WHAT-A-KICK SPICE BLEND

This is a tasty spice mix to keep in your pantry or to put in a shaker bottle and give as a giftl

2 tbsp onion powder

2 tbsp dry mustard

2 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp ground red pepper

In a small bowl, combine ingredients. Spoon into a shaker with a lid. Cover, store in a cool, dark place. Yield: 1/4 cup

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PEPPED-UP PARSLEY-PEPPER

 2 tbsp lemon-pepper seasoning 

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp dried parsley flakes

1 to 2 tsp garlic powder

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Spoon into a shaker with a lid. Cover, store in a cool dark place. Makes 1/4 cup.

This makes a nice gift when put in a pretty shaker and tied with a pretty bow suitable to the occasion.

Recipe and photo old BH&G

GIFT JAR OF TUSCAN MARKET SOUP MIX

If you enjoy giving food gift jars or enjoy making them to sell at craft shows, etc, this is a good one.

Layer the ingredients in a quart jar:

1/2 cup barley

1/2 cup split peas

1/2 cup brown rice

1/2 cup lentils

2 tbsp dried minced onion

2 tbsp dried parsley

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 tbsp beef bouillon granules

1 tsp dried cumin

1 pkg dehydrated onion soup mix

Attach recipe for TUSCAN MARKET SOUP

1 jar Tuscan Market Soup Mix

3 quarts water

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 carrots, sliced

1 cup shredded cabbage

1 can (28-oz) crushed tomatoes

Combine ingredients and place in a soup pot; cover. Cook over medium heat and simmer 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender.

 

The following photo is for reference only and is not this exact recipe. 

 

HOMEMADE MOCHA COFFEE MIX

4 cups nonfat dry milk

3 cups powdered sugar
6-oz nondairy dry coffee creamer
16-oz instant chocolate drink mix
6-oz instant coffee granules (reg or decaf, your choice)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
whipped cream for garnish when serving

In a large bowl mix together the dry milk powder, powdered sugar, creamer, chocolate drink mix, coffee granules and cinnamon.  When well mixed, store in an airtight container, jar, or bowl that seals.

To serve: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of the mixture in a mug of hot water.  Top with whipped cream.

Yield: Approximately 95 servings.

To give as gifts, package in pretty tins or jars.  Attach serving instructions.

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MALTED COCOA MIX

1 box (8-qt size) nonfat dry milk powder
1 bag or box (16-oz) powdered sugar, sifted
1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups instant malted milk powder
1 3/4 cups powdered nondairy coffee creamer
miniature marshmallows, optional for serving

Combine the dry milk powder, powdered sugar, cocoa, malted milk powder, and nondairy coffee creamer in a large bowl.  Stir until mixed well.  Store in an airtight jar or canister.

Yield: approximately 16 cups of hot cocoa

To make individual serving:
Place a third cup of the above mixture in a mug.  Add 3/4 cup of boiling water and stir to dissolve.  Top with miniature marshmallows, if desired.

INSTANT CAPPUCCINO MIX

1 cup powdered chocolate milk mix

3/4 cup non-dairy creamer

1/2 cup instant coffee granules

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Store in an airtight container.

To serve, Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the mix in a cup or mug. Add 1 cup of boiling water and stir until dissolved.

TOH file photo

HOMEMADE SWEET SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE

I saw this on facebook several years ago and thought what a great idea. Package as a gift, as shown in the photo below, or use at home as desired.

Time: 10 minutes...
Total Time: 10 minutes, plus cooling

Follow these easy instructions to create sweet salted caramel sauce at home. Perfect for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, cheesecake, sweet breads and more!

Ingredients:
•1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
•6 Tablespoons (90g) salted butter, cut up into 6 pieces*
•1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream*
•1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1.Heat granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly with a high heat resistant rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
2.Sugar will form clumps and eventually melt into a thick brown, amber-colored liquid as you continue to stir. Be careful not to burn.
3.Once sugar is completely melted, immediately add the butter. Be careful in this step because the caramel will bubble rapidly when the butter is added.
4.Stir the butter into the caramel until it is completely melted, about 2-3 minutes.
5.Very slowly, drizzle in 1/2 cup of heavy cream while stirring. Since the heavy cream is colder than the caramel, the mixture will rapidly bubble and/or splatter when added.
6.Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute. It will rise in the pan as it boils.
7.Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of salt. Allow to cool down before using.
8.Cover the caramel tightly and store for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Warm the caramel up for a few seconds before using in a recipe.

