Tip of the Week April 19th

Save money and stock you pantry with staples. Buy in bulk.
Excerpts from:
Homemade pre-mixed foods, they're economical and easy to make.
By Linda Gabris "Backwoods Home Magazine"

These recipes may be divided or multiplied.
Of course, these recipes can be made in smaller batches to test drive and when you perfect them, they can then be made into larger batches.

Pancake Mix
12 cups flour
4 cups instant milk powder
1 cup baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. finely grated nutmeg (optional)
Measure ingredients in a bowl, mix well and store in an airtight container.
To make pancakes, put 2 cups mix into a bowl, Beat 1 egg, 3 Tbsps. veg. oil, and 1 cup water in another bowl. Add liquid to the pancake mix annd stir until blended. Add a little more water if batter is too thick or a little more mix if to thin.

Onion Soup Mix
3 cups dried onions
1/2 cup onion powder
1 cup beef bullion powder (from the bulk bin)
1 tsp. black pepper
Measure ingredients into a bowl, mix well and store in an airtight container.
For soup, use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of mix per 1 cup water and simmer until onions are tender.
Note: Use this soup mix to season pot roasts, gravies, meat loaves, vegetable dips, and so forth. Always omit salt in a recipe when using onion soup mix as flavoring or the finished product might be to salty.

Italian Cheese Sauce Mix
8 cups bulk powdered cheese (you can this inexpensive tasty yellow cheddar powder in bulk at large grocery stores of buying dehydrated cheese blends on line or at specialty stores.)
3 cups Parmesan cheese (use shaker Parmesan, not fresh grated)
2 cups powdered milk
3 cups flour
1/4 cup garlic powder
1/4 cup tbsp. each of dried oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme
2 tsp. white pepper
Measure ingredients into a bowl, mix well and store in an airtight container.
To use, whisk 1/4 cupoc mix (more or less depending on desired thickness) per cup of hot water or for creamier sauce, hot milk or light cream. Bring to a boil. Add a dab of butter to the for a richer flavor if you wish. Anny tidbits of fresh cheese in the fridge can be grated and added to the sauce and heated until melted, a great way to use up the ends.

Chili Powder Mix
This is superior to the prepackaged mixes that you can buy for chili con carne, tacos, and other Mexican flavored dishes. Tweak it tp tickle your own taste buds.
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup ground cumin
1/4 cup ground coriander
1 Tbsp. Mexican chili powder (or crushed chilies)
3 Tbsp. onion powder
3 Tbsp. granulated garlic
1 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp. blackpepper
2 tsp. dried oregano
Measure ingredients into a bowl, mix well and store in an airtight container.
To use, add amounts to suit taste.