Make-it-Yourself Rice Mixes

Straight from the Hillbilly Housewife site, this woman has figured out how to make the most delicious (and inexpensive) rice mixes! Place ingredients in sealed baggie until needed. ( When I have spare time, I make quite a few and throw them in my pantry for when we need
them! ) These also make great gifts when put into small canning jars! White rice can be used instead of brown rice. Each rice packet yields 5-6 servings!

Chicken Rice

3/4 cup brown rice (white rice works, too)
1/4 cup broken uncooked spaghetti
1 T dried minced onion
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 T dry parsley
3 chicken bouillon cubes

Place 2 T margarine, the rice mix, and 2 1/2 cups water in sauce pot. Bring to boil. Cover. Reduce heat to low. Simmer until done and fluffy.

Onion Rice

1 cup brown rice
1/4 cup broken uncooked spaghetti
1 tsp. onion powder
2 T dried minced onion
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3 beef bouillon cubes

Place 2 T olive oil in sauce pot. Add 2 1/2 cups water. Add rice mix. Bring to boil. Reduce heat. Cover. Simmer until done and fluffy.

Taco Rice

1 cup brown rice
2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 T dry minced onion
cayenne pepper, to taste

Heat 1-2 T oil in sauce pot. Add packet. Cook rice a few minutes, stirring. Add 8 oz. can tomato sauce and 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to boil. Reduce to low. Cover. Simmer until done and fluffy.

--Delena
Kansas City, MO

Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix...In a Jar!

3 cups flour
4 tsp. cinnamon
2 1/4 T sugar
2 T baking powder
1 1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup dried apple pieces

Mix all ingredients together until blended well. Place in a 1 quart (wide-mouth) canning jar. Attach a gift tag with instructions.

To make, combine 3/4 cup milk, 1 egg, and 2 T vegetable oil in a medium bowl. Whisk in the pancake mix, and mix until moistened but still lumpy. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour batter, 1/4 cup at a time, onto the prepared griddle. Cook on both sides until golden brown.

--Delena
Kansas City, MO

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Mix...In a Jar!

3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate chips
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
dash baking soda

Mix salt, baking powder, baking soda, and flour. Layer ingredients in 1 quart canning jar in any given order. Attach gift card providing instructions.

To make, beat 1 cup butter in bowl until fluffy. Beat in 1 egg and 1 tsp. vanilla. With a wooden spoon, stir in cookie mix into creamed mixture until well blended. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake in pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes.

Yield: 3-4 dozen cookies

--Delena
Kansas City, MO

Lasagna Dinner...In a Jar!

1/4 cup plus 2 T instant dry milk
2 T plus 2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. chicken or beef bouillon granules
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
3 cups egg noodles

Layer ingredients in 1 quart (wide-mouth) canning jar. Layer ingredients in order, and pack down ingredient before adding next ingredient. Attach a gift tag with the instructions.

To cook, brown hamburger in large skillet. Drain and rinse. Add Lasagna Dinner mix, 2 cups water, and 1 (16 oz.) can of tomato sauce. Bring this to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir until thickened. Top with 2 cups mozzarella cheese about 5 minutes before serving. Allow cheese to melt.

--Delena
Kansas City, MO

Pasta Soup...In a Jar!

1 3/4 cup small shell macaroni or other small pasta
3/4 cup dried lentils
3/4 cup dried chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
3 1/2 T dried minced onion
3 1/2 T chicken bouillon granules
1 T plus 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
1 3/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Layer the ingredients into a 1 quart (wide-mouth) canning jar. Layer in order, and pack ingredients down before adding the next ingredient. Attach a gift tag with the instructions.

To cook, Place 10 1/2 cups water in a large soup pot. Bring to a boil. Add the Pasta Soup mix. If desired, add a can of chicken or some cooked chicken. Reduce heat, and cover. Simmer for 40 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally.

--Delena
Kansas City, MO