Well I have found a few "recipes" for spice blends that I find I really do use quite a bit, and found the perfect way to make and store them without spending an arm and a leg. Canning Jars! The little half-pint size are the perfect. The jars seal tight (even without doing that whole canning process) so they are air tight, the mouth is the perfect size for measuring spoons, they stack in your cabinet, most are made with things that you probably already have and since they aren't too big, they don't go "bad" before you can use them up.
I find that I use salt, pepper and garlic all the time. So the perfect place to start was to make that combination
2 TBS Kosher Salt,
2 TBS Garlic Powder
1 TBS Black Pepper.
I can easily "mix" these in the jar and store in the cabinet. When I need to use it - I can "shake", open and measure (or not as the spirit moves me) into my pan.
Everyone who has an Emeril Cookbook has his Original Essence -- it's what the BAM is made of :) I always loved watching his shows (wish he was still on the Food Network) For a while I was using this on EVERYTHING - I just kept the "bam" in my head :) ok I will behave.
- 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
A barbecue blend that makes a great base to "heat up" or "sweeten up":
- 2 TBSP kosher salt
- 2 TBSP brown sugar ( I use 1 tbsp regular and 1 tbsp Splenda brown sugar)
- 2 TBSP paprika
- 1 TBSP black pepper
I don't know about you but I never seem to have poultry seasoning when I need it, then when I buy it - it disappears - like the poultry gods are angry or something. I found this great recipe to make my own - so I never have to go running to the store for it to disappear into the great unknown.
Poultry Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
You can find all kinds of "paring" or blends throughout the internet. Gosh you just have to love this "creation" of the 20th century, thank you Mr. Gore.
You can find all kinds of "recipes" at mexican spice blend or about.com - Spice Blends to get you started before you start venturing out on your own.
I love doing this because I control how much heat or sweet or salt or whatever is in my spices and those little jars make it so easy to store - I find that most of my "combinations" last longer than the little bottles of spices that you find in the grocery store. Well lets say they stay fresher than those - cause I seem to make my spice blends every 2 -3 months because I use them up quickly.
So do you think you could do this too? I bet you could.
Don't forget to sign up for my True Lemon giveaway......you will always have lemon, lime and orange flavorings without the alcohol of the store bought flavorings - right in your cabinet!
2 comments:
These sound like really great ideas. I may try some, especially at BBQ one.
Hugs & love,
Mimi
I was devastated when sams pulled the Garlic Rosemary seasoning off their shelves. I semi-recreated it. Making spices is fun!!!
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