Gifts from the Kitchen

foodsandflavors ™ ~ Courtney Tevepaugh

Courtney Tevepaugh

photo: Pixels On Paper Photography

WRITER/PHOTOS Courtney P. Tevepaugh

Family and Consumer Science Agent, Wilkes County North Carolina Cooperative Extension

Courtney_tevepaugh@ncsu.edu Follow along on Facebook @wilkesFCS

As we approach the holiday season, many might be scrambling to find gifts for the special people in their life. I often find myself wondering what to get someone who has everything they need. I'm a huge fan of practical gifts that (hopefully) bring joy to the recipient. After all, what good is a nice gift if it's of no use to the person receiving it? A few years ago I began making holiday gifts in a mason jar. At first, I tried hot coco and flavored coffees, this quickly transformed into cookies and soup mixes, even chili and cornbread.

I remember the first holiday party I carried gift mixes to. I stuck a jar of homemade cookie mix into a gift and it was a hit. My friends wanted the instructions so they could then make the mixes for others. Since then I have explored many options for my "gifts from the kitchen". Each mix can be fun, and not to mention good on the wallet. 1/2 cup dry split peas 2 Tablespoons beef bouillon granules 1/4 cup pearl barley 1/2 cup dry lentils 1/4 cup dry, minced onions 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1/2 cup rice 1/2 cup macaroni noodles

Gifts from the Kitchen

I know mason jars have been difficult to find in the past few years, so I encourage you to think creatively. Utilize recycled pasta sauce jars or even pickle jars. Dress it up with fabric, ribbon, or a nice label and you are good to go. Just make sure the container you choose is clean, with a lid, and large enough to fit the recipe mix you intend to use.

So what are my favorite mixes you ask? Well, I haven't met one that I don't like! Mixes in a jar are so handy for gifting, but you can apply the same concept to everyday life as well. For example, you can give homemade pancake mix, but you can also make a large batch of it to have on hand at home. Other convenience mixes I enjoy are homemade taco and ranch seasoning, these are less expensive than a single package at the grocery store and can be tweaked to your liking.

If you're ready to wow friends this season try out a few of these DIY gift mixes. To make the mixes follow the first set of instructions under each recipe. Then provide a copy of the recipe instructions for using the mix with the gift.

Friendship Soup Mix

In a clean, quart-sized jar, layer all the ingredients except the macaroni. Place the macaroni in a sandwich bag and place it on top of the other ingredients. Cover the jar tightly with a lid, decorate it and attach a copy of the recipe card.

Friendship Soup Recipe Instructions 1 container Friendship Soup Mix 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey 3 quarts water 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes

Brown meat and drain. Place in a large pot and add the water and tomatoes. Add soup mix except macaroni. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for one hour. Add macaroni and continue cooking for another 10 to 15 minutes (until macaroni is tender). For best flavor, use this mix within one year. Makes 12 servings.

Homemade Bread Mix 3 1/3 cups bread flour 2 teaspoons Active quick-rising dry yeast 2 teaspoon salt

Add flour, yeast, and salt to a bowl, stir well. Pour mixture into a clean, quart-sized mason jar. Cover the jar tightly with a lid, decorate and attach a copy of the recipe card.

Homemade Bread Recipe Instructions 1 container Homemade Bread Mix 1 1/4 cups warm water 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

In a large mixing bowl stir together bread mix, warm water, & apple cider vinegar until combined. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise 11/2 hours. Preheat oven and baking stone to 450°F. Punch dough down; remove from bowl. Using your hands shape into a round loaf. Place on a piece of parchment paper. Let rest 40 minutes. Before baking, dust the top with flour; make three slices on the top. Transfer dough with parchment paper onto the baking stone. Bake for 24 to 30 minutes. Cool and slice. *A cast iron skillet, baking sheet, or bread pan can be used in place of the baking stone.*

Country Chili Mix 1 pound kidney beans 3 Tablespoons chili powder 2 Tablespoons dehydrated onions 1 Tablespoon garlic salt 1 teaspoon oregano 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Pour kidney beans into a clean quart-sized jar. In a small bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Pour mix into a clear sandwich bag and place it on top of the beans. Cover the jar tightly with a lid, decorate and attach a copy of the recipe card.

