I am thrilled to show you the latest installment in our Small Pleasures book series. The Tiny Book of Mason Jar Recipes is perfect for your bookshelf or coffee table and is a darling look at the beloved Mason jar. I got to chat with the book’s editor, Cindy Smith Cooper, and I’m delighted to share our conversation so you can see all that this title has to offer.
Phyllis: What was your inspiration for the book?
Cindy: I have always loved how versatile Mason jars are. They have been around for many years and their timeless design makes them perfect for storing or serving food. Seeing how many uses the jars have gave me the idea to create a collection of recipes uniquely for them.
Phyllis: What types of recipes are in the book?
Cindy: There are recipes for beverages, dips and sauces, salads and entrees, desserts, and gifts. All of the recipes are intended to be served in Mason jars and there are a number of recipes that were specifically designed to be made inside of the jars.
Phyllis: Why have Mason jars become such a staple for entertaining?
Cindy: Most homes have plenty of Mason jars in their pantries and cabinets. The jars can be repurposed in a variety of ways. They can be used to preserve, store, or serve food. The jars come in a variety of colors and sizes, and are dishwasher safe as well. They are visually appealing as well as practical and readily available, making them perfect for entertaining.
Phyllis: Where did Mason jars originate?
Cindy: The inventor of the jars was John Mason of Philadelphia. He invented them in 1858 as a way to preserve food for home canning. They are so well made that they will last for many years and become collectible.
Phyllis: What are some of your favorite ways to use Mason jars?
Cindy: I love to use them to make and serve different drinks and dishes. They are a great way to take your food to-go for lunches or picnics. One of my favorite uses for Mason jars is sharing food with others. From giving gifts to taking food to sick friends, these jars are perfect for sharing with those that you love.
How do you use your Mason jars?
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I suggest having the same kind of jar opener for other items as well. This will ensure that they are easy to open and will be able to perform any other tasks that you want them to do. This will also keep the opener functioning properly. You can have one jar opener for any kind of beverage and it will still function properly.
I love the look of mason jars and they are a favorite for summer drinks with fun stripe and polka dot straws! I’m wishing that I had a banana pudding in one for dessert this evening! Happy Monday, Phyllis ~
A few years ago I got rid of all plastic in the kitchen as I did not want my kids eating or drinking anything associated with it. A perfect solution for safe, cute and sturdy drinking glasses for the kids and adults? Mason jars. Even love the way they look lined up in my open glass cabinet.
Hello. I am wondering if you could resend me the newsletter that told about someone who was so excited when seeing China dishware and stemware. If you know which newsletter I’m writing about, would you please resend it to me? I would be very much appreciate it. Thank you!
Mason Jars are my favorite thing to store leftovers in. My refrigerator has lots of them with all sorts of pickles and other condiments in them. They are especially good to store my home made soups in for giving. Over the years I have made great pots of beef and barley, beef and vegetable, chicken noodle with the trinity, or potato-cheese soup for sick or otherwise off-schedule relatives and friends. my special touch in all of them is an addition of parsley flakes. I take them in quart mason jars and, for longer lasting emergencies, in larger plastic containers with secure tops.
Another of my uses for the jars is making potpourri of flower petals of sentimental value – all of the red rose petals from the funeral of a favorite aunt of my husband, cherry tree petals from trees at a larger house we lived in for twenty-five years. I never added orris root and the flower petals retain their original fragrance, as I dry them thoroughly before putting them up. A friend of mine collects antique buttons which she uses with antique laces and fabrics to make or decorate pillows, towels, clothing and framable pieces. When I was younger I always brought home shells from the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere in Florida, many large specimens of which I still use in flat baskets with handles to display with a selection of other beautiful natural items.
The best thing I ever ate from a mason jar was the green tomato pickles my grandfather Barber made by a recipe given to him by Robert Berman, originally from Russia. I have never tasted another green tomato pickle so good.
You stirred up lots of happy memories for me, Phyllis, as you often do. Thank you again for sharing you imaginative gifts with us all.
“MJ’s are our glasses at the cabin!! In or out with covers.
I love all these clever additional ideas! Thanks as usual for a fun and informative “ribbon”.
I grew up with garage shelves full of Mason jars, some full some empty. Mom canned lots of apple sauce, peaches and we all picked blackberries for cobbler and her great blackberry jam. I miss her so since her recent passing and I loved the book cover so I am out to purchase a case of small mason jars I can use for desserts and use my newly acquired Bonjour Cooking Torch.
Thanks for bring back some very special memories of my childhood with Mom in the best smelling kitchen! Carmel
As I have mentioned in other ribbons, I just love to use mason jars for all sorts of things…storage, display, individual appetizers and desserts…I could go on and on. I love to pick up cute lids, for example, I have pink ones with white hearts that say”made with love”. For a cute diy, I filled a mason jar with starter sewing kit items,then secured some cotten balls on the lid with material cut in a round and some ribbon, which acts as a pin cushion.I put a pretty personalized label on the jar for the finishing touch.
Love, love, love my jars!! I collect the blue ones and use them for vases as well as storage of dry foods, buttons, whatever do be displayed. The millions of clear glass jars that I have get used for a million different things, including food storage in the pantry or fridge, and for gifts. Each year at Christmas I make things like jams, ketchups, mustards, chutneys… can them and put together gift baskets with them. I really dislike anything plastic so the jars have become my go-to for everything.
I can’t wait to get your book. I started collecting Mason jars ages ago and have found them in fields, old fallen down log homes, antique stores, etc. . My pantry is full of food supplies in “MJ’s” as they are fondly called at our house. I especially love the really old ones, and have zinc lids on most of them.
I love this idea, mason jars are inexpensive, and the food looks so charming presented like this in jars. Not to mention that it is such a handy way to take somewhere, as Cindy mentioned. {John Mason not only made the classic ever- useful mason jars, he is credited with creating the first screw on cap to use for a salt shaker}