Archive for August, 2009
Homemade taco seasoning is easy to make, and can save you money. With this recipe it costs less than half of what you would pay for the pre packaged stuff. Plus, no preservatives!
This homemade taco seasoning mix tastes exactly like the packaged version. It’s versatile and easy to make. Listed below the homemade taco seasoning mix are 5 delicious recipes that you can use your taco seasoning on. Try them out for dinner, or a great dip for the ball game!
Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe
Yields: About 1/2 a cup.
- 6 teaspoons of chili powder
- 4½ teaspoons of cumin
- 5 teaspoons of paprika
- 3 teaspoons of onion powder
- 2½ teaspoons of garlic powder
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
Mix all the ingredients, and store in an airtight container. The homemade mix is twice as strong as the store bought one, so add only half as much. 7 Teaspoons is equal to one store bought package.
And now, the recipes.
Once again this homemade taco seasoning mix is twice as strong as the store bought brand, i’ve made it easy for you by converting each package to 7 teaspoons in the recipes, but just keep this in mind for any other recipes you find online. Basically 1 package = 7 teaspoons of the homemade seasoning.
Easy Homemade Tacos
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/4-1/2 of cup water
- lettuce (shredded)
- cheddar cheese (shredded)
- onion (chopped)
- tomatoes (chopped)
- soft and/or hard taco shells
- hot or mild sauce (bottled, optional)
Directions:
- Brown ground beef and drain off fat.
- Add water and 7 teaspoons (or 1 store bought package) of Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix.
- Bring to a boil and let simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- If mixture gets too thick before cooking is complete, add a small amount of water to thin.
- Serve on soft or hard taco shells topped with your favorite vegetables and sauce.
Enchilada Casserole
- 2 lb. of ground beef or turkey
- 1 can of tomato sauce
- 1 cup of salsa
- 7 teaspoons (or 1 store bought package) of Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
- 1 cup of corn (thawed)
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper
- 2 cups of grated Cheddar Cheese
- 1 can of refried beans
- 4 medium soft flour tortillas
Directions:
- In skillet, brown and drain ground beef or turkey.
- In same skillet with meat, add: tomato sauce, salsa, taco seasoning, corn, and pepper.
- Mix and let simmer.
- In round 2 quart covered round casserole dish (Corningware) begin to layer: Flour tortilla, Heaping tablespoon refried beans (spread), Meat mixture (as above), Grated cheese.
- Continue layering until out of above mixture. (Does approximately 3-4 layers)
- Make sure top with cheese.
- Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until cheese bubbles.
- Serve with sour cream and tortilla chips!
Touchdown Taco Dip
Yields: 4 Cups
- 1 (2 lb.) loaf ofVelveeta cheese
- 2 lb. of lean ground beef
- 1 large jar of salsa (your choice green or red)
- 1 packet of taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of chopped green onion (optional)
Directions:
- Brown ground beef and drain.
- Add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add Velveeta to drained ground beef and taco meat mixture cook on medium low heat make sure to stir until cheese is melted.
- Add jar of salsa. Cook slowly over low about 5-8 min until all the cheese it is all melted and mixed together well with salsa and ground beef.
- You can keep this dip in a crock pot on low. Top with Green Onion (optional) and serve warm with tortilla chips.
Taco Nachos
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 7 teaspoons (or 1 store bought package) of Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
- 3/4 cup of water
- 3/4 pound of processed cheese (cubed)
- 1 tablespoon of milk
- 1 (12 ounce) of package tortilla chips
- 1 (16 ounce) pf can re fried beans
- 1/2 cup of chopped fresh tomato
- 1/3 cup of chopped green onions
Directions:
- Place ground beef in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain and mix in homemade taco seasoning mix and water. Continue cooking 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Place processed cheese and milk in a small, microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high until melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir until blended and smooth.
- Place tortilla chips on a large, microwave safe dish. Spread with refried beans. Top with beef and cheese and mixtures.
- Microwave approximately 2 minutes on high, until the cheese has melted into the beef. Top with tomato and green onions. Serve warm.
Taco Chili
Yields: 8 Servings
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 7 teaspoons (or 1 store bought package) of Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
- 2 cans (14.5 oz ea.) of diced tomatoes
- 1 can (10 oz) of diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (15 to 16 oz) of pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 can (15 oz) of chili beans in sauce
- 1 cup of frozen whole kernel corn
- shredded cheese (mozzarella, Monterey Jack or Cheddar)
- tortilla chips, slightly crushed
Directions:
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion, one-half at a time, till meat is browned and onion is tender.
