Oooh SPICY!

One thing that has happened since I became a mom, I pay more attention to those nifty little ingredient labels on food packages. This has really opened my eyes.  I cannot believe some of the things they put in commercially processed foods.  I don't feel comfortable feeding a lot of these unknown processed ingredients with names I cannot pronounce to my family.  Therefore I have started on a quest to learn to prepare more and more of my own foods.

Before my quest the idea of something like making my own lasagna or bread seemed so far fetched.  Who actually does that?  Who has time for that?  Why would they want to when they can buy it already made?  The answers are simple, when you make it yourself you can control whats in it and its surprising how easy it really is.

There were still some staples on my shelves that never even occurred to me that I could make.  One of these was Taco Seasoning.  I love taco seasoning.  I use it several times a week, its a great and easy way to season meat.  Then one day the thought just popped into my head, obviously this was an imitation of something much better.  There must be a way to make my own.  I looked at the ingredient list for any recognizable spices and googled away.  From this I came up with a great recipe. 
Even if you are not concerned with commercially processed foods give this a try.  Its a money saver as well as good for you, much cheaper to make your own.

The bowl on the left contains the home made Taco Seasoning:

6 Tblsp Chili Powder
2 Tblsp Cumin

4 Tblsp Paprika

3 Tblsp Onion Powder

1 Tblsp Garlic Powder

1/2 Teasp Cayenne Powder (optional, makes seasoning extra spicy)- I left this out as I didn't have any.

Mix together and store in airtight container. Use 2-4 Tblsp (or whatever desired amount)  and a small amount of water (maybe 1/8 cup) to season meat.

On the right is the pre packaged taco seasoning which, according to the package itself, contains:

Maltodextrin, Salt, Chili Pepper, Onion Powder, Monosodium Glutamate, Corn Starch, Garlic Powder, Spice, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Silicon Dioxide, Natural Flavor, Etgoxyquin.

Which looks better to you?  Which sounds better to you?

I have been using this taco seasoning for a few weeks now and LOVE IT!  Its great to sprinkle on meat to give an extra kick.  I put it in hamburgers sometimes, its a multipurpose spice that you will love to have in your kitchen.

Love,

Christy