Spiced Wheat Berry Pilaf

Pilaf is a Middle Eastern dish normally made of rice.  Nutty-flavored cooked wheat berries replace rice in this version.  And it's a big win in the pantry-friendly department.  All of the ingredients store well in the pantry.

The spices in this dish definitely have a Middle Eastern flair, and there are chopped pistachios and dried apricots, too.  Although the flavor is quite different from what we are normally used to, my family liked this dish. 

I think it's great served with chicken.  I serve it with grilled chicken breasts, but the pantry-friendly version of this idea would be rehydrating some freeze-dried chicken and stirring it right in! 

Remember when I told you about the benefits of wheat berries?  They store really well (like, for decades), and they're very nutritious.  Since then, I've been exploring a variety of wheat recipes, and I've found some good ones, such as Overnight Cracked Wheat Cereal with Mix-Ins, Crunchy Wheat Snacks, and the Italian Vegetable Wheat Berry Bowl.  

I think this one is the most unique and interesting of the bunch!

SPICED WHEAT BERRY PILAF

PREP TIME:  50-55 minutes
COOK TIME:  about 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 c. wheat berries  (Wheat berries are just wheat in whole grain form.  Find them in the bulk foods section of a health food store, or order online here or here or here.)
• 3 c. water
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 c. finely chopped apricots
• 1/2 c. roughly chopped pistachios, shelled
• 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. mint flakes
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

DIRECTIONS
Place wheat berries and water in a medium pot.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Boil 5 minutes.  Reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 45 minutes.  Drain off excess water.  In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat for 3 minutes.  Stir in cooked wheat, apricots, pistachios, cinnamon, cumin, mint flakes, garlic salt, and lemon juice.  Heat through.

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

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Hot Chocolate Cookies (jar mix)

These cookies are SO good!  Here's the thing:  Hot chocolate is my favorite thing this time of year!  So hot chocolate cookies just hit the spot.  Stay tuned because--like the other mixes I've shared here since May--they make fantastic gifts for neighbors and friends.  

Ask me why I love gifting these jar mixes to neighbors and friends.  Go ahead.  

First, they're easy to assemble, and I can make these mixes weeks and weeks before actually giving them out.  It makes December less busy for me.  Second, people are often inundated with treats this time of year, so I love giving people an option to enjoy my treat in February or April if they prefer. 

And, of course, jar mixes are fantastic to make ahead of time for yourself!  Need to throw a quick meal together?  Pull out the jar of Taco Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup, Turkey & Stuffing, Vegetable Legume Soup, or Hearty Breakfast and whip it up in no time.  Or always have Peachy Oat Bread, Oatmeal Chocolate Pecan Cookies, or these Hot Chocolate Cookies on hand all the time, too.  

I personally love stirring a candy cane piece into my hot chocolate for some delicious mint hot chocolate, which is technically what this recipe is.  But if you don't, you can leave out the candy cane bits.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS JAR MIX:  

• Jar mixes should be used within about a year unless you seal them (like with a FoodSaver and the jar attachment) or use oxygen absorbers.  
• If you decide to gift this the way I have pictured, use a piece of fabric about 6"x6".
• Making these cookies requires oil and eggs in addition to the dry ingredients in the jar mix.  Oil is already pantry-friendly, but there are a few pantry-friend options for eggs, which you can find here. I made these cookies using the pantry-friendly (shelf-stable) dried egg powder, and they turned out great.

HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES

PREP TIME (making the jar mix):  10 minutes
COOK TIME:  20-25 minutes

JAR MIX INGREDIENTS

In a wide-mouth quart jar, layer in order, tamping down to help the ingredients settle (as needed):

• 1  1/4 c. flour
• 1/4 c. cocoa
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda

In a small baggie, combine:

• 2/3 c. chocolate chips
• 1/2 c. Mallow Bits (or if you want them in bulk to give away as jar mix gifts, try these) 
• 1/3 c. crushed candy canes or Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips (optional)  NOTE: If you use candy canes, they'll stay crunchy after baking.  The Andes chips will melt like the chocolate chips and Mallow Bits.

Place the baggie in the jar on top of the baking ingredients.

Consult the directions below for more accurate directions.

