Oven Roasted Carrots

This simple side dish pairs perfectly with any main course and can be customized with your favorite combination of herbs & spices!

Oven Roasted Carrots
Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 lbs carrots
• cooking spray
• salt (and/or other seasonings)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease rimmed cookie sheet with cooking spray.
2. Peel carrots and trim ends, then rinse under cool water. Drain carrots on paper towel to remove excess moisture.
3. Cut carrots in 1/2" thick round discs and arrange in single layer on prepared pan.
4. Spray carrots with cooking spray and season with salt, to taste.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, or until fork tender and edges brown slightly.
6. Serve hot from the oven!

Recipe adapted from Big Bear's Wife.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

While convenient, those small packets of taco seasoning found at the store for a quick and easy Mexican dinner often contain gluten (and when they don't, they're crazy expensive). Chances are good that you already have the individual spices in your cupboard at home, so mix up your own blend of seasonings to save on the cost while still getting food on the table in a jiffy!

Homemade Taco Seasoning
Yield: seasoning for 2 lbs ground meat

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder

Directions

1. Mix spices in small bowl; set aside.
2. Brown meat (ground beef, turkey, chicken, etc.) in skillet over medium heat. When no longer pink, drain excess fat and liquid.
3. Add seasoning to meat and stir until well combined.
4. Serve with your favorite taco fixings!

Recipe adapted from my 7 Layer Dip.

Meet my friend, Captain Mike

Although I spent a majority of my childhood in the suburbs of Chicago, for a brief time my family lived in Louisiana. Boy, do they know how to cook in New Orleans! That's when my mom discovered this gem called Captain Mike's. This flavorful seasoning blend is the perfect addition to any savory dish.

I prefer the "no salt" blend so that I can just add my own. The ingredients are granulated onion and garlic, cayenne pepper, white pepper, black pepper, sweet basil, bay leaf, oregano, and thyme.

Once you try it, Captain Mike's will become a new staple in your spice cabinet!