It’s that wonderful time of the year that usually brings cooler weather to our Sunshine State, and gives us a chance to throw another log on the fire — or flip the switch on the electric models.
It’s also a time to spend more time with family and friends.
And, our thoughts also turn to thinking about what we can do to make this holiday season a little brighter for those we care about, which often involves a gift from the heart, or hearth.
Fortunately, there are many do-it-yourself gifts you can easily make in your kitchen. They won’t break your budget and are guaranteed to spread good cheer.
Some of you have been planning ahead and canning your bounty —turning your garden produce into family favorite jams and jellies, so that all you have left to do is to decorate those lids.
Others will use those same canning jars to make tasty treat jars for recipients.
Soup and chili are great one-dish meals that are inexpensive and nutritious.
Dried beans and peas have a lot going for them. They are one of the least expensive forms of protein, provide vitamins/minerals and fiber, and don’t require refrigeration.
Of course, everyone deserves to splurge a little during the holidays. So, gift jars can be made holding ingredients for brownies or cookies.
The ingredients that are needed can be easily assembled with an interesting layered-look, and bright colors to appeal to any youngster.
And, we just can’t forget our four-legged friends during the holidays. Just remember, that even for pets, these treats are considered “sometime foods,” so don’t let them pig out and pack on the pounds during the holidays.
So, here are a few recipes for last-minute gifts for teachers, neighbors, mail carriers, party hostesses and so on. The jars also make a nice addition to a gift basket, with other food or other items.
Last but not least, be sure to give yourself time to savors the joys of the season.
Happy Holidays!
Betsy Crisp, MS, LD/N, is a professor emeritus for UF/IFAS Extension – Family & Consumer Sciences
Barley-Pea Soup (makes 4 gifts)
Ingredients4 pint canning jars
1 package (16-ounce) each: Pearled barley; green split peas; lentils
Seasoning packet (make four/repeat measuring amounts below, four times)
4 small zip-top snack bags
1 bay leaf
1 Tablespoon each: dehydrated onion and parsley flakes
2 teaspoons low-sodium chicken bouillon granules (or powder packets)
½ teaspoon each: oregano; thyme; teaspoon garlic powder (or one clove minced fresh); lemon-pepper seasoning; and, ground black pepper
Cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)
Preparing the jars:
Wash jars and let dry completely
In a large bowl, mix together barley, peas and lentils. Distribute evenly into four, one-pint canning jars.
Into each of the zip-top snack bags, add the listed seasonings. Seal bag and add to jar. Cover with lid and band.
Decorate jar with fabric and ribbon.
Include a card with these instructions for making Barley-Pea Soup.
Barley-Pea Soup
Ingredients
1 jar soup mix (stores for up to six months)
1 quart chicken broth
2 cups water
2 cups cooked chicken (or ham, or sausage, or beef cubes (but substitute beef broth for chicken broth and beef bouillon granules.) The same can be done to create a vegetarian soup, using 2 cups or more of vegetables.
Note: Fresh vegetables such as sliced celery, carrots, diced onion, green peppers, potatoes and so on may be added, too, but are optional.
Instructions:
Remove seasoning packets from jar and set aside.
Empty barley, peas and lentils into a colander to rinse and sort, remove any debris.
In a slow cooker, or a large pot on top of a stove, add soup mix and seasoning packet, chicken broth, water and meat.
Slow cook, high for 4 hours to 5 hours or low for 8 hours to 10 hours, or simmer on stove top for 50 minutes to 60 minutes, until peas are tender. Remove bay leaf. Serve with croutons (optional). Makes six, bowl-sized servings, or 12 cups.
Fudgy M & M Brownies (makes one gift jar)
Ingredients
1 canning jar (1 quart)
1 cup + 2 Tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup baking cocoa
2/3 cup granulated white sugar
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup milk chocolate M & Ms (great for kids, but adults may prefer ½ cup chopped pecans/walnuts)
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Wash jars and let dry completely
In a large bowl, mix together the first three (white) ingredients (which will become the first layer to be added to the jar.)
Each of the other ingredients on the list becomes another layer. (Use the back of a wooden spoon to carefully pack each layer before adding the next one)
When finished, apply lid and seal with band. Decorate jar with fabric/ribbon and include the following card: Fudgy M&M Brownies
Fudgy M&M Brownies
Ingredients:
1 jar brownie mix
3 large eggs
2/3 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil and vanilla.
Add brownie mix and carefully stir until all ingredients are moistened/blended.
Pour into a greased 8-inch square pan.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes to 30 minutes. (Be careful not to overbake)
Cool on wire rack before cutting into 2-inch squares. (Makes 16 brownies)
Homemade Dog Biscuits (makes 2-3 gifts)
Ingredients
2 or 3 airtight storage containers
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup wheat germ
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ cup water
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons canola oil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large bowl, whisk together first three (dry) ingredients.
In a smaller bowl, combine next four (wet) ingredients and mix well. Add to dry mixture and mix well.
Turn out onto a floured surface. Roll to ¼-inch thickness and cut out dough with dog bone cookie cutters (They come in various sizes).
Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies (1 ½” to 3 ½”) They are done when the bottom is slightly browned.
Let cool on a wire rack and then package in airtight containers.
Published December 20, 2017
