Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar

I needed a $10 lady's gift for our church's staff Christmas party but have always hated giving the "usual" gifts - store-bought bath baskets, perfume sets, etc. This year I had an epiphany! Why not give a set of jar mixes and some Christmas potholders? I thought it would be a nice homemade alternative to the "usuals". I made up one jar of my "Dreaming of a White Christmas Soup" (I also included a can of the cooked chicken mentioned in the recipe) and another of "Peanut Butter Swirl Chip Cookie Mix" (which I found at www.meals.com and have included below). That way, the person who receives my gift will get both dinner and dessert in a bag. :o)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels (peanut butter chocolate swirl chips, white and semi-sweet swirl chips, etc.)
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Place flour mixture in 1-quart jar. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.

RECIPE TO ATTACH:
Preheat oven to 375° F. Beat 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) softened butter or margarine, 1 large egg and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until blended. Add cookie mix and 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional); mix well, breaking up any clumps. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Maybe next year I'll make up some Red Beans and Rice Mix for my gift. Want to create jar mixes from your own favorite recipes? Learn how here.

Want a few more jar mix recipes? Check out some of these sites:

• http://www.mixesinajar.com/
• http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/index.shtml
• http://www.food.com/recipe/Rainbow-Cupcakes-Gift-Mix-in-a-Jar-254104

Menu: October 24-31

I shall try to get this week's menu up before Monday but I haven't gotten a lot of sleep in the last couple of days...

• Meatloaf, acorn squash slices, and steamed broccoli and cauliflower
• Cowboy Skillet (using ground turkey)
• Baked Potato Soup and side salad
• Spicy Chicken Club Pitas - homemade pita bread, lettuce, tomatoes, turkey bacon, onions, and chicken breast cooked with taco seasoning.
• Red Beans and Rice - I also found a recipe for making Pre-packaged Mixes.
• I want to make some kind of a rice dish this week. Any ideas? A friend mentioned she had a recipe for Slow Cooker Orange Sesame Chicken and suggested serving it with coconut rice...

"Dreaming of a White Christmas" Soup

This is a recipe that I found for making "Jar Mixes" as gifts. I gave one to my parents for Christmas last year and my mom said it was really good.

1 package (2.75 ounces) country gravy mix
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
2 tablespoons dried celery flakes
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
2 1/2 to 3 cups uncooked wide egg noodles or other pasta

Pour gravy mix into wide-mouth quart jar. In small bowl, stir together bouillon granules, onion, celery and parsley. Pour into jar to make second layer. Add noodles. Close with lid; attach gift tag and decorate.

Attach a recipe card that says:
Empty contents of jar into a 4-quart saucepan or Dutch oven. Add 8 cups water; heat to boiling on high. Reduce heat to medium; add one 10-ounce or two 6-ounce cans cooked and chopped chicken. Cover and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally. Makes 8 servings.

I am going to try this recipe with the following changes (so I don't have to make up the jar first):

• 1 package (2.75 ounces) country gravy mix
• 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules (I will substitute 6 cups of chicken broth for the bouillon and only use 2 cups of water instead of 8 cups)
• 2 tablespoons dried minced onion (I will add 1/2 a large onion, minced)
• 2 tablespoons dried celery flakes (I will use fresh celery, minced)
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups uncooked wide egg noodles or other pasta
• I will substitute leftover roast turkey for the canned chicken

Want a few more jar mix recipes? Check out http://www.mixesinajar.com/.