Homemade Essentials Smokey Taco Seasoning Food

TACO SEASONING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, cornstarch, salt and pepper.
• To use: Brown 1 pound of ground meat in a skillet. Add the taco seasoning and 2/3 cup water, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 4 minutes.

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER ESSENTIALS: SMOKY TACO DRY MIX

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. You will need a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid to store this seasoning. I find old spice jars serve that purpose quite well. Make sure that you wash them out really good, so that your new spice does not pick up the flavors of the old one.
• 3. This recipe will give you enough spice mix to flavor 1 pound of ground beef, turkey, chicken, or pork.
• 4. Ancho chili powder not only has a bit of heat; in addition, it has a bit of smoke. So, we are getting our smoky flavor from two sources: The chili powder, and the smoked paprika. In addition, I doubled down on the cumin, subbed the onion powder for crushed dehydrated onions, and used white pepper for some sweet, sweet heat.
• 5. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 6. Grind the dehydrated onions using a mortar-and-pestle, or spice grinder.
• 7. Add all of the spices to a bowl.
• 8. Combine the ingredients, and then store in a good jar with a tight-fitting lid. Then store as you would any other dry spices.
• 9. MAKING THE TACO MEAT
• 10. Take 1-pound of ground beef, chicken, pork, turkey, or any combination thereof, and brown in a skillet with a bit of grapeseed oil, or other non-flavored variety.
• 11. Add the taco spices along with 1 cup of beef stock, or water.
• 12. Slowly simmer until the liquid is reduced by 60 - 70 percent, about 12 - 15 minutes.
• 13. PLATE/PRESENT
• 14. Serve as you would any yummy taco meat, like on these melted cheese tacos. Enjoy.
• 15. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

HOMEMADE ESSENTIALS: SMOKEY TACO SEASONING

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. Storage of homemade condiments and spices Because homemade spices and condiments do not contain any preservatives, it is important to store them properly. Non-reactive (glass) containers with tight-fitting lids are a must. If I am making a dry spice, I love to use old spice bottles that I have run through the dishwasher. If I am doing homemade sauces, I love using Weck jars. They are all glass, come in all sizes and shapes, and have excellent leakproof lids. If you shop online, you can go to Amazon, and type in "Weck Jars" and you will find a ton of them. Dry spices should be kept in a cool space, away from sunlight (spice cabinet), and sauces, in most cases, should be stored in the fridge. If properly stored, this taco spice should last 6 - 8 months.
• 3. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 4. Add all of the ingredients to a spice grinder.
• 5. Mix until combined.
• 6. Store in a non-reactive container until needed.
• 7. PLATE/PRESENT
• 8. When mixing with ground beef, pork, or chicken, use about 1 - 2 tablespoons per pound. Enjoy.
• 9. When mixing with ground beef, pork, or chicken, use about 1 - 2 tablespoons per pound. Enjoy.