Tasty Tuesday

Today let's talk spice mixes!  We like using them to add some flavor to our dishes but many of the store bought mixes have tons of sodium and some even have MSG...yuk!  You can make your own spice blends at home for a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the sodium, etc. 

Here are some recipes for Ranch, Taco Seasoning and Seasoned Salt.  You can use all 3 in a variety of ways!


Homemade Ranch Seasoning

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried dill
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Directions

• Add each of the dried spices to a bowl and gently stir.
• Store in a resealable plastic baggie or small ball canning jar with tight fitting lid  in your spice cabinet.
• To make the ranch dressing, whisk together 1/3 cup light mayonaisse or plain greek yogurt with 1/4 cup milk (more or less depending on the consistency you want) with 1 Tbsp of the homemade ranch dressing seasoning mix.  Season with salt, to taste. Use immediately and can refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Makes about 4 Tbsp worth of mix. Or use the ratios above and mix up however much you’ll need!

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

• 1 part chili powder
• 1 part ground cumin
• 1 part garlic powder
• 1 part onion powder
• 1/4 – 1/2 part crushed red pepper

Directions

1. Mix all the spices together and store in an airtight container. I store mine in the freezer!
2. Use sparingly. Or liberally!

 

Seasoning Salt

 

Makes 3-1/2 cups

Ingredients

1/2 cup each...

• table salt

• ground black pepper

• onion powder

• garlic powder

1/4 cup each...

• chili powder

• paprika

• dried parsley

• crushed red pepper flakes

• cayenne powder

• ground cumin

Directions

Mix all spices in a medium bowl until well combined, or pulse a few times in an electric food processor.

Pour into an airtight jar, label with ingredients and store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

Stored properly, this spice will keep for up to three months and can be used in a variety of meat and vegetable dishes (steak, ground beef, chicken, pork, fish, potatoes, sauteed seasonal vegetables, etc.).

For a quick chicken/meat marinade, add 1 tbsp. seasoning salt to 3 tbsp. olive oil, stir and turn meat to coat evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 day.

Enjoy!