The Morning I Stopped Starting From Scratch ❤️

Whenever family was coming over, there was always something else to prepare.

Breakfast to put together. Something sweet to bake. A meal big enough for everyone.

I'd been cooking for the people I love for years. I knew how to make all of it. But I still found myself measuring the same flour, reaching for the same canisters, and starting from the beginning every single time.

The recipes were never the hard part. Starting from scratch was.

I'll be honest. Sometimes I reached for a ready-made packet because it was quicker. There was nothing wrong with wanting to save time, but I missed the feeling of making those things myself.

I didn't want to give up homemade. I just wanted the head start a packet gives you, without the packet.

So, on a quieter afternoon, I began measuring the dry ingredients for the mixes I used most. I'd combine them, pour them into jars, label each one, and line them up on the pantry shelf. 🫙

“Mix once. Stock the shelf. Make it in minutes.” 

When the house filled up, part of the work was already done. I'd reach for a jar, add the other ingredients the recipe called for, and carry on.

Less time measuring at the kitchen bench. More time enjoying the food and the people I was making it for. ❤️

That simple habit grew into The Dry Mix Pantry: a collection of more than 150 recipes for homemade dry mixes, from breakfasts and baking to soups, seasonings, and everyday meals.

I've also included a Pantry Label Pack and Weekly Kitchen Prep List to help you organise your mixes and plan what to prepare next. 🏡

You don't need to learn how to cook all over again. You don't need to give up the recipes your family loves. You just need to do the measuring ahead of time.

Because a well-stocked pantry isn't just about what's on the shelf. It's about knowing you're ready when the people you love walk through the door. ❤️

This book is for the person who has spent years cooking for everyone else. You deserve a head start, too.

🌿“Mix once. Stock your pantry. Homemade in minutes.” 

Warmly,
Mel
Author, The Dry Mix Pantry