Gifts in a Jar (or mixes to keep in your pantry)

I have a cookbook called Gifts in a Jar, full of recipes for mixes for gift-giving. A number of them are IBS-friendly, so I thought I'd post them - not only are they great for giving around the holidays, but they're nice to keep on hand in your pantry/cabinets for meals that don't require a lot of thought!

As always, keep your individual tolerances in mind when trying any of these - what's safe for one person isn't necessarily safe for another. These have all been fine for me, but if you're very sensitive to MSG, you might want to skip them.

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Pleasing Pasta Soup Mix

1 3/4 cups small shell macaroni
3/4 cup dried lentils
3/4 cup dried chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup soy parmesan
3 1/2 tbsp dried minced onion
3 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon granules
1 tbsp + 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
1 3/4 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp garlic powder

Layer ingredients in order given in a wide-mouth 1-quart canning jar. Pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient. Don't forget to attach cooking directions!

Cooking directions: Place 10 1/2 cups water in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Add the soup mix and, if desired, 1 can chicken breast, drained. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally.

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Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix

3 cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp cinnamon
2 1/4 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp baking powder
1 1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup dried apple pieces

Mix all ingredients until well blended and place in wide-mouth 1-quart canning jar. Don't forget to attach a tag with the cooking directions!

Cooking directions (to make 5 servings/10 pancakes): In a medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup soy milk, 2 egg whites or 1/4 cup EggBeaters, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Whisk in 1 1/3 cups pancake mix until moistened but still lumpy. Heat a griddle or frying pan sprayed with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Pour batter by 1/4-cupfuls onto the prepared griddle. Cook on both sides until golden brown, flipping when the surface begins to bubble.

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Chicken Rice Soup Mix

3 cups rice
3/4 cup chicken bouillon granules
2 tbsp dried tarragon
2 tbsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp pepper

Layer ingredients in order given in a wide-mouth 1-quart canning jar. Pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient. Don't forget to attach cooking directions!

Cooking directions: In a large soup pot, bring 18 cups of water, 1 tbsp margarine, and soup mix to a boil. Reduce heat, add 1 can chicken or 1 cup diced cooked chicken, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until rice is tender.

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Tuna Noodle Casserole Mix
(this is one of my favorites!)

1 (1.4oz) pkg Knorr Vegetable Soup mix
1/2 cup instant dry soy milk
2 1/2 cups egg noodles

Layer ingredients in order given in a wide-mouth 1-quart canning jar. Pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient. Don't forget to attach cooking directions!

Cooking directions: In a medium skillet, combine the casserole mix and 2 1/2 cups water. Over medium-high heat, heat to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium and cook until noodles are tender, stirring often. Add 1 (6-oz) can tuna, drained, and heat through. Stir in soy parmesan to taste, up to 3/4 cup.

(Note: 3/4 cup parmesan was part of the original mix; I find it cooks better without it, so I add it at the end. I also decrease it down to about 1/4 cup, or it's too salty for me.)

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Turkey Bow Tie Skillet Mix

2 tbsp dried celery flakes
3 tbsp dried minced onion
1/4 tsp dried minced garlic
1 tbsp chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp chili powder
3/4 tsp garlic salt
3 cups bow tie pasta

Topping packet:
3 tbsp soy Parmesan
1 tsp dried parsley flakes

Layer ingredients in order given in a wide-mouth 1-quart canning jar. Pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient. Mix and place the toppings in a small plastic bag. Don't forget to attach cooking directions!

Cooking directions: In a large skillet, brown 1 lb ground turkey. Remove turkey and keep warm. Add 3 cups water to the skillet, bring to a boil. Remove baggie from jar and add the rest of the mix to the pan. Cook for 10 minutes or until pasta is just tender. Reduce heat and stir in 1 (14.5-oz) can stewed tomatoes and the turkey. Simmer for 10 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with topping and stir.

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