Posted in Book Reviews
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Make a Mix Cookery Book Review November 2004 Donna Reish One book I have had almost as long as Raymond Moore’s Better Late Than Early –and used even more often---is Make a Mix (my original copy fourteen years ago was called Make a Mix Cookery). This book is a gem that I cannot speak highly enough of. It is the only cookbook that I keep out on a shelf. Make a Mix was my introduction to “once a month” or “mega cooking” when I was expecting my fourth child fourteen years ago. Though it doesn’t mention either of these terms in it, this volume was where I began cooking ahead, freezing entrees and “starters,” and more. It truly aided me in years of joyful hospitality that I will always fondly remember—and long for in our lives again! The authors, devised over sixty-seven mixes to use in 306 recipes for the do it yourself cook. For most mix recipes given, they have at least a half dozen recipes in which to use that mix—some have even a dozen recipes to use the mix in! These gals start out with master mixes, those mixes that we often rely on the supermarket for—such as brownie mixes, cake mixes, bread mixes, muffin mixes, cookie mixes, and more. Also in their master mixes, they include unique mixes like flavored oatmeals, onion seasoning (to replace dry onion soup packets), “shake and bake” coating mixes, and more. Next, they move into “freezer mixes”—where the beginning of my “mega cooking” experiences evolved. They have all purpose ground meat and chicken mixes in which you precook meats with seasonings, vegetables, sauces, etc, then freeze them for use in dozens of entrees (recipes also given, of course). These freezer mixes include my personal favorite—braised beef cube mix, which I have made several times a year for over a dozen years as a starter for beef stew, stroganoff, etc. (This is my personal favorite to give to new moms!) Of course, those are just the basics. They have freezer pie crust mixes, slice and bake cookies, salad dressing starters, gravy starters, and drink mixes. I just can’t say enough about this exciting book. I have used it probably every month of my life since I got it—though some months I use it to simply pull out a quick dessert recipe and other months we are “make a mix” maniacs! I have used it as a springboard for devising healthy mixes for my son with allergies as well as gifts for people at Christmas time. It is published by Fisher Books and has sold over a million copies. I’m sure it’s available online at any major book distributor. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have! Oh, by the way, did I mention that I’m on my third copy of it?? |