Savory Parmesan Shortbread

Thought I would give these a try. Nice little change from the usual sweet shortbread.

3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup parmesan
7/8 cup flour
1/2 cup ground almonds
2 tbsps tomato flakes or chopped sundried tomatoes

Sprinkle of cayenne or paprika

I picked up these tomato flakes at the bulk store. I went in with the intention of buying sundried tomatoes for this recipe, but decided to try these flakes instead.

Dump everything except the cayenne or paprika into a food processor and whirl until combined.

Take the ball of dough, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.

When ready to bake take the dough out of the fridge and knead until workable but try not to overdo it. Roll out to 1/4" thickness on a floured board and use your favourite  cookie cutter. I used a 3" Christmas tree here.

Place cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet, dust with a little cayenne or paprika and bake at 325F for 15-20 minutes.

Cool and ready for packaging!

Makes 32 - 3" cookies

Cabernet Jelly

Cabarnet Jelly...not your breakfast scone jelly!

Better served with a strong cheddar as an appetizer or even alongside your roast turkey.

3  1/4 cups cabernet
3  1/4 cups sugar
3 oz (85 ml pkg) liquid pectin
3 tbsps lemon juice
1-4 cloves, optional

Tie your cloves (doesn't this 1 clove look lonely!) in a piece of cheese cloth or a coffee filter. Combine wine, lemon juice, pectin and clove pouch in a large pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling remove the clove pouch and whisk in the sugar. Bring back up to a rapid boil for 2-3 minutes or until thermometer reads 220 F which may take a little longer.

Remove from heat and skim off any foam. Pour into sterilized jars. Wipe rims clean and seal.

Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Check seals after 24 hours. If not sealed store in refrigerator.

Makes 10-125ml (4 oz) jars.

Recycled Jeans Gift Bag

Got old jeans hanging around? Of course you do! 
Turn them into unique gift bags. It's easy!

Just cut the bottom of the leg off at the knee. If you are making the bag for a wine bottle just make sure you have enough length for the bottle plus bottom seam and gathered top.

Turn the cut-off inside out and sew a seam for the bottom of the bag. 

Back on good side out, tack on whatever you want to use for a closure. I used twine here but you could use ribbon or cord. Just sew it on at the back a couple of inches below the top of the bag.

I got my husband to drill a hole through some corks and I put the twine through using a darning needle.

Use your imagination for embellishments. I made material scrap flowers and buttons.

And that's it, your bag is ready to hold a bottle of wine or some homemade preserves.

Dry Soup Mix with Rice

This recipe makes 2 - 1 quart mason jars of dry soup mix. Make one for yourself and give the other as a gift!

1  1/3 cups dry vegetable flakes with parsley
1/2 cup dehydrated chicken bouillon powder
5 cups minute rice

Mix ingredients together and fill the jars.

Attach these directions:

Bring 4  1/2 cups of water and 2 tbsps of margarine to a boil. Stir in 1 cup of the mix and simmer 5 minutes.
(If you don't use minute rice just cook the soup according to how long your rice needs to cook)

You can add cooked meat or vegetables too.

Pictured here, 1 medium carrot shredded and added to the boiling water, as well as about 1/2 cup cooked chicken added at the end.