Make it in a Jar

    I have been road testing another cook book from Parragon Books  for the past couple of weeks.  Not only is it a beautiful book, and boy I love a well photographed cook book!   Having tested a few of the recipes, it is also is a really great recipe book, with some fantastic and unusual ideas.  

Make it in a Jar (£8) available from September is packed full a recipes whether they are desserts, cakes, even savoury dishes, as well as inspirational gift ideas.  Who knew there was this many ideas to make in the humble jar! I decided one of the recipes I would make was Cherry-almond Muffin Mix, as it used staples that I had in my cupboard already, I just needed to buy some dried cherries.  I have also now treated myself to a few mason jars, as I think I have the bug, making things in jars is so much fun. I made it up as I would if it was a gift, wanting to really test it out, and then followed the instructions -which I would need to add to the gift tag of the jar, so the recipient knew how to finish off the recipe.   So to one of the Jars, I needed to add melted butter, two eggs and some vanilla extract.  I had been sent some Nielsen Massey vanilla bean paste (the rose I will use on another idea for Christmas that I have) so used this.  The Jar was said to make 6 muffins, I actually made 12 smaller muffins, as I wanted to add them to lunch boxes as a treat.  They really are delicious, sweet but tart flavour with the cherries, and very moreish!     The thing I loved about the book was how it comprehensively takes you through cooking in a Jar. Right from the basics of what kind of jars to buy and how to prepare them, to tips on cleaning them too.  Some of the recipes can be stored in the fridge or freezer either before or after cooking, so there its lots of versatility. I am now planning my next recipe now, Macaroni Cheese, I have been looking for a good Mac ‘n’ Cheese recipes, so I am looking forward to this one. Thank you for reading,