Friday, October 5, 2012

Must Have in Our Kitchen - Spice Kick Mix

By now I guess it is pretty clear that there is quite a bit of cooking that goes on in this house.  By trade, my husband IS a Chef.  (I know, lucky girl, right???) and me?  Well, I don't get why I cook.  I never grew up around it and never really experimented until I was well into my 20s but, once I did start it was ON!

The love of cooking in this house extends to punk kid as well.  We remember when he was about 5 and he decided he wanted to make his own dinner.  Um, okay.  He made Orange Shrimp.  Seriously, I am NOT kidding about that.  We use to have a stool in the kitchen so he could reach the counter.  Actually, we still have that stool which, at 12, he just used recently to make his homemade dog biscuits.  That's an entirely different post.....  Anyhow, he took his little 5 year old self into the kitchen and started grabbing ingredients.  Shrimp, honey, garlic, and orange juice made their way onto the counter.  We had to admit - his creation was actually very, very good!  He still cooks today and enjoys it but skateboarding and soccer have replaced the excitement of cooking for him.  At least now.  For YEARS if you asked him what he wanted to be he said "a Chef just like Daddy."  

If you ask most people what their staples are in the kitchen I am sure their answers would be much different than ours.  For us, the hubby always makes sure we have some kind of homemade stock in the fridge or freezer.  A few days after Thanksgiving you will always find pots on the stove with him simmering away the best Turkey Stock you have EVER had.  For me a "must have" in the kitchen is my spice mix.  I always have this mixed up and in the spice drawer and use it in just about everything!  I think if you mix this up yourself and start incorporating it into your cooking you'll find that you will love it as well.  Kinda promise that!



Spice Kick Mix
  • 2.5 Tbs paprika
  • 2 Tbs salt
  • 2 Tbs garlic powder
  • 1 Tbs coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbs onion powder
  • 1 Tbs cayenne pepper
  • 1 Tbs dried oregano
  • 1 Tbs dried thyme
Mix all spice together and store in an airtight container.  I use 2 - 3 tablespoons in recipes and I also use it as a rub with beef.  

This Spice Mix also makes a fantastic little gift!  Pick up some spice jars at Michaels, AC Moore or Hobby Lobby, some pretty seasonal ribbon and a gift tag and you have a great hostess gift or addition to a gift basket.

6 comments:

  1. I am going ot have to try this! I love haveing spice mixes made up and on hand - and NOT the store bought kind!!!

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  2. I hope you do! I really love it and use it for just about everything!!! I HATE store bought mixes - for some reason to me they just aren't the same.

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  3. I love your idea of pre-mixing the spices, and thanks for the tip on where to find the spice jars!

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    1. You're welcome, Mom! You might only want to use 1 tablespoon though! ;) ♥

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  4. My husband is the cooker in our home and he is all about adding flavor to everything. I will have to show him this and we will have to try it. Sounds like it makes everything taste amazing

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    1. Do give it a try, Rebecca - you guys will like it! Spicy but not too bad and add a TON of flavor!

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