I would like to share a few of my recipes that I use this time of the year as gifts. I have a lot more.

Curried Rice Mix
This curried rice mix is an interesting complement for plain chicken or pork.

1 cup long-grain rice
1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled
2 Tbsp. dried minced onion
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 tsp. curry powder

Layer the ingredients in the order given in a 1 & 1/2-cup jar.

Attach this to the Jar:
Curried Rice
Serves 6
2-1/2 cups water
1 package Curried Rice Mix

In a medium saucepan bring the water to a boil. Add the rice mix. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer for 20 minutes

Hearty Winter Soup Mix
Makes 6 servings

1 cup dried small red beans
1/2 cup dried lentils
1/4 cup EACH: dried split peas, white navy beans
8 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1/3 cup instant minced onion
2 teaspoons crushed dried basil
1 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon EACH: cumin, garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1 bay leaf
2/3 cup raw brown, parboiled OR long-grain rice***NO INSTANT***

Note: Be sure to sort through all beans and discard unusable ones. DO NOT USE INSTANT RICE.
In a small plastic bag, mix red beans, lentils, split peas and navy beans. (For jar gift: layer beans in jar)

In another small plastic bag, mix bouillon granules, minced onion, basil leaves, pepper, cumin, garlic powder, ginger and bay leaf.

In a third small plastic bag, place rice.

Attach this to the Jar:
Hearty Winter Soup Preparation
To prepare, wash beans and place in a 3-quart saucepan with 6 cups water. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Let stand 30 minutes. Drain beans and return to pan.

Add package of seasonings with 8 cups water. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes. Add rice and continue simmering until beans and rice are tender: brown rice, 45 minutes; parboiled rice, 25 minutes; long-grain rice, 20 minutes.


Gingerbread Cookie Mix in a Jar

Prep Time: approx. 20 Minutes. Makes 1 1/2 dozen

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

Directions
1 Mix 2 cups of the flour with the baking soda and baking
powder. Mix the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour with the ginger,
cloves, cinnamon, and allspice. In a 1 quart, wide mouth
canning jar, layer the ingredients starting with the flour and
baking powder mixture, then the brown sugar, and finally the
flour and spice mixture. Pack firmly between layers.
2 Attach a card to the jar with the following directions:
Gingerbread Cookies 1. Empty contents of jar into a
large mixing bowl. Stir to blend together. Mix in 1/2 cup
softened butter or margarine, 3/4 cup molasses, and 1 slightly
beaten egg. Dough will be very stiff, so you may need to use
your hands. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour. 2. Preheat
oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 3. Roll dough to
1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into
shapes with a cookie cutter. Place cookies on a lightly
greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. 4. Bake for 10 to
12 minutes in preheated oven. Decorate as desired.

Special Butterscotch Chip Cookies in a Jar

Makes 2 dozen

1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup flaked coconut 1 cup high protein crisp rice & wheat cereal
3/4 cup butterscotch chips 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions
1 Layer the ingredients in the order given in a one quart
wide mouth canning jar. Firmly pack each ingredient in
place. It will be a tight fit, but all ingredients will fit
in the jar. Use pinking shears to cut an 8 or 9 inch
circle from gingham, calico, or a seasonal fabric. Place the
fabric over the wide mouth lid and rim and secure with a
rubber band. Tie on a raffia or ribbon bow to cover the
rubber band. Attach a card to the ribbon or raffia with the
following mixing and baking directions:
2 Empty jar of cookie mix into a large mixing bowl. Add
1/2 cup of butter or margarine, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon of
vanilla. Use hands to mix the wet and dry ingredients
together. When completely blended, roll into large walnut sized
balls. Place on unprepared cookie sheets and use the palm of
your hand to flatten each cookie ball. Bake at 350 in a
preheated oven for 8-10 minutes.