Herb and Spice Blends

[Guest guest]

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.