You guys, the worst thing happened that could happen to a food blogger: my oven conked out.
Well, that’s not exactly a technical term for it, and I suppose it didn’t really “conk out” since it still turns on. But when you attempt to bake a single crust pie, and two hours later the crust is still raw…there’s a problem.
Even worse? The Tall Boy wants to fix it himself.
Now, I know many of you probably have husbands or boyfriends or guy-like people in your life who are super-duper handy when it comes to repairing things (and who am I kidding, I know many women who are handier than most guys out there). But let’s get real: the Tall Boy is much better at breaking items than he is at fixing them. So I’ll give him mad-props if he gets my oven fixed…but seriously, right now I’m willing to shell out any price neccesary to get my oven back in working order.
At the rate I’m going, the fall rush of Pinterest-pinning is going to be over and done with before I even get a loaf of pumpkin bread baked, cider mulled or apples caramelized.
In the meantime, here’s a quick and easy recipe for homemade taco seasoning. If you’ve been around my blog any time at all, you know we’re kind of insane about our Mexican food. And really, this seasoning doesn’t take much more time to make than tearing open one of those single-serving packets, and tastes oodles better.
This makes approximately 2/3 cup, and will keep for up to one year in an airtight container stored at room temperature.
Play around with the amounts of your ingredients: if you want it a bit spicier, add more red pepper. Smokier? Add more cumin. You can totally adapt this to fit your family's tastes--and it's much less expensive than purchasing those single-serving packets of ominous looking orange powder!
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 3 teaspoons smoked sea salt (regular sea salt works fine, too)
- 4 teaspoons fresh black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to an airtight container and stir to combine.
- Use approximately 2 tablespoons for each pound of meat--but adjust to fit your own tastes.
adapted from All Recipes
If you’re going the Mexican-food route, why not try one of these:
Lightened Up Beef and Bean Enchiladas
Smothered Burritos
Homemade Flour Tortillas
And a personal favorite…a Chocolate Margarita
Have a great day!
So sorry about your oven. That’s too bad. Maybe you should go for a new gourmet one. heheh
I’ve had homemade taco seasoning on my to-make list for, no joke, at least a year. I need to finally buckle down + make some – so easy, + so much healthier (less icky preservatives, etc.) than the packet kinds.
amy @ fearless homemaker recently posted..slow cooker chicken tikka masala
Bummer about your oven! Hope he gets if fixed quick!
We love mexican food here too! I have never used a packaged seasoning mix….I don’t see the point. Homemade EVERYTHING is always better, and mixes like this are a sinch! Now you have me craving tacos!
I’d love for you to share this at my party
Back For Seconds recently posted..Ice Cream 1st Birthday Bash and *Link Party*
Here’s hoping your oven will be fixed ASAP… I definitely know the feeling since mine died earlier this year and it was TRAGIC. Ugh. Worse, bless my dad’s heart but he is NOT the handiest guy around and had no idea what was going on. Anyway, moving on! Make yourself a chocolate marg and some of those delicious smothered burritos and eat and drink your worries away–it’ll be fixed soon, but in the meantime, why not emotionally eat + drink?! It’s fun that way I hear
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Caramel Carrot Cake Bars
I understand completely, my husband is not the handiest of men either but he does occasionally surprise me when it comes to things around the house. Now the car is another store – he is no longer allowed to do ANYTHING but fill it up with gas and put air in the tires, lol.
I’ll give that seasoning a try, we love our Mexican food as well!
Terry recently posted..Buffalo Chicken Casserole
There is nothing worse to a baking blogger than a dead oven! Well, now I have no excuse to not make my own taco seasonings. We usually just buy the economy sized bottle because we go through it so fast…love me some Mexican food!!! And you have me completely in the mood for some burritos now…and it is midnight here. LOL! Hope the oven gets fixed in record time so you can join in with all us pumpkin crazed bloggers:-)
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Mocha Coconut Monkey Bread