Tried & tested.........

I know it's a lot easier to answer people when they ask what you think about something when you've actually tried it for yourself. So that's why I thought I'd come out here and post about mixes I've tried to date, and let you know mine and other's opinion on them. So here we go with all the mixes so far:

Savory Dips:
1) Baked Potato Dip - This was a winner with everyone who tried it at Adam's birthday party! Everyone asked what it was, and commented on how good it tasted. It couldn't have been easier to put together, just mix the bag w/ sour cream and let it set up a few hours before serving. Very, very good! I will definitely make this again!

2)Spinach Dip Mix - I used this in w/ another recipe to make a Spinach dip inside a bread bowl ( I used the Beer Bread mix by GC). I also tried this out at the birthday party, and it was another complimented food. I'd be happy to share the recipe with anyone who wants it - I'll include it w/ the spinach dip at purchase!

Salads & Dressings
1) Pasta Salad - I made this a few days ago, and liked it. It can be served either warm or chilled. I tried it both ways, and think that I like it better chilled, after it has set up overnight to let the flavors mix. This can be altered according to "diets" to suit your needs - you could use a lite mayo to cut some calories in this dish.

Meals & Soups
1) Mexican Meatloaf - This is one that you have to have an open mind to! I honestly did like it, my husband couldn't make his mind venture from regular ol' meatloaf. (He did have two helpings though!) My mother in law liked it as well. I added more cheese than what the recipe calls for, but in my opinion you can never go wrong with more cheese!!

Side Dishes
1)Au Gratin Potatoes - This was my husbands favorite dish so far! He didn't believe that this was one of the mixes! He also wished that I had made more, which I made one packet of the mix. So next time I will definitely double it and make two. It was very easy, and the potatoes were tender and yummy!!

Desserts
1) 5 Star Coconut Pie - I tried this and will need to tweak it a little next time. It turned out well, however I am not a pro at meringues. I had to put it back in the oven for a while longer to get the meringue done enough. On a good note, it's another item that an overnight stay in the fridge only helped it! It's another item that received a thumbs up from my husband!

Cookies & Bars
Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies - I will admit, I am NOT a raisin person, so I mainly bought this mix and made it for Nathan, because he loves oatmeal raisin cookies. I did try one though because I felt I needed to know how they tasted. After trying the first one, I caught myself overlooking the fact that raisins were even in there! They are wonderful!

**Sugar Free**

I personally have not tried any of the sugar free mixes, but I have a friend that did get a pkt. of the Sugar Free Snickerdoodle Cookie mix and said that she really enjoyed them, and they turned out good. So I will be getting some of the other sugar free mixes to try them out myself.

Breads & Muffins
1) Beer Bread - I mentioned this one earlier on, and it is a very simple recipe to make/use. It bakes into a moist and tasty bread!!

2) Sweet Cornbread - I made these as muffins instead of baking in a regular pan, and they were great. For those of you that have had "Jiffy" cornbread mix, that is what they taste like.

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I will be trying more mixes in the near future, so please come back and check regularly to the latest things that I've tested!!