HippieDog's Favorite Recipes

Homemade Italian Breadcrumbs

I never thought making your own breadcrumbs would make a difference in our Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe.

Boy, was I wrong!

These have an incredible taste and you could tell the difference from the store bought stuff right away. We both looked at each other and said....."WOW"!

We had left over bread from Great Harvest and I hate to see anything go to waste. I knew we were having spaghetti and meatballs, so I decided to give this recipe a try.

Italian Breadcrumbs

4 ounces stale bread, torn in 1 inch pieces
1 TB Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt

Combine all ingredients and place in food processor or blender. Pulse until coarse crumbs form.

Spray two sheet pans with cooking spray and spread crumbs evenly. Bake 300 degrees for 5 minutes or until they just begin to brown and are crisp.

Cool for 30 minutes and transfer to airtight container.

Store up to two weeks.

Recipe Source: Alton Brown Food Network

 

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

 

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

Roma tomatoes, washed
olive oil
Kosher salt
pepper
garlic, minced
garlic, whole-unwrapped
basil

Pick fresh Roma tomatoes from the garden and wash. Cut in half, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle Kosher salt and pepper. Top each tomato with minced garlic and sprinkle with basil.

Roast at 225 degrees for 3 hours.

I even did one pan of romas with pieces of garlic, unwrapped, that I will use in sauces and soups.

You can use them in spaghetti sauce, a great topping for pizza, soups, salads or just a snack.

I popped what I didn't use in the freeze for a later use.

You can also line your pan with parchment paper for easier clean up.....I guess I'm a rebel.

 

Pumpkin Pie Spice

I was making Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts---then I noticed I didn't have pumpkin pie spice. Truthfully, I don't think I have ever bought this.

I searched around and found this great little recipe that made just enough for my recipe.

It's also just the right amount for a Pumpkin Pie.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. ground cloves

In small bowl whisk together. Store in airtight container.

Recipe Source: All recipes Pumpkin Pie Spice II

Taco Seasoning Mix

I was making Navajo Tacos the other night and was out of taco seasoning mix. I decided to search around and found this incredible taco seasoning mix.

I mixed up a few batches and stored the seasoning mix in cute little salt and pepper shakers.

 

Taco Seasoning Mix

1 TB chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper

Whisk all ingredients and store in container.

To use: Sprinkle 3 TB of seasoning mix in small bowl and add 1/2 TB flour. Whisk together.

Sprinkle over 1 pound cooked ground beef or turkey burger and add 2/3 cup water. Bring mixture to boil and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.

Recipe adapted from: Allrecipes Taco Seasoning Mix I 

 

Snickerdoodle Coffee Mix

Snickerdoodle Coffee Mix

1 cup sugar
1 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/2 cup non dairy vanilla creamer
3 TB instant coffee
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Whisk together and store in airtight container or canning jars.

To prepare: Add 3 TB coffee cocoa mix to 3/4 cups boiling water. I add a little cocoa mix at a time until I get it just right :)

Not a coffee drinker? That's OK, just skip the coffee part. Makes delicious cocoa.....add lots of cream!

 

Place snickerdoodle mix in canning jars for a darling gift.