Apple Pie Spice

 

In the Fall, it seems like I notice a lot of recipes that call for special spice blends that I don't normally keep on hand. And they can be kind of pricey. This homemade Apple Pie Spice takes only a minute to mix up and is a nice addition to baked goods. I have heard that some people will substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice for Apple Pie Spice, but they are traditionally a bit different and I like the variety. 

Next week I will share with you an Apple Spice Pancake/Waffle recipe using this homemade spice blend. 

Apple Pie Spice

1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. allspice
½ tsp. cloves

Stir together all ingredients and store in an airtight container. 

Homemade Onion Soup Mix

Our favorite dip for veggies, chips, and pretzels is Onion Dip. And, instead of purchasing dry onion soup mix to prepare the dip, I have been making my own for years. Many recipes also call for an envelope of dry onion soup mix and this homemade version can be used in place of the purchased mix. I like to use a couple of tablespoons of this as the seasoning in my Meatloaf sometimes too. And, the prepared onion dip is also great on baked potatoes!

Onion Soup Mix

¾ cup dried, minced onion
4 tsp. onion powder
1/3 cup bullion (beef or chicken)
¼ tsp. celery salt
¼ tsp. sugar

Measure call ingredients into a jar. Shake to combine. Two heaping tablespoons is equal to one envelope of onion soup mix.

For Onion Dip: Stir together 1 cup sour cream and 1 heaping tablespoon of mix.

DIY Taco Seasoning Mix

Family Feasts for $75 a Week 

Last winter I told you about Mary Ostyn's cookbook called Family Feasts for $75 a Week.  My copy is stained and torn, and we have loved every recipe that we have tried.  (If you like, you can read my full review here.)

Recently, on Mary's blog called Owlhaven, I noticed that she posted her recipe for DIY Taco Seasoning Mix that is found in her cookbook. This recipe is an excellent substitute for the little packets that you can buy in the grocery store, and it is so much tastier. I have been using this recipe exclusively ever since I purchased her cookbook several years ago and I am thrilled that she posted it so that I could share the link with you!

DIY Taco Seasoning Mix

Mary has lots of great recipes, money saving household tips, and parenting advice to share, so be sure to click over to Owlhaven to check it out!

Recipe Note: I typically omit the cornstarch called for in this recipe with great results.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Have you ever started putting a recipe together only to find out that you are missing an ingredient? It is so frustrating! Well, Pumpkin Pie Spice is one of those ingredients that I have found myself without. But, You Can Make That! This is a great substitution that keeps you from having to run out to the store at the last minute; thus, saving you time and money. I like to double the recipe because I use it frequently in my Applesauce Breakfast Cake.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. ginger

½ tsp. cloves

Measure all ingredients into a small glass jar. Shake to combine. Use just like store bought pumpkin pie spice.

Frugal Tip: Store your homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice in an old jelly jar or in an old cinnamon container. And, be sure to label it with the contents.

This post has been linked to Frugal Tuesday Tip.

BBQ Rub

I have been trying to find the perfect BBQ Rub for a couple of years now. This is my most recent attempt. I made it to use on the pulled pork we ate earlier this week. We liked it, but I did not use enough and it needed a bit more spice. Last night, I reheated the leftover pulled pork and added some more of the rub. Better, but not perfect. However, it is a great improvement over the last recipe that I tried which was too salty and had no spice at all. Next time, I think that I will add more cayenne and possibly some dried onion. If you have a fabulous BBQ Rub recipe that you are willing to share, I would love to test it out!

BBQ Rub

2 Tbsp. paprika

2 ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

1 Tbsp. plus ¾ tsp. black pepper

1 ½ Tbsp. garlic powder

2 ¼ tsp. onion powder

1 ½ Tbsp. salt

1 ¾ tsp. oregano

1 ¾ tsp. thyme

Measure all ingredients into a small jar and shake to combine. Use as a seasoning on chicken, pork, or beef. 

Frugal Tip: Be sure to save your old jam jars. They are perfect for storing seasoning mixes. 

This post has been linked to Try New Adventures Thursday.

Jerk Seasoning

We eat Jerk Chicken on a regular basis. Everyone likes it, and it is easy to prepare. However, I have always purchased the seasoning. So, I decided that I would try making it myself for You Can Make That! This recipe took less than five minutes to mix up and I already had all of the herbs and spices in my pantry. I am glad to say that it was a great success! 

If you have not tried Jerk Seasoning before, it is mildly spicy and has a “sweetness” that comes from the allspice and cinnamon. It you prefer something a little spicier, you could double the seasoning. However, for my kids one tablespoon of seasoning per one pound of meat is the perfect ratio. And, Jerk Seasoning pairs perfectly with both chicken and pork, grilled or pan seared.

To prepare my Jerk Chicken, I typically cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. Then, toss the chicken with the seasoning and olive oil, and brown in a skillet. Sometimes we eat it on its own, but we also like to serve it on a main dish salad with ranch dressing. However, my favorite way to eat it is on a tortilla with coleslaw.

