The Kitchen Series: Making your own spice mixes.
The benefits of making your own mixes is that you can tweak them to fit your family, they save you money and are healthier for you. If you have problems with MSG or too much salt, you can adapt something to work for you. There are no odd sounding chemicals in the ingredients list here!
I'm going to list out some of the recipes I use...or have used to try for yourself. I have had these recipes for many years so I don't know the sources. This turned out to be a bigger list than I thought but they are all good recipes to have on hand!
Basic spice mixes you see on my spice pantry list:
Herbs De Provence Spice Mix
1/2 c dried marjoram
1/2 c dried garlic
1/2 c dried oregano
1/2 c dried basil
1/3 c dried thyme
1/8 c dried rosemary
1/8 c dried sage
1/4 c lavender
1 tbsp dried chives
2 bay leaf, crumbled fine
Remove any tough stems from the herbs and discard. Crumble and mix well; keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months.
Taco Seasoning Recipe
12 tsp Chili Powder
10 tsp Paprika
9 tsp Cumin
6 tsp Onion Powder
5 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months.
7 teaspoons mix equals one 1.25oz package of store bought taco seasoning.
Italian Seasoning
2 tbsp Basil
1 tbsp Oregano
1 tbsp Marjoram
2 tsp Rosemary
1 tsp Thyme
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months.
Season Salt
3 tbsp salt
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp celery salt
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp turmeric
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months.
Cajun Seasoning
3/4 tsp white pepper
1 tbsp sweet paprika
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground red pepper
3/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months.
Other spice and sauce mixes great to have on hand:
Onion Soup Mix
3/4 c minced onion
1/3 c beef bullion granules
4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp crushed celery seed
1/4 tsp sugar
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months.
5 tbsp mix equals one 1.25oz package of store bought onion soup mix.
Emeril's Essence (Bayou Blast) recipe
2 1/2 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp salt
2 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried thyme
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months.
Beef Stew Seasoning
2 c flour
4 tsp oregano
2 tbsp basil
4 1/4 tbsp salt
4 1/4 tbsp black pepper
4 1/4 tbsps garlic powder
4 1/4 tbsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp celery seed
4 1/4 tbsp onion powder
2 tsp rosemary
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months.
To use: Add 2 to 3 tablespoons per 2 pounds of meat.
Italian Salad Dressing
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp oregano
1 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp basil
1 tbsp parsley
1/4 tsp celery salt
2 tbsp salt
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months.
For dressing, mix 1/4 cup of cider vinegar, 2/3 cup of oil, 2 tablespoons of water and 2 tablespoons of dry mix. This is also good for use as a roast dry rub.
Ranch Dressing Mix
1/2 cup dry buttermilk
1 tbsp dried parsley, crushed
1 tsp dried dill weed
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried onion flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground pepper
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Keeps for 6 months.
1 tbsp mix equal to one store bought package.
Dip: add 1 tablespoon mix to 8 ounces yogurt or sour cream.
Salad dressing: Add 1 tablespoon mix to 1 cup mayo and 1 cup milk.
Replacement for Cream of ___ Soups Dry Mix
1 c powdered milk
3/4 c + 1 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup instant low sodium bouillon granules
2 tbsp dried onion flakes
1 tsp basil
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp pepper
Mix well and keep in a air tight container. Makes the equivalent of nine cans of cream soup. Keeps for 6 months.
For the equivalent of 1 can of cream soup, mix 1/3 cup of dry mix with 1 1/4 cups of cold water. Cook in sauce pan until thick.
So try one of these the next time you are looking for a spice mix...you may just save a little bit and never go back to buying it again. Check back soon for the next installment of The Kitchen Series!
Previous Kitchen Series Posts
- The Kitchen Series: Tools I love....
- The Kitchen Series: Stocking your drygoods pantry.
- The Kitchen Series: Stocking your fridge and freezer.
- The Kitchen Series: Stocking your spice pantry.
Posted in: In The Kitchen, The Kitchen Series on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM
