Staple
These are recipies that you mix and then store for use elsewhere. I have a number of mixes that fit into this category, as well as some custom spice blends. Good staples can cut the time to put together a "scratch" home-made meal down to less time than it would take to run to the store for take-out.
Cream Soup Mix
Don’t run out of this one. I store it in an air-tight container in my pantry with a scoop I salvaged from a powdered drink cannister. This makes soup, sauce, gravy…it will turn any watery soup into a creamed soup, and turn left-over veggies into a creative masterpiece. 2 cups instant nonfat dry milk 3/4 …
Sweet and Sour Sauce
This makes a big batch of sauce. For my family of 4 + 1 munchkin, we divide it into 3 meal-sized portions and freeze it in gallon sized freezer bags. 4 tbsp cornstarch 3 cups chicken broth 4 tbsp soy sauce 4 tbsp butter 3 c diced green (or other) bell peppers baby carrots (depends …
Pancake Mix
I prefer these to the stuff you get out of a bag. There are two variations — one that you just add butter and water to, one that you add butter, egg and milk to. 7 cups flour 1 cup sugar 8 tsp baking powder 2 tsp salt 8 tbsp soy flour 1 1/4 cup …
Baking Powder Biscuit Mix
This can be breakfast, lunch, dinner or desert. It mixes up very quickly so is a good option to add a little something extra to a meal when company shows up. Store it in the refrigerator. 8 cups flour 1/3 cup baking powder 2 tsp salt 2 tsp cream of tartar 4 tsp sugar 2 …
Cornbread Mix
We take this to pot-lucks. It makes a quick bread to compliment a meal or a topping for casseroles. The mixture recipe makes enough for 4 large batches. 9 cups flour 3 cups cornmeal 4 tsp salt 4 tbsp baking powder 3 cups sugar Mix this all together with a wire whisk and store it …
Teenager Meat
Have you ever noticed that teenagers travel in herds and they are always hungry? This recipe is a great way to use up all of the extra teens that wander in. Just kidding, this isn’t made from teenagers, it is made for them. This is a joke around my house where teens — and now …
Sourdough Starter
Elsewhere I talk about using sourdough starter, but how do you get this mysterious ingredient? Around my house this is referred to as Mom’s Yeast Beast, as it is more of a pet than an ingredient. Sourdough uses a wild yeast that grows in the air. Sourdough grown in San Francisco is different than when …