Herb and Spice Blends by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

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 www.OldFashionedLiving.com.

 

Visit Glenbrook Farm here for bulk dried herbs and spices when you can't grow your own.