- Drain off fat. Transfer to a 3 1/2- to 5-quart crockery cooker.
- Stir in homemade taco seasoning mix, diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, pinto beans, chili beans in chili sauce, and corn.
- Cover; cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.
- Sprinkle each serving with some cheese and chips.
Please comment below, and share any recipes you’ve made using Taco Seasoning Mix.
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Tags: cooking at home, copycat recipes, recipes
Posted in Cooking, Featured | 2 Comments »
1. Print in Draft Quality as much as possible
In your printer options you can choose to print in “draft quality”. Unless you’re printing up that award winning photo, you’ll want to leave your printer on draft quality most of the time.
2. When printing black and white, use the black and white setting!
Similar to the above tip, when printing something that is only black and white (such as text-only) you will want to go into your printer settings and change the quality to “black and white”. This makes sure that your printer is only using the black ink cartridge.
3. Some Fonts that can save you ink
There is a great font called “Ecofont”. This font has small little holes in each character that allows you to save 20% of your ink, without loosing readability. Other fonts that help you save ink are Garamond, Courier and Brush Script, just try not to use bold.
4. Only print what you need
We’ve all experienced it, you print something off a web page, and the whole web page prints out! There is a great service called “Print What You Like”, which allows you to print only certain parts of a web page. As an alternative, and maybe for the more tech savvy, you can also highlight the text you want, paste it into a program like Microsoft Word or Notepad, and print from there.
5. Cartridges will go bad if left unused
Print at least one item a week. Cartridges will die if not used regularly. Recently I left my printer in storage for awhile and couldn’t figure out why the prints came out the way they did. Turns out, lack of use made the ink go bad.
6. Refill your own Cartridges
You can buy Ink Cartridge refill kits for about half the price of an Ink Cartridge. This tip is really only for the hardcore DIY’er. You need to follow the instructions that come with your kit VERY carefully. Here is a great link to get you started.
7. Buy Re Manufactured Cartridges
A lot of companies will do the work of having to refill your cartridge for you. They will take a name brand cartridge and refill it on a professional level, so if you’re a little hesitant about the DIY aspect, and don’t spending a little extra money, this is a good alternative to the tip above.
8. Check your Printer’s Drum
When your printer is not producing the results you expect, sometimes you can get away with replacing the drum in your printer. This costs a lot less than having to refill an entire cartridge.
9. Buy Ink Cartridges online
You can find much better deals online. Just make sure you’re buying the right kind of cartridge for your printer. You can even find some trusth worthy generic cartridges out there, just make sure you read the reviews. Also, if you buy in bulk, you may save money with free shipping.
10. Properly shut down your Printer
You wouldn’t just slam the power button on your computer to shut it off, the same goes for your printer. If you power it down the wrong way, your heads could be in the wrong position, and this can cause the ink to dry out faster.
Tags: DIY, repairs, technology
Posted in Featured, Tech | 3 Comments »
The debate on whether or not it is a good idea to buy used shoes has been around for quite awhile. Here is some insight into helping you shop smart when it comes to buying used shoes.
General Tips on buying Used Shoes
How do I pick the right pair of used shoes?
Where should I buy used shoes?
What are the different kinds of wear, and how do I fix them?
How do I clean used shoes?
Leather Shoes vs Sneakers – What is the difference when buying used?
Tips on buying rain boots and snow boots.
Tips on buying Used Shoes for your children.
What do the experts say about buying used shoes for my children?
How do I know what used shoes to buy for my children?
How often does my child’s shoe size change?
Hand Me Downs for Children.
How do I pick the right pair of used shoes?
If you have a name brand of shoes that you know fits well, stick to that brand. Different brands of shoes fit people differently, and the safest way to know that you won’t have to return that pair of used shoes you bought is to buy a brand you trust.
Where should I buy used shoes?
The best place to buy used shoes is in person at a thrift store or garage sales. You will get to try them on before you buy them, usually there is a better return policy, and you can see the wear and tear the shoes may have gone through up close. You will find a better variety buying online at ebay or craigslist, but you’ll want to make sure you know exactly what size of shoe you’re looking for. This is wher knowing what brands fit you will really comes in handy. Also, pay close attention to any photos the seller may have, this is the best way to see any wear and tear before you buy.
What are the different kinds of wear, and how do I fix them?
The most obvious type of wear on sneakers is where the sole glues to the shoe. This is the weakest part of the shoe and usually goes first. I find the best way to fix this is buy applying a small amount of hot glue on the inside of this area, then letting it dry. This technique works the best on suede and canvas, but should not be used on leather.
