Thursday, July 2, 2009

Andy and Aunt Bee

Although I do make lots of food from scratch, including my own dry pancake mix, my pantry also includes store bought cake and biscuit mixes. Sometimes I'm looking to throw together a quick batch of biscuits or cornbread to serve with dinner.

On my last trip to the grocery store I came upon this mix.



What's not to love about a mix called Mayberry's Finest? I bought a package of buttermilk corn bread and garlic and herb biscuit mix. Immediately I thought of those delicious cheddar and herb biscuits that are served at the "Red Lobster" restaurants.

The mix calls for only 1/2 cup of milk. That's a good thing because I don't have any eggs in the fridge. I did grate up some cheddar cheese to add to the mix.



I tasted the dough. It was very garlicky and spicy. The directions call for a very hot oven. The cheese starts to melt and things are starting to look promising.



Directions called for 9-12 minutes in the oven. I left them in for 10 minutes and that proved to be too long. I have a goofy oven that gets things really, really dark on the bottom.

They looked really good.



I know herbs. I love herbs. Remember, the Farmer has managed a large fresh herb operation for a couple years. The dried herbs in this mix are overpowering. Half the dried herbs included in this mix would be plenty. The company could save some money.

Well, I say it's worth a try to buy something new. I'll give their buttermilk cornbread a shot and see if I like it.

I do love their packaging. On the back they include a synopsis of one of the Andy Griffith Show episodes.

Do you have a favorite packaged mix? I've tried the Martha White brand and the Jiffy mixes and both are OK in a pinch. Sometimes there's a local brand that is really wonderful.

P.S. Can't you just hear Andy saying, "Aunt Bee"?


15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, I haven't had my breakfast yet and they sure look mighty tasty to me! Right, Opie?

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Thirkellgirl said...

I make those Red Lobster bisquits for a friend (who is coincidentally coming to dinner tonight - pork bbq from the crockpot, corn on the cob and bisquits) and I just use Bisquick, add shredded cheddar cheese and some garlic powder, and when they're just out of the oven, brush them with melted butter which has *more garlic powder dissolved in it. (This is not a friend I kiss goodbye, as you can see). They're pretty great biscuits.
We vacation on Roanoke Island, NC, and that's Andy Griffith's hometown.

Mary Rex said...

Opie (Ron Howard) has the same birthday as me. March 1, 1954! So when I see those old episodes on Nickelodeon, I picture myself at that age.
I also make the Red Lobster bisquits like thirkellgirl, but I use fresh garlic and herbs. Brushing with the butter makes them yum.
A friend sells the Tastefully Simple line of goodies, and they are a little pricey but quite good. I get the Beer Batter Bread and make all kinds of different breads, biscuits and deep dish pizza with the mix.

chocolatechic said...

My favorite box mix is Jiffy.

Jiffy blueberry muffins.

Bella Della said...

They look good and you have to love the packaging.

One Gray Hair At A Time said...

I love the Marie Callendars cornbread mix...don't hate me because I use it. All you have to do is add water, I like to have it on hand because it is so easy and I never plan.

Vee said...

My favorite mix is Jiffy cornmeal muffins. I don't like cornmeal around the house...it just doesn't last long so for the once in a while times that I want cornbread, it works for me.

dina said...

We found a product suspiciously similar - but not quite the same - some months ago. John and I laughed at the nostalgia associated with it, thought, "What the heck!" bought a package, took it home and tried it.

BLECH!!! Sputter! Yuck! Cough!

Yeah - sticking with scratch for now. I've got this recipe for a cheddar muffin that's technically just a little bit too loose a biscuit. It's so light, fluffy and yummy - there, I've gone and done it - my mouth is watering!

Old Centennial Farmhouse said...

Yep...Andy always said it like this "AINT BEE"...love that! I hardly ever buy mixes except for pancake...I'm so lame!
XOXO
Joni

StitchinByTheLake said...

I use Martha White most of the time, if I'm using a mix. Cornbread, though, unless I'm on my sick bed I make with corn meal mix, eggs, milk and oil. In an iron skillet! My grandkids will eat the Martha White muffins. I do have a corn casserole recipe that calls for a Jiffy mix and that works fine. blessings, marlene

Kitty said...

I guess I'm a "from scratch" baker and don't buy mixes. What fun packaging, though! I'll have to see if it's available in my area. It would be a cute addition to a gift basket with other baking things.

Karen Deborah said...

I have the recipe for the Red Lobster cheese biscuits would you like to have it? The only mix I get is Bisquick and I don't use mix for either biscuits or cornbread, they just are to easy to make for me.

but then I am not sewing those bodacious aprons!

Cottage Rose said...

Hello Suzanne; I really love to watch the Andy Griffith show, never missed a show, Aunt Bea loved her. I have not seen that mix here in IN. I will have to look for it. And see what I think.... But your home made goodies sound so much better... I would love to come to your house for dinner sometime.... lol

Hugs;
Alaura

Steph said...

If I don't make it from scratch, I usually use Bisquick. I would love to have Aunt Bee come do all my cooking though.

Jody Blue said...

Found your pancake mix recipe, I'll give it a try--Oh goodness I'm becoming a farmers wife wanna be!