November 18, 2013

Oven Roasted Potatoes with Homemade Greek Seasoning

Oven Roasted Potatoes with Homemade Greek Seasoning
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Homemade Greek Seasoning 



When it comes down to it I am very cheap (money wise). There are a few basics that I am brand loyal to, but when I can make something from scratch I do. I make my own household cleaners (better for the environment and work so well!), I sew, I can fruits, veggies etc. and I make as many food items from scratch as I can. Part of my frugal ways came from my mother. She never was a fan of convenience items, partly because we never had a lot of money and mostly because she knew she could do a better job from scratch. If I saw a great dress at the mall, my mother would come home, make a pattern, buy the fabric and I would have the exact same dress in just a couple of weeks. My friends were always very jealous that my mother could pretty much sew anything from sight. She also was great with finding bargain fabric to store away knowing she might use it at a latter date. For just a couple of dollars I could have a full outfit. Now my mother was a far better seamstress than I am, but I have inherited the need to make as many things as possible. One of my favorite ways to save money and add great flavor to dishes is to make my own spice mixes. There are so many pre-made mixes that can be easily made at home: Greek Seasoning, American Chili Powder, Chili Seasoning, Garam Masala. Not only is the flavor better when made from scratch, but it saves a lot of money in long run.
Lake Vesuvius
Lake Vesuvius 

One of my favorite dishes with homemade Greek seasoning is oven roasted fingerling potatoes. It tastes great and my kids love it. My recipe is as follows:

Greek Seasoning:

  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano (I dry oregano from my garden-very easy)
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
  • 1 tsp dried mint
  • 1 tsp dried thyme (not ground)
  • 1/2 tsp dried minced onion
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (or minced garlic, but I use whichever I have on hand)
Add all the ingredients together, toss to make sure combined. Store in an air tight jar. 

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes:

This is really easy. 
  • 1 pound fingerling potatoes, cut in half or fourths
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt 
  • 1-2 tablespoon homemade Greek seasoning
Toss all the ingredients together on a roasting pan. Cook in a pre-heated 400 degree oven until browned (20-30 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes and your oven). Toss the potatoes half way through, do not over toss the potatoes or they will not get that great brown, roasted flavor and look. 

That's it. My kids love this recipe and it's really easy to make. Plus the Greek seasoning is great on chicken, pork or lamb. I use it to make chicken pitas a lot and it's delicious. 


Lake Vesuvius Ohio
Lake Vesuvius Ohio

18 comments:

  1. These look AMAZING! I also love the nature photos. I just moved to Morgantown, WV - any recommendations for sight seeing in that area?

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    1. Thanks :) I have only been to Morgantown 3 times, but I do know that Coopers rock has beautiful views and that there are a number of parks for hiking and bird watching. If you like to take photos there are a ton of covered bridges in the area that look great on film. Sorry I'm not more help, enjoy getting to know your new city!

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  2. As I have grown older I have been more focused on preparing my food from scratch. I could not sew to save my life but can totally appreciate the benefits and have a deep respect for the skill required.

    I like the idea of making seasoning blends. I have not made the leap yet but, I have huge vegetable and herb garden and there is nothing stopping me. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. I have gotten more adamant about cooking from scratch with age too :) Seasoning blends really are a great way to save money and they taste so much fresher than store bought. Plus they don't have all the preservatives, which is nice!

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  3. I love Greek-seasoned potatoes. That's something I always enjoyed eating in the Greek diners in the northeast, where I'm from. I didn't grow up with the make-do and frugal lifestyle but I've adopted it wholeheartedly as an adult. I love to make my own taco seasoning.

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    1. I forgot about taco seasoning on my list, I love making it from scratch too :) Greek dinners are the best, we go to the one by our house every year!

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  4. I try to do as much as I can myself. My kitchen aid mixer has been a very important machine in our house for a while! I use it to grind sirloin, chicken, turkey, pork, etc. I also make bread dough and freeze it. I try really hard to make as much as I can from scratch- it really does taste better and I like being able to control what we eat :) you can't go wrong with potatoes!

    Being Dawson's Mom

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    1. I use my kitchen aid a bunch too. I love the meat grinder attachment, it's great for making ground beef etc. I try to make as many things from scratch as I can too, it saves money and tastes so much better than store bought!

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  5. Nice post, Ann. Full of good feelings. These potatoes look amazing!

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  6. That's really impressive. My sister in law makes everything from scratch - laundry detergent, deodorant - you name it, she makes it. I think that's awesome.

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    1. Thanks, it started out from necessity, but now I love saving money and not having all the chemicals etc.

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  7. You were lucky! I had a friend whose mom could whip up dresses in an instant. That same friend always won the Halloween contest every year too. :)

    The potatoes look great!

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    1. I won the Halloween contest pretty much every year too :) My mom really was a beautiful seamstress!

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  8. Your pictures are beautiful! And the potatoes look delicious! I love the idea of making homemade Greek seasoning. Pinning!

    Would love for you to come link up at Wine'd Down Wednesday if you get a chance! We are live now until Friday night. (http://www.dizzybusyandhungry.com/wined-down-wednesday-link-party-11/) Hope to see you there!

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    1. Thanks for the pin! I added my link to the linky, thanks for hosting :)

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  9. Seems like my mother and yours would have gotten along famously. Mine hate spending money if she can do it as well. She sewed when I was little all of our curtains and clothing and they did look really nice. I hated it at times but have come to appreciate her for doing it now that I'm older. This recipe sounds delicious. Hubby is a big fan of potatoes and loves baking them as well. Will have to try your recipe. :)

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    1. I never appreciated it as much growing up either. I think it takes getting older to appreciate everything that our parents did for us :) My husband is big on baked and fried potatoes too. Men seem to love them!

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