As you probably already noticed, the cost of everything is on the rise. As my supply of meats in our freezer has been depleting, my interest in spending time creating dinner from scratch each night also decreased. I had been quite content coming up with new meal combos and utilizing our oven. Even using the oven to slow-roast a whole chicken or other types of dishes like Loaded Chicken & Potatoes. The low temp of the oven (around 250*) helped to offer warmth in the kitchen throughout the afternoon, offering a cozy and comfortable feel by the time the sun was set and dinner was ready.
With summer slowly arriving, I decided (while piecing the mini orange quilt ~ Cutie-Patootie ~) that it was time to bring back my freezer meals for easy on the mind dinner prep. I can pull the freezer meal out in the morning, allow it to thaw for several hours and then prepare it in our instant-pot... reducing the amount of heat generated in the kitchen by the slow-cooker allllll day.... But still have a meal that is easy to prepare and tastes delicious.
I mentioned last post that I needed to begin restocking the camper for a trip... the first thing I needed for that task was to make up the various seasoning blends I use. It just so happens that I needed the Ranch Seasoning blend for the Paleo Mississippi Roast... I thought to myself, "Self, you should save time and do a double batch. That way you have what you need for the recipe AND for the camper."
I replied... "You are so smart!" But first I discovered that I didn't have any dried parsley on hand. So, I needed to gather some parsley for the Ranch Seasoning blend. I had the Mississippi roast in the slow-cooker, and I could use fresh parsley instead of the dried that the recipe called for. I then proceeded to dry the remainder of the parsley from my herb garden and add what I needed to the jar when it was dried.
With the Ranch Seasoning and the Taco Seasoning done, I only needed to make the Seasoning Salt blend. That only took a few minutes.
2 Tablespoons of: Salt, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika
1 Tablespoon: Chili Powder, Parsley, Pepper and Red Pepper Flakes
I like to save repurpose glass seasoning jars for blends like this. Making my own seasoning blends allows me to use my own herbs and choose the brand of others that I may need. I can also eliminate those we may not like... or add extra of some of our favorites.
I can also ensure that there is no corn, gluten or soy-based ingredients in there. It is ridiculous how they sneak them in!
While at the store where I purchased my roast, I found several packages of chicken breast on sale, I put together two Dijon Chicken meals and a Cool Ranch Shredded Chicken and got them in the freezer. (You'll notice that the Dijon Chicken recipe is actually for the oven, but I use the crock.)
I'm ready now for several days of uninterrupted quilting/sewing/studio time finishing that little Cutie-Patootie! You know where to find me... ;)
OH, and be sure to join the Sew & Tell party. You can find it here!
Have you ever made your own spice/seasoning blends?
What are your favorites?
Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!
Keep Piecing,
Melva
Linking with:
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I make my own taco seasoning, fajita seasoning, ranch dressing mix, and rib seasoning mix. I do the same with repurposing seasoning jars.
ReplyDeleteI also want to avoid gluten, sugars and soy. It's just easier to have my own on hand!!
I dry my oregano and basil from my garden. I haven't had luck with parsley. Any tips?
psthimsen at Gmail dot com
Your orange quilt is soooo cute! Is there a pattern? Is it a disappearing nine patch? I saved the Dijion Chicken recipe it sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteI love your Cutie-Patootie quilt, Melva! All that orange paired with the pretty floral is really striking. I hardly have any orange in my stash, and it's actually one of my favorite colors! Thanks for sharing your make ahead recipes, too. I'm always looking for new meal ideas!
ReplyDeleteLove that orange quilt! Your recipes sound delicious. I don't make up seasonings in advance, I just add a dash of this and that to the dish I'm making. I used to buy taco seasoning until I found I could make one without all the sodium - that was a game changer for me. The only packet I buy is the Aldi Ranch dressing mix. My husband loves it, and it seems less salty than others. The only jar I buy is Great Value Everything Bagel seasoning - I love it!
ReplyDeleteThat orange quilt sure is a cutie patootie! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/06/04/wednesday-wait-loss-435
Hi Melva, love your orange cutie patootie quilt! I dried my own parsley and love it. I also make my own lemon-pepper seasoning since I can't find it in stores anymore. I just hate how they add salt to everything.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks.
We also make up season blends and store them in recycled, relabeled spice jars. So much faster than pulling out 10 different spice jars each time.
ReplyDeleteLove the orange quilt. Orange is not one of my favorite colors, but you may have changed my mind.
There is something about orange quilts that grabs my heart. So pretty. Thank you so much for the recipe. The homemade Ranch dressing sounds fabulous and would be delightful on chicken tacos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipes, I love trying new things. Love your orange quilt.
ReplyDeleteI plan to try that chicken recipe soon! Thanks for sharing and yes, I make my own seasonings too. . .who needs the chemicals to keep the product from clumping or for freshness. . I'd rather have the ingredients parsley, garlic etc! I love your orange mini quilt! That is one cutie!!!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think you will find you like the recipe. :)
DeleteWOW, you are not only a talented quilter but an excellent cool as well. Bravo for you! Thanks for joining Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteHello Melva, your quilt is lovely. Thank you so much for sharing these recipes. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
ReplyDeleteYour orange quilt is fun and bright! I also love the treatment of the corners of the border. Great recipes, I'm not the cook at home, my husband is, but I grow herbs ;) Thank you for sharing with Patchwork & quilts!
ReplyDeleteGood for you making your own seasoning, Melva! Those recipes sound great. May have to give those a try. Love your orange quilt it is really a Cutie Patootie!! Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCutie Patootie is actually just that...cute! I've never made my own seasoning blends but that is a smart idea. Your recipes sound delish. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI've never made my own seasoning blends, so I'm quite impressed by yours. Great use of those empty jars. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDelete