Beef stew is one of those dishes that is hard to mess up (if you use the right about of salt.) Onions and garlic can give plenty of flavor on there own. Once you taste a stew with just the right blend of herbs, it changes everything. Read more
Homemade Breakfast Sausage Mix
I love sausage! Especially when it’s part of biscuits and gravy. That dish was my grandpa’s specialty and his love of it, made me love it too. Read more
Homemade Italian Dressing Mix
Italian dressing is the perfect condiment for a romantic date night at home. It also makes a good chicken marinade and a bread dip. Here are 3 varieties to choose from: Italian Vinaigrette; Creamy Italian, and an Olive Garden variety which is partway between the two. Here’s mixes for all 3 types for you! Read more
Spaghetti Sauce Mix
Mmmmm, Spaghetti! A crowd pleaser for sure. All of these recipes work really well in the slow cooker for hands off cooking that will fill your house with a delicious fragrance. If you have them on hand, and time to chop, add sautéed veggies too! Traditional veggies include bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms. Garden variety sauces may also have carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. Each batch is enough sauce for about a pound of pasta (measured dry.) Read more
Enchilada Sauce Mix
I love food with Southwest flair. I could eat it every day of the week and not get tired of it. Enchilada sauce is not just good on enchiladas. It’s also yummy over eggs and in casseroles. Each batch yields about the same as a 20 ounce can of sauce. Read more
Instant Pesto Mix
With pesto a little goes a long way for a delicious fresh flavor. It’s nice to have a jar of this mix on hand as a pantry staple, especially if you use Pesto a lot. Read more
Italian Seasoning Blend
This recipe is one you’ll want to tweak to match your own family’s tastes. For example, I don’t like oregano, so I sub more basil and parsley to make up the volume. If you like things hot add crushed red pepper or cayenne to the mix.
Use it when recipes that call for Italian Seasoning, or to sprinkle on ground beef or turkey as you cook it for Spaghetti sauce or Pizza. It adds a nice touch to garlic bread and croutons too. You can even beat it into your bread dough for a pleasant herb loaf.
Italian Seasoning Blend
3 tablespoons dried basil
3 tablespoons dried oregano
3 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
1⁄4 tsp black pepper
1⁄4 tsp red pepper flakes
Mix well and store in an airtight container. Yield: 11 Tbs plus 1/2 tsp (about 3/4 cup)
Big Batch Italian Seasoning Blend
3/4 cup basil
3/4 cup oregano
3/4 cup parsley
1/4 cup garlic powder
1/4 cup onion powder
4 tsp dried thyme
4 tsp rosemary
1 tsp black pepper
4 tsp red pepper flakes
Yield: Scant 3 cups
Smart Tiles Installation and Review
Mix month is still going strong and I have a big line up for you next week! But for the weekend I wanted to show you some progress I’m making in the girl’s bathroom. In July, I’ll have a whole month of house projects and frugal nesting ideas for you–this is just a sneak peek :).
Smart Tiles generously supplied the tiles for this post (after I begged them) and I honestly thought I would have it up and ready for them in April. If you remember, the space looked like this–very green:
I stripped the wallpaper and the popcorn ceiling and was stuck with how to repair this:
…and many areas like it. I finally hired a drywall guy to rescue me. He was amazing and affordable and I wish I had called him months ago.
This week, I primed and painted the space. It is white, white, white…from the ceiling to the floor. To keep it from being boring and cold, I have lots of gold accents and dramatic floor to ceiling curtains planned. Plus texture from faux bamboo shades, terry cloth rugs, and hexagonal tiles. These, to be exact. #onsalenow
I chose these tiles because I want the space done quickly without messing with concrete backer board, wet saws, adhesive or grout. Yet, I needed something to look great, be durable, and create a waterproof area. I was not disappointed.
Here’s a before and after picture:
The sink will eventually be white too.
I made a video for you showing how they work :).
Cinnamon Syrup Mix
Syrup solutions usually call for 2 parts sugar to 1 part water boiled together for 1 minute. My husband’s mother used 2 cups brown sugar and 1 cup water. After we married I got the secret recipe and added 1/2 tsp of real maple extract to it to make it my own. Then I learned by adding a little flour, cornstarch, or glucomannan for thickening, I could reduce the sugar by half without missing any of the sweetness. This reduced sugar recipe (it’s hard to tell by the first ingredient, I know…) has extra flavor from cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a family favorite, especially around holiday time. Read more
