I am old. I am not fond of change. But this Recession we are in that seems headed toward a Depression has me rethinking my options.
I like convenience foods. And I have occasionally been buying premade mixes. Not so much for the flavor and certainly not for the health aspects. It is mostly because those of us who have joints that don't work very well any more tend to go for 'easy and quick' as opposed to time consuming 'from scratch' foods. If I can microwave something instead of standing for a length of time stirring a pot on the stove, I will do it. Or if I can just add water or milk to a mix instead of mixing from scratch, I will do that, too. It hurts less.
So this afternoon I have been putting together some of my favorite homemade mixes. Not only do I know what is in each one, but I find it is much less expensive to make than to buy.
Swiss Mocha Mix (from the YouTube Channel, "Little Village Homestead.")
1/2 C. instant coffee - 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1/2 C. sugar - or to taste - 1/4 tsp. vanila
1 C. powdered milk
Blend well. To use: 2 large Tbsp. in a mug of hot water.
Hot Cocoa Mix (from the YouTube Channel "katzcradul")
5 C. dry milk - 3 C. powdered sugar
1 1/2 C. cocoa powder - 1 C. Creamora
pinch salt
Mix well. Add to hot water in a mug, to taste. (Note: This tastes less like Swiss Miss and more like the old fashioned cocoa Mom used to make. It is also really good if one bottle of malt powder is added.)
Gravy Mixes (from "Suttons Daze" YouTube Channel)
Chicken or Beef Gravy
3/4 C. flour - 1 tsp. pepper
3 Tbsp. either beef or chicken bouillon
Country Gravy
3/4 C. flour - 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. pepper - 1 tsp. onion powder
To use: Melt 1 Tbsp. fat (butter, margarine, bacon grease, etc.) Stir in 2 Tbsp. mix. Whisk in 1 C. water. Whisk until thick to make 1 C. gravy.
Brownie Mix ( Don't remember where I found this.)
4 C. flour - 4 1/2 C. sugar
1 C. cocoa powder - 1 1/2 C. dry milk powder
1 1/2 Tbsp. baking powder - 1 1/2 tsp. salt
Sift together 3 times.
To use: Combine 1 3/4 C. mix, 1/4 C. warm water, 1/4 C. oil, 1 tsp. vanilla and 1 egg. Beat well. Pour into a greased 9-inch pan. Bake 20 miutes or until done - 350 degrees.
I expect to be adding more convenience type mixes this fall. I highly doubt that prices are going to drop. I can add to my food storage this way while saving a bit on the already outrageous grocery bill.
We need to keep stacking to the rafters however we can. And most important, keep praying. We need all the non governmental help we can get.