The Freezer cooking continues! This morning I set a big pot of beans to get cooking in my crockpot. I love to cook up a lot of pinto beans at one time to use in chimichangas, burritos and beans and rice throughout the month. I portion it out into 2 cup servings which seems to be a good size for our family.
Next I cooked up five pounds of ground beef and made up a taco seasoning recipe on the fly. It’s so nice to throw together a bunch of bulk spices and herbs to season meat with.
Taco Seasoning Mix
Combine in a small mixing bowl:
2 Tablespoons dried oregno
2 Tablespoons salt
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon onion flakes
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1/2 Tablespon black pepperUse 1-2 Tablespoons of mix per pound of ground beef, depending on how spicy you like it.
Then, I experimented with a Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe. If it’s a hit, I’ll be sure to share it. Or you can experiment on your own. Just mash a few cloves or a whole head of roasted garlic into your favorite mashed potato recipe.
To Roast Garlic:
Preheat oven to 350°. Cut off the tip of the garlic head, like you do with an artichoke. Place in a small baking dish. Pour 2 Tablespoons olive oil over the top so it can drip down inside. Cover with foil and bake for one hour. The garlic will brown and soften as it roasts. It’s good on toasted sourdough baguette, too, as a fancy appetizer.
I’m tired already. It was a lifesaver to have FishPapa watch the kids last month when I did this. I think I’m getting my mom and sister to come next time as reinforcements.
No one should have to peel 12 pounds of potatoes by themselves, now should they?
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I hear ya on peeling potatoes, but I’d sure rather peel 15 lbs once a month that a pound or two several times a month. I HATE peeling potatoes but I LOVE mashed potatoes!
I’m going to have to try your roasted garlic and the taco seasoning! Thanks for sharing!
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Jessica,
I just wanted to say Thanks for being one of my Top Referrers for March! I really appreciate it!
~Liz
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Jessica Fisher Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
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Thanks for posting the Taco Seasoning Mix! I love how you have figured mixes out! I also use your recipe for onion dip (from good&cheap eats!) I love not needed to depend on a packet from the grocery store or being able to create it with what i’ve got! Thanks so much!
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Jessica Fisher Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Ooh. That dip sounds good. I haven’t bought sour cream in over three months due to health issues. Good thing. Otherwise, I’d be eating that!
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That garlic looks delish!! I roughy my littles how to use the peeler so potatoes aren’t my job
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Jessica Fisher Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 pm
12 pounds would take FOREVER that way at my house! lol
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What did you do with the garlic mashed potatoes? What else did you add to them? I am assigned to make some for our Easter dinner and would love any suggestions.
Thanks.
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Jessica Fisher Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 pm
For every 6 pounds, I added 8 oz cream cheese, a head of garlic, salt and pepper.
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Hubby loves it when I add Cumin to my Taco seasoning. I dont like Cumin but he loves it.
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Challice Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:08 pm
@Challice,
ggrrrr, hit replied before I was finish typing. Were the Pinto Beans canned or dried? I just wondered if you could cook dried beans in a crockpot? hmmmm…
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Jessica Fisher Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:24 pm
The pintos were dried. I soaked them all night and then cooked them all day. Normally, I do the reverse. Soak all day and cook all night. I like getting it out of the way in the morning.
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Thank you for posting the taco seasoning mix. My kids love all types of Mexican food, so I’ve been looking to move away from the seasoning in a package.
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I am so pleased to have a recipe for Taco seasoning that will save me £1.50 on a sachet each time I make Tacos. Now can you please send instructions on making recipe cards so I can collect all your fab recipes
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When you say you portion out 2 cups of beans per serving, do you mean that you place 2 cups of beans in a plastic baggie and freeze them? I have never tried to freeze beans; not sure how this works. Once frozen, do you just pull a baggie out and let it thaw in the fridge for 24 hours, or??? Thanks for your help.
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Jessica Fisher Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 8:43 am
I use reusable plastic containers for storing them. Baggies might leak, but if you prefer that or want to save space, that is fine. Yes, you can thaw overnight or rewarm/thaw in a pan or in the microwave.
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