Inexpensive gift idea....
Do you need a inexpensive gift? Here is the "gift in a jar" meal box I made for my friend R as a thank you for watching my cat while I was on vacation. I'm going to post the "recipes" for making this chili night goodie box. 
Painted Desert Chili Mix
1 (1-quart) wide-mouth canning jar
Layer in a 1-quart canning jar:
1/4 cup dried parsley
2 tablespoons granulated garlic
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (see recipe)
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons white cornmeal
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 tablespoons granulated garlic
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1/2 cup dried pinto beans
1/4 cup small dried white beans
1/2 cup dried kidney beans
1/4 cup small dried black beans
1/2 cup dried pinto beans
Approximately 1/2 cup dried kidney beans
This recipe seems weird as you keep layering the same things...but you get the pretty look you see in the pic doing it this way since the ingredients are layered, like sand art. Don't worry about getting the layers even. The desert effect comes from the rippled appearance of the spices. One tip is to carefully add each seasoning along the edges of the jar, then fill in the middle of the layer. This way all of the beautiful colors show along all of the edges. After you add the 1st layer of beans push them down a little compressing the spices, but don't shake the jar or you will lose your pretty layers. The last layer of beans you may not be able to put the full 1/2c in. Try pushing down a little more to see if you can fit them, if not leave them out.
Attach these instructions to the jar:
Painted Desert Chili
Pour contents of jar into 12-quart pot.
Add:
1 medium diced onion
4 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 large can of tomato paste
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
49 ounces tomato juice
2 pounds ground beef or turkey, browned
Fill remainder of the pot with water. Bring to boil. Let simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Taco Seasoning Recipe (this will make enough spice mix for about 2 jars.)
12 tsp Chili Powder
10 tsp Paprika
9 tsp Cumin
6 tsp Onion Powder
5 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months. 7 teaspoons mix equals one 1.25oz package of store bought taco seasoning. 
Texas Cornbread Mix
1 Wilton disposable 12” icing bag (without tip cut off) and a twist tie.
For 1 cone:
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup dry powdered milk
1/4 cup butter flavored shortening
In a large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar and cornmeal till it is fine crumbs. Sift in flour, powdered milk, salt and baking powder; mix till completely combined.
To package in cone: fill bag about1/4 of the way and then press down to compact. Keep filling till you have used all the mix by adding a bit then compacting. Bag will be very full when done, so be careful when putting on the twist tie that it is completely closed.
Makes approximately 3 cups of mix
Attach the following instructions on a gift tag:
Texas Cornbread
1 container (2 cups) Texas Cornbread Mix
1 egg (slightly beaten)
7 oz (or 3/4 cup + 2tbsp) water
Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease one 8-inch square pan, or 8-inch cast iron skillet, or cast iron cornbread mold.
Place cornbread mix into bowl, mix thoroughly. Add egg and water. Hand-beat until smooth, about one minute. DO NOT OVERBEAT!
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes for pan or skillet, 15 to 20 minutes for cornbread mold.
Crazy Chocolate Cake Mix
1 (1-quart) wide-mouth canning jar
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder. Layer into jar. Add cocoa powder and cinnamon then wipe down insides of jar and compact ingredients as much as you can. Add sugar, you may have a little mound on top, put the sealing lid on top and push down till all the sugar goes in, then add screw ring.
Attach the following instructions on a gift tag:
Crazy Chocolate Cake
Contents of gift jar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups water
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Stir cake ingredients together using a wire whisk or fork, making certain that all ingredients are completely mixed together. Bake for 35 minutes.
Frost as desired or serve sprinkled with confectioners sugar with fresh fruit on the side.
Then you can decorate and package you meal however you like. Add a fabric square under the screw ring to add color or just add a ribbon to the jar and call it a day. 
Posted in: Craft, In The Kitchen on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 1:23 PM
