Table of Contents
MEET THE AUTHORS
Nevada Harward, Madeline Westover, Karine Eliason
When you have some of the answers to a problem shared by millions of peopleespecially the working woman or busy momyou want to share your knowledge. This is what Karine Eliason, Nevada Harward and Madeline Westover have been doing since their first book, Make-A-Mix Cookery, was published in 1978.
This is their sixth book. Their books have sold over two-million copies. The mix ladies have added new mixes, revised many old ones, and lowered fat and cholesterol in many recipes.
The authors have long praised the joys of making and using mixes as they lectured extensively throughout the United States, appearing on TV and demonstrating before large groups. Busy mothers and working women have said that the mix books have been a lifesaver in the kitchen.
All three authors are active volunteers. With their busy schedules and large families (they have 18 children and 20 grandchildren) everyone gets involved. Their married children have created mixes that are shared in this book.
MASTER MIXES
Here they arethe starting points for hundreds of breads, main dishes, appetizers, side dishes, desserts and beverages! With these mixes in your pantry, refrigerator and freezer, you can offer a different menu every day of the year with a minimum of preparation time.
There are three types of Master Mixes:
Dry Mixes contain only dry ingredients and will keep 6 to 8 months in your cupboard. Shake or stir them before using, as they may have settled during storage. Dry mixes include HOT ROLL MIX, SNACK CAKE MIX and a variety of seasoning mixes.
Semi-dry Mixes contain shortening, butter or margarine. Be sure to follow storage instructions because some of these should be refrigerated. Favorites include QUICK MIX and WHITE SAUCE MIX. These mixes will generally stay fresh for 10 to 12 weeks.
Freezer-Refrigerator Mixes are moist and require cold storage. They keep well for 3 months or more, and range from FIVE-WAY BEEF MIX to PINTO BEAN MIX to CREAM-CHEESE PASTRY MlX.
Be certain to familiarize yourself with the different kinds of Master Mixes and the many potential uses for each. Weve included our favorite recipes in the following chapters and listed their page numbers following the corresponding master-mix recipe. Of course, we expect you to experiment and create your own masterpieces.
A few Special Mixes, such as CHILI SEASONING MIX, HOT CHOCOLATE MIX and the salad-dressing mixes are designed primarily for one recipe. In this case the recipe is included with the mix instructions.
In addition to making life easier at home, mixes are a wonderful convenience when camping. With an ample supply of your own mixes, food can be prepared quickly and cooperatively at the campsite.
Creative gift-giving is one of the most popular uses of homemade mixes. A new bride will be grateful for such a creative giftespecially when you include a copy of Make-A-Mix as part of the gift. Adapt your gift-giving creativity to the holiday season by including a cookie cutter with COOKIE MIX packed in a pretty jar.
Whether for gifts or for your own use, be sure to label all containers clearly with the contents and date.
BAKING & COOKING WITH MIXES
The Magic of MixesOne quick look at your cupboard shelves will tell you that mixes have become an essential part of todays cooking. Our busy lifestyle has created a major trend toward the use of time-saving convenience foods, and mixes are the popular choice for many of our cooking needs. Because the time-consuming part of cooking is assembling supplies and equipment and measuring ingredients, it is easy to see why mixes are so valuable to every cook.
Mixes Are EasyWith your own mixes you save almost three-fourths the time you spend preparing food. This is because you prepare for several meals at one time. Whether your family has 2 or 22 members, you can make the right amount for each meal. Dinners are better planned, delicious and nutritiouseven when theres little time. Children can make most of the recipes.
Mixes Are EconomicalCommercial mixes are generally advertised as time-savers rather than money-savers. Their prices increase regularly with rising labor and packaging costs. Why not save those extra dollars by providing the labor and packaging yourself? Compare the cost per cup of commercial mixes with homemade mixes and youll discover your mixes cost less than half. Save more by watching for specials on items such as flour, sugar and shortening.
Mixes Are NutritiousTheres a special satisfaction in choosing your own ingredients to cook with and knowing what is in your foods. If you want to reduce the preservatives and additives you consume, making your own mixes is the way to start. You can also reduce the fat and substitute other ingredients as you wish.
When you make meals from your own mixes, youll notice the fresher flavor. Most of the mix recipes in this book contain ingredients chosen for their health value as well as taste appeal.
Mixes Are VersatileThe extent to which mixes can be used is almost limitless. QUICK MIX, which makes dozens of different recipes can be substituted for any recipe that calls for commercially prepared biscuit mixes.
Depending on the type of storage space available, you can keep COOKIE MIX on your pantry shelf or SLICE & BAKE COOKIES in your freezer. Both can be used to make a variety of cookies. Pies are quick and easy when you keep FREEZER PIE-CRUST MIX on hand.
Some mixes are seasonings to complement specific recipes. Make individual packets of TACO SEASONING MIX, HOME-STYLE DRESSING MIX, CHILI SEASONING MIX and our other special mixes and youre ready for any occasion! Theyre better than those you can buy. Some are so unusual you cant even buy them in stores.
Mixes Can Be PersonalizedUse a salt or sugar substitute or whole grains, eliminate MSG or reduce fats and sugars, thus meeting your own personal preferences and needs.
Ingredients
THE INGREDIENTS
Always use fresh, high-quality products when youre making your own mixes. The foods you prepare are only as good as their contents.
It is important to know what each ingredient offers to a recipe. Here are some tips to help you make mixes and meals everyone will remember.
