Friendship Soup & Hot Cocoa

Sorry I missed the post yesterday! I'll confess... I thought this little DIY in the kitchen blogging bit was going to be extra fun, but instead it turned stressful! From now on, I'm going to keep blogging about what I do and like best... cooking purposeful food. And I'm also going to start talking a bit more about training and recovery because that's fun too. This week, I was so overwhelmed with things that I didn't even have the time to make my dinner soup... I bought my soup pre-made from Trader Joe's. Gasp! But anyways, I'm always one to finish what I started so here are my last two ideas, along with some links for other ideas I might try. I'll leave the write up to someone else though!

Today's idea is to take your repurposed jar and fill it with dry ingredients that look pretty and your recipient can easily turn into something delicious with the addition of water and/ or a few other simple ingredients. I chose to make jars of Friendship Soup and Gourmet Hot Cocoa.

Also, the chance to win is still available! Head over to Wednesday's post & comment so that you don't miss out. Your chocolate cinnamon sunflower seeds are waiting!

Friendship Soup

3/4c split peas
3/4c barley
2T garlic
1T sage
2T parsley
2T basil
3/4c red lentils
3/4c rice
4 cubes bullion

Layer the ingredients in the jar in the order above, tapping the jar after each addition to make sure that no settling will occur (just like packing a column, organic chemists. ha!). If you're using a smaller jar, scale back amounts accordingly. The spices will form the green middle layer you see above. You can also add some dried onion flakes if you have them. After adding the rice, add the bullion cubes on top and close the jar. Add a note that reads: "Add all contents to 10 to 12 cups water. Bring to a boil for 40 minutes. Add 1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables and additional spices to taste. Enjoy!"

Gourmet Hot Cocoa

1/2c brown sugar
1/2c unsweeted cocoa powder
3 candy canes, fully crushed in a coffee grinder (Peppermint Hot Cocoa)
                 or 1T cinnamon, 1T chili powder (Mexican Hot Cocoa)
mini-marshmallows to fill the jar.

In a bowl, mix cocoa, sugar, and spices of choice (I tested both options and can vouch for their deliciousness!). Add to a clean, repurposed jar. Fill the rest of the jar with mini marshmallows. Attach a note that reads "Add 3T mix to warm milk. Enjoy!"

My DIY gift-making station, still many more to go! Mexican hot cocoa and peppermint hot cocoa are front and center.

Other ideas:
- These brownies would be fun in a jar, if you add ground flax seeds instead of eggs. Just add oil and water!
- I bought some empty oil & vinegar bottles at the dollar store as well as some olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I'm going to add fresh sun dried tomato, basil, and garlic to the oil and apples, cinnamon, and garlic to the vinegar. These will be great for dipping bread, marinates, or salad dressing!

And for the kiddies:
-Fizzy Bath Bombs
-Boo-boo bunnies
-Play-dough (this gift can be amped up if you add in small plastic cookie cutters and a small/ pastry rolling pin!)
-Gingerbread house kits (Use graham crackers, make up some icing, and buy some cool candy for decorating)

Enjoy! Back to our normal discussions next week, whew!