Search This Blog

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Homemade Mixes

 

Ok, I know this is a random post after having been silent for so long.  I’m not even going to try to promise to do better.  I will try!

I spent today trying to track down all my recipes for homemade mixes.  I have some in my gmail, some on index cards, some on pinterest boards, etc.  I decided to put them all here, in one place, so I know where to find them easily.

2015-06-11 19.47.45

Taco seasoning mix, Italian dressing mix, Ranch dressing mix, Greek seasoning and Cream of chicken soup mix.

The mix that I go through the most of is taco seasoning mix.  It is so easy to throw together, and SO much better than the store bought packets!  I usually multiply the recipe by 10 and make a really large amount and store in a pint mason jar. (The measurements in parenthesis are the amounts when multiplied by 10) I use 2-3 T. when a recipe calls for taco seasoning mix.  I also sometimes add jalapeno, habanero or cayenne pepper to the mix, depending on who I’m cooking for.

TACO SEASONING

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder (10 T.)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (2.5 t.)
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (2.5 t.)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (2.5 t.)
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano (2.5 t.)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (5 t.) = (1 T. + 2 t.)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin (15 t.) = (3 T.)
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt (10 t.) = (3 T. + 1 t)  *I reduce this
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper (10 t.) = (3 T. + 1 t)

Italian dressing mix is another often used mix.  Making it myself just tastes SO much better than the little packets.  It is also quite a bit less expensive when you make it on your own!  I have a smaller container for this, so I don’t usually double this one…it’s just what fits in my jar! I sometimes cut down on the sugar in this.  I use 2 T. when a recipe calls for a packet.

ITALIAN DRESSING MIX

  • 1 T. sugar
  • 1 T. garlic powder
  • 1 T. onion powder
  • 2 t. oregano
  • 1/4 t. thyme
  • 1 T. parsley
  • 1 T. salt
  • 1 t. pepper
  • 1 t. basil

Another staple in my cupboard is homeade Ranch dressing mix.  My favorite is one that uses buttermilk powder, so that is the one I use the most. I use 3 T. when I find a recipe that calls for a packet.  (I got this recipe from here)

RANCH DRESSING MIX

  • ⅓ cup dry buttermilk powder
  • 3 tablespoons dried parsley flakes, divided
  • 2 ½ teaspoons granulated garlic
  • 2 ½ teaspoons granulated onion
  • 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes
  • 2 teaspoons dried dill weed
  • 2 teaspoons dried chives
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher or sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon cracked or ground black pepper

And this one is fairly new …I just made it today! I plan on using it to make OPA! fries…mmmmmmm.

GREEK SEASONING

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder

  • 2 teaspoons dried basil

  • 2 teaspoons dried Greek oregano

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, minced

  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed

  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

And finally, I made a big jar of homemade cream of chicken soup mix. I have been making this stuff since our seminary days (that goes all the way back to the early ‘90s!)  I also make a batch using beef bullion if I’m going to want cream of mushroom soup for beef based meals.

CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP MIX

  • 2 c non-fat dried milk
  • 1.5 c cornstarch
  • 1/2 c chicken bouillon powder
  • 1/2 cup minced onions (dried)
  • 1 t pepper

To make 1 can of cream of chicken soup, mix 1/3 cup dry mix with 1 1/4 cups of water.  Whisk together in saucepan, and stir til it boils and is thickened.  Add it to the recipe that calls for cream of chicken soup.