go forth ye and make this! *taco seasoning*

My grandmother is a frugal woman, which is to say she knows at least 18 different ways to squeeze a nickle until the buffalo poops! I've learned a lot from her and I have applied some of her teaching to my life, some, not all. One of the things she has taught me is it generally cheaper to make your own... whatever the case may be. One of those things is taco seasoning. In the town where she lives is a health food store that sells bulk spices in small serve yourself quantities. I encourage you to seek out one of these places in your area as they are wonderful and the spices are SO much fresher and less expensive! So I went there this past Thursday while visiting her and stocked up!

This is the recipe she gave me for taco seasoning, I don't know if it is originally her recipe or one she found somewhere, but here it is:

2 Tbsp chili powder
5 tsp paprika
4 1/2 tsp ground cumin
3 tsp onion powder
3 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/8 - 1/4 cayenne pepper depending on your taste buds, if you like a little heat go for the 1/4 tsp, less heat , not so much.

Measure out all ingredients.
Place in a bowl...

...mix well and store in an airtight container. That's it, that's all there is, no ingredients you don't know, that you cannot pronounce or added 'natural flavor.'

Then there is the other reason I make my own seasoning mix... have you ever looked at the back of the package or the ingredient list?!

The bottom of the package lists a number to call to ask questions or give comments, think they'd mind if I called and asked what is maltodextrin, modified foodstarch, autolyzed yeast extract and why is in the seasoning mix. Or isn't the 'natural flavor' of paprika, chili powder or cumin enough? Why are you adding mystery 'natural flavor' to this packet and why aren't you telling us what it is? Hmm, I'm thinking I'd hear a click at the other end of the line. I think if you actually made this and tried it you'd be delighted at the difference in flavor and wonder why you didn't do it earlier. It's delicious and full of flavor, so go forth ye and make this too!