I live in New Zealand and couldn't find non-dairy creamer (vanilla flavoured or otherwise), or instant tea. Not even at the international groceries or the bulk food places -- maybe it's just a North American thing? So I worked around it and am really happy with my substitutions! Stir 1t vanilla into 2C sugar until it's completely blended in. If you have time, spread the vanilla sugar out on a baking tray and allow it to dry for a few hours, then crumble it up with your fingers or in your food processor. But in a pinch you can use it immediately, it just might make the final mixture go a little bit stiff. Sift a 50g packet of coconut cream powder into the sugar (you have to sift this or it will come out in lumps). Add 2C full fat/regular instant milk powder (creamier than skim milk powder). Then add all the spices including 1t nutmeg, 1t allspice and 1/2t white pepper (gives it a lovely bite but not at all spicy). Just make a regular mug of tea and add the mixture -- yum! For my taste, you do need at least 2 tablespoons of the mix for each mug of tea.

Reviewed On: Dec. 16, 2009

Okay, we all agree they're really yummy. And they make absolutely brilliant gifts -- my 3-year-old helped me fill our jars and we gave them to all his friends so they can do some baking with their moms. Now for the important stuff -- how does it look in the jar? I wanted to "pretty it up" a little (and my kids don't like nuts), so I replaced the pecans with 1/2C chopped glace cherries (red & green mixed together) and used white chocolate pieces instead of butterscotch to get a Christmas color scheme. And the order you put things in is critical! Some ingredients just won't lay flat on top of others. Also, it's really hard to get it all to fit in a jar. If you can find a long, narrow, flat-bottomed glass or something similar, use it to press each layer down as hard as you can. Even doing that, I had to cut down on some of the ingredients. So here's what I came up with that works really well: 8: (bottom layer) 1/4C cocoa (we like 'em chocolatey!) 7: 1-1/8C flour, 1/2t baking soda, 1/4t baking powder, 1/4t salt 6: 1C CocoPops -- press! 5: 1/2C brown sugar -- press! 4: 1/2C white sugar 3: 1/2C white chocolate chips -- press! 2: 1/3C cherries (or nuts, if you prefer) 1.(top layer) fill to the top with coconut and press again. I can usually only fit about 1/2 or 3/4C.

Reviewed On: Dec. 16, 2009

I would change the name to "Simple Creole Tuna" so that nobody would expect a gourmet dish. It's very straightforward and easy to make, and my fussy family loved it. I didn't have green peppers so just sauteed an onion instead, I'm sure the flavor was slightly different but it still came out just great. Comfort food at it's finest, this will be making a regular appearance at our dinner table!

Reviewed On: Oct. 25, 2008