I don't know about you, but I get really aggrivated about seasonings in those little envelopes. In my mind, they're super expensive! Ok, sure, they're like $.50 a packet for most things. Not a big woop if you're only making a certain recipe one time and maybe never again. But if you're making something like tacos every week, and buying those little envelopes every week, then you're really shelling out a lot of cash when you don't need to. In most cases you can buy LARGE containers of such seasonings at Costco (BJ's.. etc.) and pay $4-$5 which equals about 100 envelopes!
You do the math... I'll just pretend to do the math and nod my head.
But every once in a while there's a seasoning envelope that doesn't come in a huge container at Costco. Every once in a while the envelope is really the only option...
Or so I thought until I discovered that most seasoning mix recipes can be found ONLINE! Who knew!?
The most expensive seasoning envelope that I often buy is Hidden Valley Ranch Mix. Let's face it, it's GOOD! I didn't really realize until I went to school outside of Boston that not everyone slathers 50% of their food in ranch dressing... boy were they missing out! I specifically remember my first visit to a Denny's back east. I ordered chicken strips & fries, and when I asked the waitress if I could have some ranch to go with it she looked at me as if I had 3 heads. "You want ranch?! You mean... like salad dressing ranch?" "Ummm... yeah..." "Ooooookay...(weirdo!)" I quickly converted most of my college friends to my ranch dipping ways, because really, who can argue with it? It's GOOD!
Plus the dry Ranch Mix can be used in so many applications! You can make it into a dip with a thicker consistancy, you can make several different dressings by mixing with various dairy products (including sour cream, cottage cheese, mayo, buttermilk, etc.), AND you can also make Ranch Chicken! I promise, I'll share that VERY soon and stop taunting you with it. lol
But those little packets of ranch? DAMN they're spendy!! A box of 4 envelopes will set you back $4! Really? A dollar a packet?? Come on! You're killin' me!
So I kinda stopped buying them. Homemade dressing is a luxury item I guess...
Well, NOT ANYMORE!!!
You can make your very own ranch dressing mix at home for a FRACTION of the price!
And there was much rejoicing!
Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix Recipe
From RecipeZaar
1/2 cup dried buttermilk
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
The original recipe says to combine all ingredients in a blender. I just mixed them together in a bowl and called it good. Use 1 tablespoon of the mixture in place of ranch dressing envelope in any recipe that calls for it. To make salad dressing combine 1 tablespoon of mixture with 1 cup of mayo and 1 cup of milk. Keep in refrigerator to extend shelf life (the dried buttermilk will eventually go bad if unrefrigerated).
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5 comments:
I had to have some ranch dressing mix for a recipe I was trying last winter, and I almost had a heart attack when I saw the price for one envelope. Down In AZ, where we live a gazillion miles from the stores, I had to pay over $2 for it! One little envelope! And it went into a huge pot of soup, and I doubt it would have tasted much different if I had just left it out. So thanks for the recipe. No more $2 envelopes of mix for me!
Wow Thank You - I'm a ranch gal myself. I bought a dry package in bulk a while back and it's been a great deal compared with grocery brands however, ranch from scratch..mmm...I'm definitely going to have to give this a try.
-Dusti
Thanks for sharing! We love Ranch Seasoning in this house so I will definitely try it an make my own!!!!
If you asked me if I liked buttermilk, I'd say heck no. But I love ranch dressing. In the old days when I spent a lot of time at McDonalds I'd get the side salad and use the dressing on my hamburger.
I don't think I've ever seen dried buttermilk. I'm going to have to look for that. Good money saving recipe.
You could leave dried buttermilk out of your spice mix - then it would keep indefinitely.
Use regular buttermilk when you make the dressing or mix in some lemon/vinegar to your milk if you don't have buttermilk.
Then again, true ranch lovers will probably go through the dried mix before the dried buttermilk goes bad lol.
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