Cookbook Reviews
 

The Perfect Mix

       by Diane Phillips
       Hearst Books, NY  1993
       ISBN 0-688-12104-7
 
       This beautiful little book is packed full of ideas for gifts from  the kitchen and garden.  With 90 recipes for bread, soup,  desserts, beverages and herb blends,  you are sure to find   something for everyone on your Christmas list.

       The author gives an introduction to mixing, supplies, and basket  ideas for dressing up the gift.  The photo on the cover gives even  more wonderful ideas to spark the imagination.

       Each Mix recipe is given with a small framed recipe to copy, cut  out and attach to the gift.  This is so handy during the hectic   holiday season!
 
     Beautifully done, the recipes are also delicious... I recommend this book highly.
 
 
 

The Perfect Mix

   hardcover   $10.50


 Sample Recipes:

                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                               Beignet Mix

Recipe By     : The Perfect Mix
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Reg4                             Sara H.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      cup           all purpose flour
     1/2  cup           sugar
     1/4  teaspoon      cinnamon
     1/8  teaspoon      nutmeg
     1/4  teaspoon      salt

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients.  Store the mix in an
airtight container.

Beignets
Makes 2 dozen beignets

1/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup water
3 teaspoons sugar
1 package Beignet mix
4 large eggs
vegetable oil for frying

In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and sugar.  Bring the
mixture to a boil and remove the pan from the heat.  Add the Beignet mix
and beat with a wooden spoon until the mixture leaves the sides of the
pan.  Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until the mixture is smooth.
Heat 4 inches of oil in a heavy 5 to 6 quart saucepan to 360 degrees.
Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls into the oil, and cook about 3 minutes
until each is puffed and golden.  Drain the beignets on paper towels and
sift powdered sugar over each one.  Serve iwth French Roast coffee.
 

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                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                              Cappuccino Mix

Recipe By     : The Perfect Mix
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Reg4                             Sara H.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      cup           powdered instant nondairy creamer
   1      cup           chocolate flavored drink mix
     3/4  cup           instant coffee (decaf or regular)
     1/2  cup           sugar
     1/2  teaspoon      ground cinnamon
     1/4  teaspoon      ground nutmeg

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl.  Store in an airtight
container.

Cappuccino
Serves 1

2 Tb. mix
6 oz. boiling water
whipped cream and shaved chocolate
frangelico liqueur (optional)

Place the mix in the bottom of a mug.  Add the boiling water and stir
until the cappuccino is smooth.  Garnish with whipped cream and shaved
chocolate.  Add 1 Tb. liqueur if desired.
 

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                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                           Caribbean Pepper Mix

Recipe By     : The Perfect Mix
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Reg4                             Sara H.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  cup           Montok white peppercorns
     1/2  cup           Tellicherry black peppercorns
     1/4  cup           Malabar green peppercorns
   2      Tablespoons   whole Jamaican allspice

In large glass bowl, combine all the ingredients.  Store in an airtight
container.

Not all peppercorns are the same.  Soft green Malabar peppercorns are
freeze-dried and have a crisp bite.  Black Tellicherry peppercorns are
rich in oils, and Muntok white peppercorns are aromatic.  Combining the
peppercorns with whole Jamaican allspice blends a taste of the Caribbean.
Try this combination in  Peppered Steak.
 

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                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                     Chocolate Truffle Pound Cake Mix

Recipe By     : The Perfect Mix
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Reg4                             Sara H.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   3      cups          sugar
   3      cups          flour
     1/2  teaspoon      salt
   1      teaspoon      baking soda
     1/2  cup           cocoa

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ingredients and stir with a wire
whisk.  Store the mix in an airtight container.

To make Chocolate Truffle Pound Cake
Serves 8

3/4 cup butter or margarine
5 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 package CTPC mix

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter an 8 to 9 cup Bundt pan.  In the
large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter until it is smooth.  Add
the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.  Add the milk and
vanilla and beat the mixture until it is thoroughly blended.  Add the CTPC
mix and continue to beat for 3 minutes until smooth.  Pour into prepared
Bundt pan, and bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes, or until a toothpick
inserted into the middle comes out clean.  Cool for 25 minutes in the pan.
 Remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack.
 

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                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                         Ginger Spice Muffin Mix

Recipe By     : The Perfect Mix
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Reg4                             Sara H.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1 3/4  cups          all purpose flour
   2      Tablespoons   sugar
   2      Tablespoons   brown sugar
   3      teaspoons     baking powder
     1/2  teaspoon      baking soda
     1/2  teaspoon      salt
   1      teaspoon      ground cinnamon
     1/2  teaspoon      ground nutmeg
     1/4  teaspoon      ground ginger
     1/4  teaspoon      ground cloves

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl.  Store the mixture in an
airtight container.

Ginger Spice Muffins:
Makes 1 dozen muffins

1 package GSM mix
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Grease 12 muffin tins.  In a large bowl,
combine the muffin mix with the butter, egg, vanilla and milk.  Stir the
mixture until the ingredients are blended.  Do not overmix.  The batter
will be lumpy.  Fill muffin tins 2/3 full, and bake for 15 minutes.
 

