Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

This is a GREAT hot cocoa mix to have on hand. Swiss Miss has nothing on this! It's another one from The Homesteading Housewife. Make some up for you and your family. Or put some of the mix in a decorative jar (along with a baggie filled with Homemade Marshmallows) and give as a gift!

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
2 cups nonfat dry milk
2-3 cups powdered sugar, depending on desired sweetness
1 cup unsweetened powdered cocoa
2 cup non-dairy powdered coffee creamer
pinch of salt

Combine all of the ingredients. Mix until well blended. Store in an air-tight container.


And now...to make your individual mug of hot cocoa ---

Spoon approximately 1/3 cup of Homemade Hot Cocoa mix into your favorite mug. Fill with boiling water & stir. Top with marshmallows!

Homemade Marshmallows

Perfect with the Homemade Hot Cocoa posted above!
...from The Homesteading Housewife

4 envelopes unflavored gelatin (Knox brand works great)
3 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
Water
Electric Mixer with whisk attachment (but a regular hand mixer will work, too)

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, salt, & 3/4 cup water.
Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
Continue the with the roiling boil without stirring for one full minute, or until mixture registers 238 degrees on a candy thermometer.

Meanwhile, put 3/4 cup cold water into the bowl of your electric mixer; sprinkle gelatin into the water. Let it sit to soften for about 5 minutes.

Slowly pour hot sugar syrup into the gelatin mixture with the mixer on low speed. Gradually increase to high speed & beat for approximately 6 minutes. Slowly add vanilla extract while beating. Beat on high for another 5-6 minutes, until very stiff peaks form.
(approximately 10-12 min total whipping time)

Pour & spread into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Leave uncovered for at least 3 hours, allowing them to firm up.

Sprinkle powdered sugar onto your work surface & empty the marshmallow slab onto the powdered sugar. Cut into squares. Or use decorative cookie cutters thoroughly coated in powdered sugar (to prevent sticking).
Coat each marshmallow with powdered sugar & store in an air-tight container for up to 1 week.

Quick Salsa...on a budget!

1 clove garlic
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, packed loosely
1/2 lime OR 1 tsp bottled lime juice
1 can (14.5 oz) Mexican-style stewed tomatoes


Peel the garlic. In a blender or food processor, finely chop the garlic and cilantro. Squeeze the juice from the lime (or bottled lime juice) into the blender or FP. Add the tomatoes. Blend to your desired consistency. Pulse 2 or 3 times for chunky salsa or blend about 15 seconds for smooth salsa. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Makes about 2 cups.

A nice restaurant-style salsa that is a winner with kids. For more of a kick, add one jalepeno into the blend.

Salsa in a pint-sized jar or bowl with a bag of tortilla chips is a great gift for new neighbors! A fun snack while they unpack their boxes...or unpack the top of their car, trunk and back-seat!! :) I'm just saying not everyone uses those nice U-haul boxes when they move!

Sweet Tea...a hillbilly necessity!

For a 1/2 gallon...

In a small pan, add 3 cups cold water & 4 regular size tea bags (Lipton, preferably!). Bring to a rapid boil. Turn off heat, cover, & let it steep for 4-5 minutes.

In the meantime, fill 1/2 gallon jug or pitcher about 1/2 full of COLD water. Add 1 cup of sugar & still until all sugar is dissolved. Add in tea (make sure you remove the tea bags). Finish filling jug with cold water, while stirring.

Serve over ice in your favorite Mason jar! Enjoy!