Christmas in a Jar!

Firstly before I hit publish on this post I want to say a Huge Huge thank you to Pam and the team at Bostix who are donating 160 mini glue sticks for the Christmas Card Kits that I am making up for the kids at Start Ship.  You are all wonderful.



I know this is the post that lots of you have been waiting for and I will appologise in advance its a long one.  If there aren't photos for certain things please come

There are so many ways you can prepare Christmas in a Jar.  So many things you can fill these jars of Christmas goodness with.  I am going to share recipies for Cookies, Brownies, Hot Chocolate, Soup Mix, Scones, Pancakes, Spicy Rubs, Nuts etc

Here we go....

Honey Soy Nuts - Australian Woman's Weekly
Makes 3 1/2 Cups

1 1/4 cups (150 grams) Pecans
1 cup (150 grams) unsalted cashews
1 cup (150 grams) natural almonds
1/3 cup (60 grams) pumpkin seeds
1/3 cup (50 grams) sunflower seeds
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp nigella seeds
1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup (90 grams) honey
2 tbsp sunflower oil
1 tbsp soy sauce

Pre heat the oven to 180C or 160C fan forced.  Line a large oven tray with baking paper
Combine nuts, seeds, rosemary and peppers in a large heatproof bowl.
Place the honey, oil and sauce sauce in a saucepan, stir over a low heat until honey is liquid.  Pour honey mixture over nut mixutre.  Stir to combine.
Spread nut mixture on prepared tray.  Bake for about 15 mins or until the nuts are golden and fragrant.  Cool.  Transfer nuts to Jars.  Depending on how many jars you want I would do a double or even triple mix of this.

Flavoured Salts - Australian Woman's Weekly

I most def want to make these up....

Lemon and Chilli Salt
This takes a plain chicken breast or roast chicken to another level

2 lemons
1 cup (125g) sea salt flakes
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp chilli flakes

Remove rind from lemons with zester Or peel lemons thinly with a vegetable peeler avoiding the white pith.  Cut rind into thin strips.
Combine rind with salt and oregano in a med frying pan.  Stir over a low heat for about 3 mins or until the rid is dry.
Remove from the heat and stir in the chilli.  Cool then put into gift jars.

Rosemary & Cumin Salt
This is perfect with lamb

1 cup (125g) sea salt flakes
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Combine all the ingredients in a med frying pan.  Stir over a low heat for about 3 mins or until the salt/ cumin is fragrant.
Remove from the heat.  Cool and then put into gift jars

Orange & Fennel Salt
This is delicious with grilled or roast portk

1 orange
1 cup (125g) sea salt flakes
2 tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp ground white pepper

Remove rind from lemons with zester Or peel lemons thinly with a vegetable peeler avoiding the white pith.  Cut rind into thin strips.
Combine rind with remaining ingredients in a med frying pan. Stir over a low heat for about 3 mins or until the rind is dry.
Remove from the heat, cool and put into gift jars.


Hot Chocolate Mix

6 cups non fat Milk Powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup plus 2 tbps Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 cups Marshmellows

Mix all together in a large bowl and then devide up into jars.  I would use maybe 1 or 2 cup size jars.

Measure 1/2 cup cocoa mix into mug. Stir in 1 cup hot water or milk. Makes 4 servings.

Variation that I am working on is adding to this is 1 or 2 everyday size (not the big size) bags of crushed malteesers to the mix.


Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix - http://www.theyummylife.com/

ngredients

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa (Dutch-process recommended)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
• 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

Add sugar and cocoa to food processor. Pulse until well-mixed. (Or, combine ingredients in large bowl and whisk until well mixed.) Add salt, cornstarch, and cayenne; pulse until mixed. Add powdered milk; process for 20-30 seconds until well mixed. Transfer mix to bowl and stir in chocolate chips. Store in airtight container.

Makes 6 cups

Go to this page on their blog for label printouts etc

http://www.theyummylife.com/blog/2010/12/111/Double+Chocolate+Hot+Cocoa+Mix--With+Gift+Jar+Tags




Quick Mix Brownies - taste.com.au

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted

1 1/2 cups caster sugar

2 cups dark choc bits

1 cup vanilla and strawberry mini marshmallows

Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl. Spoon mixture into jar. Top with cocoa and then sugar. Top with choc bits, then marshmallows. Seal jar

Make a label with the following ingrdients and method

200g butter, chopped

3 eggs, lightly beaten

Vanilla ice-cream and strawberries, to serve

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Grease a 3cm-deep, 20cm x 30cm (base) lamington pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang at long ends.
2. Place butter in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, for 1 to 2 minutes on medium (50%) or until butter has melted. Set aside for 15 minutes to cool.
3. Add eggs to butter. Stir to combine. Slowly add ingredients from jar. Stir to combine. Spread mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out with crumbs clinging. Set aside to cool.
4. Cut into squares. Serve with ice-cream and strawberries.

Abbey's cookies in a Jar

3/4 cup (110g) plain flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup (75g) firmly packed brown sugar

1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar

3/4 cup (65g) rolled oats

100g craisins (dried cranberries), see variation

130g white chocolate chips

Sift flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a bowl. Spoon the flour mixture into a 1L (4-cup) capacity glass jar. Top with brown sugar, then caster sugar. Top with oats, then craisins, then chocolate chips. Seal jar

Go this aweosme link on http://www.taste.com.au/ to print out label and insturctions

http://www.taste.com.au/agtdownloads/282.pdf

The following 2 recipies are from - http://www.christmas-cookies.com/


Gingerbread Cookies in a Jar

1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 gingerbread boy-shaped cookie cutter

Use a clean 1 quart jar and press each layer down firmly. Put in half of the flour along with the baking powder and baking soda. Add the spices and the remaining flour. Add the brown sugar last. Tie a ribbon around the top of the jar and attach the cookie cutter and the directions below.

Attach these directions to the jar:
Gingerbread Cookies
Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. Mix in 1/2 cup softened butter, 3/4 cup molasses and 1 egg. Mix until completely blended. Cover and refrigerate 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes. Place cookies on lightly greased cookie sheet about 2" apart. Bake 10 to 15 minutes. Decorate with icing.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies in Jar

Makes about 30

3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
8 peanut butter cup candies (eg. Reese's) cut into 1/2 inch pieces

Mix together the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside. Layer ingredients in order given in a 1 quart "wide mouth" canning jar.
Press each layer firmly in place. It will be a tight fit. Add chopped peanut butter cups last.

Attach these directions to jar:

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

1. Remove peanut butter cups from jar. Set aside.

2. Empty remaining cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Use your hands to throughly blend mix.

3. Add 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened at room temperature. DO NOT USE DIET MARGARINE. Add in 1 egg, slightly beaten, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

4. Mix until completely blended. You will need to finish mixing with your hands.

5. Mix in peanut butter cups.

6. Shape into walnut sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets.

7. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 12 to 14 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to racks to finish cooling.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Enjoy everyone...Over the weekend i will be posting a few more including a few spice rubs, a tea blend and a couple of other things....