Monday, October 13, 2008

Make-A-Mix Monday - Savory Rice & Vegetables

This recipe uses instant rice and dehydrated vegetables called "soup greens" to make an easy and healthy alternative to those boxed dinners. Place all the dry ingredients into a Mason jar or reseal-able bag to make an easy to prepare mix.

1 1/2 cups instant white rice
3 Tbsp. dehydrated Soup Greens (can be found in health food stores or online at HomeStyle Mercantile)
1 Tbsp chicken bullion granules
1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch

Mix and store an airtight container until needed.

To prepare - Bring 1 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 of milk to a boil. Stir in rice. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes or until all the water and milk is absorbed.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Make a Mix Monday - Rich Chocolate Cake Mix

Last Saturday was the birthday of one of the boys. We don't do birthdays like a lot of families we know. It's usually a nice quiet evening at home with just our family. We enjoy a cake and usually even have candles for the smaller guys. The birthday boy gets to choose what is for dinner and he choose what kind of cake he wants. Chocolate is a pretty good favorite around our house so it didn't surprise me that he chose German Chocolate cake.

It's hard to find a chocolate cake mix that doesn't have those nasty things in it like hydrogenated oils and things but more than that it's just not in me to pay so much for a decent cake mix when I can put together my own.

So, here it is..."Make-a-Mix Monday" and I thought I'd share our recipe. It's a dark chocolate cake mix that you put together yourself. Make up a few and put them into bags so they'll be ready. Personally, I'm going to try putting mine into a mason jar. I don't know what it is but I like the looks of things in mason jars. :)

Rich Chocolate Cake Mix

2 cups self-rising flour
2/3 cups whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cups baking cocoa powder
1/4 cup dry buttermilk powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Mix well and store in a tight container. Gallon sized bags work well.

To Prepare:

1 pkg Rich Chocolate Cake Mix
2 cups water
1/2 cup olive oil
2 medium eggs

Place the eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk a bit. Add in the olive oil, water, and mix a bit more. Add the cake mix and stir for 2 minutes or until the mixture is smooth and all the lumps are gone. Pour into oiled 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Insert knife or toothpick into center to check. Cool and frost how you like.

It's not "German" chocolate but it tastes great with coconut pecan frosting!

By the way, our boys have always thought the best part of having a birthday is that they make their own birthday cake. :) Some of our friends think this is mean...let them make their own birthday cake but there's quite a commotion when I try to make it for them!

Have a great day!

Mavis D.