Frugal Tips: Food for Friends

I don’t know about you but I love giving and receiving homemade gifts. I find a lot of people don’t want anymore “stuff” and a gift of food is perfect. It is also fun to make up a basket of goodies and I will often feature some sort of theme. For example; a jar of my homemade basil pasta sauce with a package of noodles, cheese, and a bottle of red wine. Another favorite is a basket filled with homemade pancake mix and a bottle of pure Vermont maple syrup. Our neighbors have their own sugaring operation. I can buy local and support them at the same time. There is nothing like pancakes with pure Vermont maple syrup on them! Don’t forget to include the recipe for making the pancakes and waffles!

This recipe makes five 3-cup packages, perfect for gift giving.

Five-Grain Pancake and Waffle Mix

5 cups of all-purpose flour
2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 cup rye flour
1 cup corn flour
1 cup brown or white rice flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup powdered buttermilk
¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
¼ cup baking powder
2 Tbsp salt
1 cup toasted wheat germ
1 cup oat bran

Measure all the ingredients except the wheat germ and oat bran into a large bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands. Sift the flour mixture and add the wheat germ and oat bran. Mix again.

Divide in 5 portions of 3 cups each. If you want to make larger packages, simply distribute the mix in amounts that are divisible by 1 ½ cups.

gift giving, prudent living — Divide mix into jars or other containers.

Don’t forget to include the recipe for making the pancakes.

1 egg for pancakes or 2 eggs for waffles
1 to 1 ½ cups milk
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1 ½ cups mix

Directions for making ten to twelve 4 inch pancakes or 4-5 waffles:

In a bowl beat together the eggs, 1 cup milk, melted butter and vanilla. Stir in the mix. Thin with additional milk if needed. Cook on a lightly oiled griddle or waffle iron until browned on both sides.