MO’S FAMOUS WHOLE GRAIN PANCAKE MIX
JARS AREN’T JUST FOR PRESERVES. THEY DO GOOD work as receptacles for leftovers, can serve as a to-go mug in a pinch and also make excellent canisters for dry goods, (if you have issues with pantry moths, keeping all your dry goods in jars will greatly reduce their spread). I often take jars with me to grocery stores with bulk sections so that I can avoid using a plastic bag and dispense my oatmeal directly into the jar where it belongs (before filling, make sure to take your jar to the customer service department so that they can weigh it and give you a tare for the jar. That way, you won’t have to pay for the weight of the jars in addition to the contents).
One tool that works just as well for general jar filling as it does for canning activities is a wide mouth funnel. It makes getting mixes, grains, and beans into the jars far less messy and frustrating. The best way to pack dry goods into a jar is to fill it halfway, apply the lid, and then gently tap the bottom of the jar with the heel of your hand. This helps settle the contents of the jar to make a bit more space, and it also helps to prevent a mess.
Because I make so much jam, I often give it away to friends and family. On special occasions, I like to pair the jam with a complementary mix to round out the present. Of course, many of those mixes are packaged in jars. Here are a few of my favorites.