8 Homemade Spice Blends

Hey East Coasters!

Stuck inside your house for the storm?  Bored?  

Why not make your own spice blends for quick cooking later on?  

Here's 10 of my favorites.  These are blends I often make and have on-hand.  Simply combine all ingredients and store up to 3 months in an airtight container.   Rub them on some chicken or whatever meat, cook-n-serve. 

These make entertaining easy too.  

More time to devote to side dishes and desserts, less time measuring our teaspoons and tablespoons of herbs.

AND they make great gifts!  Make now, pack in pretty glass jars with some decorative lace or whatever you're into, and voila!

'Na mean?

Creole Seasoning

5 tbsp sweet paprika

3 tbsp salt

2 tbsp onion powder

2 tbsp garlic powder

2 tbsp dried oregano

2 tbsp dried basil

1 tbsp dried thyme

1 tbsp fresh ground black pepper

1 tbsp white pepper

1 tbsp cayenne pepper (or more if you like SPICY!) or ground ancho chile pepper

1/2 tsp ground allspice

Chili Seasoning

1/2 cup chili powder

1/4 cup tbsp garlic powder

1/4 cup cumin

3 tbsp dried oregano

3 tbsp onion powder

2 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp thyme

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp white sugar

 Pumpkin Pie 

OR Apple Pie Spice

Enough for one pie

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp allspice

pinch cloves if desired

Macaroni and Cheese Spice!

Just add to the roux, add cheese, and bake.

1 tbsp powdered mustard

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I add 1 tsp for a little kick)

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

Taco Seasoning

1 tbsp chili powder

2 tsp ground cumin

3/4 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Harrisa Spice Blend

(A North African chili paste blend)

1/2 cup olive oil

3-5 dried red chili peppers or 1 1/2 tsp to a tbsp of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper

1/2 cup cilantro

4 tbsp ground garlic

1 tbsp ground coriander

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp dried mint

In a food processor, blend 1/4 cup olive oil with spices.  Pour into your airtight jar. Add remaining oil on top, and seal.  When ready to use, give it a good shake, and rub on meat. 

Jamaican-Me-Crazy Jerk Seasoning

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tbsp onion powder

2 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp dried thyme

2 tsp ground allspice

2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

Montreal Steak Seasoning

2 tbsp coarse salt

4 tsp ground coriander

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp onion powder

4 tsp dill 

4 tsp paprika

4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
4 tsp fresh ground black peppercorns