Spices are another of those ingredients that I have discovered are frequently tampered with. From tasty sawdust to artificial colors our go-to herbs are not safe anymore either. So I recommend researching the websites or calling the companies of widely available herb retailers to make sure they do not use fillers or colorings. It is not enough say "I bought mine at Trader Joe's." and assume it is safe. The best alternative would be to grow them ourselves or buy them local and dry them ourselves. Luckily for my black thumb most herbs are super hardy and can be grown indoors or out. Basil and Parsley are the only plants I have grown instead of murdered. It takes practically no effort to grow a few herbs but the fun you and your little ones will have watching them grow (and grow and grow in the case of Basil) and then cooking with or drying them will be worth it.
On taco night I always used the taco seasoning envelopes. Know why? Right, because I was/am lazy. Not taking the easy way out is a challenge for me. Especially after listening to my three year old run around the house screaming all day. Luckily this project only takes a small amount of time so I really didn’t have a good enough excuse not to do it.
Most of all the mixed envelopes and mixed herbs you buy are full of ingredients you may already have in your pantry. When I set out to make taco seasoning I already had everything I needed. Same with the Creole seasoning. Some of the ingredients in the envelopes you wouldn’t want in your body so making your own is a great way to skip the fillers and the exorbitant amount of salt usually used.
Taco seasoning recipes usually have the same set of ingredients in different amounts. The most common ingredients are :
Chili Powder
Paprika
Oregano
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Cumin
Salt (optional)
Cheyenne pepper (optional)
Basically mix these ingredients together until you have the mix you and your family like. Here are some tips though. What your meat and mix tastes like in the pan will not be what it tastes like when added to your taco with the fixings. Add your water and seasoning mix a little at a time while experimenting so that you can stop when your meat is evenly covered and moist. Record each batch of seasoning and the amount of mix and water you used until you find the right ratio. After you find the right mix the hard part is done! Make up a big batch and store in a jelly jar or saved glass spice jar. Save your recipe and you will never buy the packages again.
The first few I tried I did not care for but I have a recipe now that my family and I like. When I tried it straight from the pan I thought it needed something but when we had it on our tacos we all loved it. What I like most about it was I could control the amount of salt.
My Taco Seasoning:
2 Tbs Chili powder
1 tsp. Smoked paprika (I used smoked because that was what I had)
1 Tbs Cumin
1 Tbs Garlic powder
1 Tbs Onion powder
2 grinds of sea salt
Mix together and use 2 slightly heaping Tbs with between ¼ and ½ cup water.
My previous mixes I added oregano and did not prefer the way it tasted. If you want to use it I recommend grinding it in a mortar and pestle or blender to make it a powder first and using only a very small amount. I also want to try using Mexican oregano. Maybe that will add the right oregano taste.
Taco Soup
½ lb ground beef or chicken
1 can rotel tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can black or pinto beans
1 can red kidney beans
1-2 heaping Tbs of your taco seasoning
1 heaping Tbs of your Ranch dressing mix (see below)
Cook meat, drain. Add remaining ingredients, simmer 15-20 mins.
Creole Seasoning
This is a spice mix I do not use often so making this one in bulk doesn’t make sense for me but having enough for a few recipes does. This seasoning is high on the salt scale.
1 Tbs Garlic powder
1 Tbs paprika
½-1 Tbs cayenne pepper or to taste
½ Tbs onion powder
½ Tbs oregano, ground
½ Tbs. thyme, ground
2 Tbs salt or to taste
½ Tbs pepper or to taste
Easy Recipe for Creole Seasoning
1 cup cooked rice of choice
1 cup raw shrimp
1/2 smoked sausage cut in chunks
1 cup cooked cubed chicken
1 can rotel tomatoes
Creole seasoning to taste
In large skillet brown sausage. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until heated through and shrimp is pink.
Seasoned Salt
I use seasoned salt all the time. I make French fries the old fashion way. I cut up a potato into slices lengthwise, then slice them into fries. If I have more time I break out the mandolin slicer and we have waffle fries. Yum! Then I fry them and season them with seasoned salt when they are fresh from the fryer. Fries made this way are worlds better than fast food or frozen and is so much cheaper.
1/2 cup Kosher salt
1 Tbs. fresh ground pepper
2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. cayenne pepper or to taste
Leftover mash
Roll leftover mashed potatoes in a ball
Roll in seasoned salt
Shake off excess
Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 mins
Ranch Dressing Mix
I love ranch dressing mix. However, I do not like the high price of the little packets so this is a recipe to make it at home. I use the mix alot in recipes so I want the buttermilk already added in. I recommend you try the buttermilk powder because when I cover pancakes and waffles I will be using it again. Buttermilk powder is great to have in your pantry for when a recipe calls for buttermilk and you (like most folks) don't have any. This recipe comes from The Kitchen Whisperer's blog. You can check it out here:
http://www.thekitchenwhisperer.net/2012/07/10/homemade-buttermilk-ranch-seasoning-mix/
1/2 cup dry buttermilk powder
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp dried onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbl dried parsley
2 tsp dried chives
1 1/2 tsp dill weed
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl or to get it super powdery, put all ingredients in the blender and process. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 1 cup of mix.
Dressing:
1/4 cup seasoning
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup buttermilk
Combine all ingredients together with a whisk and chill for at least 30 minutes to thicken.
Store remaining in refrigerator.
Dip:
1/4 cup seasoning
2 cups sour cream
Combine ingredients in a bowl.
Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving to thicken.
*If you cannot find buttermilk powder in your area you can use the same amount of dried milk powder (powdered milk in some states) and add in 1 1/2 tsp of white vinegar to your mixture (when you add the wet ingredients).
Recipe ideas for Ranch Dressing mix
Use it in your taco soup from above
Sprinkle on potato wedges before baking (or sprinkle your creole seasoning for a spicy kick)
Pinwheel sandwiches:
Soften one 8oz block of cream cheese
Once softened mix in 1 Tbs of seasoning or to taste
Spread a thin layer in a tortilla
Across the center, layer thin sliced deli meat, lettuce and tomato
roll up and slice
I make these a lot for potlucks and parties. They are always a big hit with no leftovers. Sundried tomatoes and spinach leaves are great in place of tomatoes and lettuce.
Veggie Pizzas:
Another good one for potlucks, parties or a picnic.
Soften one 8oz block cream cheese
mix with 1 Tbs mix to taste
Lay one can of crescent rolls flat like a pizza crust
Bake according to the package directions
Once cooled some, spread cream cheese mixture over pizza
Top your pizza with petite diced raw veggies like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, etc.
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