Spice Up Your Family Dinners

Make Your Own Seasoning Mixes

Commercially made seasoning mixes contain salt unless the label reads "sodium free." Salt is often the main ingredient in these types of ready-made mixes. Salt adds flavor to a meal, but most of us get more sodium than we need. This "Salt Free All Purpose Mix" is great for seasoning meats without added sodium. Make your own. Save money and be healthy!

Salt Free All Purpose Mix

Blend 2 Tablespoons dried onion, 2 Tablespoons garlic powder, 1 Tablespoon paprika, 1½ teaspoons thyme, ¼ teaspoon black pepper.

Make a "Ground Beef Helper" mix in advance. Label, date, and store in an airtight container. Use the ground beef helper to make easy, healthy, quick meals for you and your family.

Source: myplate.gov

Ground Beef Helper Mix

Makes 3½ cups

Ingredients

• 2 cups powdered milk
• 1 cup corn starch
• ¼ cup beef bouillon powder
• 2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 Tablespoon garlic powder

Directions

1. Wash hands. Mix the ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information per 1 Tablespoon serving: 25 calories, sodium 240mg, carbohydrates 5g, protein 1g

Recipe Source: University of Nebraska Extension; snaped.fns.usda.gov

Chili Tomato Macaroni

Serves 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup uncooked macaroni
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomatoes, chopped
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney or pinto beans (optional)
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• ½ cup Ground Beef Helper Mix
• ½ cup cheese, grated

Directions

1.  Wash hands. Place the above ingredients except for the cheese in a large skillet. Stir to mix.
2.  Cover the skillet and simmer for 20 minutes or until the macaroni is tender.
3.  Top with grated cheese.

Tips

• Mash the beans for easier blending
• Can substitute ground turkey or venison

Nutrition Information per 1 cup serving: 270 calories, fat 8g, cholesterol 50mg, sodium 730mg, carbohydrates 27g, fiber 4g, protein 22g Recipe Source: 

Pumpkin All Year Long

Pumpkin is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that works well in both sweet and savory dishes. It is high in Vitamin A which is important for healthy eyes, skin, bones, and your immune system. Canned pumpkin is an easy low cost ingredient available all year round.

Is it true that canned pumpkin is not always pumpkin? Yes, any variety of orange winter squash can be labeled pumpkin. Use a sugar pie pumpkin, not a jack-o'-lantern pumpkin, when substituting fresh pumpkin for canned. Roast or boil until tender, then puree.

Here are some tips for using that delicious, nutritious pumpkin

• Add ¼ cup pumpkin to ½ cup plain yogurt with choice of sweetener
• Add ¼ cup to your favorite meatball recipe
• Add ¼ cup to a smoothie recipe
• Add a few tablespoons to morning oatmeal
• Add a (15-ounce) can to thicken chili or soup
• Add ½ to 1 cup of pumpkin to macaroni and cheese

Pumpkin Squares

Serves 32

Ingredients

• 1 can (15-ounce) pumpkin
• 1½ cups brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• ¾ cup cooking oil
• ¾ cup enriched all purpose flour
• ¾ cup whole wheat flour (may use all purpose flour)
• 1½ cups rolled oats
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1. Wash hands. In mixing bowl stir together pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, and oil until well mixed.
2. Combine the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda.
3. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture. Mix well.
4. Pour into greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan.
5.  Bake in 350°F oven for 30 minutes, cool and cut into bars.

Nutrition Information per bar: Calories 120, Fat 6g, Sodium 70mg, Carbohydrate 14g, Fiber 1g, Protein 2g

Pumpkin Squares Recipe Source: USDA Mixing Bowl

Pumpkin Pudding

Serves 8

Ingredients

• 1 can (15-ounce) pumpkin or 2 cups cooked mashed squash
• 1 to 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1½ cups milk (low-fat)
• 1 box vanilla pudding (instant, 3.5 oz)

Directions

1. Wash hands. In a large bowl mix pumpkin and pumpkin spice together.
2. Slowly stir in milk and mix well. Add instant pudding and stir for 2 minutes until it thickens. Refrigerate until serving time.

Nutrition Information: Calories 110, Fat 1g, Sodium 270mg, Carbohydrate 25g, Fiber 2g, Protein 3g |

Pumpkin Pudding Recipe Source: ChooseMyplate.gov

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