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Attach to the jar using a sticker or tag:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Remove baggie from the jar.  Mix jar contents with 2 eggs and 1/2 c. oil using an electric mixer.  When mixed thoroughly, stir in contents of baggie.  Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a cookie sheet.  Bake 7-9 minutes.  Let cool at least 5 minutes on the cookie sheet before removing to a wire cooling rack.  Cookies will be very soft.

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

To print this recipe, hit the "print" button below.  If you don't see the print button, scroll back up and click on the title of this blog post, then scroll back down and you'll find the button below.

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Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole (jar mix)

In my quest to find some great meals in a jar, I came across an awesome idea for turkey and stuffing in a jar from Rainy Day Food Storage.  It's more of a casserole, in my opinion, and since it includes cranberries and even gravy right in the mix, I think the best name for this recipe is Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole.  It has such a homey, comfort-food flavor.  And it smells like Thanksgiving.

Isn't this the most amazing idea to send to college students, those in the military, or others who are away from home at Thanksgiving?  

I absolutely love the idea of giving a meal in a jar, too, because it's a little like preparing someone a home-cooked meal when it's not possible for me to actually do it.  What a perfect gift!

Plus, these are easy to make ahead for yourself, too.  Pull out a jar for a quick meal or a quick treat, or even in an emergency. 

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS JAR MIX:  

• Jar mixes should be used within about a year unless you seal them (like with a FoodSaver and the jar attachment) or use oxygen absorbers.  
• You can purchase many of the ingredients for this recipe at your local grocery store.  
• You can purchase the dehydrated (or freeze-dried) ingredients at Thrive Life (where I get a little discount if you do) or at Honeyville or at Augason Farms, OR you can dry them yourself using a food dehydrator.  That link is to the dehydrator I use--I love it, but I know there are fancier ones out there, too. I dried the carrots and the celery for this recipe myself, and I was amazed at how easy it was and how well the flavor was preserved.
• If you decide to gift this the way I have pictured, use a piece of fabric about 6"x6".

THANKSGIVING DINNER CASSEROLE

PREP TIME (making the jar mix):  10 minutes
COOK TIME:  30-35 minutes

Obviously, this photo was taken pre-renaming:
Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole

JAR MIX INGREDIENTS

In a wide-mouth quart jar, layer in order, tamping down to help the ingredients settle (as needed):

• 1 c. freeze-dried turkey (only available here, to my knowledge; may substitute freeze-dried chicken from here where I get a referral discount or here, if preferred)
• 1 packet chicken gravy mix, dry
• 1 tsp. poultry seasoning
• 1  1/2 c. seasoned stove-top stuffing
• 1/4 c. dehydrated carrots (available here where I get a referral discount, or here or here, or you can dry your own with a food dehydrator) 
• 1/4 c. dehydrated celery (available here where I get a referral discount, or here or here, or you can dry your own with a food dehydrator) 
• 1/4 c. dried onion 
• 1/4 c. dried cranberries

See updated directions below.

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Attach to the jar using a sticker or tag:

In a medium pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.  Stir in the contents of the jar.  Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes.  Return to heat, uncovered, and simmer about 20 minutes, stirring periodically.  

See?  Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole from a Jar.  :)

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

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Oatmeal Chocolate Pecan Cookies (jar mix)

I have loved this cookie recipe for what seems like forever.  The rice crispy cereal adds this great chewiness, and it's so delicious combined with the oats and the nuts.

Originally, this recipe did not have chocolate in it.  I know--I don't get it.  So the chocolate chips are my addition.  *curtsy*  You're welcome!

Fall is my favorite time of year to start thinking about Christmas, particularly what little gift I can give this year to neighbors and friends.  Jar mixes are some of my favorites!  If you missed the meals and breads I have already shared here, click the "jar mix" label in blue at the bottom of this post.  

Jar mixes are perfect to give away as gifts, but they are easy to make ahead for yourself, too.  Pull out a jar for a quick meal or a quick treat, or even in an emergency.  (Hello, snow days.)  Or for a sick friend!

I think giving cookie mixes instead of cookies as Christmas gifts is absolutely perfect.  You let someone know you're thinking of them, but if they've already got SO. MANY. TREATS., this is something they can whip together in February or March!  I love that idea.  Jar mixes are pretty great.

