Hoppin John Soup in-a-jar

                                                                            
I am going to try something new today. It is coming toward the end of September. Fall is here and the holidays are next. Colder weather, football, Halloween (yay), Thanksgiving, parades and Christmas. Get the feeling now? It is never too late for getting gifts together and keep in mind that hot soups and stews will be how we show our love to our family. So why not combine the ideas of warm, savory meals with gift giving? Gifts-in-a-jar are great ways to bring happy smiles to the gift receiver, even for those who normally can't boil water without scorching it.
Just keep a few things in mind:
always use food safe jars with airtight lids
use dry jars of the correct size
a canning funnel makes it so much easier
and
make alot, those last minute gifts are a pain to find!

Put the directions for the final product on gift tags to tie to the jar. For the lid itself, make a decorative effort with a 9 to 10 inch piece of fabric to put under the canning rim (if thats what u used) or just cover and tie with ribbon or raffia.
                                          

                                                                   
                          
Hoppin' John Soup Mix

1 C dried black-eyed peas
1 T dried minced onion
1 T dried vegetable flakes
1 chicken bullion cube, unwrapped
1 t dried minced garlic
1 t dried thyme leaves
1/2 t ground cumin
1/4 t black pepper
1/8 t ground red pepper
1 boil-in-bag white rice

1. Place black-eyed-peas in a 1 pint good storage jar with tight fitting lid. Place onion, vegetable flakes, bullion cube, garlic, thyme, cumin, black pepper and red pepper into a small food storage bag. Close with a twist tie and cut off the top. Place on top of peas, add bag of rice. Close jar.
2. cover top of jar with fabric; attach gift tag with raffia or ribbon.
makes 1 pint jar.

Hoppin' John Soup

1 jar Hoppin' John Soup Mix
2 to 3 C water
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
4 slices crisp-cooked bacon, crumbled or 1 smoked ham hock
   Lemon pepper or hot sauce
   Chopped parsley (optional)

1. Remove rice and seasoning packet from jar; set aside. Place beans in large bowl; cover with water. Soak 6 to 8 hrs or overnight. (To quick soak beans, place beans in large saucepan; cover with water. bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 2 minutes; Remove from heat, let soak, covered, 1 hr) Drain beans and discard water.
2. Placed soaked beans, water, tomatoes, bacon and contents of seasoning packet into large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender. MAsh beans slightly with a potato masher. Season with lemon pepper. Submerge bag of rice in boiling salted water. Boil 10 minutes. Drain rice; mix with parsley, if desired. Serve soup with rice.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Baked Apple Cups

Hollow out apples and bake with cinnamon and sugar inside. After its done baking, fill with ice cream and carmel.

Grout-B-Bone

An easy grout cleaning mix: 7 cups water, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup ammonia and 1/4 cup vinegar. Spray on, scrub and wipe off.

Make your own lip balm

I got this from my pinterest. www.pinterest.com/santrabelle

Make Your Own Lip Balm

1. Choose a container or tin for your lip balm. You can use an empty Altoids tin (like the one above) or anything that will hold the balm. Just be sure to wash it in hot soapy water and let it dry completely.
   
2. Prepare your ingredients. The general rule is two parts oil to one part beeswax. You can use any oil that you like. Try adding almond oil for added moisture or peppermint oil for a fresh scent.
   
3. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler, ensuring that the top bowl does not touch the water. Once the wax melted, remove from the heat. Add your oils and as much lipstick as you want (the more lipstick you use, the darker the color will be).
   
4. Immediately pour the hot mixture into the desired tin. Let it cool overnight before using it on your lips.
   

I Want to Know

Hi Readers,

It has come to my attention that the best way to give you what you want on here is to ask you....
What do you want to see more of on here?
What have you  enjoyed or disliked on here?
And most of all, what ideas can you send my way?
This blog is for you, afterall.

Thanks and break time,
Lottie Hancock

P.S. BTW what are your favorite recipes and tips?

Smile! It's Fall!

This morning I couldn't help myself. I had to stand outside. It must have been around 6am and the morning breeze was cool and invigorating. These are the kind of mornings I really looked forward to as a child and now that I am an adult, I can't get enough of it. The days are nicer, the mornings I love waking to and the colors are so vivid, even here in Texas. Soon it will be All Hallows Eve and trick-or-treaters of all ages will be everywhere. Imaginations flare and we let a little of our wicked side come out just for fun. The pumpkins, decorated corn and gourds, hayrides and lots of candy are in my future. Consider putting together something at your house for the neighborhood. Get together with your neighbors and pool the ideas and gather volunteers. It will be a lively experience for all of you.
And smile! Its Fall!

Fight Mineral Deposits

Vinegar is an acetic compound that will cut right through lime and hard water deposits. Try it on your shower head. Just soak it in vinegar and voila! The best shower in ages.

Facial Wonder of Wonders: Skin Rejuvenator

Apply pineapple juice or its pulp to your face. Then wash it off with lukewarm water. Its a wonderful weapon against aging. Pineapple is a natural controller of damage done by free radicals and brings back a youthful glow. do this daily or as often as u can to get marvelous results! You wont miss the wrinkles, I promise.

Beauty Isn't Expensive

When I was a tween/teen I was always running out of lip gloss or I couldn't find the right tint I loved.  Well, now that I am a mom, I find the same problem as an adult. I found the solution!
Our favorite department stores sell the little containers for our cosmetics. I got the small round ones that have the screw on lids. In a small bowl or even a flat surface, put in enough Vaseline to fill the cosmetic container. Now for the color! Kool-aid or other small packets of powdered drink will work nicely. Gradually add a little of the powder at a time into the vaseline, mixing constantly, until it is the perfect shade. Scoop it all up into your new container. Viola! Flavored lip gloss in just the right shade for YOU! Save the rest of the powdered drink mix for the next time. lol Keep your friends guessing why you have a rolled up open packet of drink mix in your make-up box, or have a fun time experimenting with them making new shades. Grape anyone?

Recipe of the Week

       Southwest Chicken Pockets
       Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min. 
       Yield: 4 Servings 15 20 35

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 package (9 ounces) ready-to-serve roasted chicken breast strips
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, divided
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Directions

• In a large skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Remove from the heat; stir in the chicken, beans, tomato and 1/4 cup chilies.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry into a 14-in. square. Cut into four squares. Spoon chicken mixture into the center of each square; sprinkle with cheese.
• Brush egg over edges. Fold dough over filling, forming a triangle; pinch seams to seal. Transfer to a greased baking sheet and brush with remaining egg. Bake at 400° for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine sour cream and remaining chilies. Serve with pockets. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 pocket with 2 tablespoon sauce equals 600 calories, 28 g fat (9 g saturated fat), 88 mg cholesterol, 880 mg sodium, 58 g carbohydrate, 10 g fiber, 28 g protein.

Originally published as Southwest Chicken Pockets in Simple & Delicious February/March 2012, p18