Last week was Thanksgiving, and now we need to think about Christmas. The holidays are a special time to celebrate with family and friends and yet, the 2020 season is going to be quite different from years past. Shopping at the mall is questionable because of the possible crowds, the internet is a possibility, but if you want to give gifts from your heart, how about gifts from the kitchen? Are there things you can make that involve the children to show them you are gifting to show appreciation and to spend quality time together?
My grandson Quentin loves to help me in the kitchen and is a great help, except he helped peeled potatoes for Thanksgiving and did cut himself with the peeler, so he is a little more cautious now.
His sister, who is 2, loves to copy, and tells everyone that she is Grandma’s helper (and best buddy!).
Making recipe-in-a-jar gifts is great and the children and grandchildren can participate.
Peanut Butter Brownie Mix
Makes 16 brownies
One quart-sized container
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup peanut butter chips
1 cup all-purpose four
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
To be added when ready to use:
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a one-quart clean glass container, layer the first nine ingredients in order listed, packing well between each layer. Cover tightly. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
Make a large tag with construction paper with these instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine two eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract and brownie mix. Spread into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake until set, 25-30 minutes (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack. Cut into 16 squares.
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This gift will be a welcome gift, especially for a cold and rainy night in Hilo.
Curried Lentil Soup
Serves 8
1-quart plastic container
Layer as follows:
1/2 cup yellow lentils
1/2 cup red lentils
1/2 cup yellow lentils
1/2 cup red lentils
5 sun-dried tomatoes (not oil-packed)
1-1/2 teaspoon curry powder (place in small Ziploc bag)
2 teaspoons turmeric (place in small Ziploc bag)
1 dried chili pepper
2 bay leaves
On a large tag, write the following instructions:
Curried Lentil Soup
Serves 8
Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium high heat. Add 4 smashed garlic cloves and 1 diced red onion; saute for 6 minutes. Add the contents of the spice bags, the bay leaf and chile pepper for the Curried Lentil Soup mix and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the rest of the soup mix and 8 cups water or chicken broth; simmer until the lentils are soft, about 1 hour. Season with salt.
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Hot cocoa is always a nice beverage on a rainy day and we have had a few days of heavy rains when this would have been great.
Spiced Hot Cocoa
Makes 24 cups
50 ounce clean glass jar
Layer in order:
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons vanilla powder
2 cups confectioners sugar
2 cups Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 cups confectioners sugar
Make a tag with these instructions:
Spiced Hot Cocoa
Makes 24 cups
Sift the Spiced Hot Cocoa Mix into a large bowl. For each serving, stir 1/4 cup mix into 1 cup hot milk. Store the remaining mix in the jar.
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Roy Kaneko posts that he has prune mui available periodically and his looks so delicious it makes my mouth water. I don’t have his recipe but here is one I like. Let’s see if it is anywhere close to Roy’s.
Prune Mui
Makes 3 quarts
5 pound dried pitted prunes
1/2 pound dried lemon peel, chopped
1/2 pound li hing mui
1 pound dark brown sugar
1-1/2 cups lemon juice
1/4 cup whiskey
3 tablespoons coarse salt
1 tablespoon Chinese five spice
8 whole cloves or if you don’t like to bite into it, then substitute with 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
In a large bowl, combine the prunes, lemon peel, and the li hing mui. In another bowl, mix the brown sugar, lemon juice, whiskey, salt, five spice powder and cloves. Pour over the prunes, mixing thoroughly. Place in sterilized jars (Roy has his in plastic containers). Allow to stand for 2-3 days before eating.
On the gift tag, write:
Enjoy these preserved prunes. Stick your fingers into the container, grab some prunes, lick your fingers, enjoy! Refrigerate after opening.
Email Audrey Wilson at audreywilson808@gmail.com.