Cowboy Casserole Gift in a Jar

 

This recipe is a creation of Colleen Sowa. Picture is also her's.

 

LAYER 1

1 pkg (1.5 ounce) brown gravy mix

 

LAYER 2

2 Tbsp taco seasoning mix

1 Tbsp each: dried cilantro flakes, dried parsley flakes

3 Tbsp dried minced onion

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp beef boullion

1/2 tsp ground red pepper (optional)

1 tsp chili powder

 

LAYER 3

3 1/4 c wagon wheel pasta

 

1. Pour gravy mix into wide-mouth quart jar.

2. In a small bowl, mix together all the spices and the bouillon. Make a paper funnel or use a canning funnel to put the spice layer into the jar.

3. Pour the wagon wheel pasta into the jar. Place lid and ring onto jar.

4. Cut a piece of cloth in a circle that is 3 - 4 inches wider than the jar ring. (I use a pinking sheers to cut the material for a nice edging. I use a rubber band to hold the cloth in place on the jar. Then I tie a pretty ribbon over the rubber band and attach the recipe card that has a hole in it to put the ribbon through. Then tie a pretty bow.

 

The gift tag/ recipe card: 

 

Cowboy Casserole

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

In a large skillet: Brown and cook well 1-1/2 pounds ground beef. Drain.

Add the ingredients in the jar to the skillet. Add 4 cups water Add 1 cup chunky salsa Add 1 (15 ounce) can black beans Add 1 (15 ounce) can Mexican Corn (drained). Stir together well. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Either use cooking spray or oil to put a thin layer on 9 x 13 -inch baking pan. Pour the well stirred mixture into baking pan. Cover baking pan tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 65 to 75 minutes (or until pasta is cooked and tender). Remove foil. Add 1-1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.

Chocolate Brownie Mix - gift in a jar

This Mix goes in a pint jar. Who doesn't like brownies?

1 Cup Sugar

1/3 Cup Cocoa,

1/2 Cup Flour mixed with this (1/4 tsp Salt and 1/2 tsp Baking Powder) or use self rising flour

tap down

(optional) fill to top with Nuts, toffee bits, or chips .

This can be mixed and then added or placed in order and create layers in the mix. An option would be to add dry vanilla powder and dried eggs powder.

TAG should say (Or use the one below)

Chocolate Brownies

Empty contents into bowl and add the following.

2 Eggs

1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil

1 teaspoon Vanilla.

Beat well and put into a sprayed 8x8 baking dish and

Bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Caramel Vanilla Latte Gift in a jar

I like using the 8 oz plastic containers that the instant Foldgers comes in. If you take off the outside plastic it is clear under it and easy to write on. It also serves as a warning when you are low on your mix.

In a mixing bowl or in the old foldges jar mix

¾ cup instant coffee (I like foldgers)

1 cup sugar

1 ½ cup international delights vanilla caramel powdered coffee creamer (divided)

If using the jar to also shake the ingredients together then follow this method

Add the coffee and sugar and one cup of the creamer and shake well when dispersed then add the last ½ cup creamer and shake once more to mix well.

If doing in a bowl and then adding to a jar simply mix it all together and then put into a jar or jars.

To serve simply put 2-4 slightly rounded tablespoons into a cup (depending on size of cup).

Gift in a Jar "Halloween Hay Stacks"

So you are having a party and need a center piece. Look under the directions for a great little idea that is sure to please.
Makes 12 stacks

1 c chocolate chips (in a baggy) (In a baggie)

1/4 c flaked coconut (color it orange with a drop each of yellow and red mixed together and put in a baggie)

3/4 c chow mien noodles

 

Layer in a wide mouth pint jar. decorate and attach a tag saying:

 

Halloween Hay Stacks 

(Nothing else needed) 

 

Put chow mien noodles in a medium bowl and set a side. Place chocolate in a bowl and mic for 30 seconds. stir well and mic another 15 seconds if it wasn't completely melted. stir well and pour over the noodles, mix well and drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper. Top with colored coconut. Allow to harden for an hour. Makes 12 stacks.

Ideas for serving:

Place on a large plate with crushed chocolate cookie crumbs to look like dirt and add a few coffin cookies or ghost marshmellows

Gift in a Jar "Chow on this Fudge"

Chinese noodles meet American ingenuity in this east meets west gift in a jar. This is the easiest fudge you will ever make and one of the most appreciated Gift in a jars you will ever give.

 

3/4 c chocolate chips

3/4 c butterscotch chips

1 1/2 c chow mein noodles (placed in a zip lock baggy)

1 c graham cracker crumbs (placed in a zip lock baggie)

 

Layer in a 1 qt wide mouth canning jar. Decorate and attach a tag saying:

Chow on this Fudge
Needed Items 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)

Take out the 2 baggies and set a side. place all the chips in a bowl, add peanut butter and microwave for 30 seconds. stir and microwave again for 20 seconds if it wasn't all melted. Stir in crumbs from the baggie and stir well then add the chow mein noodles and stir again. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper and allow to sit an hour to harden. Makes 36 teaspoon sized pieces of fudge

Gift in a jar ~ Chicken Rice a Roni ~

I find myself starting back into the gift in a jar theme as I begin to fill my cabinets. This recipe makes 2 cups and fills a pint jar.

In a bowl mix together the following

2/3 c long grain rice 

1/3 c vermicelli, broke into small 1/2 inch pieces

in a small resealable baggie place the following

1/2 tsp onion powder

2/3 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1 1/2 tsp grandulated buillon chicken flavored

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

Put all into a pint jar and cap.  Decorate as you wish and attach a label with this

Homemade  Chicken Rice a Roni

You will need 

1 1/2 Tbsp butter

2 1/2 cups hot water 

Melt butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Stir in rice and vermicelli and  cook, stirring frequently, until vermicelli is lightly browned. Add the water and the spices. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and cover pan. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until rice is just a bit soupy. Remove from heat, cover and let sit for about 5 minutes. If it gets too dry, just add some hot water. Serves: 3 - 4

Dry Rib Rub Gift in a jar

3 cup brown sugar

3 Tablespoons (heaping) garlic powder

3 Tablespoons (heaping) onion powder

1 1/2 Tablespoons smoked paprika

1/2 Tablespoon cayenne pepper

3 Tablespoons dry ranch dressing

1 1/2 Tablespoon salt

3/4 teaspoon dry ginger

1 1/2 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes

1 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Rub on any meat, or poultry. Makes about 4 cup of rub. Enough for a qt jar or 2 pint jars.

Tummy Relief Gift in A jar

This is a gift in a jar item I created. You simply put the teabags into a tea pot add water and it makes a wonderful soothing pot of tea. A great gift for those over eaters on your Yule time list

Makes 16 tea pot fulls

2 c camomile flowers

2 c meadowsweet

2 c peppermint

16 large sealable tea bags (4x5 inch size)

1. Mix everything together and fill each teabag with 2 tablespoons of mixed herbs. seal with a iron and place in a pretty decorated box with these directions

2. Tummy Relief Tea Place 1 teabag in a tea pot and fill with boiling water. allow to sit 5-10 minutes and serve. can add honey or sugar if wanted. but tastes great as is.

Here is a place that sells them, even if you buy them somewhere else you might want to check this link as it also gives you complete instructions as to how to seal them. http://www.muslinbag.com/tea.html