Tried and True Homemade Mixes

**Luckybustert** · 07-24-2010, 01:55 PM

Everytime I go to the grocery store I see a lot of mixes that look convenient but have a lot of ingredients that I can't pronounce. And I've decided if I can't pronounce it, I probably don't need to put it in my body. I've also decided that I could probably create some of these mixes at home for way less than it would cost me to buy them. After all, to buy them I'm paying not just for the ingredients, but also for the labor, packaging, the shipping, the stocking, etc. If I can make a mix that 1) tastes good, 2) is healthier than the store-bought alternative, 3) is easy to make, and 4) costs less, I'd consider using it.

Have you tried making your own convenience mixes at home? What were your results - the good and the bad? Do you have some tried and true recipes that you can share?

(Please don't point me to a recipe website where I can search for mix recipes -- I know how to find those. What I'm hoping you'll share is your actual experience with making homemade mixes, and recipes for homemade mixes that you've actually tried. Thanks in advance!

)

**Josephhgoins** · 07-24-2010, 04:04 PM

not really a mix, but in the same mind set. I am single but routinely make casseroles. One of the items I realized I was spending a good bit of money on was cream soups (i.e cream of mushroom, cream of chicken etc.)

I have now replaced the cream soups with a flavored white sauce that works fine in every recipe that I have used it in thus far. For cream of chicken I will use a chicken bouillon cube as well as some chicken broth. (I actually usually put the chicken breast in water to cook them and then use the cooking water mixed with milk to make a white sauce.

I will add celery seed for a cream of celery sub and so far just use a plain white sauce for cream of mushroom with little to no difference in flavor.

**Saule** · 07-24-2010, 04:18 PM

This is a really good sub for cream of soups, Cream Soup Mix Replacement For Cream Of ___ Soups) Substitute Recipe - Food.com - 57287

I like this for a bread mix, and I modify it all the time by adding a little cheese, or seeds, or chopped dried tomatoes, Bread Machine Mix For White Bread Oamc) Recipe - Food.com - 264998

This is a really good spice/herb mix, Fennel Spice Rub For Turkey Michael Chiarello) Recipe - Food.com - 107646

**starsapphire** · 07-24-2010, 04:38 PM

I use this taco seasoning mix regularly:

Kittencal's Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe - Food.com - 76616

Huh - just noticed Recipezaar is now food dot com

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-24-2010, 06:59 PM

Except for bbq rub I don't keep a lot of mixes on hand because they clump up, but I do mix a lot of things from scratch right before cooking with it.

In the winter we have cocoa mix: Hot Cocoa Recipe : Alton Brown : Food Network

I have posted my sloppy joe seasoning here in the forums somewhere.... (also the rub recipe)

This is a green bean casserole recipe, but the "mushroom soup" part of it is very good and can be made separately. Green Bean and Pearl Onion Casserole Recipe : Tyler Florence : Food Network

**pollypurebred39** · 07-24-2010, 07:39 PM

I make this cake mix up. I store it in glass jars in my pantry. I like that I can make it far healthier then the store bought.

Wacky Cake

Line up jars on counter. In each one put;

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour OR white whole wheat flour
1 cup white sugar OR Splenda or Xylitol (our preference)
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa ( I use more)
powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

To make put the jarred ingredients in an ungreased baking pan.

ADD:

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup water

Mike with a fork.

Bake in a Preheated oven. 350 degrees F

**Luckybustert** · 07-27-2010, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by Josephhgoins

not really a mix, but in the same mind set. I am single but routinely make casseroles. One of the items I realized I was spending a good bit of money on was cream soups (i.e cream of mushroom, cream of chicken etc.)

I have now replaced the cream soups with a flavored white sauce that works fine in every recipe that I have used it in thus far. For cream of chicken I will use a chicken bouillon cube as well as some chicken broth. (I actually usually put the chicken breast in water to cook them and then use the cooking water mixed with milk to make a white sauce.

I will add celery seed for a cream of celery sub and so far just use a plain white sauce for cream of mushroom with little to no difference in flavor.

Great idea to substitute a flavored white sauce for the cream soups -- thanks for sharing this tip with us!

**Luckybustert** · 07-27-2010, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

I make this cake mix up. I store it in glass jars in my pantry. I like that I can make it far healthier then the store bought.

Wacky Cake

Line up jars on counter. In each one put;

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour OR white whole wheat flour
1 cup white sugar OR Splenda or Xylitol (our preference)

The cake sounds very good! And since you mentioned xylitol, I know this is OT but I just wanted to caution everyone that xylitol can be fatal to dogs, so please please please be careful with this ingredient if you have a dog or dogs. snopes.com: Xylitol Deadly to Dogs

**pollypurebred39** · 07-27-2010, 03:04 AM

LB- You're so right! Thank You for bringing that up! Xylitol is deadly for dogs! Make sure you watch your chewing gum and mints too. When we had our Suki Girl at the vet there was a dog there who had gotten into its owner's gum stash. Thankfully this dog made it, but many do not.

Also:
grapes
raisins
onions
garlic
chocolate