Saturday, March 10, 2012

Taco Seasoning and Crock Pot Chili

Making your own seasoning mixes is fun and makes you a little more likely to use a variety of spices if it is easy to do.  When Olivia was a little girl, she had her own herb garden and we often dried herbs to use in the winter.  That simple interest morphed into her ability and desire to make seasoning mixes with and without herbs.  This taco seasoning recipe is a versatile one.  You can of course use it for tacos (duh) or just about anything you make Mexican, plus chili.  I'm seriously considering sprinkling a little on scrambled eggs with a little shredded chese.  Ole!  This recipe calls for onion powder, but Olivia admits when that isn't in the pantry, onion flakes make a good substitute (you can even turn them into powder in the food processor if you like).  Onion flakes are a staple item in both of our pantries--a good substitute when you don't have or don't want to mess with real onions.  This seasoning mix would even make a great small gift if placed in a pretty jar and perhaps presented with a few recipe ideas to use it!  It stores well and is really good.  Enjoy!
-Nanette

Taco Seasoning:

1/2 cup chili powder
1/4 cup onion powder
1/8 cup ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon sea salt

Put ingredients into a jar and shake.

Ingredients poured into a canning jar before shaking:


All mixed up and ready to use:





Crock Pot Chili:

1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped 
1 large chili HOT chili beans
2-3 tablespoons taco seasoning  (depending on taste)
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 small can green chili peppers
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 - 1 cup chicken or beef stock  (depending on how "soupy" you like your chili)

1)  Cook the ground beef and onion in a crock pot on low for a couple of hours until it is cooked.  Drain the grease.

2)  Add the chili beans, taco seasoning, chili peppers, sugar, and stock.  Cook on low for a couple of hours until you are ready to eat.

3)  Serve with shredded cheese.  Enjoy!




Chili Ingredients




Ground Beef with Chopped Onions




Bowl of Chili  - YUM!

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