Country Chili Recipe Instructions 1 container Country Chili Mix 10 cups water (for soaking beans) 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce 1 (24-ounce) can diced tomatoes 1 pound ground beef or turkey 6 cups water (for cooking beans)

Remove the bag of seasoning from jar and rinse beans. Soak beans overnight in a large bowl or stockpot. Drain and rinse beans.

Fill a pot with 6 cups of water and add the beans. Cook beans until soft, about one hour; simmer gently with lid tilted. Brown meat; drain and add to the beans with tomatoes and sauce. Add in seasonings, stir and simmer, covered, for one hour. Add a little more water if needed to thin the broth. For best flavor, use mix within one year. Makes 8 servings.

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Seasons Greetings

Vicki Yount

Vicki Yount

WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER / Vicki Yount

Cranberry Orange Bread

I found a new recipe for Cranberry Orange Bread and I love it! It is soft but dense with cranberries and nuts and my orange glaze takes it over the top. I used a 9x5x3-inch non stick pan and greased it well with Crisco. Preheat oven to 350*F.

Ingredients 1 cup sugar 1 Tablespoon grated navel orange peel (I prefer navel oranges for the juice and zest) 3/4 cup water 1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil 1 egg 2 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup whole fresh or frozen cranberries 1 cup chopped pecans Grease your 9x5-inch pan with Crisco. In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, orange zest, water, orange juice, oil, and egg. Beat well. Add flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda, stirring just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in the cranberries and the nuts. Pour into the greased pan.

Bake 350*F. for 50 to 60 minutes. Check with a wooden skewer or knife in center until it comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes and remove to you cake stand or dessert plate to cool completely.

If you know me, I have to have a glaze, so I juice and zest one navel orange and add powdered sugar until I have a thick but slightly runny glaze. Pour the glaze over each slice or over the whole loaf. You can never have enough glaze. It just makes the bread.

Happy Christmas and New Year Everybody! See you in 2023! Unbelievable!

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in a busy in a busy Mom’s Kitchen Mom’s Kitchen

Ryan Guthrie

WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Ryan Guthrie

In a busy household like ours, the perfect dinner involves minimal dirty dishes and food prep!

In the last several years of adult/working mom holiday seasons, I have noticed that my annual dreams of Pinterest-perfect holiday spreads often meet the reality of the busy holiday season and take the backseat to convenience and comfort food! I am learning to remind myself the most precious plans of this season all come down to what we are truly celebrating…and who we celebrate with!

These two appetizers are crowd pleasing, no stress, easy to prep ahead and serve quick recipes - so you can enjoy more time with loved ones and less time frantic in the kitchen.

First, Cranberry Crockpot Meatballs put a holiday spin on the famous southern party staple. This version uses jellied cranberry sauce instead of the usual grape jelly. In the fall, we often have these as a main course with sides of stuffing and fresh green beans. The sauce will make your mouth water.

Finally, Teriyaki Glazed Kielbasa Bites. Sweet and savory with an Asian twist, these are tasty and look much fancier than their simple assembly! Happy Holidays!

Cranberry Crockpot Meatballs 26 oz package frozen meatballs (either beef or turkey are great!) 12 oz bottle chili sauce 15.5 oz can jellied cranberry sauce

Wisk the chili sauce and cranberry sauce together in a bowl. Dump the package of frozen meatballs into the slow cooker, then pour the sauce on top. Stir to coat the meatballs and cover. Cook on low for four hours.

Teriyaki Glazed Kielbasa Bites 2 pounds Kielbasa sliced into 1/2-inch pieces 1 (14-ounce) can pineapple slices in juice, quartered 3 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce 1 Tablespoon sweet chili sauce 1 Tablespoon honey 1 Tablespoon pineapple juice from can

Preheat oven to 425°F. Place a piece of pineapple on top of a slice of Kielbasa and stick a toothpick into them. In a small bowl combine remaining ingredients. Line a baking sheet with foil and cooking spray then place kielbasa bites onto the baking sheet. Brush glaze over tops and sides of bites. Place in the oven and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and enjoy!

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