Homemade Taco Seasoning

I've got to be honest with you all, sometimes blogging on a regular basis is hard. Silly things like sunshine and vacations and stressful days at work and date nights and well, just life in general, sometimes takes priority over a blog post.  So if it ever seems like a long time in between posts, just know that I'm doing life. I'm spending time with family and friends, nurturing relationships, enjoying the weather, taking time to read a book just for fun. And part of that "doing life thing" probably involves baking something to share or experimenting with some new party appetizers for a family get together. And then you'll find me back here, sharing with you the best of the best. The stuff that makes life together a little better, a little sweeter, and so much tastier.

Since this week is one of those weeks...you know, one of those I'm-not-even-sure-what-day-of-the-week-it-is-because-they're-all-running-together-into-one-meeting/party/event-packed-blur kind of weeks...I bring you this very easy homemade taco seasoning recipe and seven simple reasons why you should make it as soon as life allows it:

1. It's really, really easy. 

2. You probably already have the ingredients on hand.

3. It doesn't have any monosodiumglutamate or triobenzoylphosphentasticalate (totally made up) or any other way too long, way too unpronounceable ingredients.
4. It's easy.

5. It's naturally gluten free.
6. It makes some killer cheesy tortilla chips that just so happen to be the perfect dunking material for fresh salsa.
7. Did I mention it was easy? Seriously, just do this. 

Homemade Taco Seasoning
Yield: Enough to season about 7 lbs of ground beef
Recipe from Allrecipes.com

4 Tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons paprika
2 Tablespoons ground cumin
4 teaspoons sea salt
4 teaspoons black pepper

1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. For cheesy tortilla chips, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line with chips. Sprinkle generously with shredded cheese. Sprinkle with taco seasoning mix. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden. For 1 lb ground beef use 2-3 Tablespoons mix. Store remaining seasoning in an airtight container.