Learn how to make your own gourmet seasonings which can be used in a variety of recipes.

Cinnamon Sugar Recipe

This mixture is a blend of cinnamon and sugar. Use it on top of buttered toast, muffins, cereals and oatmeal. It can also be used to sweeten coffee or strong black tea.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Blend the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.
2. Store in a covered container until ready to use.

Lemon Pepper Recipe

Make this blend in small batches as needed. Commercially made lemon pepper blends usually contain some sort of anti-caking agent to allow for long term storage. Lemon pepper tastes terrific sprinkled on top of freshly steamed vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons dried lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients to a coffee grinder and process into a coarse powder.

No Salt Herb Blend Recipe

This is a great salt substitute especially for anyone suffering from high blood pressure. Dried lovage leaves, which taste similar to celery, also work well in no salt blends. Other herbs to consider using are thyme and winter savory. Use this blend to sprinkle over foods as you would salt or incorporate directly into your recipes as they are being cooked.

Ingredients:

• 1 dried bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons celery seeds
• 1 teaspoon dill seeds
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients to a coffee grinder and grind to a fine powder.
2. For a coarser consistency grind the ingredients by hand using a mortar and pestle.

Pepper Blend Recipe

Use this blend sprinkled on top of soups, stews, sauces and gravies as a nice change from regular black pepper.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon white peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon allspice berries
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients into a peppermill and grind as needed.
2. If the allspice berries are very large you may need to pre-crush them in a mortar and pestle to enable them to fit inside the peppermill.

Pickle Spice Recipe

These blends can be used to make flavored vinegar which can then be used to make a variety of marinades, dressings and sauces. You can also use these blends to make homemade pickled vegetables.

Ingredients for savory pickle spice mix:

• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
• 2 teaspoons dill seeds
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 inch piece fresh ginger root
• 4 whole cloves garlic

Ingredients for spicy pickle spice mix:

• 1 whole cinnamon stick - broken into pieces
• 1 teaspoon mace
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon allspice berries
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns

Directions:

1. Steep all of the ingredients for either the savory or spicy pickle spice in 1 pint of cider or white wine vinegar.
2. Shake the bottle daily.
3. At the end of two weeks drain out and discard the spices.
4. The vinegar can be stored in a dark cupboard for up to one year.

Pie Spice Blend Recipe

Add this mix to pumpkin, apple or other types of pie. It can also be used in hot mulled apple cider. It also makes a nice addition to baked sweet potatoes or steamed winter squash. Use pre-ground spices to put this blend together. This recipe makes approximately 3 tablespoons of pie spice blend.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon allspice

Poultry Seasoning Recipe

Use this seasoning blend to flavor chicken, turkey, duck or Cornish game hens. It also makes a great addition to any kind of stuffing that is served along with your poultry dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 teaspoon marjoram
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 1 teaspoon savory
• 1 teaspoon thyme

Resources

See the article Ethnic Spice Blends for recipes on how to make harissa, garam masala, curry and more.

The article Classic French Herb Blends, contains recipes on how to make bouquet garni, fines herbs and herbes de provence.