Seasoning shortcuts

I have gotten a few requests for the actual recipes that I mentioned in my post earlier this week on “Don’t buy it, make it homemade – Part 3.”  I thought I would share three seasoning recipes from my favorite saving money book series, “The Tightwad Gazette.” These books are what started me on my journey to save on my family’s expenses. There are three volumes in this series and one complete version with the best tips from all three.

TACO SEASONING MIX

♦ 4 t. chili powder
♦ 3 t. cumin
♦ 3 1/3 t. paprika
♦ 2 t. onion powder
♦ 2 t. garlic powder
♦ 1/8 – 1/4 t. cayenne pepper

* This recipe is twice as strong as store-bought, so use half as much as your recipe calls for.

ONION SOUP MIX

♦ 3/4 c. instant minced onion
♦ 4 t. onion powder
♦ 1/3 c. beef bouillon powder
♦ 1/4 t. celery seed, crushed
♦ 1/4 t. sugar

* To use, add 2 T. to 1 C. boiling water; it makes a stronger flavored mix than a regular mix.

SEASONED SALT

♦ 8 T. salt
♦ 3 T. pepper
♦ 2 T. paprika
♦ 1/2 T. onion powder
♦ 1/2 T. garlic powder

I also have two recipes for making your own chocolate syrup and pancake syrup. However, since we have not tried them yet, I will save them for another time!

To read more about saving money by making foods from scratch, see my posts:

• “Making your own challah”
• “(More) Make your own…”
• “Substitute this”
• “First canning experiment: apple butter”
• “Homemade vegetable wash: Worth it?”
• “SodaStream soda makers!”