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Saturday, November 9, 2013

Freezer Food: Homemade Dry Mixes


What are your favorite mixes to buy at the store?  You know, the ones that are either so delicious or so convenient you're willing to buy them even when they're not on sale?  I have a love/hate relationship with those mixes.  

I've been a pretty diligent home-maker (not to be confused with homemaker) lately, rarely ever using boxed mixes.  But I often find myself debating if it's worth trying to flip through my recipe binder (which is really more of a scrapbook) and translate the hieroglyphs I scratched down last week or last year.  It would be so much easier if the food would just talk to me and tell me what it wanted to be made into that day.

There is a solution to this problem!  A delicious and cost-effective solution!  Homemade dry mixes. 

Start by gathering your most-used recipes.  After you get the hang of the process, you can move on to things you like the convenience of, but maybe don't make as often, like cornbread.  But don't be afraid to try a new mix or two to find out if you love it!



Next, label the bags.  I copy the boxes:  title of mix, ingredients needed to make the product, and any special instructions.  I also include the date I put it together, so I have sort of an "expiration" date.  In general, I try to use the dry mixes within three months of making them.

Freezer bags and permanent markers are your friends here!  I find that quart-sized freezer bags are about the right size for a single batch of most things our family of six eats.



Next, gather all the (dry!) ingredients.



Then fill the bags!  Just measure the dry ingredients from each single recipe you want to prepare into the bag.



This isn't required, but it helps me to close the bag, leaving a little air, and shake it around a bit before storing.  That way I don't have to think about mixing when I open it and dump it into a bowl later.



Squeeze all the air out before sealing it shut.



Store in a cool, dry place--in the freezer if you have the space and really want to keep it fresh for awhile!

Here are a few links to some great inspiration:

Fluffy Pancakes
Belgian Waffles--must be kept frozen if adding yeast to dry mix
Basic Muffins
Regular Biscuits
Country Cornbread
Perfect Brownies
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

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