in the kitchen: from scratch. . .

In my aspiration statement for my Peace Corps service, I wrote about wanting to “get back to basics.”  And so far, in the kitchen, it’s been a marginal success.  These last few weeks have been more successful than usual because:

1) I’m making fresh bread every week.  This week, I made wheat yeast rolls.
2) In my food processor, I made ground chicken breast for chili.
3) In aforementioned food processor, I made fresh peanut butter. (Take that, Romania)
4) I’ve found ways to make taco seasoning, stir fry seasoning, italian seasoning, and chai spices so that I don’t have to rely on care packages from home (or the yucky preservative stuff that’s in them).

And since I know I’m not the only Peace Corps volunteer in these parts hoarding seasoning packets, I figured I’d share these recipes because they definitely make life easier and more flavorful.  I’ve picked them up around the web and adapted them to my tastes.  So feel free to add and subtract and make them your own.

Taco Seasoning Packet Substitute
(adapted from several recipes on allrecipes.com)
1 tablespoon chili powder (chili)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (usturoi granulat)
1 teaspoon onion powder (pudra de ceapa) *
¼ teaspoon red pepper flake (fulgi de ardei iute)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (piper cayenne)
¼ teaspoon dried oregano (oregano)
½ teaspoon paprika (boia de ardei dulce)
1 ½ teaspoon cumin (chimen)
1 teaspoon salt (sare)
1 teaspoon black pepper (piper negru)
(optional) 1/8  teaspoon sugar (I used light brown)

To Use:  About 3 tablespoons = a seasoning packet.

Stir Fry Seasoning Packet Substitute
(adapted from http://www.budget101.com/recipes/id671.htm)
2 chicken cubes (or vegetable) (cub pui)
3 tablespoon cornstarch (gustin)
2 tablespoon sugar (zahar)
2 tablespoon onion powder (pudra de ceapa) *
2 tablespoon garlic powder (usturoi granulat)
2 teaspoon dried parsley (patrunjel)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (ghimbir macinat)
1/4 tsp. paprika or red pepper flakes (boia de ardei dulce sau fulgi de ardei)

To Use: Mix 1 tablespoon of mix with1/4 cup water. Add 2 – 3 tbsp. soy sauce.  Add to stir fried veggies or rice.

Italian Seasoning Packet Substitute
(adapted from http://www.recipezaar.com/Italian-Seasoning-Mix-16841)
2 tablespoons onion powder (pudra de ceapa) *
1 teaspoon salt (sare)
2 tablespoons dried parsley (patrunjel)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (usturoi granulat)
1 tablespoon sugar (zahar)
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano (oregano)
1 teaspoon dried basil (busuioc)

To Use: Add to any Italian dish as desired.
To make an Italian salad dressing (for veggies or pasta), add 2 tablespoons of seasoning to 2 tablespoons of water, 2/3 cup of oil, and ¼ cup of vinegar.  Mix well.

Chai Spices (for a quick but tasty chai)
(I don’t recall where I found this, but it’s not my own.)
1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or 1.5 inch cinnamon stick (scortisoare)
½ teaspoon ground cardamom or 3 cardamom pods (cardamom)
¼ teaspoon ground cloves or 2-3 whole cloves (cuisoare)
½ teaspoon ground ginger (ghimbir)
(optional) 2 – 3 peppercorns  (boabe de piper)

Use a mortar and pestle to grind all ingredients together (if needed)

To Use:  Add ¼ teaspoon of above mixture to a cup of black tea as it steeps.  Add a tiny drizzle of vanilla extract (if desired).  Add sugar or honey to taste.  Add milk.  Stir and enjoy.

Pofta buna!

* I haven’t found onion powder in Romania, even in big stores.  But I’ve made some dried onions and I’m currently dehydrating some onions to try this method of making onion powder.  (Note, I don’t have a food dehydrator, I’m just air drying in my oven)  If you can’t find onion powder, I’d suggest adding some fresh onion to your dish.