But, of course, if you're making these cookies for yourself you can skip the put-it-in-a-jar step!  😊

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS JAR MIX:  

• Jar mixes should be used within about a year unless you seal them (like with a FoodSaver and the jar attachment) or use oxygen absorbers.  
• If you decide to gift this the way I have pictured, use a piece of fabric about 6"x6".
• Making these cookies requires softened butter, vanilla, and eggs in addition to the dry ingredients in the jar mix.  You can find pantry-friendly substitutions here. 

OATMEAL CHOCOLATE PECAN COOKIES

PREP TIME (making the jar mix):  10 minutes
COOK TIME:  15-20 minutes

JAR MIX INGREDIENTS

In a wide-mouth quart jar, layer in order, packing the ingredients in tightly:

• 1 c. flour
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
• 1/2 c. old-fashioned (not quick-cooking) oats
• 1/2 c. chocolate chips
• 3/4 c. rice crispy cereal
• 1/3 c. chopped pecans

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Attach to the jar using a sticker or tag:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, cream 1/2 c. softened butter until fluffy.  Add 1 egg and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Gradually add jar mix.  Drop by rounded spoonfuls 2 inches apart on baking sheets.  Bake 8-10 minutes until golden.

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

To print this recipe, hit the "print" button below.  If you don't see the print button, scroll back up and click on the title of this blog post, then scroll back down and you'll find the button below.

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"Oatmeal Chocolate Pecan Cookies" was the featured post 12/23
Easy Pantry Recipes was the featured blog 1/24

 

Vegetable Legume Soup (jar mix)

Can you believe a soup with zucchini, cauliflower, and peas that's pantry-friendly?  It's got hearty black-eyed peas and lentils, too.  Combine it with a slice of Rosemary Olive Oil Bread or Soft Two-and-a-Half-Hour Whole Wheat Bread, and you've got a perfect little meal!

As I mentioned in May, I'll be sharing jar mixes each month from now (May, really) through December to give you some great ideas for gift-giving to neighbors and friends.  I love the idea of giving a meal in a jar because it's such a time-saver for the recipient during a busy time of year.  I have had more than one friend tell me how perfect the meal in a jar was!

Plus, these are easy to make ahead for yourself, too.  Pull out a jar for a quick meal or a quick treat, or even in an emergency. 

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS JAR MIX:  

• Jar mixes should be used within about a year unless you seal them (like with a FoodSaver and the jar attachment) or use oxygen absorbers.  
• You can purchase many of the ingredients in this Vegetable Legume Soup at your local grocery store.  
• You can purchase the dehydrated (or freeze-dried) ingredients at Thrive Life (where I get a little discount if you do) or at Honeyville or at Augason Farms, OR you can dry them yourself using a food dehydrator.  That link is to the dehydrator I use--I love it, but I know there are fancier ones out there, too. 
• If you decide to gift this the way I have pictured, use a piece of fabric about 6"x6".

VEGETABLE LEGUME SOUP

PREP TIME (making the jar mix):  10 minutes
COOK TIME:  45 minutes

JAR MIX INGREDIENTS

In a wide-mouth quart jar, layer in order, tamping down to help the ingredients settle (as needed):

• 1 c. dried zucchini (See notes above for purchase options for the freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients.)
• 3/4 c. dried cauliflower
• 1/2 c. dried peas
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
• 1 tsp. parsley
• 1/2 tsp. thyme
• 2 Tbsp. tomato bouillon (like this--I find it in the Mexican aisle of my local grocery store; can substitute chicken bouillon if desired)
• 1 tsp. oregano

In a small baggie, combine:

• 1/2 c. black-eyed peas
• 1/2 c. lentils

Place the baggie in the jar on top of the vegetables and spices.

Follow the updated directions below as well as
the correct layering order above.

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Attach to the jar using a sticker or tag:

Pour lentils and black-eyed peas from the baggie into a pot with 10 c. water.  Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and simmer on low for 30 minutes.  Add all the vegetables and spices left in the jar and continue simmering 15 minutes.  

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

To print this recipe, hit the "print" button below.  If you don't see the print button, scroll back up and click on the title of this blog post, then scroll back down and you'll find the button below.

Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar

If summer doesn't feel like the best time for soup, stick with me!  This soup is something special.  It's pantry-friendly.  That means it's shelf-stable, so you can put together the mix now and eat it come fall!  Or gift it.  

Soups are one of my favorite meals to just pull out of the pantry and make.  And this one is a great one because it's something you can gift to someone else, too!

As I mentioned in May, I'll be sharing jar mixes each month from now (May, really) through December to give you some great ideas for gift-giving to neighbors and friends.  I love the idea of giving a meal in a jar because it's such a time-saver for the recipient during a busy time of year.  I have had more than one friend tell me how perfect the meal in a jar was!

Plus, these are easy to make ahead for yourself, too.  Pull out a jar for a quick meal or a quick treat, or even in an emergency. 

And, hey, this is also a great thing to have on hand to make IN 15 MINUTES! to take to a sick friend, too.  There's something healing about chicken noodle soup.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS JAR MIX:  

• Jar mixes should be used within about a year unless you seal them (like with a FoodSaver and the jar attachment) or use oxygen absorbers.  
• You can purchase many of the ingredients in this Chicken Noodle Soup at your local grocery store.  
• You can purchase the dehydrated (or freeze-dried) ingredients at Thrive Life (where I get a little discount if you do) or at Honeyville or at Augason Farms, OR you can dry some of them yourself using a food dehydrator.  That link is to the dehydrator I use--I love it, but I know there are fancier ones out there, too. I dried my own celery and carrots for this recipe.  (And, to be honest, I can't believe how amazing they turned out!  They rehydrate just like fresh in this recipe.)
• If you decide to gift this the way I have pictured, use a piece of fabric about 6"x6".

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

PREP TIME (making the jar mix):  10 minutes
COOK TIME:  15 minutes

JAR MIX INGREDIENTS

In a wide-mouth quart jar, layer in order, tamping down to help the ingredients settle (as needed):

• 2 Tbsp. dried onion
• 3 Tbsp. chicken bouillon
• 1 Tbsp. parsley
• 3 Tbsp. non-dairy creamer (coffee creamer)
• 3 Tbsp. dehydrated celery (See notes above for purchase options for the freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients in this recipe.)
• 1/4 c. dehydrated carrots
• 3/4 c. freeze-dried chicken
• 2  1/2 - 3 c. wide egg noodles

See below for updated directions.

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Attach to the jar using a sticker or tag:

Bring 10 c. water to a boil over high heat.  Add jar mix, then lower heat to medium-high and cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes.  

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

To print this recipe, hit the "print" button below.  If you don't see the print button, scroll back up and click on the title of this blog post, then scroll back down and you'll find the button below.

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by Estelle from Homemade on a Weeknight

Hearty Breakfast in a Jar

Breakfast from a jar?  Yep!  In fact, this hearty breakfast is full of protein, too.  Make several jars to have on hand any time--whether during an emergency or just in a pinch--or do what I love to do:  gift it!  

As I mentioned in May, I'll be sharing jar mixes each month from now (May, really) through December to give you some great ideas for gift-giving to neighbors and friends.  I love the idea of giving a meal in a jar because it's such a time-saver for the recipient during a busy time of year.  I have had more than one friend tell me how perfect the meal in a jar was when trying to grab something quick for dinner!

Plus, these are easy to make ahead for yourself, too.  Pull out a jar for a quick meal or a quick treat (coming soon), or even in an emergency. 

This recipe is courtesy Chef Tess from Honeyville, though I did make a few slight adjustments.  You can get all the ingredients from Honeyville, and you'll find links in her original blog post there.  You can also get the ingredients here (where I get a little discount if you do).  

I appreciated that Chef Tess pointed out there in her blog post that sometimes when you buy cans of freeze-dried food, they can seem a little spendy, but when you really look at how many pounds of meat or how many dozen eggs are in the can, it makes a lot more sense!

This was a delicious meal!  I'm so glad I tried it.  You'll notice in the photo below that the cooked eggs come out a little green with all the herbs added, but they're yummy.  And you might also notice that the little cooked sausage bits are hard to see among the potatoes (which look like meat, I think).  They're a little easier to recognize in the jar.

