Tag: gifts from the kitchen

Recipe

Mixing it up

Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

The other night I found myself with all of the makings for tacos, except for a packet of taco seasoning.  Ugh!  No way was I going back to the grocery store for one ingredient.  I searched the web, and found this delicious alternative…and the plus side?  Yep, I had all of the ingredients right in my spice cupboard.  I decided to look up other spice mixes that I can keep on hand to jazz up dinners and found some other fine ones.  Try one tonight!

Taco Seasoning Mix   Taco Seasoning Mix Zaar

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 teaspoons instant onion, Minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper, Crushed
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon instant garlic, Minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin, Ground

DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and blend well.
  2. Spoon mixture onto a 6-inch square of aluminum foil and fold to make airtight. Label as Taco Seasoning Mix.
  3. Store in a cool, dry place and use within 6 months.
  4. Using the above recipe as a guide you can increase the amounts to make any number of packages.
  5. Taco Filling: Brown 1 lb lean ground beef in a medium skillet over medium-high heat; drain the excess grease. Add 1/2 cup water and the seasoning mix.
  6. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Greek Seasoning Mix

  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Oregano
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 Tbsp Onion Powder
  • 2 tsp Parsley
  • 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
  • 2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Thyme
  • 2 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg

Mix all spices together.

Makes approx 1/2 cup of seasoning mix

Adapted from: He and She Eat Clean

Daddy’s Hot Chocolate Mixtumblr_nu02ji4efs1s8fz55o1_500

  • 30 ounces Nestles Quik
  • 11 ounces coffee creamer
  • 16 ounces powdered sugar
  • 25 ounces powdered milk Cafe1 Mix all this together.

2 Store in container.

3 When ready to use fill mug or cup with half mix and then fill with hot water.

CAFE MOCHA MIX

1⁄2  cup instant espresso instant coffee granules or 1⁄2 cup instant coffee granules

1⁄4  cup unsweetened cocoa

1⁄4  cup non-dairy coffee creamer

6  tablespoons powdered sugar

In small bowl, comine all ingredients, mix well. Store in airtight container. To serve, spoon 1-2 tablespoons mix into cup. Add 3/4 cup boiling water; stir to dissolve.

Recipe

Christmas Craft Round-up

Suzanne Strength1 Comment

I did try a few Pinterest crafts with the kids this year for Christmas.  Cute enough, but not the best I’ve ever done.  The children had fun, though, so worthwhile.  Here’s how my versions stack up to the Pinterest versions:

First up is the Christmas Tree Cone.  Here is where the idea came from and what it was supposed to look like:

From Free-n-Fun Christmas

And here’s mine:

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Perhaps not as pretty, but I let the kids do most of it. You could spruce up the bottom with “presents” from Starburst Candies, or Teddy Grahams..that’d be cute!

Next up:

This is the picture I found on Pinterest.  A large marshmallow with peppermint sticks jammed down in them, dipped in melted white chocolate and sprinkled with sugar.  These were easy enough, though I couldn’t find peppermint sticks.  Thanks, Lincolnton Walmart.

Theirs

Theirs
Theirs

Mine:

Mine
Mine

And the last project: Homemade BBQ Sauce YUMMM!

This one I got out of a magazine and gave it a go.  Absolutely my favorite sauce for BBQ..and I even had a couple of calls from people I’d given it to for the recipe.  So here it is for the world to see 🙂

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Spicy Barbecue Sauce

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup cider vinegar (or white distilled)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 cups tomato ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons dry rub seasonings, mix
  • 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in large saucepan. Stir well. Over medium heat, bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 60 minutes. Stir occasionally as it cooks. Store in refrigerator. Keeps for several weeks.