Spices, Sauces, Jams, & Jellies

Homemade Italian Salad Dressing Mix

This Homemade Italian Salad Dressing Mix is very versatile. I use it both to make homemade dressing as well as in "Ridiculously Easy Italian Chicken." (I named it that because it's so easy I feel a little guilty making it). I'm going to be upfront though. This is NOT a copycat version of Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing Mix. I... Read More

Homemade Pico de Gallo Recipe (aka Salsa Fresca)

Pico de Gallo is well-known and multiple versions run around the internet. This is my own take on the Mexican classic. I prefer making my own because while I love it, it has to be fresh. Fresh, fresh…not chopped at the supermarket and left to sit in the produce section for three days. This recipe is very easy to make…. Read More

How to Make Easy Homemade Salted Bourbon Butterscotch Sauce

Homemade Salted Bourbon Butterscotch Sauce. Easy to make. Delicious, rich deep sweet taste with a dash of saltiness. & The Great Butterscotch Debate. The smell of simmering butterscotch. The taste: deep, rich, sweetness with just a tad of salty. Smothered over Butterscotch Blondie Cheesecake, or ice cream, or straight out of the jar. Okay, maybe I'm the only one guilty... Read More

Homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning: How to Make & Where to Use

Oddly enough, I discovered Montreal Steak Seasoning (also known as Montreal Steak Spice) when I was trying a pork recipe. I tried store-bought first...and wasn't impressed. Since I already have an entire series dedicated to "Stop Buying, Start Making," I decided to add this steak seasoning recipe to my repartee. As I was investigating various blends (they're all very similar),... Read More

Shrimp Fried Rice & Homemade White Shrimp Sauce

We love Japanese hibachi (especially shrimp fried rice). And the white shrimp sauce. Oh, the white shrimp sauce is amazing! And we were lucky enough to be stationed near a good restaurant on our first two duty stations. Then we moved to Washington state. Washington has a lot going for it: year-round temperate weather, skiing, supermarkets filled with specialty items.... Read More

Easy Homemade Blueberry-Lemon Dressing

Blueberries, lemon, honey…2 minutes (counting the time to wash the blueberries). This Homemade Blueberry Lemon Dressing is much better tasting than any dressing you can buy in the store. I’ve been amazed how easy it is to actually make a variety of homemade dressings! (Though I do admit my husband refuses to eat it. He won’t eat anything but ranch. Hidden… Read More

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice: Cheap & Easy

'Tis the Season. No, not that season. The season for everything "Pumpkin Pie Spice" flavored. Though even I must admit some of the options available are ridiculous. I saw (online) pumpkin pie spice Pringles & butter. I seriously hope it's a joke...but am afraid it is not. Rant done. Back to making your own homemade pumpkin pie spice. It's cheap.... Read More

Stop Buying, Start Making: Homemade Apple Pie Spice

Apple Pie Spice isn’t just for apple pie. I actually use it in multiple recipes/items, especially the oatmeal I make in the morning. So I was thrilled to find this because I couldn’t actually find apple pie spice in any of the local stores! They had it in South Carolina…but apparently not in Washington? Along with the recipe, I've included a... Read More

Homemade Cajun Seasoning

Homemade Cajun Seasoning. You will never, ever buy store-bought again. This super-flavorful homemade spice mix is amazing. When/where to use Cajun Seasoning- while the options are limitless, here are my favorites. • Smoked Sausage & Shrimp Jambalaya • Gumbo (obviously) • Over fish (brush with oil, then add a bit of seasoning) • Spice up ground beef- burgers or (I’ve... Read More