Gifts in a BABY FOOD jar.....

**captclearance** · 10-12-2002, 09:43 PM

I got thinking about the baby food jars I have and what to do with them.... They are not big enough for the traditional gifts in a jar..... They would be perfect if the food gift where something like a dry dip mix, a spice blend or seasoning.... Something the recipient would only use a couple of teaspoons or so at a time.... So I search for some recipes for such items..... I have not calculated the recipes for a baby food jar but most give yields on the recipes or you can add the ingredients together and them 1/2 or 1/4 the recipes if need be..... example....
1 c. flour
1/4 cornmeal
1/8 c sugar
2 tsp. salt
this would yield aprox 1 1/2 cups of the recipe......
Fill the jars and decorated as you would the large ones and included a tag that give directions on using the mix and recipes for it........ Hope this make sense.........
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Bacon Dip Mix
Makes : 1 cup
2 tbsp bacon bits
1 tsp dry beef bouillon granules
1 tbsp dried minced onion
1/8 tsp minced garlic

Combine all ingredients and place in jar...Store in cool dry place....
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To Prepare:
Combine 1 cup of sour cream and mix. Chill for
1 hour before serving. Makes about 1 cup of dip.

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RANCH DRESSING DIP MIX

1-1/2 TABLESPOONS DRIED PARSLEY
1 TABLESPOON SALT
1/2 TABLESPOON DRIED CHIVES
1/2 TABLESPOON DRIED OREGANO
1/2 TABLESPOON DRIED TARRAGON
1/2 TABLESPOON GARLIC POWDER
1/2 TABLESPOON BLACK PEPPER
1/2 TABLESPOON DRIED CILANTRO
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COMBINE INGREDIENTS AND PLACE IN AN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER.

Use prepared as a sandwich spread
- Add a little milk to prepared dip mix for a salad dressing.
- Add dry mix to cream cheese and roll for a cheese ball.
- Add dry mix to cottage cheese for a different flavour.
- Blend some dry mix with butter, add to mashed potatoes and brown in the
oven.
- Pour prepared dip over cooked vegetables for a change of pace.
- Use up little bits of leftover salad dressing and dips by mixing them all
together.
- Put a big dollop of prepared dip on top of your favourite soup.
- Mix with sour cream and top baked potatoes.
- Use prepared mix as hamburger toppings.
- Substitute some dry mix for your regular seasoning when preparing deviled
eggs.
- They are still the best way to get kids to eat their veggies!
RANCH DRESSING FROM MIX
1/2 CUP MAYONNAISE
1/2 CUP BUTTERMILK
1 TABLESPOON RANCH DRESSING MIX

MIX TOGETHER THOUROUGHLY AND REFRIGERATE UNTIL USE.
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Mexican Seasoning

3 Tablespoons Paprika
2 Teaspoons Oregano
1 Teaspoon Cumin
1 Teaspoon Tumeric
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper

Mix ingredients together thoroughly. Store in an Airtight Container. Use as
a mix for all of your Mexican dishes in place of the powdered packages.
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Cajun Rub

1 Tablespoon Dried Basil
1 Tablespoon Dried Oregano
1 Tsablespoon Paprika
2 Teaspoons Salt
2 Tablespoon Dried Thyme
1 Teaspoon Ground Allspice
Blend together all ingredients. Use on Poultry, Pork, and Beef for a Cajun
Taste!

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Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/4 cup ground cinnamon
1/8 cup ground ginger 1 Tablespoon nutmeg
1 Tablespoon ground cloves
use 2 to 3 Tbsn per pie...
###############################

Ranch Dressing Mix Plus 1 cup dried parsley flakes
1/2 cup finely crushed saltines (about 15 crackers)
1/2 cup dried minced onion
1/2 cup garlic salt 1/2 cup onion salt
1/4 cup garlic powder
1/4 cup onion powder
2 tablespoons dill weed

In a large mixing bowl, combine first 8 ingredients; mix well. Store in
airtight container in a cool dry place. YIELD: 3 cups mix (enough to make 24
batches of ranch salad dressing).

