Homemade Taco Seasoning (Salt-Free)

I don't use a lot of salt when I cook so when I do use products that have high sodium content, I can tell. I'm usually chugging water like no other for the rest of the night. I stopped using taco seasoning packets and started making my own without any salt at all. I make a batch of this now when making tacos, salsa chicken, taco dip, etc. Plus, it's always nice when you know exactly what you're putting into your dinners! Enjoy!

Homemade Taco Seasoning 

What You'll Need:

• 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Ground Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Directions: 

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. You may add more Cayenne to make it a little hotter or less if you prefer it very mild.

Yield: Approximately 1 ounce

Use Seasoning anywhere you would use a packet of Taco Seasoning. 

Easy Cheesy Beef & Bean Burritos

My 16 year old sister in law came to visit us last month. Day-to-day life with two toddlers isn't exactly entertaining, so I told her that while she was here I could teach her how to cook some basic, easy dishes. We were brainstorming some ideas of easy dinners and I asked if she liked tacos, to which she replied that she preferred burritos. I looked at a few recipes online and decided on what ingredients we should get. That night we created some pretty delicious burritos! They were basic enough that she could make them all by herself and they were tasty enough that they received rave reviews from the man of the house. Added bonus is that not only are they just as good leftover, they're a perfect hand-held dinner for my husband to take to work. Enjoy!

Easy Cheesy Beef & Bean Burritos

What You'll Need:

• 1 - 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
  (approx 1 cup)
• 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
• Salt & Pepper, to taste
• 1 can Enchilada Sauce
  (7-10 oz)
  (Choose your preferred "heat".)
• 1 can Refried Beans
  (12-16 oz)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  (I used a 4 cheese Mexican Blend)
• 10 Small Flour Tortillas 
• 1/2-3/4 cup shredded cheese

The Best Homemade Dry Rub

I just made a batch of this today and remembered that I have had several friends request the recipe, so here it is! This is a super easy rub to make and can be used to season just about anything like chicken, burgers, steaks, a pork butt to make pulled pork or baby back ribs, which is what we're having tonight! Try it and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

The Best Homemade Dry Rub

What You'll Need:

• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Salt
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Black Pepper
• 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
• 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
• 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.

Generously rub mixture all over whatever meat you're going to cook. You could even let it sit overnight in an airtight container in the refrigerator to really allow the flavors to soak into the meat. 

If you want, you may store any unused rub in an airtight container.

Country Fried Steak and Gravy

Country Fried Steak and Gravy is one of those Southern dinners that easily falls into that wonderful "comfort food" category. Added bonus is that it's budget-friendly and easy to make. The homemade gravy made from the drippings is what really adds that extra something. We serve this with garlic mashed potatoes, corn and crescent rolls. Enjoy!

Country Fried Steak and Gravy

What You'll Need:

• 1 1/2 - 2 lbs Cubed Steak, cut into 8 portions
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Bad Byron's Butt Rub, plus additional to taste
  
  *You can get Bad Byron's Butt Rub from my friend's shop, Cajun Corner Spices.
  Otherwise, you can substitute seasoning salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  
  For the Gravy:
• Reserve 2 Tablespoons oil after cooking the steaks
• 4 Tablespoons all purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mushroom Ranch Shoulder Steaks

I ended up making this recipe due to circumstances completely beyond my control. I had gone grocery shopping armed with my planned menu for the week. I was going to make a slow cooker pork chop recipe that I had found online. Unfortunately, when I got to the commissary, there was no pork to be found because the barge carrying the pork and chicken failed to arrive for delivery. Oh, the joys of living in Alaska! After I thought about it for a minute and after looking over the beef selection, I decided to try substituting shoulder steaks into the recipe. The result was fantastic! My two year old exclaimed it was "Good meats!" and my husband said it melted in his mouth "like butter". Pretty good reviews if you ask me! Plus, you only need three ingredients! Enjoy!

Mushroom Ranch Shoulder Steaks

What You'll Need:

• 6 beef shoulder steaks
• 2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup
• 2 packets dry Ranch dressing mix
  

Savory Pot Roast and Vegetables

Recently, I've become obsessed with my Crock Pot and the delicious recipes that I've managed to create with it. I'm sure I will be adding more than a few slow cooker recipes to this blog!

My longtime friend, Lauren, sent me a recipe for a pot roast that sounded amazing! She had found it online (Pinterest, of course) and said it was delicious. Lauren had added red potatoes to hers and I decided to follow her lead and then throw some more vegetables into the mix...because, rarely do I get a recipe that I don't do something to in order to make it my own. So easy and so good! :)

Enjoy!

Savory Pot Roast and Vegetables

What you'll need:

• Beef Shoulder Pot Roast (approx 2-3 lbs)
• Red Potatoes, quartered (approx 12 potatoes)
• 2-3 Carrots, sliced 
• Small/Medium Red Onion, cut into 8 wedges
• 4 whole, peeled garlic cloves
• 1 packet dry Ranch Dressing mix
• 1 packet dry Zesty Italian Dressing mix
• 1 packet dry Brown Gravy mix
• 1/2 cup water