam, etc.

Me on the other hand, I just love, Love, LOVE to get any gift that has anything to do with the kitchen or eating!  I have had a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer on my wish list for years now, to no avail, but . . . I live in hope.

 

Candy Apple Red or Powder Blue or even yellow would do me fine.  Actually who am I trying to kid, I'll take it in any colour I can get it!  But I digress . . .

 

Food gifts.  I just adore receiving them and I love putting them together for friends.  I especially love the mix in a jar things, or goodies in a mug, or Mug-ems as they are also called.  We did an activity in RS Society in August and I did a presentation on Gifts in a jar and it was quite popular so today I am going to show you two of my favourite Gift Mixes in a Jar, and in the spirit of giving, I am including my artwork Gift Tags for you to print out and tie on to your own gift jars.  All you need to do is right click and save and then you can print them out 4 or 6 to a page via your own printer.  Merry Christmas!  (And there are two versions, one with American measures and one with British measures.)


 

The first one is the Oatmeal and Raisin Cookie Mix in a Jar, and let me tell you they are fabulous cookies.  Very delicious.  These mixes are so easy to make, and such fun to give and to receive.  I really love decorating the jars up and making them pretty with ribbons and bows, etc.



You can decorate the up with Cute little Christmas Ornaments, or whatever.  Little cloth caps, ribbons . . . let your imagination and creativity carry you away!



And if you aren't into cookie mixes in a jar, you can just make some for yourself.  These cookies are fabulous.  Very, very tasty indeed!



 *Oatmeal and Raisin Cookie Mix In a Jar*
Makes 1 1-litre jar
Printable Recipe

100g of plain flour (1 cup)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/2 tsp salt
150g of soft light brown sugar (3/4 cup)
110g of granulated sugar (1/2 cup)
100g of raisins (3/4 cup)
160g of old fashioned  oats

 

Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, soda and salt.  Layer the ingredients in the jar as follows, tamping each layer down well before adding another layer.  Half the flour mixture.  Half the brown sugar.  The raisins. The white sugar.  The remaining half of the brown sugar and the oats.   You may think it won't all fit, but it will.  Just persevere.  Screw on the lid tightly.  Decorate as you wish and attach a label with the baking directions.



You might think when you look at each recipe . . . all that would never fit in a jar, but don't worry!  It absolutely does!  I use my Pampered Chef tamper tool and it packs everything in very nicely.




These Cranberry White Chocolate and Oat Cookies are my favourites.  Oh my . . . but I could just eat them all up myself.  Quite dangerous to have around once baked.  I bet I ate three right away.  I am such a naughty pup.



I bet even YOU couldn't eat just one though . . . but who's eating??  These are for gifts right?  Yah, of course they are!!  But really . . . I don't think anyone would begrudge you making a jar of the mix, or just baking yourself up a recipe of these for your own family.  In fact, that might just be one way where you could guarantee a sweet surprise for yourself under the tree on Christmas morning!  After all, as they say . . . Charity begins at home! Ho Ho Ho!!



 *Cranberry White Chocolate Cookie Mix In a Jar*
Makes 1 1-litre jar
Printable Recipe

50g of plain flour (1/2 cup  plus 2 TBS allpurpose)
40g old fashioned oats (1/2 cup)
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/2 tsp salt
66g soft light brown sugar (1/3 cup)
63g of white sugar (1/3 cup)
75g dried cranberries (1/2 cup)
90g white chocolate chips (1/2 cup)
60g of chopped  pecan nuts (1/2 cup)

Layer the ingredients in a clean canning  jar in the order given, tamping each layer down into place before adding the next one.  (I use my  pampered chef tamper for this, but you could use the end of a rolling pin as well.)  Screw on the lid tightly.  Attach a gift tag with the mixing and baking directions and decorate the jar as desire 

If you think you have seen this post before, you would be right. It is a repost from last year.  I threw my hip out today and although I had plans to do some baking I am having a hard time just to walk at the moment.  Arthritis is sometimes a real pain to live with.  In any case I am resting it up and reposting this post from last year.   I think some of my newer readers would enjoy it irregardless.  Do feel free to copy and print out my art recipe card/tags I have included.   God willing I will be back tomorrow with something new to share!!!

Christmas Chutney

One thing I like to make each year for the Holidays is my Christmas Chutney.   It's sooooo good and makes a wonderful change from the regular Cranberry Sauce.



It has a tiny bit of a bite, which you can adjust by the amount of chili's you add.  I usually err on the side of caution because we don't really like things that are tooooo hot, but by all means you can adjust it to your own tastes.



I always make enough for us to have here at home (it goes so well with all sorts of meats and cheeses) and I make some to give as gifts to our friends.  I think they would be quite disappointed if I didn't have some for them each year!