Additional Notes:

*Unsalted butter may be used instead, though I prefer salted. No other changes need to be made to the recipe if using unsalted.

*Heavy cream (approximately 36% milk fat) may also be sold as whipping cream. Light whipping cream (30% milk fat), or double cream (48% milk fat) may be substituted.

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HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

 

1 can (8-oz) cocoa (I use Hershey's)

2 lb powdered sugar
8 cups non-fat evaporated powdered milk
1 container (18-oz) non-dairy powdered creamer

In a large bowl combine all the above ingredients.  Store in an airtight container or put in pretty jars for gifting.  To serve put desired amount (usually about 3 tbsp per cup) into a cup and add boiling water; stir until dissolved and add miniature marshmallows, if desired.

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HOMEMADE VIENNA COFFEE MIX

 

1/2 cup instant coffee granules

2/3 cup sugar*
2/3 cup powdered milk or creamer
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix all the ingredients together. Put into an airtight container to store or into a decorative jar to give as a gift.

To use: Stir 2 rounded teaspoons into a cup of hot water.

*For diabetics or those watching their sugar intake, substitute Splenda granulated.

Note: Photo credit in corner.

BROWN SUGAR AND CINNAMON PECANS

These nuts are great to have sitting around at parties, but they are also good to put a handful into a zipper-type snack bag and stick in a lunchbox. These nuts are also great packaged and given as gifts.

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon pecan-praline flavored ground coffee*
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (omit if too hot for children's lunchboxes)
2 cups pecan halves

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, coffee, orange juice, cinnamon, and red pepper, if using. Stir well to mix. Stir in the pecans, coating well. Remove from the heat.

Spread the coated pecans on a lightly greased 15 x 10-inch jellyroll pan and bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes, stirring at 5 minutes and at 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely. Break nuts apart.

*Or other flavored coffee of your choice.

 Note: File Photo

BROWNIE MIX

 This was suggested by a friend. I have not yet tried it.

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder

Mix and place in a baggie or a glass jar.

Instructions for baking:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly grease an 8 or 9-inch square pan (or use the Pampered Chef brownie pan).

Pour mix in bowl and add:
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable (canola, olive, or coconut) oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix well and pour into prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes but check after 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven as soon as brownies are done. Baking time will depend on your pan and your oven.

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POTATO SOUP MIX IN A JAR

THIS CAME ACROSS MY DESK 6 YEARS AGO FROM THE NOBLE PIG. WHAT A GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR TEACHERS, CO-WORKERS, THE ELDERLY, COLLEGE STUDENTS, ETC. THIS IS A GREAT MIX TO MAKE 1 CUP OF INSTANT SOUP AT A TIME.

POTATO SOUP MIX

Recipe from: Cathy Pollak | Serves: 1 quart jar

Ingredients

• 2 cups instant mashed potatoes
• 1-1/2 cups dry milk powder
• 1-1/2 Tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
• 2 teaspoons dried chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric

Directions

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until a homogeneous mixture is achieved. Pour into a one quart jar.
• Attach the following instructions: To serve, place 1/2 cup soup mix in bowl. Stir in 1 cup boiling water until smooth.

Note: File Photo

FRENCH VANILLA COCOA MIX PERFECT FOR GIFTING

10 1/2 cups powdered milk

4 cups powdered sugar
2 (8-oz each) French vanilla-flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
3 1/2 cups hot chocolate mix
2 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer
1/2 tsp salt

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.

Divide mixture evenly into eight wide-mouth one-quart canning jars. Seal tightly.

Attach instructions with a pretty ribbon.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Pour 3 heaping tablespoonfuls of mix into a mug. Add boiling water or hot milk; stir to dissolve.

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HOMEMADE COFFEE CREAMER

This is a recipe I got from a friend. Did you know that the most popular refrigerated coffee creamer has 15 chemicals among it's ingredients?

14 oz sweetened condensed milk
2 cups milk

optional flavors
1/3 cup flavored syrup
Cocoa Powder
Vanilla Extract
Almond Extract
Cinnamon

Other flavor ideas:
French Vanilla - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Chocolate Almond - Cocoa Powder and Almond Extract

Strudel Cake - 1 Tblsp Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Almond Extract
Cinnamon Cake - 2 Tsp Cinnamon, 2 Tsp Vanilla Ex

You can experiment to come up with your own favorite flavors.

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