Jerk Seasoning

2 tablespoons dried minced onion

2 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme

2 teaspoons ground allspice

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

Stir together all ingredients. Store seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Yield: ¼ cup, enough for 4 pounds of meat

To Use: Stir together 1 Tbs. seasoning with 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Rub or spread mixture onto 1 pound of chicken or pork. Grill or pan sear meat until thoroughly cooked.

Note: Next time I mix up this seasoning, I may add ½ tsp. of nutmeg.

This post has been linked to Try New Adventures Thursday!

Homemade Ranch Dressing & Dip Mix

This recipe is simple and frugal and is a great way to get started on eating from scratch. And, when used as a dip is a wonderful incentive to get the kids to eat their vegetables. You are already aware of my love for homemade salad dressings, so this version of Ranch Dressing should come as no surprise.  Plus, you can change it up with additional flavors for variety.

We especially like to use this Homemade Ranch Dressing on BLT salad. However, it is something I only make in the summer when the tomatoes are fresh and juicy. Green leaf lettuce topped with garden tomatoes, freshly cooked and crumbled bacon, croutons, and ranch dressing. This is summer goodness on a plate. Too bad, that it is January! 

Homemade Ranch Dressing & Dip Mix

1 tsp. dried parsley

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp. onion powder

Add all dry ingredients to a foil packet, tightly seal, and store in a cool dry place.

To prepare: Measure the following ingredients into a bowl along with the dry seasoning mix and whisk together until combined.

2/3 cup sour cream

2/3 cup mayonnaise

2/3 cup butter milk         

Store prepared dressing/dip in the refrigerator for up to five days.

For Salad Dressing: Stir in additional buttermilk until you have achieved the desired consistency.

For Extra Thick Dip: Use a little less buttermilk.

Variations:

For Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch – Add ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese and additional freshly ground black pepper to taste.

For Southwest Ranch – Add 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning.

Italian Seasoning Mix

I feel like the dinner hour is the most stressful time of my day. So, I love shortcuts in the kitchen that allow me to get dinner on the table quickly without sacrificing quality. This seasoning mix is simple and versatile. We use it in pizza sauce, pasta sauce, and for salad dressing. It comes together in seconds and stores well for a long time. Although it does not produce a “fresh” sauce, it is flavorful and allows me to stay away from pre-packaged sauces and mixes.

Italian Seasoning Mix

1 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp. onion powder

1 tbsp. raw sugar

2 tbsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. ground black pepper

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tbsp. dried parsley

¼ tsp. celery salt

1 tbsp. salt

Measure all ingredients into a jar. Cover tightly with lid and shake to combine.

To use:

For pizza sauce – Add 1 tbsp. mix to 1 cup of tomato sauce. Stir to combine. This will cover a 15” pizza.

For pasta sauce – Add ¼ cup mix to a 28oz. can of crushed tomatoes. Heat thoroughly and serve over pasta. This can be used in place of a jar of your favorite pasta sauce.

For salad dressing – Add 2 tbsp. mix to 2/3 cup of olive oil, ¼ cup of vinegar (white or balsamic), and 2 tbsp. water. Whisk to combine and serve with your favorite salad.

Adapted from this recipe. 

Frugal Tip: Make up Italian Seasoning Mix in bulk and package into small glass jars to give as Hostess gifts or to use as stocking stuffers.

Quick Homemade Chili

Last week I decided that it had finally cooled off enough to make some chili for dinner. Now I know that “cool” is a relative term. I won’t tell you the temperature we had that day because you might be jealous!! So, I got out my skillet and sautéd some onions in a little butter. I added some ground turkey and browned it. Simple, right? Just a quick stove top chili. I added diced tomatoes and some beans. Then I discovered that I was out of chili powder. Ugh!

What do you do when you unexpectedly run out of a key ingredient? Run to the store? Ask your neighbor? Or frantically search for a substitution? Well, I decided to create a substitution. So, I came up with something that I thought might work and added two tablespoons to my chili along with some salt and pepper. It was perfect!! It was way better that the store bought stuff that I usually use, so I think I will stick with it from now on. It was simple, fast, and I normally have all of the ingredients on hand.

Quick Homemade Chili

2 tbsp. butter
1 onion, chopped
1 lb. ground meat (beef or turkey)
2-16oz. cans diced tomatoes
2-16oz. cans or four cups beans (red or pinto)
2 tbsp. chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Sauté onion in butter; add ground meat and brown well. Pour in tomatoes and beans. Heat thoroughly. Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with sour cream, grated cheese, and corn bread.

Frugal Tip: Try using this quick homemade seasoning in your favorite Chili recipe, you probably already have the ingredients on hand.

Homemade Chili Seasoning

2 tbsp. paprika
2 tsp. oregano
1 ¼ tsp. cumin
1 ¼ tsp. garlic powder
1 ¼ tsp. ground red pepper
¾ tsp. onion powder

Add all ingredients to a jar. Cover tightly and shake to combine. Use in place of Chili Powder.