On leather shoes especially, width is a very big concern. If there is typical wear on the buckling, this means that the wearer’s feet were too wide. The same can be said for someone wearing shoes that are too wide, irregular wear on the buckling is a sure sign of this. Make sure you take a lot of consideration into foot width, if you buy too wide, or too small, you will wear out your shoes much quicker.
How do I clean used shoes?
Invest in some disinfectant spray. A big bottle, and a couple of sprays can go a long way into lasting you throughout your used-shoe buying career. For an even cheaper alternative use rubbing alcohol. Here is a great article on this topic: How to Clean and Disinfect Used Shoes.
Leather Shoes vs Sneakers – What is the difference when buying used?
Choosing the right kind of footwear is very important. Sneakers tend to have more give and can be a better choice, whereas leather shoes with tight laces can be a lot stiffer, making it harder to find a good fit.
Tips on buying rain boots/snow boots.
These are great shoes to buy used, as they rarely get worn all the time, and they’re usually outgrown after the season. Obviously make sure the fit is exactly to your needs, or if you’re buying online, make sure you know the proper measurements. Another useful online buying tip is to use the geography of the seller to your advantage. If the person is selling snow boots, but lives in southern California, chances are these boots are a lot less used than the seller’s in Minnesota.
What do the experts say about buying used shoes for my children?
This is a highly debated topic. The argument seems to be split right down the middle. Some podiastrists say that buying used shoes for your child can harm their foot development due to the wear on the shoes. While this is true, other podiatrists argue the point that children outgrow their shoe sizes so fast that there is hardly any time to wear them out.
If you are going to buy used shoes for your child, make sure they are “first generation” of use. You don’t want to buy shoes that have been handed down 3-4 times, as this will have plenty of wear and could end up harming your child’s feet.
How do I know what used shoes to buy for my children?
Make sure you check the tops of shoes you’re buying for your children, as these will receive the most wear. Be very choosy about the types of shoes you buy for your children, you want to make sure that they have as little wear as possible, this will help prevent any problems your child’s feet could have with very worn shoes.
It is not necessary to buy shoes for your baby before they are walking, this is even potentially harmful to them.If you need to keep their feet warm use either booties or socks.
How often does my child’s shoe size change?
Children go through three or four size changes in the first two years. they outgrow shoes before they outwear them.
Hand Me Downs for Children.
Keep a box full of hand me down shoes that will allow your younger children to grow into. This is a good way to know exactly how much wear these shoes have gotten, as opposed to having to trust someone else.
Remember, buying used shoes really isn’t that different than buying the brand new ones (keep in mind how many people try on shoes that are sold as “new” at department stores). In the end, the most important thing to remember is that a better fitting new shoe is much better than a used ill-fitting shoe.
Please take all of these tips at your own discretion as everyone’s feet are different, and may react to many different types of shoes. Use common sense when buying used and hopefully some of these tips will help you along the way.
Tags: buy used, kids, repairs
Posted in Featured, Shopping | No Comments »
Try out these great recipes for homemade dog food, biscuits and even frozen treats. Your dog will love these tasty snacks!
1. Homemade Dog Food
This delicious dog food recipe is sure to make your dog happy and fill its belly! Feed your dog knowing what goes into their dog food.
- 1- 2 lb. of roast beef or a whole chicken
- 6 cups of cooked white or brown rice
- 1 can of peas (drained)
- 1 can of carrots (drained)
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Cook the meat in a crock pot for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. Add about 2 cups of water to the meat. After meat has cooked and cooled shred or cut up into small 1/4″- 1/2″ chunks. Save the juices from the meat mixture in the crockpot.
- In a very large bowl mix rice, peas, carrots and garlic powder. Then add meat and juices from crockpot. Mix with large spoon. I usually freeze the dog food in muffin tins sprayed with Pam. Then transfer them into a ziplock bag to freeze, then freeze the next batch in the muffin tin.
- We take one frozen dogfood muffin out a day and microwave for about 1 min. add a little water and pour it over the hard food that we serve our dogs every morning.
2. Bad Breath Banishers
Everybody knows about bad breath and dogs, so here is an all natural delicious treat that will freshen your dog’s breath.
- 2 cups brown of rice flour
- 1 Tablespoon of activated charcoal (find this at drugstores, not briquets)
- 3 Tablespoons of canola oil
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup of chopped fresh mint
- 1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley
- 2/3 cup of low fat milk
Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Combine flour and charcoal. Add all the other ingredients. Drop teaspoonfulls on oiled sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake 15-20 minutes. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.
