taco seasoning mix

Making mixes is easy, economical, food allergy friendly and more natural that the same store bought products.  Here is one of our favorite spice mixes.  It works great in regular tacos but can be used in a lot of favorite southwestern recipes like Black Beans and Rice and Southwest Eggrolls.

Taco Seasoning Mix

4 Tbsp. dried onion flakes
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. corn starch or potato starch
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. oregano
1/2- 1 tsp. dried minced garlic
1/2 tsp. dried red pepper flakes

Mix all ingredients together and store in an air tight container for 4-6 months.
*Make it once to see how you like it and then change the ingredients to match your taste.  If you wnat it a little hotter add more dried red pepper flakes, or if you love garlic mix in a little more than this.

To make tacos: add 2-3 tbsp. taco seasoning to 1 pound cooked ground beef or chicken.

brownie mix and brownies

Today was the day! I have this little obsession of getting a pretty good recipe and then adjusting it (taking out as much sugar, fat, etc. as possible and then making it as simple as possible) until it is perfect. I have been working on this one for a year or two and it may still have plenty of the make it taste great stuff but it is simple, easy and today, finally perfect.

It starts by making a mix. This simplifies the whole process by making half of a few batches of brownies all at once.

Brownie Mix

6 cups flour

8 cups sugar

2- 2 1/2 cups cocoa

2 tsp. salt

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl with a whisk. Store in an airtight container. A Zip-lock bag works great but remember to label it or it may turn into a bag of brown mystery powder in the pantry. And, yes I may be talking from experience.

Brownies

Preheat oven to 350.

4 cups brownie mix

1/2 cup butter

4 eggs

1/4 cup water

1 tsp. vanilla

Melt the butter and then cool to room temperature. Mix the four eggs, water and vanilla into the butter. Add this liquid to the brownie mix and stir. It will be fairly thick. Spread into a lightly greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake for 30 to 33 minutes and, as with anything chocolate, ENJOY!

muffin mix and muffins

Muffins at our house are a quick easy snack or side dish to dinner. Muffin mixes can make them even faster. Muffin mix is simple and easy to make and can be used to make many different kinds of muffins.

Muffin Mix:

8 cups flour (can use a mixture of whole wheat and white)

2 cups sugar

3 tbsp. baking powder

2 tsp. salt

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Store in an airtight container or a zip-lock bag with instructions for making the muffins.

Muffins:

Preheat the oven to 400.

3 cups muffin mix

1 cup milk

1/2 cup oil (can use1/4 cup oil and 1/4 applesauce to lower the fat)

1 egg

1 cup fruit (optional)

--blueberries, apples, cranberries, raspberries, bananas, pumpkin, raisins, or 2 cups canned pumpkin.

Put muffin mix in a mixing bowl. Mix the milk, oil and egg in a smaller bowl. Stir the milk mixture and fruit into the muffin mix and stir just enough to moisten.

Fill greased or lined muffin pan and bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with streusel if desired.
Makes 12 muffins.

Optional streusel:

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

3 tbsp. butter

Mix with a fork or your hands, until the butter is in small pieces. Sprinkle on top of the muffins before baking.

Our favorites:

Blueberry or Mixed Berry: Add one cup fresh or frozen berries when mixing. Sprinkle streuesel on top. Add 3-4 minutes cooking time if using frozen berries.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip: Mix in two cups canned pumpkin, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg and 1/4 tsp. allspice.