Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Mason Jar Gold -- Recipe Edition #1

Mom's Rhubarb Preserves
circa 2003
The basement walls were lined with Mason jars filled with pickles, peaches, preserves and tomatoes. Mom was a teacher and spent the summers gardening, freezing and canning. We would never go hungry. Though not wealthy we were rich in love, faith and, of course, food. 

Mason jars are practical, but I also have a deep sentimental attachment to these glass jars, the rubber ring and the metal band. When I left home for college and eventually marriage Mom lavished me with her canned goods with one stipulation. The empty jars were to be returned. Mason jars were gold to Mom. 

I think Mason jars are gold, too. But if I give you one please keep it! Just promise me you'll use it. The uses are infinite. In my house we use them as drinking glasses, leftover storage, salad makers, button holders and on and on. Here's one of my new favorites.

The other day I found this recipe for Coconut Chia Seed Pudding and put my own spin on it. My chocolate loving family adores this:


CHOCOLATE CHIA SEED PUDDING


Ingredients:

  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1-2 tbsp sweetener (I like honey or maple syrup)
  • 1/2 cup chia seeds
  • 3 tbsp cacao powder or cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp maca powder(optional)
  • assorted additions: fresh raspberries, dried fruit, nuts, dark chocolate chips, cacao nibs, hemp hearts...

INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Combine the milks and sweetener in a jar and put the lid on and shake the jar. 
  2. Add the chia seeds, cacao powder, and maca powder and shake again.
  3. Refrigerate overnight (at least 6 hours).This is when the magic happens; it turns into a tapioca-like pudding.
  4. Serve in a bowl with chosen additions and enjoy!




Can you say chocolate for breakfast?



Do you have favorite mason jar recipes? What unique use do you have for mason jars?

15 comments:

  1. Looks like an interesting recipe. I do have a few mason jars that I bought at Michael's primarily for decoration - to store supplies like my seashells.

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    1. It is really yummy! It can also be made with cow's milk, but I go mostly dairy free. Don't talk about taking away my cheese and yogurt:)

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  2. Sounds good! I bought some chia seeds, used them once and there they sit. I have a new recipe to use them now! I inherited a wall of old mason jars from the previous owner of my house.....I was thrilled!

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    1. When I bought my first bag of chia seeds it went stale. That was a few years ago. Now we go through the bags pretty fast -- lots in smoothies, cereals and stuff!

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  3. I like to use the old blue ones, with glass lids, on my counter as canisters. I have tea in one and sweetener in another. In another blue jar with a zinc lid is a collection of wooden spools of vintage thread. They are treasures.

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    1. I like the blue ones too! My stoneware is blue so I've thought about buying some of the new blue for drinking and kitchen storage.

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  4. Mason Jars are comforting aren't they? There is always treasure in them. Whether it is edible, collectable or creepy crawly (lightening bugs and grasshoppers) it is always something special.

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    1. I had forgotten how perfect the are for insect collecting. I remember punching holes in the top for air.

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  5. I really love the look of rows of jars full of the year's harvest on the shelves of our pantry.
    I also enjoy making little gardens or scenes in jars. It is like a whole little world contained in the glass.

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  6. I have canned very little and most of it when I was younger and just "helping". I would love to learn how to can more stuff.

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    1. Lizzi, I remember helping my mom, too. Then when I left home Mom supplied my family with so much I couldn't rationalize canning myself. Now that she has passed away I wish I had learned more about canning from her.

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  7. Whats the nutritional info for this?

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    1. Vikki, I don't have any specific nutritional information, but most of the ingredients have well documented health benefits. The almond milk is high in calcium; the chia seeds have fiber and omega-3's among other things; the cacao is high in antioxidants (and is yummy); maca powder is said to be an energy booster and the add-ins are as nutritious as you choose.

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