Diane Phillips has been giving gifts of baked goods from her kitchen for years. When she discovered that the expensive beer bread mix sold in gourmet shops was identical to her own homemade beer bread, she had a brilliant idea. Why not create her own homemade mixes for gift giving at a fraction of the cost? The result? The Perfect Mix,it's filled with make-your-own-mix recipes for soups, rice, seasonings and dressings, breads, muffins and scones, cookies and cakes, and beverages. Each entry includes clear instructions for preparing the mix; a recipe using the mix; creative gift packaging suggestions, including ideas for gift baskets; and detailed instructions for making decorative gift tags. Give a southwestern gift of chili Mix and California Corn Bread Mix, packaged with chili bowls and bandana-print napkins; or a bean crock filled with Fitz-Patrick's Boston Baked Beans Mix, Mom's Heirloom Brown Bread Mix, and a jar of molasses. Dozens of other imaginative mixes include Shellfish Seasoning, Orange Blossom Rice, Lentil Soup, Dutch Baby Pancake, Scottish Shortbread, and Warm Spiced Cranberry Cider. An introductory section on necessary supplies and a source guide for ordering supplies and ingredients round out this unique collection of homemade and heartfelt edible gifts.
