Today -- I aimlessly wandered the aisles of the Shoprite, looking for a processed product to recreate, healthy style, at home.  And while the project did require me to pay the 79 cents for a packet of taco seasoning that will never be used, I’ve got to think that its worth it.  How often does your taco night require a package of this stuff?  And how freaky are the ingredients? 

The second question I can answer right here and now, with a listing of the ingredients in the package I bought:  Salt, Maltodextrin (the second ingredient—so you’re getting a lot of this stuff, which is a sweetener/thickener commonly used in processed items), Chili Pepper (Yay!  A food!), Monosodium Glutamate (Mmmm, nerve damage…delicious), Corn Starch, Yellow Corn Flour, Spice, Contains less than 2% of the following: Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil (transfat…boo!), Silicon Dioxide (this makes me think of my old silicone swim cap, but is meant to serve as an anti-caking agent), Natural Flavor (read Fast Food Nation and you’ll run from “natural flavors” like they’ve got a weapon), and Ethoxyquin (um, what?).

Just listing these ingredients teaches us two things:  1.  There is very little actual food or real spice in there.   2.  Most of what you’re purchasing is meant to keep what little there is un-caked, preserved, thickened, and flavor-enhanced.   Forgetting the health issues, what a waste of 79 cents. 

You can make this in advance and keep on hand like a packet of seasoning (just keep it in something air-tight and label it) or stir it together when called-for.  Whatever --- we’re talking about approximately two minutes of work, so it doesn’t really make a difference.  I used it just like they said I should on the package:  brown one pound of meat (ok, I used crumbled firm tofu), add 2/3 cup of water and seasoning mix, stir, let cook uncovered at a low-flame simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, dump it into a whole grain wrap with some crisp veggies and optional grated cheddar.  Done. 

Prep Time:  5 Minutes
Cooking Time:  None
Yield:  1 “Package” of Seasoning
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 Tbsp Dried Onion
1-1/2 Tsp Sea Salt
1 Tsp Dried Oregano
1 Tsp Corn Starch
¼ Tsp Cayenne Pepper

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.  Use immediately or store in a small, air-tight container.  Use as you would any packet of store-bought taco seasoning.