Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix

 SLOPPY JOE SEASONING MIX and PANTRY GOOPS

This one is a good one for keeping handy in the pantry. There will always be nights when you can barely manage to shuffle into the kitchen to cook a meal for yourself, much less something nutritious and filling for anyone else in your household. 

While the recipe for the seasoning mix says to create a foil packet and label it, I recommend instead a small snack-sized Ziploc bag. That way you can create several bags at once to keep on hand for those nights when you might be able to manage something quick and easy in the electric skillet. 

Now, let's take this concept of "dinner on the shelf" a step further. Why buy boxed products to make up a dish full of chemicals when you can have your own ready on the shelf?  Think of the different boxes of dinner "options" available in the grocery aisles. Most of them are a starch (pasta or rice) in one container, a seasoning packet made of seasonings appropriate for that particular recipe (garlic, onion flakes, basil, bouillon powder, and maybe dried vegetables to name a few.) The directions say to add some sort of liquid and a meat option that's normally cut up and possibly cooked first. Options on the side might include phrases like, "To jazz this recipe up, add cut up cooked vegetables like....) 

My shelf includes a jambalaya mix (rice plus Cajun spices, add in shrimp, chicken, or pork, plus "the holy trinity" of Cajun cooking: onions, peppers, and celery) and a Cajun style tomato sauce, chicken and broccoli mix (rice plus chicken bouillon, sage, garlic, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning) add in frozen broccoli and white wine, the one we call "Italian goop" because it's pasta and Italian seasonings, add in ground beef, red wine, tomatoes, peppers, and finally "Mexican goop" that's Mexican style seasonings, add in beef, tomatoes, and canned beans. All of the above can be served with cheese, and we do! 

If your mind is now spinning with the possibilities, why don't you go make up those seasoning and starch Ziploc bags and label them carefully (as always!). Your dinner options just expanded. Think around the world and what those classic cuisines contain. If you don't know, ask the internet. You'll see the pattern of what's always in Greek, Chinese, Indian, and French fairly quickly. Many grocery stores have seasoning blends available right in the spice section. 

For instance, a quick Google search revealed this list for Greek food: Greek cuisine primarily uses oregano, mint, garlic, onion, dill, and bay leaf, along with the addition of basil, thyme, fennel seed, and parsley. The famous Greek cheese of feta would be my choice. The following URL had a recipe for a standard Greek seasoning to keep on hand. Easy Greek Seasoning Recipe - Evolving Table

Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but in no way do I guarantee that my suggestions will work for you. YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) 

Lena Austin

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