Exploring the Kitchen

For a while now Happy Boy has been randomly saying "I like sugar." I think it comes from him wanting something sweet and my husband or I telling him, "No I don't want you having sugar." Then he would tell us that he liked it.

Today I found him with a teaspoon eating sugar out of the sugar container. Later I found him doing the same thing with the flour, which sits right next to the sugar in a similar container. He said, "This sugar no taste good." To top it off, just now I found him with a children's knife cutting and eating a stick of butter. Butter, sugar and flour go into lots of good things, I just never thought of eating them on their own.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate

Why is that combination just so good? My husband loves peanut butter M&Ms and I have mentioned how I like this dessert. Matilda has repeatedly posted links to Puppy Chow and every time I click on it I think, "Yum! I need to try that." Peanut butter and chocolate make such a great couple, someone should right a cookbook devoted to them. Maybe someone already has, but I haven't been able to find it.

Tea Meme

Thank you, Mrs. Bear, for this meme!

Your first cup, when do you drink it? Either while breakfast is cooking or with breakfast.

How many cups a day do you drink? During warmer months I don't drink any, but during the coldest months I probably have had up to five. Right now in October I drink two.

Teabag or leaf? I like both, but usually buy teabags because they seem to be cheaper.

Milk or sugar? None for herbal teas, milk for a couple black teas and both for most black teas.

Your favourite way of brewing? Pour a boiling kettle of water over the tea and set the timer for four minutes.

With whom do you prefer to enjoy your tea? Family or friends, but normally I am by myself.

Your favourite tea? At home either English Breakfast or Blackberry Sage. At a coffee shop it is chai. I just can't seem to make good chai at home.

Where do you prefer to drink your tea? At the computer or on the couch watching my children.

What does your favourite cup look like? Like this only red instead of green.

English Breakfast or Earl Grey? English Breakfast - I love it!

Favourite occupation while drinking tea? Talking with friends or reading blogs.

Formative tea experience? After my mom started homeschooling us, we would always have a tea break in the late morning in the winter. It was usually chamomile or raspberry. I have loved tea ever since, but didn't discover black tea until I was in college.

Incidentally, I have had to declare a moratorium on buying tea. I have so many different types that it will take a long, long time to use up. My poor husband has been very patient with my vice, but I know he would like to see my tea taking up only one shelf in the kitchen.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Every time I used to use a recipe that called for taco seasoning I would grumble. I don't buy that because it almost always has MSG in it. I would just add a little cumin and chili powder and be a little dissatisfied with the recipe. Not anymore. Now I have a taco seasoning recipe that I am very happy with so I thought I would share it.

Taco Seasoning

Place in blender or food processor:

¼ C. Flour
2 T. Chili powder
¼ C. Onion powder (I use onion flakes)
2 t. Garlic powder
2 t. Salt (I use less)
4 t. Paprika
½ t. Cayenne pepper (more if your family likes things HOT)
2 t. Cumin (I use more because I love cumin)
2 t. Oregano

Blend until mixed and powdery.

Store in airtight container. Three tablespoons equals one packet of commercial taco seasoning.