Herb and Spice Blends
By Brenda Hyde
You've started growing herbs, you are harvesting them and hanging them to dry, now what? Make your own seasonings! It's SO much cheaper than buying seasoning from the grocery store, and you won't believe the taste difference because of freshness! Remember, store your seasonings away from heat. No cupboards next to or above the oven. You want cool and dry whenever possible!
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Ingredients:
grated peel of 1/2 lemon (not the white part underneath)
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Mix together and store in a covered container. Use in tuna salads, seafood, or dressings.
Bouquet Garni Seasoning
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground bay leaves
Combine parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, basil, and bay leaves; store in an airtight container. Use in stews,soups seafood, chicken or vegetables. Makes 3 tablespoons. Store covered tightly.
Seafood Seasoning Blend
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon ground bay leaves
2 1/2 teaspoons celery salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Combine bay leaves, celery salt, dry mustard, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, paprika, and cayenne. Store in an airtight container. You can use this as a substitute for Old Bay or other seafood seasonings. It's good on chicken as well.
Herb Lemon Seasoning
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons lemon peel (no white)
1 tablespoon basil
1/2 tablespoon thyme
1/2 tablespoon oregano
1/2 tablespoon paprika
1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
2 tsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. celery seed
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
Crush any leaf herbs like the thyme so they are very fine. Mix all together and store in container. Great for stir fries, roast chicken, or fish.
Italian Herb Blend
Ingredients:
Use 1 tablespoon each of the following:
dried oregano
dried marjoram
dried thyme
dried basil
dried rosemary
dried sage
Grind or crush the dried herbs and mix together. Place into a jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool dark place.
Spiced Tea Mix
Ingredients:
1/2 pound orange pekoe tea
2 tablespoons ground dried orange peel
1 tablespoon ground dried lemon peel
2 cinnamon sticks, crushed
1/4 cup whole cloves
1 tablespoon crystallized ginger, chopped
1 teaspoon nutmeg, grated
Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl and stir to blend well. Pour mixture into a container with a tight fitting lid. Makes about 2 cups of mix. Store for up to 6 months. Note: You can leave out the ginger if you need to.
Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dried ground thyme
1 tablespoon dried ground marjoram
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed
1 tablespoon cumin
2 tsp. cayenne pepper-more if you want more heat
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon dehydrated onion
2 tsp. garlic powder
Mix all ingredients well, and pour into jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark place.
Salad Dressing Mix and Seasoning
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon ground dried dill
1 tablespoon ground tarragon
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. dehydrated lemon peel
2 tsp. dehydrated onion
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
Mix all ingredients well, pour into jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark place. You can season pasta salads, chicken or turkey salads, tuna, or any salad mix with this OR mix it with the following:
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (light or regular)
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
2 tablespoons salad herb mix
Thoroughly mix ingredients, place in a sealed jar and refrigerate until ready to use. Makes 1 1/2 cups. This can be used for potato salads, pasta or green salads.
Mexican Seasoning
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon ground dried oregano
1 tablespoon ground chile pepper
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon coriander
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
Mix all ingredients well, pour into a jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark place.
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is a wife and mom to three living in the Midwest United States. She is also editor of OldFashionedLiving.com.
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