THE LADY AND SONS HOUSE SEASONING

 Paula Deen shares her popular seasoning.

1 cup salt

1/4 cup black pepper

1/4 cup garlic powder

Stir ingredients together. Keep in a shaker near the stove for convenience.

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HOMEMADE DRY RANCH DRESSING MIX

1/4 cup black pepper

1 1/2 cup parsley flakes
1/2 cup garlic salt
2 tbsp Kosher salt
1/4 cup granulated garlic
3/4 cup granulated onion
2 tbsp dill weed

Combine all ingredients and store in a jar or other airtight container.

Yield: Approximately 3/12 cups dry mix to use in recipes or to make your own ranch dressing.

To make Ranch Dressing:
2 tbsp dry mix
2 cups mayonnaise
2 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 tsp lemon juice

Whisk all ingredients together until blended. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate at least two hours before using. Keep refrigerated.

Yield: 1 3/4 quarts

Recipe and photo from the crafty blog stalker

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN PIE SPICE

It's so easy to make your own 'pumpkin pie spice' why would you want to go buy it?

1/4 cup ground cinnamon
2 1/2 tbsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp ground allspice
2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp ground cardamom

Combine all ingredients, mix well and store in an airtight jar or other container. Use as you would any purchased pumpkin pie spice. Excellent in pies, cookies, breads, etc.

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PEGGY'S TUNA SALAD

24-oz canned tuna in water, drained

1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chopped celery, center of stalk and leaves
salt to taste, optional
freshly ground black pepper to taste, optional
1/2 to 1 cup mayonnaise-style salad dressing

In a medium mixing bowl combine the tuna and water chestnuts (that have been cut into smaller pieces, if desired). Stir in the pecans and celery. Add the salt and pepper, if using. Add enough salad dressing to make as moist as you desire, combine well.

Serve on a bed of lettuce leaves or use to make sandwiches.

file photo for reference - not this recipe

MEATLESS TACO SOUP

 

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped
2 tsp olive or coconut oil
3 cups vegetable broth
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can diced Mexican-style tomatoes
1 1/2 cups your favorite picante sauce
1 cup uncooked whole-grain pasta
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1 packet taco seasoning mix
shredded low-fat Mexican blend or cheddar cheese for garnish, if desired
reduced-fat sour cream for garnish, if desired
crushed tortilla chips for garnish, if desired

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and saute the garlic and onion until onion is transparent. Add the remaining ingredients through the taco seasoning mix; stir to blend well.  Bring the mixture to a boil and cook about 10 minutes or so until the pasta is tender. Stir occasionally during the cooking time.

To serve, ladle into bowls and top with any of the garnishes as desired.

Note: This is my version of a Taco Soup recipe I saw in Taste of Home a few years ago.

HOMEMADE CREAMY SOUP BASE

Saw this on facebook and thought it was worth sharing.

For soup making: Add 1/3 c. dry soup mix with 1 1/4 c. water and stir with whisk in a saucepan. Keep it stirred until it is smooth and creamy. Bring to a boil and continue stirring for approx. 2-3 min or until it thickens to your liking. Set aside and allow to cool. Put in sealed container and place in refrigerator. Should keep at least 1 week. This is equivalent to 1 can of store bought soup.

To make cream of chicken soup: Use 1/3 c. dry mix with 1 1/4 c. chicken broth instead of the water. Fresh chicken broth is always best when available.

To make cream of mushroom soup: Use 1/3 c. dry mix with 1 1/4 c. vegetable broth. Saute 1/3 c. chopped mushrooms until tender. Add to soup as it is thickening. This is equivalent to 1 can of store bought soup.

To make cream of celery soup: Use 1/3 c. dry mix with 1 1/4 c. vegetable broth or water. Chop 1/3 c. celery, with ribs removed, and cook until softened. Add to the soup as it is thickening. This is equivalent to 1 can of store bought soup.

To make cream of potato soup: Use 1/3 c. dry mix with 1 1/4 c. vegetable broth or water. Add 1/3 c. diced and pre-boiled potatoes to the soup as it is thickening. You can also smash the potatoes up before adding to make it even creamier. This is equivalent to 1 can of store bought soup.

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HOMEMADE DRY ONION SOUP MIX

For those who like to do everything homemade here is a good recipe for making your own dry onion soup mix.

4 tsps beef bouillon granules
8 tsps dry onion flakes
1 tsp dry onion powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp dried parsley flakes, optional

Cut a 6-inch square of heavy duty aluminum foil and place all ingredients in the center of the foil.  Fold foil over ingredients to make an airtight package.  Label with title and date!

Store packet in a cool dry place and use within 6 months.

HOMEMADE MEAT SEASONING

I got this recipe from an old book on food gifts.  This does make a nice gift but it is also great to have at home and goes especially good on grilled burgers, steaks, pork, chicken, etc.

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tbsp ground cumin
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl, blending together well.

Store in an airtight container.

Makes approximately 1 1/4 cups.

To use: Generously sprinkle seasoning on meat a couple of hours before cooking.  Put meat in the refrigerator to allow it to absorb the flavors in the spices.  Grill, broil, bake, as desired.

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