Got Jars? Check Out 101 Things to Do with a Jar!

Mason jars have become wildly popular over the last few years, and rightly so, with uses far beyond canning. If you’re looking for some fresh and innovative ways to use your stash of jars, look no further than the new book 101 Things to Do with a Jar by Barbara Beery (Gibbs Smith, August 2019).

* Complimentary book received for review. This post may contain affiliate links.

101 Things to Do with a Jar is part of the series of “101 Things” books from Gibbs Smith publishing; you may have seen our recent review of another book in the series, 101 Things to Do with a Bundt Pan. Other titles in the series cover kitchen equipment (e.g., Slow Cooker, Dutch Oven, or Instant Pot) or ingredients (e.g., Grits, Beans, or Cake Mix). All of these books are wire-bound so they lay flat when open, and they keep it simple with just the recipes and no pictures.

But today we’re talking about jars! Jars are often used for storage or as vases, but this book is all about making food in jars, and even in jar lids. Some of the recipes take advantage of the fact that standard-mouth jars can screw directly onto many blenders, becoming de facto blender containers, and many recipes capitalize on the jars’ heat-resistance by using them in the microwave or for baking. There’s even a section on homemade gifts you can prepare in Mason jars.

Here’s a listing of the chapters, with a few sample recipes from each, so you can get an idea of the amazing variety in the book:

• Drinks: Cold Brew Vietnamese Coffee; Groovy Green Smoothie; Vanilla Syrup
• Breads, Muffins & Breakfasts: Hummingbird Bread; Oven-Baked Frittatas; Chia Breakfast Parfait
• Grab ‘n’ Go Meals: Rainbow Salad; Pizza Jars; Spicy Black Bean Hummus
• Desserts: Jar Lid Tiny Tarts; No-Bake Fruity Cheesecakes; Homemade Magic Shell
• Pickles & Jams: Pickled Cherries; Preserved Lemons; Mangolicious Pineapple Hot Pepper Jam
• Dressings, Condiments & Sauces: Mediterranean Vinaigrette; Mexican Spice Blend; Asian Peanut Sauce
• Gift-Giving Jars: Gingerbread Cookie Mix; Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup Mix; Sweet and Salty Gorp Blend

The jars called for in the recipes are Mason jars of different sizes, mainly 4-ounce jars, half-pint jelly jars, pint jars, and quart jars, although a few recipes require specialty jars like a gallon jar with a spigot. Some recipes, such as layered salads, specifically need jars with wide-mouth openings. I think that 101 Things to Do with a Jar would be a great gift for the home-canner in your life, because you’d be giving her an excuse to pull those empty jars off the shelf and put them to use in ways she never dreamed of!

The publisher, Gibbs Smith, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. You might be surprised at the many topics they feature, from cookbooks and craft books to books on interior design, pop culture, the outdoors, and much more, including children’s books. Visit Gibbs Smith on Facebook, too.

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Disclaimer: A. Bailey received a complimentary product for review purposes & feature on The Classy Chics blog. No monetary compensation was received. A. Bailey’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own. Your thoughts may differ. Please read the blog’s terms of service policy before entering any giveaways. The Classy Chics are NOT responsible for prize fulfillment or shipping of any items won from this blog. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, we may or may not make a small commission which helps to support this website. Thank you!!!