Craft and gift ideas, tips, shortcuts, bits and pieces of things learned from trial and error, from friends or from research – things that worked for me.
Tips
Are those eggs outdated?
Eggs will last for several weeks if stored in the fridge but, like everything, they’re only good for so long. AND, you have to be particularly careful with eggs because of potential Salmonella bacteria.
How to test:
Place eggs in a bowl or saucepan and cover with water. If they turn on their end and float, do NOT use them. They are outdated!
BBQ Grill Mats
These are great for lining cookie sheets, pizza pans or whatever. Eliminates the need to grease pans or use parchment paper. It’s an easy cleanup and reusable.
Things to Know
1 pk active dry yeast = 2 1/4 tsp
1 tsp instant yeast = 1 1/4 tsp active dry
Ingredient Choices for Vegetarian Dishes
Need to come up with a Vegetarian Dish? The following is just a list of things you can choose from to build a great recipe. The portions are also entirely up to you depending on what type of dish you are creating and the quantity you need.
Standard Ingredients
1 medium onion, diced
1–2 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
oil for cooking
Vegetables
sweet potatoes
beets (golden or red)
carrots
mushrooms
spinach
kale
corn
squash
broccoli
cauliflower
artichokes
zucchini
bell peppers
Grains
millet
quinoa
bulgur
rice
buckwheat
Legumes
canned beans (e.g. black, pinto, cannellini, kidney)
lentils (red or green)
chickpeas
soybeans
mung beans
adzuki beans
black eyed peas
Dry Base
ground oats
cornmeal
bread crumbs
panko
almond meal
Nuts, Seeds and Other
scallions
chopped nuts (e.g. walnuts, almonds, pecans, cashews)
chopped sundried tomatoes
chopped olives
flax seeds
chia seeds
sesame seeds
mashed avocado
unsweetened nut butter (e.g. peanut, almond, cashew)
tahini
Herbs / Spices
fresh herbs, finely chopped (e.g. cilantro, basil, dill, parsley, thyme, sage, chives)
cumin
chili powder
smoked paprika
cayenne powder
Italian seasoning
black pepper
fennel
oregano
curry powder
coriander
cinnamon
turmeric
citrus zest
Other (for Flavour)
catsup
mustard
worecestershire sauce
soy sauce
hot pepper sauce
onion soup mix
tomatoes (fresh or canned)
Seasonings
I usually have a well stocked spice pantry with every type of spice that I use throughout the year. That way, I can make a variety of blends whenever I need. It puts me in control with no additives that are not necessary for flavour.
Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
1 tablespoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
Directions
Mix all ingredients and store in covered jar.
Write the ingredients on a little gift tag and tie it to the jar to make another wonderful gift idea.
Pickling Spice
Ingredients
2 tbsp whole mustard seeds
1 tbsp whole allspice
1 tbsp whole coriander seeds
1 tbsp black peppercorns
1 1 tbsp dill seeds
1 to 2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp ground ginger
5 bay leaves, crushed
2 cinnamon sticks broken into pieces
6 whole cloves
Directions
Mix all ingredients and store in covered jar. Makes about 1/2 cup.
Write the ingredients on a little gift tag and tie it to the jar to make another wonderful gift idea.
Gift Ideas
Calico Bean Soup (Christmas 2012)
Gifts in a Jar are wondreful ideas for Christmas and special occassions. Just add a tag with the directions and the recipent can cook up a feast at a time that suits them best.
Contents of Jar
Directions (for Slow Cooker)
Remove the spice bag from jar and set aside. Empty the beans into a sieve, rinse and drain. Transfer to large slower cooker, add the spices and 9 cups of boiling water. Slow cook (low setting for 6 hours (stir occasionally). Add 14 oz can of diced tomatoes and heat through blending the flavours (about 40 minutes). Discard the bay leaf.
Directions (for Stove Top)
Transfer rinsed beans to a large dutch oven. Add 9 cups water. Bring the beans and spices to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 1 ¼ hours (until beans are tender). Add 14 oz can tomatoes and simmer for another 20 minutes to allow flavours to blend. Makes about 11 cups. (1 cup = 120 calories)
Curried Lental Soup
Contents of Jar
1 tbsp curry powder
2 tbsp chicken bouillon
2 tbsp onion flakes
1 tbsp mint leaves
1/4 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp thyme
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp each salt and pepper
¼ cup dried red split lentils
¼ cup dried green lentils
1/3 cup long grain rice
Directions:
Combine contents of jar, 8 cups water and 1 can diced tomatoes in large pot. Bring to boil on medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils and rice are tender. Makes about 11 cups
Stovetop Simmer
By: Renee Keel
Craftsperson and Owner of Seakissed Cottage, Bonavista, NL
Click HERE for Seaskissed Cottage on Facebook
Ingredients:
sprigs from fir tree
cinnamon stick
3 or 4 whole cloves
handful of cranberries
apple
clementine
Directions:
Slice the fruit. Fill your pot halfway or 3/4 way with water. Add sliced fruit and the remaining ingredients to the pot. Simmer on low (do NOT boil). Add water as needed.
NOTE: It can be reheated up to 3 or 4 days.
And BONUS: Nothing gets wasted … When this little gift has been well used, just through everything in your compost.