There is nothing really out of the ordinary in it.  It's basically just fresh cranberries, chopped onion, sultanas, citrus peel, vinegar, two sugars, and a mix of tasty spices.  It goes together lickety split, and tastes better with each day that passes.



It's great with your Christmas Dinner, and then after Christmas with the leftovers, but where it really shines is on a cheese board.  This is some of that Castello Tickler Cheddar I got last week.  Oh boy did it ever go good with that!  Delicious!  Those crackers are fabulous as well.  I got them at Aldi, from it's line of Gourmet Crackers.  They're really nice!  I'm going to go back and get some more.  (They come in three flavours . . . salted, black pepper and rosemary and are a real steal at only 99p a pack!) 

I hope you will give this chutney a go this year.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed!





 *Christmas Chutney*
Makes 4 cups
Printable Recipe

This lovely chutney makes a wonderful gift and is such a lovely change from the usual cranberry sauce.  It goes beautifully with turkey, ham or chicken.  We just love it.

3 cups fresh cranberries (300g)
1 cup sultanas (150g)
1/2 cup chopped candied peel
1/2 cup chopped peeled onion (1 medium onion, peeled and chopped)
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
1 cup white vinegar (225ml)
1 cup water (225ml)
1 cup white sugar (190g)
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed (200g)
1/4 cup lemon juice (60ml)
2 tsp salt
2 whole cloves
2 tsp celery seed
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp dried chilies

Place the vinegar, water, both sugars, lemon juice and salt into a heavy non-reactive saucepan.  Bring to the boil, stirring to help dissolve the sugar.  Once the sugar has dissolved add the cranberries, sultanas, candied peel, onions, garlic, cloves, celery seed, ginger and chilies.  Simmer gently, stirring often, uncovered for 45 minutes.  Pour into hot sterilized jars and seal.  Process in a hot water bath for 15 minutes.  This will keep for up to a year.  You can, of course, just put it into jars for giving away and immediate use, but if you do want to keep it longer, you really must prodess it in the water bath.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Brittle

One thing that I like to make each Christmas is Peanut Brittle.  It's easy to make and makes a nice hostess gift if you are invited out.  I have never had anyone turn their nose up at a pretty little box of it yet!



Making it in the microwave takes all the guess work out of it.  It goes together easily and always turns out.  I have never had it fail.   Just be sure to check it frequently and if you think it is getting too brown, stop.  It should never be more than a golden brown.



It's made in less than 10 minutes, and that is 10 easy minutes where you aren't standing laborously over a stove, stirring and watching.  The microwave does all the work.  The only thing you need to be careful of is that you use a glass bowl that is truly microwaveable safe and that you use oven mits taking it out of the microwave.  Glass conducts heat very well and this is candy.  Candy is hot.



Also be very sure to take great care in handling the sugar mixture, once again . . . it's really hot and it will stick to your skin, so do please be very careful.  I would hate for anyone to get burnt badly.



This year I added a chocolate dip to mine . . . if there is anything that tastes better than homemade peanut brittle . . . it's homemade peanut brittle dipped in chocolate.  Semi sweet chocolate flavoured with peanut butter.  



Oh baby.  This is good.  I may have to make another batch to give away!  This first batch seems to be shrinking rather quickly.  Oh I do so love the Holiday Season, don't you!

*Chocolate Dipped Peanut Brittle*

Makes about 1 1/2 pounds

Printable Recipe  

The evil twin sister of Peanut Brittle.  Easier to make than you suppose!  Even easier to indulge in.  Moreish. 

200g white sugar (1 cup)

175g of golden syrup (1/2 cup light corn syrup)

1 TBS butter

325g of salted roasted peanuts (2 cups)

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

1 tsp pure vanilla

115g semi sweet chocolate, chopped (4 ounces)

45g creamy peanut butter (1/4 cup)  

Line a large baking sheet with foil.  Butter the foil well.  Set aside.

Stir the sugar and golden syrup together in a large glass microwaveable bowl,  Microwave on high for 5 minutes, stopping to stir it halfway through the cooking time.   Stir in the butter and peanuts.   Return to the microwave and cook on high another 3 to 4 minutes, until a golden brown.  (Don't let it get too dark)  Remove from the microwave and stir in the soda and vanilla.  Don't worry, it will foam up quite a bit.  That is what makes it light.   Carefully spread this mixture out over the prepared baking sheet, trying to spread it as thin as you can.   Allow it to cool completely.

Once it is cool, break it into pieces.  

Place the chocolate pieces into a smaller microwaveable bowl.  Cook on high for 1 to 2 minutes, until the chocolate melts when stirred.   Stir in the peanut butter until it melts.  Dip half of each piece of peanut brittle into the chocolate, scraping any excess off on the edge of the bowl.  Place on a wire rack to set.  Alternately you can let it set in the refrigerator.  



Note:  If you are not fond of chocolate and peanut butter, then just leave that final bit out and just make the brittle.  Store in an airtight container.