Today is "Homemade Living" Wednesday! I am working with 5 other bloggers, posting in this series which will appear every Wednesday. We each post every other week. I hope you'll join us!
One of the things I enjoy about making my own spice mixtures is I can adjust the ingredients to meet our preference. The next thing I enjoy is if I only need a small amount of a spice mixture, I don't have to purchase a regular-sized bottle only to end up throwing the majority of it away.
If you keep the basic spices on hand, you will likely be able to whip up many of these mixtures, which means if you've accidentally run out of one you were going to use, you can make it rather than going to the store. These are also great gifts to give at the holidays.
Store these mixtures, as you do the store-bought versions, in an airtight container out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Replace annually.
Here are some of the mixtures we use:
Dry Rubs
Dry rubs can be used to add flavor to grilled meats, poultry or seafood. Rub the seasonings onto the meat, poultry or seafood to make sure they adhere. They should be applied immediately prior to grilling.
Cajun Dry Rub
2 Tablespoons onion powder
2 Tablespoons garlic powder
2 Tablespoons dried oregano
2 Tablespoons dried basil
1 Tablespoon dried thyme
1 Tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
1 Tablespoon white pepper ( or 2 use tablespoons black pepper)
3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
5 Tablespoons paprika
4 -5 Tablespoons seasoning salt ( i.e. Hy's seasoned salt or Lawry's)
Indian Spice Dry Rub
2 Tablespoons curry
2 Tablespoons cumin
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dried Herb Rub
1 Tablespoon dried thyme
1 Tablespoon dried rosemary
1 Tablespoon black pepper
3 bay leaves, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon cloves or allspice
Montreal Steak Seasoning
2 Tablespoons coarsely ground pepper
2 Tablespoons coriander
1 Tablespoon dried dill
1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
Spicy Jamaican Rub
6 Tablespoons ground allspice
3 teaspoons ground ginger
3 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
BBQ Rub
3/4 cups chili powder
1/2 cups light brown sugar
2 Tablespoons salt
3 Tablespoons paprika
2 Tablespoons black pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (1 - 2 t. more if you like it spicier)
1 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoons garlic salt
Savory Mixes
Poultry Spice
4 teaspoons dried thyme
4 teaspoons dried marjoram
1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
All-Purpose Blend
5 Tablespoons dried parsley
3 Tablespoons dried oregano
2 1/2 Tablespoons paprika
2 Tablespoons celery seed
2 teaspoons dried chile pepper
2 Tablespoons mustard seed
1 Tablespoon dried marjoram
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1/2 Tablespoon dried savory
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon chili powder blend
Blend all together in a spice grinder, blender or mortar and pestle until finely ground.
Salt Substitute Spice Blend #1
3 Tablespoons dried basil
2 Tablespoons dried savory
2 Tablespoons celery seed
1 1/2 Tablespoons dried sage
1 Tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon powdered kelp
1 Tablespoon dried marjoram
Blend all together in a spice grinder, blender or mortar and pestle until finely ground.
Salt Substitute Spice Blend #2
2 dried bay leaves, broken up
4 Tablespoons dried oregano
4 Tablespoons onion powder
1 Tablespoon dried lemon zest
4 teaspoons dried marjoram
4 teaspoons ground savory
4 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Blend all together in a spice grinder, blender or mortar and pestle until finely ground.
Taco Seasoning
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/4 cup chili powder
2 Tablespoons salt
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 Tablespoon dried minced garlic
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
This can be combined and stored or blended until finely ground in a blender or spice grinder and then stored.
Add 3 Tablespoons and 1/4 cup of water to 1 pound browned ground beef, simmer for 15 minutes adding additional water if needed.
Chili Powder
2 Tablespoons ground chile peppers
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 Tablespoon ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne
1 Tablespoon garlic powder.
Blend all together in a spice grinder, blender or mortar and pestle until finely ground.
All-Purpose Soup Seasoning
We have a Shaker Museum nearby that sells an excellent all-purpose soup seasoning with herbs they dry themselves. I created this, which tastes just like the delicious mix I used to buy.
2 Tablespoons dried parsley
1 Tablespoon dried thyme
1/2 Tablespoon dried chervil
1/2 Tablespoon dried basil
1/2 Tablespoon dried marjoram
1/2 Tablespoon celery seed
1 teaspoon dried savory
1 teaspoon dried lemon zest
Use approx. 1 Tablespoon mix to every quart of stock.
Misc. Mixes
Popcorn Seasoning
1/2 cup dried marjoram
1/2 cup dried thyme
1/2 cup dried basil
2 cups cheddar cheese powder
1 cup nutritional yeast powder
1/2 cup garlic powder
1/4 cup kelp powder
Blend all together in a spice grinder, blender or mortar and pestle until finely ground.
Can also be used with oil & vinegar as a salad dressing.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
5 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
4 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
Bruschetta/Italian Bread Herb Mix
1/4 cup dried garlic granules
1/4 cup dried minced garlic
1/4 cup dried basil
1/4 cup dried parsley
1 Tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Blend all together in a spice grinder, blender or mortar and pestle until finely ground.
Additional Homemade Pantry Staple Recipes:
24 Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes
Making Flavored Salts
Homemade Butter {using a Food Processor}
Homemade Baking Extracts {Vanilla, Orange & Lemon}
All-Purpose Baking Mix
Homemade Nut Butter