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS JAR MIX:  

• Jar mixes should be used within about a year unless you seal them (like with a FoodSaver and the jar attachment) or use oxygen absorbers.  
• If you decide to gift this the way I have pictured, use a piece of fabric about 6"x6".

This is a really tasty and simple dish.  I really think this breakfast in a jar meal would make a perfect gift!

HEARTY BREAKFAST IN A JAR

PREP TIME (making the jar mix):  10 minutes
COOK TIME:  30 minutes

JAR MIX INGREDIENTS

In a wide-mouth quart jar, layer in order, tamping down to help the ingredients settle (as needed):

• 2 c. dehydrated diced potatoes (see notes above for ingredient purchase options)
• 1 c. freeze-dried sausage 

Then in a small baggie, combine:

• 1/2 c. freeze-dried scrambled eggs
• 1/3 c. freeze-dried cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp. parsley
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Place the baggie in the jar on top of the potatoes and sausage.

Word to the wise: make sure your hole punch doesn't cut out the instructions.  ;)
Also, I updated the directions below, so be sure you use those instead of what you see above. 

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Attach to the jar using a sticker or tag:

Place potatoes and sausage in a large bowl.  Pour 4 c. boiling water over.  Cover to allow rehydration for 15 minutes.  Mix baggie contents with 3/4 c. cold water, whisking well.  Let sit at least 5 minutes.  Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Drain potatoes and sausage, then place in the large skillet.  Cook for 5 minutes without stirring.  Cook 10 more minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.  Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over medium-low, then place egg-cheese mixture in.  Cook several minutes until done.  Serve eggs over the potato mixture.

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

To print this recipe, hit the "print" button below.  If you don't see the print button, scroll back up and click on the title of this blog post, then scroll back down and you'll find the button below.

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Peachy Oat Bread (jar mix)

I only make recipes that I think will taste good, but to be honest with you, this recipe blew me away.  The nuts and oats make it hearty and filling, and I just love the peach flavor.  So you're in for a treat!

This delicious peachy oat bread is the second in the Jar Mix series I'm running here from now through December.  This recipe was adapted from Natalie's Peach Crisp Bread over at Super Healthy Kids.  This recipe is shelf-stable, including the ingredients you add for baking!  Woot!

As I mentioned in May, I'll be sharing jar mixes each month from now (last month, really) through December to give you some great ideas for gift-giving to neighbors and friends.  I love the idea of giving a meal in a jar because it's such a time-saver for the recipient during a busy time of year.  I have had more than one friend tell me how perfect the meal in a jar was!  I'm sure this bread in a jar will be no different.

Plus, these are easy to make ahead for yourself, too.  Pull out a jar for a quick meal or a quick treat, or even in an emergency.  (Snow days seems so far away!)

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS JAR MIX:  

• Jar mixes should be used within about a year unless you seal them (like with a FoodSaver and the jar attachment) or use oxygen absorbers.  
• You can purchase all of the ingredients in this Peachy Oat Bread at your local grocery store. 
• If you decide to gift this the way I have pictured, use a piece of fabric about 6"x6".
• Eggs, butter, and milk will be mixed in to the jar mix when making this bread.  You can find suggestions for pantry-friendly substitutions for these fresh ingredients here if you want a fully shelf-stable version of this recipe.  I made this recipe that way (using shelf-stable ingredients only) and it was delicious.

PEACHY OAT BREAD

PREP TIME (making the jar mix):  10 minutes
COOK TIME:  45-50 minutes

JAR MIX INGREDIENTS

In a wide-mouth quart jar, layer in order, tamping down to help the ingredients settle (as needed):

• 1 c. wheat flour
• 1/2 c. white flour
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 c. diced dried peaches
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 3/4 c. rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
• 1/2 c. pecans (optional)

Directions have been adjusted slightly from those shown here.  See directions below.

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Attach to the jar using a sticker or tag:

In a mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 c. softened butter, 2 eggs, and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Add jar ingredients and 1  1/4 c. milk, mixing on low until well-blended.  Spray an 8x4 loaf pan with cooking spray.  Pour batter in loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

To print this recipe, hit the "print" button below.  If you don't see the print button, scroll back up and click on the title of this blog post, then scroll back down and you'll find the button below.

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