DIY Taco Seasoning

I am not a fan of the taco seasoning you buy at the store.  It always is a mystery to me why it turns the meat so orange!  Plus, it gives Brad heartburn.   I am always on the lookout for a new way to season my taco meat without the store bought seasoning!  Sarah just adds salsa to her ground beef or ground turkey, which is yummy! My sis-in-law doesn't even use meat, she has tacos with beans and seasoned veggies (which is to die for!!!!!)

I found this homemade taco seasoning, which is delicious!!!!  I use it in my taco soup, tacos and everything else that calls for taco seasoning :).   I quadruple the recipe so I have lots in my storage for the next time I need it! (which is the measurements in italic!)  I bought some handy-dandy tupperware spice containers, so I measure the seasoning, put the lid on and give it a good shake and voila!

1 TBSP chili powder (4 TBPS)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (2 tsp)
1/2 tsp onion powder (2 tsp)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (1 tsp)
1/4 tsp dried oregano (1 tsp)
1/2 tsp paprika (2 tsp)
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin (2 TBSP)
1 tsp sea salt (4 tsp)
1 tsp black pepper (4 tsp)

Black Bean Brownies

Need a chocolate fix with no sugar and with lots of fibre?  Look no further!!  My sis-in-law Laura makes these all the time.

1 1/2 cup black beans
2 TBSP cacao powder
1/2 cup quick oats
pinch of salt
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup choc chips

Preheat oven to 350F.  Place all ingredients except choc chips in food processor until well blended.  Stir in the choc chips and pour into greased muffin tins or a greased 8*8 pan.  Cook for 10-15 min.

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

I actually make these muffins quite often.  They have no sugar, butter and oil, and they actually taste good!   I mean for sure they are not your normal banana muffin with a cup sugar, but honestly I think these are delicious and such an awesome, healthy snack for the kids!

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tsp coconut oil (optional)
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare a muffin pan by inserting paper muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together egg, honey, applesauce, and mashed bananas.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Fill each muffin cup about 3/4 full.
6. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into muffins comes out clean.

Sarah's Chili

This is Sarah's recipe.  I have been making my chili for Brad for the past 9 years and he just doesn't like it!  I love it.  It is full of tomatoes and yummy spices, but none of my family eats it.  We went to Sarah's for dinner and had her chili and Brad and the boys were in love!  So i have to post because this will be our families recipe from now on!

3 pounds ground beeg
1 Cup of BBQ sauce
2TBSP Worcestershire sauce
2 TBSP sugar
2 medium onions
2 cups ketchup
2 tsp. salt
2 cans kidney beans

Brown hamburger.  Add diced onion and cook until tender.  Add kidney beans and remaining ingredients.  Serve with lettuce tomatoes and cheese.  (we put ours on bakes potatoes).  Thanks Sarah!

Banana Crumb Muffins

I've tried plenty of banana muffin recipes, but this is by far the tastiest... all of the deliciously crispy sugar on top might have something to do with that. YUM! :)

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• ½ teaspoon salt 
• 3 bananas, mashed 
• ½ cup white sugar 
• ¼ cup brown sugar 
• 1 egg, lightly beaten 
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil 

Topping: (A MUST!!!)

• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar 
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1 tablespoon butter 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 12 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1½ cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugars, egg and vegetable oil. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Salsa Chicken (Slow Cooker)

Brad loves Salsa chicken, and he loves my old recipe, but it is not my favourite. I really only make it for him!  And then I found this recipe, which I live much better and it is done in the Crock Pot :)  I found it on pinterest.  Here is the address:Salsa Chicken  Anyways enjoy :)

I know this dish probably doesn't look that appetizing but you have trust me on this one. In fact, I think you should bookmark this page if you like the following: chicken, Mexican flavors and your slow-cooker. This is the very popular (at least in the food blog world) SALSA CHICKEN!

Who knew chicken breasts + can of cream of chicken soup+ taco seasonings + sour cream could be so good. I know I sure didn't. I had seen this recipe so many times but it just did not sound that appealing. Of course, everyone raved about it, hence it's popularity.


Well, I'm so glad I tried it too b/c it really is so tasty....and easy!! If you have already made this dish, please feel free to leave your review below. THANKS!

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup (I used the cream of chicken)
1 cup salsa
1 package taco seasoning (I used 1 Tbsp of my homemade taco seasoning)
1 cup sour cream
cilantro, for serving (optional) (I also added a little shredded cheddar-jack, black beans and scallion on top)

Directions:

Put chicken, soup, and salsa in slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning over everything. Cook on low for 6 hours. If shredding the chicken, pull the breasts out and shred; return back to slow cooker. Stir in sour cream and heat just until everything is combined.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quick Bread

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quick Bread

 

Adapted From Table of Seven Blog

I am getting tired of my regular old banana bread: so three cheers for this recipe!

Ingredients:
1-1/3 cup flour
2/3 oats, rolled or old fashion
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1 egg
3 TBSP, melted butter
1 cup buttermilk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour a 9 x 5 loaf pan.   In a mixing bowl, whisk together, flour, oats, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and chocolate chips.  In a separate bowl, mix egg, butter and buttermilk. Stir wet ingredients to dry indgredients.  Bake for 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean.