Pork Chop Rub

A few months ago I "tried" this recipe from Simply Recipes and I deemed it good. Only I didn't really try it. I didn't have whole cumin or coriander and I had whole peppercorns, but no way to grind them in any slightly efficient manner. Even if I had had a spice grinder of some sort, I'm not sure I would have had the high character to actually toast and grind the spices myself. Even if I had had the high character, I'm not really sure I would have had the time. (Have I mentioned that I often cook with children attached to my legs in the way barnacles attach to a boat? Either that, or they're, er, helping me, which is sometimes even more difficult than the barnacle effect. Though I must admit here--lest you think I'm one of those ever cheerful sure-let's-cook-and-learn-and-make-a-mess-together-while-creating-quality-memories moms--that in keeping with my apparently consistent low character, I often just throw a movie on for them while I'm making dinner.) At any rate, I pretty much used the seasonings she suggested, but in pre-ground lazy-style fashion. Despite my cheating ways, we still really enjoyed this rub and I thought that some of you might enjoy the simplified version as well.

We've eaten this only on pork chops, but I actually think it'd be great on pretty much any type of meat (cut or ground) or fish.

Pork Chop Rub
adapted from Simply Recipes
Makes enough for about 4 pork chops
Prep time: 2 minutes

Note: This makes enough for about 4 pork chops. You can double, triple, or whatever-le it if you want to have some to save.

1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 scant Tbsp ground black pepper
1 scant tsp ground coriander
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt

Mix together. When you're ready to cook your meat, smear the rub onto both sides and cook meat as you normally would.

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Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Cheap Eat Challenge, Part 2: Watch as our family of 6 eats on less than $10/day.

Lately, I've come across a bunch of recipes that call for pumpkin pie spice. It's not a crazy expensive spice to buy, although it's still cheaper to make because it's comprised muchly of cinnamon, which can be bought for very cheap. However, I've found that it's nice to have a recipe for this on hand for those times you find a recipe that calls for it and you don't have it. Not that things like that ever happen to me. Because I have a perfectly stocked pantry, especially if I'm making something in a time crunch. Yes, I am definitely always prepared at those times. But just in case you're not...

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Makes 6-7 tsp

Prep time: 1 minute

Cost: I really have no idea, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say $.05

4 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cloves

generous dash allspice (optional and I usually leave it out, but if you're an allspice lover, you'll want to throw some in)

Mix all ingredients together. 

Then use as directed in your recipes

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