For Ranch Dressing:
In a bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of mix with 2 cups mayonnaise and 2
cups buttermilk. Refrigerate until serving. Yield 4 cups.

For Thousand Island Dressing:
Add 1/4 cup chili sauce and 2 tablespoons pickle relish to 1 cup prepared
ranch dressing.

For Cucumber Dressing:
Add 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and pureed and 1 teaspoon celery seed
to 1 cup of prepared ranch salad dressing.
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Taco Seasoning Mix

2 teaspoons instant minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper
1/2 teaspoon instant minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
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Vegetable Dip Mix

1 tb Dried Chives
1 ts Garlic Salt
1/2 ts Dill Weed
1/2 ts Paprika

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl: blend well

Vegetable Dip: Combine 1 T lemon juice, 1 cup Mayonnaise, 1 cup sour cream,
and 2 Tbsn of mix. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.
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Imagination is the most important ingredient to a handmade gift... Attach cute recipe cards or instructions to these by writing or printing on your computer, add small things to the jar like a scoop or spoon tied on with raffia... (those scoops that come in powdered baby formula would work great) Ties on a small ceramic chilli pepper on the Mexican spice mix or a small decorative vegetable on the veggie dip.... Use your imagination....
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Ok here is the last idea........
Get well chicken soup...... put extra fine egg noodles, a teaspoon of bullion or 1 cube, a pinch of dried parsley (and if you have a food dehydrator... dried FINELY diced...celery and carrots)
add a card letting them know to just simmer this in a cup of water for 5 minutes....... Add a mug, tissue, card, flowers, whatever.... put in a basket.........

**bamamomto4** · 10-12-2002, 09:48 PM

As always Lori--These ideas are great!!!

These all sound yummies!

**Sherryh** · 10-12-2002, 10:38 PM

Great ideas.... NOW I wish I had saved all of those baby food jars! Durnit!

**captclearance** · 10-12-2002, 10:56 PM

Shame on you not saving any.... These are very coveted where I live.... Find a friend that has some, or just use any little jar or put in a cello party bag with ribbons on it......

**Hawkshop** · 10-13-2002, 03:59 AM

I was wondering what I was going to do with all those baby food jars! Now I know. Thanks!

**momof2inperu** · 10-13-2002, 09:08 AM

Great Idea...and I have tons of baby food jars!!!

**mema2dandk** · 10-15-2002, 10:43 AM

these are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! my youngest grandbaby still eats jarred food. i love this idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Guest1** · 10-05-2004, 06:53 PM

Wonderful ideas!

**leneth** · 04-30-2009, 06:40 AM

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**leneth** · 04-30-2009, 06:41 AM

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**leneth** · 04-30-2009, 06:41 AM

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**Momto2Boyz** · 04-30-2009, 09:41 AM

DH got homemade hard candies in a baby food jar for Christmas from one of his customers and it was one of his favorite gifts this past year. They had cute homemade labels to go with that were color coded, so we knew which color candies were which flavors.

And the baby food jar was a perfect size for putting the candies in!

**jantana** · 04-30-2009, 09:52 AM

Great ideas. Youngest grandson hasn't started eating baby food just yet, but when he does, those jars are mine.

The very small canning jars would work also. I do have some of those. These would make wonderful gifts for friends and family.

Thanks

**Maine Girl** · 04-30-2009, 10:17 AM

If i had baby food jars i would put flavored butter to go with muffins/breads. Also you could put gourmet ground coffee in them for a breakfast basket. Can you tell what i am working on? LOLLOL

**mauimagic** · 04-30-2009, 01:32 PM

What a fantastic idea!! These will be great for stocking stuffers too as well as little gifts!! I am soooo glad that you shared this idea now and not later - gives me time to plan!! Mahalo plenty!!