Perfect Mix [Hardcover]

Diane Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 1993

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks; 1 edition (October 18, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688121047
• ISBN-13: 978-0688121044
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Welcome to my Amazon.com profile page. I'm the author of 14 cookbooks including the James Beard Award nominated Perfect Party Food. I travel and teach do-ahead entertaining and cooking classes all over the country and in the Dordogne region of France. Teaching is my passion and I love being able to do something that I love that includes meeting my readers and students all over the country. Check out my website www.dianephillips.com for my fall class schedule featuring my next book: Slow Cooker; The Best Cookbook Ever, information about La Combe en Perigord, travel tips, and do-ahead entertaining tools. Follow me at my blog: www.cucinadivina.blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great to have on hand for gifts for any occasion!, February 28, 2000

By 

Rosey - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perfect Mix (Hardcover)

I absolutely love this book! I bought it a couple of years ago and if you look at my dog-eared and stained pages, you'd definitely know that it's well-liked and well-used!

I have tried just about every recipe in there for my family and have made and re-made many of the recipes for gifts: new baby, Christmas, bridal shower, new home, hostess, etc.

And if you're in need of a gift idea, there are recommendations on how to make up a gift basket that includes each recipe.

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A palate-pleasing, idea filled book, July 22, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Mississippi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perfect Mix (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderful addition to any kitchen library. I originally received a basket of the mixes as a gift. Especially good were the brownies and biscotti. I asked for the recipes and was treated with not only another basket of mixes but this book too!! What a treat. I now am giving these goodies as gifts too. Everyone loves these easy to prepare, delectable treats.

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You, too, can be Little Miss Perfect!, November 30, 2003

By 

Rebecca E. McMahon (Los Angeles, California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Perfect Mix (Hardcover)

OK, come on, you know you want to be just like her. That girl you know who always has a little gift for everyone for every occasion. You may call her a suck-up, or Little Miss Perfect, but I know how you really feel. I feel that way too! She has a gift for Bob in Purchasing's birthday, Suzie in Sales' wedding, and Mr. Winklewerth himself got a gorgeous basket on Boss's Day. The problem is, who can afford to fit her shoes? Or at least that's what I always thought until I got this book.

This book has the most wonderful, easy and inexpensive ideas for gift giving you will ever encounter. It's not just the mixes themselves, it's also the helpful hints on how to package and present them with just the right little accessories to make other people call you Little Miss Perfect too. The recipes to attach to the mixes are pre-printed and adorned with little illustrated bows just right to photocopy and attach to your presents. Is your recipient trying to diet? Don't worry; there are plenty of ideas that would be welcome in a carbohydrate-counting or calorie-counting home. Is your recipient the epitome of the stereotypical bachelor? Don't worry; you'll have in your arsenal something to delight even him. And of course there are bounties of luscious, sinful mixes that will spoil the sweetest of souls. I especially like the fresh herb gift baskets, for a more lavish gift that will be enjoyed for many happy meals.

If you want to be able to give a little something to everyone deserving in your life (and maybe even to a few who aren't -- just to show off), get this book. Your friends will thank you and everyone else will secretly want to be just like you.