The Christian Homekeeper™

These are mix recipes from years and years ago when the internet was young and we were all speculating about Y2K. They are still handy today and some make good gifts.

Homemade Shake and Bake (from the Tightwad Gazette)
4 cups flour
4 cups ground crackers or cracker meal
4 tbsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
3 tbsp paprika
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Mix well and store indefinitely in the refrigerator in a covered container (I use an old ice cream bucket or coffee can). You can change the spices according to what you like, ie. Italian seasonings, Cajun, Mexican, Asian, etc.

To cook: Dip meat in any liquid (egg, buttermilk, milk, salad dressing) then in the shake and bake. Put on baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 for boneless chicken or fish strips, an hour for chicken pieces with bones (ie drums and thighs, as long as possible for bone-in breasts). Update: The oven fired chicken strips froze very well. We cooked ours first and then froze so we could microwave them. They were not as crunchy, but still delicious. They could also be frozen without cooking and then baked after freezing.

Onion Soup Mix 1

6 Tablespoons Onion Flakes
2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese — optional
2 Teaspoons Corn Starch — optional
2 Tablespoons Beef Bouillon
1 Tablespoon Soybean Flour
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Protein — to 3 Tbl.
2 Tablespoons Instant Mashed Potatoes

Blend all of the above ingredients together until well blended. Shelf life– 2 months.
TO RECONSTITUTE: Use 2 Tablespoons in 1-1/2 cups boiling water.

Onion Soup Mix 2

1 Cup Dried Onions
1/4 Cup Onion Powder
1/4 Cup Parsley — snipped
2 Tablespoons Onion Salt
1 Teaspoon Pepper
7 Ounces Beef Bouillon Granules — 2 3-1/2 oz. jars
1/4 Cup Dry Gravy Mix Powder — 1-5/8 oz. box
Combine and put in tight container in a cool dark place.
1/4 cup = 1 envelope onion soup mix

Taco Seasoning Mix
From Gentle Spirit Magazine
2 Tsp onion Instant minced
1 Tsp Salt
½ Tsp Cornstarch
½ Tsp Garlic powder
½ Tsp ground cumin
1 Tsp Chili powder
½ Tsp ground red pepper
1/4 Tsp oregano dried
Place all in center of a 6? square of foil. Fold into packet. Store in dry place.
To make Taco Meat: Brown 1 # ground beef or turkey. Drain. Add ½ cup water, seasoning pkt. Simmer 10 minutes. Fills 8 - 10 tacos

HERBED RICE (Makes 10 cups)
I just mix up the spices and herbs, then add about 1/2 cup to every 2 cups of rice when I get ready to cook it, along with some margarine and salt.
Mix: 1 package ( 3 pounds ) long grain rice
2 cups dried celery flakes
2/3 cup dried minced onion
1/2 cup dried parsley flakes
2 tablespoons dried chives
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
3 to 4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons pepper

Additional: 2/3 cup water
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
Combine the long grain rice, celery flakes, minced onion, parsley flakes, chives, tarragon, salt and pepper. Mix well. If giving as gifts place two cups each in a jar (40 batches).

Instructions (attach to gift jar): Additional: 2/3 cup water
1 tablespoon butter or margarine

Place water and butter in a sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup rice mix. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork. Yield: 1 serving.

NOTE: To prepare more than 1 serving, multiply the rice mix, water. and butter by the total number or desired servings and cook as directed.

Herbed Lentils and Rice
Again, you could just mix up the spices and herbs and store them, add to taste to the lentils and rice before cooking.
Herbed Lentils and Rice
3/4 c. dry lentils
1/2 c. raw brown rice
2 Tbl. dry onion flakes
1 tsp. italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
Combine all in a baggie and store until the day you need it. To make, dump contents of baggie into casserole dish. Add 2 2/3 c. broth.
Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Stir twice during the baking time.
note: This meal is very economical and healthy! If you have never tried lentils before, this is a good recipe to try.

Instant Oatmeal

8 C oatmeal
1T cinnamon
1C dried fruit (raisins, dates, apples, whatever)
1C brown sugar

Mix together well. Store in an airtight container.
To serve: put 1/2 C cup oatmeal mix into cereal bowl, add 1C water and microwave 2 - 2 1/2 min. Let stand 3-4 min.

Author’s Notes… ~ I also add dry milk powder to the oatmeal mix (I think it was a cup or so that I used). I usually do this on the stove top. I mix oatmeal and water together, bring to a boil then turn off. Let stand a few minutes.