Basic Seasoning Mixture (Salt Substitute) & Black Forest Cookie Mix

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              FOOD FUNNY
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Hmm, I wonder if this one from Rosemary Zwick is true.

I remember this time that I took Lewis to a celebratory dinner
at a really posh restaurant. We walked in, were ushered to a
table by a formally dressed maitre d', and sat at a table on
which were displayed the finest china and crystal. Taking the
damask napkin from the solid silver napkin ring, Lewis unfolded
it, put it around his neck and proceeded to tie a knot in the
back. Staring at him, the maitre d' said, between gritted teeth,
"Sir, will you have a shave or a haircut?"

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              TODAY'S RECIPES
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It's that time of year again and I thought you might appreciate
some recipes for gifts from your kitchens. Here is the lineup:

Monday's Extras: Basic Seasoning Mixture (Salt Substitute)
& Black Forest Cookie Mix

Tuesday's Extras: German Hazelnut Cookies & Savory Olive-
Nut Bread

Wednesday's Extras: Chewy Caramels & Cream Cheese Mints

Thursday's Extras: Ginger Oil & Lemon and Garlic Vinegar

Friday's Extras: Caraway Vodka & Orange Liqueur

Gifts in jars are very popular these days, and with good reason.
The layered ingredients are pleasing to the eye, they're typically
very affordable, and they can be made weeks or months in advance.
Best of all, they show that you care when you give something
made with love and attention to detail.

Use this instead of salt on just about anything.

Basic Seasoning Mixture (Salt Substitute)

1/2 cup (60 ml) paprika
1/4 cup (60 ml) garlic powder
1/4 cup (60 ml) onion powder
1/4 cup (60 ml) curry powder
1/4 cup (60 ml) ground celery seed

Mix ingredients together and spoon into small jars with tightly
fitting lids. Makes about 1 1/2 cups (375 ml).

These cookies taste just like the familiar cake.

Black Forest Cookie Mix

1/2 cup (125 ml) dried cherries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup (125 ml) chocolate morsels
1/2 cup (125 ml) chopped walnuts
1/2 cup (125 ml) brown sugar
1/2 cup (125 ml) sugar
1/2 cup (125 ml) unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp (2 ml) baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt

Layer the ingredients in a 1-quart (1 L) jar in the order listed.
Attach a gift card with the following instructions:

Beat 2/3 cup (160 ml) butter in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
Stir in the black forest cookie mix, 2 eggs, and 1 tsp (5 ml) cherry
or vanilla extract. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking
sheet and bake in a preheated 325F (165C) oven for 14 to 16
minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Makes about 2 dozen.
Received on Mon Dec 4 06:19:53 2006