Welcome to Cooking Tips

Spicy Iced Coffee Mix

1 cup instant coffee granules
1 cup non-dairy powdered creamer
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1/4 tsp ground cardamom

Process all ingredients in a food processor until well blended. Store in an airtight container.

Gift card instructions: Pour 8 ounces boiling water over 2 Tablespoons mix; stir until well
blended. Cool and serve chilled over ice.

Chocolate Clay

1 can ready-to-spread chocolate frosting
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

Mix together all 3 ingredients, and use as you would use Play-Doh. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Keeps for a few weeks when stored as directed. (and it tastes pretty good, too!)

Hot & Spicy Mixed Nuts

2 cups pecan halves
2 cups walnut halves
2 cups whole almonds
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 Tbsp white wine Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground red pepper
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp ground white pepper

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Place nuts in a 9 x 13" baking pan. In a small bowl,
combine melted butter, white wine Worcestershire sauce, salt, and peppers. Pour mixture over nuts; stir to coat. Bake 30 minutes, stirring every 10
minutes. Cool in pan. Store in an airtight container.

Homemade Play-Doh

Mix together...
1 cup flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 cup salt
1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid (for scent)
Add...
1 cup boiling water
1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Stir until a soft dough forms and then knead until smooth. Store in an air-tight container in refrigerator.

Water Color Paints

For 1/4 cup of paint...

1 Tbsp vinegar
2 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp glycerin
2 drops of any food coloring
1 tsp water

Combine the baking soda and vinegar. When the baking soda mixture stops foaming, add the cornstarch and glycerin, mix well. Add food coloring. Add water a drop at a time until the paint is the right consistency. Store the watercolors in a tightly covered jar (baby food jars work great).

No-Bake Cinnamon Ornaments

3/4 to 1 cup applesauce
4 ounces ground cinnamon

Mix applesauce with cinnamon to form stiff dough. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut dough with cookie cutters. Make a hole for a hanging ribbon with a straw.

Let dry on rack for several days, turning occasionally. Decorate with royal icing or paint as desired. When thoroughly dry, spray with clear spray to preserve. Put a thin ribbon through hole to hang.

Mailing cookies

The best way I´ve found to mail cookies is to pack them in cooled, popped popcorn. The popcorn prevents broken cookies and is lightweight so it won´t add to the postage costs.

Face Paint

1/2 tsp water
1 tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp cold cream
2 drops of food coloring, whatever color you desire

Mix ingredients well and apply to face. Make many different colors for variety.

Potpourri Bundles

1/2 yard of burlap
1/2 cup of bay leaves
1/2 cup of pinecones
1/2 cup of rose hips
orange oil
cinnamon oil

Combine bay leaves, pinecones and rose hips. Add 20 drops of orange and 10 drops of cinnamon oil. Shake together in a paper bag to distribute the scent.

Cut burlap into a large square shape. Add potpourri to the center of the square. Grab all four ends and tie with twine.

Mulling Spice Mix

1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground orange peel (fresh or dried)
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Combine all. (makes enough for 4 servings) Store in airtight containers.

To make mulled cider or wine: (this is for one serving, so adjust amounts to make more)

1/4 cup mix
1 cup apple juice or wine
1/4 cup cup water

Bring all the ingredients to a boil. Let simmer gently for 5 minutes. This smells heavenly while you are simmering!

Bacon Dog Biscuits

5 cups Whole Wheat flour
1 cup Milk
2 Eggs
10 Tbsp Vegetable oil or bacon fat
1 tsp Onion or garlic powder
1 tsp Salt
1/2 cup cold water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix all ingredients well. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll them into two-inch balls. Put them on a greased cookie sheet. Bake them at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Let them cool, then store in an airtight container. Makes 40 biscuits.

Sweet & Hot Snack Mix

1 (14 ounce) package honey nut toasted oat cereal
1 (12 ounce) package square corn cereal
8 cups popped popcorn
1 (11-1/2 ounce) can mixed nuts
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup small red cinnamon candies
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
1 (16 ounce) package candy coated peanut butter pieces

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large greased roasting pan, combine cereals,
popcorn, and nuts. In a medium pan, combine butter, corn syrup, cinnamon candies, sugar, chili powder, salt, and red pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, until candies melt. Pour
over cereal mixture. Stir until well coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on foil. Cool completely. Add peanut butter pieces. Store in
an airtight container. Makes about 34 cups of snack mix.

Doggie Christmas Cookies

2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 cup Cornmeal
1 Egg
3/4 cup Water
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
2 Tbsp Honey

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine all dry ingredients. Add the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Roll out on a floured surface to about 1/8" thick. If the dough is too tough to roll, add a little more water. Using the cookie cutter of your choice, cut out the shapes and place them on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick coating.

Bake for 30-35 minutes in a 325 degree oven. Let air dry for 24 hours.

Salsa Mix

1-1/2 cup dried cilantro
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup dried onion flakes
1/4 cup dried red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp pepper

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients until well blended. Store in an airtight container.

Gift card instructions...
Blend 2 Tbsp salsa mix with one (10 ounce) can Mexican style tomatoes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Louisiana Popcorn Spice

3 Tbsp paprika
1 Tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1-1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1 tsp dried thyme leaves
1 tsp dried oregano leaves
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
bag of microwave popcorn

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except popcorn until well blended. Store in an
airtight container.

Gift Card Instructions: Microwave popcorn according to package directions. Open bag carefully to avoid steam. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon seasoning mix over popcorn. Hold top of bag closed and shake until popcorn is completely coated.

Mocha Fudge Mix

1 - 16 ounce package powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
1-1/2 tsp instant coffee granules
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients. Store in a decorative, airtight container.

Gift card instructions...Place Fudge mix in a 2 quart glass bowl. Add 1/2 cup butter or margarine. Microwave on high, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes. Stir until smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1 cup chopped pecans. Pour mixture into an 8 inch buttered square baking dish. Refrigerate until firm, and cut into squares.

Chicken Flavored Dog Biscuits

1 package Dry yeast
1/4 cup Warm water
2 cups Chicken stock
3-1/2 cups Unbleached flour
2 cups Whole wheat flour
1 cup Rye flour
2 cups Cracked wheat or wheat germ
1/2 cup Dry milk
1 tsp Salt
1 Egg
1 Tbsp Milk

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Beat egg with 1 Tbsp milk. Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Add to chicken stock. Combine all dry ingredients. Add chicken stock mixture. Knead on a floured surface for about 3 minutes, working into a stiff dough. Roll out to a thickness of 1/4". Cut into bars, or shape with a cookie cutter. Brush with egg/milk wash and place on cookie sheets. Bake in 300 degree oven for about 45 minutes. Turn off heat and leave biscuits in oven overnight.

Hot Cocoa Mix

2 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 cups instant nonfat dry milk powder
2 cups powdered nondairy coffee creamer
2 cups powdered chocolate milk mix
2 cups miniature marshmallows

Combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. Makes 8 cups mix.

Attach a gift card with these instructions...Combine 1/4 cup mix and 3/4 cup boiling water, stirring well.

This is really nice when packaged in a pretty mug.