3. Frozen Doggie Treats
Your dog will love this Popsicle-like treat on a hot day!
- 1 Tablespoons of honey
- 3 Tablespoons of peanut butter
- 1 ripe banana
- 16 ounces of plain yogurt
Mix the peanut butter, honey, and fruit together until well blended—mash with a fork or use the blender. Add the fruit mixture to the yogurt and mix well. Freeze in ice cube trays. Crack trays and release treats as needed!
4. Baggins’ Dog Biscuits
Fresh homemade dog biscuits. Your dog will love you for these homemade treats!
- 1 cup of Whole Wheat Flour
- 1 cup of Regular Flour
- 1/2 cup of Powdered milk
- 1/2 cup of Wheat germ
- 1 Egg slightly beaten
- 1 Teaspoon of Molasses
- 6 Tablespoon of Shortening
- 1/2 Cup Water
Preheat oven to 325. Mix dry ingredients and cut in the shortening. Add egg, molasses and water. Knead lightly on a floured surface. Roll dough out to 1/2 inch and cut into fun shapes using cookie cutters. Bake for 30 minutes.
5. Veggie Doggie Bagels
A healthy vegetarian treat for your dog. A great diet food.
- 1 Teaspoon of Vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup of Wheat Flour
- 2½ cups of White Flour
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Baking soda
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Baking powder
- 1/2 cup of Chopped spinach
- 1/2 cup of Chopped carrots
- 1 Egg
- 3/4 Cup of Water
Preheat to 350 degrees. Combine wet and dry ingredients separately. Then mix together. Knead by hand. Form into ball shaped pieces. Depending on your dog’s size, golf or tennis ball. Flatten and poke a hole in the center and shape into a bagel. Bake for 45-50 minutes. You can garnish cooled bagels with poppyseeds or sesame seeds by spraying lightly with water and then sprinkling with seeds.
Let us know about some of your favorite treats that you like to share with your dog.
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Tags: DIY, pets, recipes
Posted in Family, Featured | 2 Comments »
1. Dried Out Bread
Save slices in a freezer container or bread bag until you need to make bread crumbs. Grind up in your blender or food processor. When using as a topping, toss in melted margarine, and season. Also, here is a recipe for a yummy bread pudding:
Pioneer Bread Pudding
- 2-cups of leftover bread cubes
- 2-cups of milk
- 3-tablespoons of butter
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 2 Eggs
- A dash of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
Use day old bread , crusts and all, cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch cubes. Place these in a 1 quart buttered baking dish. Scald the milk,butter and sugar. Beat the eggs slightly; Add the salt then stir in the warm milk and add vanilla. Pour over the bread cubes.
Set the baking dish in another pan containing warm water up to level of the pudding. Bake at 350 degrees For one hour or until a small knife comes out clean when inserted into the center of the pudding. Makes 4-6 servings.
2. Toilet Paper Tubes
Use to gather up that unsightly, excess electrical cord on your kitchen appliances, lamps, entertainment center, etc.
3. Crayon Bits
Place a variety of crayon colors in a muffin tin and melt them down in the oven. This makes a scribble cookie. Each one has its own unique color and pattern. Use for an inexpensive stocking stuffer.
4. Dryer Lint
According to a lot of gardening experts i’ve spoken with, you can compost dryer lint. There is one catch, the lint must be from cotton material. Although, synthetic lint can be composted for flower garden use.
5. Milk Jug Rings
Use these to keep socks together when laundering. Store in a drawer with rings. When taking socks out, keep ring on bureau. Replace ring around soiled socks before them tossing in a hamper.
6. Carrot Peels, Onion Skins, and Celery Leaves.
Frugal cooks can use these when cooking up turkey and chicken bones for soup stock.
7. Tuna Fish Can
Use to make cookie cutters. Cut off bottom of can and shape with two pliers, preferably needle nose. When making a symmetrical design begin working at opposite points of the can.
8. Leftover Rice
Make a rice crust for a quiche by combining 1½ cups of cooked rice, 1 ounce of shredded cheese, and an egg. Pat out in a pie plate. For a larger quiche dish, increase the rice and cheese portions slightly. Do not Pam or grease the dish. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes.
Comment in the box below, letting us know how you reuse any of your household items.
Thank you to Amy Dacyczyn from her book titled “The Tightwad Gazette” for these helpful frugal ideas.
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Tags: alternate uses, DIY, kids
Posted in Family, Featured, Homecare | No Comments »