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                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                          Indian Squaw Bread Mix

Recipe By     : The Perfect Mix
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Reg4                             Sara H.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      Tablespoon    dry yeast
   1      Tablespoon    salt
     1/2  cup           dark brown sugar
   4      cups          whole wheat flour
   8      cups          all purpose flour

Combine the ingredients into a glass bowl.  Store in an airtight
container.

To make Indian Squaw Bread:
Makes 2 round loaves

1 package ISBmix
3/4 cup unsulfured dark molasses
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
3 cups lukewarm water
all purpose flour (as needed)

Place the bread mix in a glass or ceramic mixing bowl.  Add the molasses,
oil, and water and beat with a dough hook or wooded spoon until the dough
holds together.  Turn the dough out onto a floured board, and knead in
enough all purpose flour to form a smooth elastic dough.  Transfer the
dough to an oiled bowl, turning the dough to coat it with the oil.  Let
the dough rise, covered, in a warm place for 3 to 4 hours, or until it has
tripled in bulk.  Punch the dough down, and divide it into 2 halves.  Form
each loaf into 2 rounds.  Arrange the loaves on a buttered baking sheet.
Let the dough rise again for 30 to 40 minutes or until it has doubled.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.  Bake the loaves for 1 hour 10 minutes.
They will sound hollow when the bottom is tapped.  Transfer the loaves to
a rack and let them cool.
 

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                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                        Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake Mix

Recipe By     : The Perfect Mix
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Reg4                             Sara H.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1 1/2  cups          sugar
   3      cups          cake flour
   1 1/2  teaspoons     baking powder
     1/4  cup           poppy seeds

Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  Blend with a wire
whisk.  Store the mix in an airtight container.

Lemon Poppy-Seed Cake
Serves 8

3/4 cup butter
6 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
zest of 1 lemon
1 package LPSCmix
Glaze:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter an 8 to 9 cup Bundt pan.  In the
large bowl of an electric mixer, ctream the butter.  Add the eggs, one at
a time, beating after each addition.  Add the milk, extracts, and lemon
zest.  The mixture will look curdled.  Add the cake mix, and continue to
beat on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is smooth.  Pour
the batter into the greased pan, and bake for 45 to 55 minutes.  While the
cake is baking make the glaze.

Glaze:
Combine the sugar and lemon jice in a small saucepan over medium heat and
bring the mixture to a boil for 3 minutes.  When the cake has been removed
from the oven, poke the cake all over with a wooden skewer, and brush eth
glaze over the cake.  Let the cake stand for 1 hour and remove from the
pan to cool on a wire rack.  Wrap the cake when it is cooled.
 

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                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                         Orange Blossom Rice Mix

Recipe By     : The Perfect Mix
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Reg4                             Sara H.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      cup           uncooked long-grain white rice
     1/2  teaspoon      dried orange peel
   1      teaspoon      salt
     1/4  teaspoon      dried marjoram
     1/4  teaspoon      dried thyme

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl.  Store in an airtight
container.

To make Orange Blossom Rice:
Serves 6

2 1/2 cups water
2 Tb. butter
1 package OBR mix

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and butter to a boil.  Add the rice
mix and reduce the heat to a simmer.  Cover and cook for 20 minutes.  This
rice is delicious with sauteed chicken or fish.
 

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                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                          Turkey Noodle Soup Mix

Recipe By     : The Perfect Mix
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Reg4                             Sara H.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      cup           uncooked fine egg noodles
   1 1/2  Tablespoons   chicken-flavored bouillon granules
     1/2  teaspoon      ground black pepper
     1/4  teaspoon      dried whole thyme
     1/8  teaspoon      celery seed
     1/8  teaspoon      garlic powder
   1                    bay leaf

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl.  Store in an airtight
container.

To Make Turkey Noodle Soup:
Serves 8

1 package TNS mix
8 cups water
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup minced onion
3 cups cooked, diced turkey

Combine the TNSmix and the water in a large stockpot.  Add the carrots,
celery and onin and bring to a boil.  Cover the soup and reduce the heat
to a simmer.  Simmer for 15 minutes.  Discard the bay leaf.  Stir in the
turkey and simmer an additional 5 minutes.
 

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                     *  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                     Warm Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix

Recipe By     : The Perfect Mix
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Reg4                             Sara H.

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  cup           dried cranberries
  12                    cinnamon sticks
     1/2  teaspoon      crushed whole cloves
   2      tablespoons   whole allspice

In a small bowl, stir the cranberries and spices together.  Store the
ingredients in an airtight container.

Warm Spiced Cranberry Cider
Serves 12 to 14

2 quarts apple cider
1 quart water
1 package spiced cider mix
2 oranges
1/2 pint dark rum (optional)

In a large saucepan, combine the cider, water, and mix.  Heat through but
do not boil.  Add most of the orange slices, and rum (if using).  Serve
warm, garnished with the remaining orange slices.
 

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