Makes 1 1/2 cups of mix.

1 cup raw long-grain rice
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1 tablespoon green bell pepper flakes
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Place mix in a decorative jar or pour into a zip-type bag. Cut an 18-inch square of pretty material. Lay the bag of mix on the material, gather up all sides, tie with a ribbon and attach a gift tag with the following recipe.

Jambalaya
1 1/2 cups Jambalaya Mix
3 cups water
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup cooked ham or smoked sausage
1/2 cup cooked shrimp

Combine first three ingredients and bring to a boil in a 6-quart pot . Reduce heat to simmer; add ham or sausage and cook 20 minutes. Add shrimp and cook 5 minutes more. Remove and discard bay leaf.

Makes about 8 cups.