April 9, 2013


I got to have lunch today with my oldest and dearest friend and the bearded fella we had a great time at Planet Subs my new fave for sandwiches :)  The bearded fella continued on his way and we did some shopping fun, fun, fun!!!!!  That leads to what I did for dinner tonight nothing the bearded fella decided to go have some adult beverages with some of his friends and I decided we could have leftover goulash.  While he was gone I got bored so, I decided to replenish my stock of dry seasonings and such.  For quite some time I have been making my own taco seasoning, ranch dressing and one that I use on pizza and in homemade sauces.  I've said before that I don't keep the packages of onion soup mix in my house usually when a recipe calls for it I just use an onion and some beef stock.  That being said I keep seeing a recipe for homemade so, I gave it a try.  The onion soup mix is from www.nadinesnook.blogspot.com .  The ranch and Greek dressing are from www.gwens-nest.com . 


                                   Homemade Ranch Dressing in Bulk

Yields about 2 1/2 c. of unblended mix...but it's a little less bulky if you blend it.

Blend the following in a standard mouth quart jar.

1/2 c. of each:
dried chives
dried parsley
garlic powder

1/4 c. of each:
onion powder
salt

1 Tbls. of each
ground black pepper
dill weed
sugar (optional)

Shake spices in a jar.
If you'd like to  create a "fast blend", then powder your mix by screwing your blender base onto any standard mouth canning jar, and blend your herbs until powdered.  This will make the flavors blend in a lot faster when you use it in recipes.
Notes:  Using full fat mayo or sour cream will really dull the flavors of the spices so you'll want to use the larger amount in that case (before blended).  If you use light, then use the lessor amount call for.  All measurements can and should be adjusted to your taste.

Ranch Salad Dressing
1-2 Tbls. mix
1 c. sour cream
2 Tbls. - 1/4 c. buttermilk

Tarter Sauce
2 tsp. mix
1/4 c. mayo
1/4 c. sour cream
1 Tbls. or more chopped dill or sweet pickles
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. prepared horseradish (to taste)

As you can see, I blended mine just because I like it better that way. 

                                           Greek Salad Dressing Recipe

1/3 c. garlic powder
1/3 c. oregano
1/3 c. basil
1/4 c. onion powder
1/4 c. salt
1/4 c. pepper
1 Tbls. sugar

Mix together in a jar...it makes a little over a cup.
Optional:  dump spices into the blender, and blend to a powdered mix.  This makes the flavors "meld" faster when you mix it.

Greek Salad Dressing

1/2 c. olive oil
1/4 c. each red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. Dijon mustard and lemon juice
2 Tbls. spice mix
Shake, shake, shake


                                              Homemade Onion Soup Mix

3/4 c. dried minced onion
1/3 c. beef bullion granules - low sodium if you can find them
1 1/2 Tbls. onion powder
1/4 tsp. celery seed
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. parsley flakes

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Store in a jar with an airtight lid.

5 Tbls. of mix equal to 1.25 oz. package of onion soup.

To make dip, mix 5 Tbls. of mix with one 16 oz. container of sour cream.  Stir to mix well and chill in fridge for several hours.

I blended the Greek dressing also because, I like to sprinkle this on pizza right before it goes in the oven it is also, good on chicken, fish or whatever you want to put it in.  I like to have these on hand and that they are homemade is just a plus in my book.  You don't get all the additives my taco seasoning has been posted a couple times on here just scroll down.  Enjoy!!!!