Spice Blend Recipes

Speaking of spices, I hate the fact that you have to go out and buy spice blends so if you don'twhen you have perfectly good spices in your cupboard that just haven't been put together yet. I decided to do some research and post a bunch of spice blend recipes have the mix you can make some yourself.


Adobo Seasoning

3-6 tablespoons salt
3 tablespoons onion powder
3 tablespoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground oregano

Cajun Seasoning

2 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon ground black pepper

Caribbean/Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

2 tablespoons dried minced onion
2 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons ground allspice
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Creole Seasoning

2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried basil
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon white pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
5 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons salt

Garam Masala (common Indian cuisine)

1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cayenne pepper

Greek Seasoning

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried mint
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic

Herbes de Provence (usually tied in a mesh cloth. If using fresh herbs, use one sprig each)

1 tsp crumbled bay leaf
1 tsp celery seeds
1 tsp lavender flowers
1 tsp marjoram
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp tarragon
1 tsp thyme

Indian Curry (Basic)

5 Tablespoons ground coriander
7 Tablespoons ground cumin
1 Tablespoon Paprika
1 Tablespoon Turmeric
1 Tablespoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
1 teaspoon ginger powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder


Italian Seasoning

3 tablespoons dried basil
3 tablespoons dried oregano
3 tablespoons dried parsley (I am disdainful of parsely as I think it has no flavor. If you don't have this I doubt it will make much difference)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Montreal Steak Seasoning

2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons crushed black pepper
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon granulated onion
1 tablespoon crushed coriander
1 tablespoon dill
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes


"Wet" Spice Blends

Cajun Trinity (the prominent base in most cajun/creole dishes, such as jambalayas, gumbos, etouffees, sauces, chilis and stews). Onion, bell peppers, and celery are the only essential ingredients--the rest is fluff. Another example of a "Trinity" of essential ingredients in a cuisine would be tomato, garlic, and basil in Italian cooking.

1 large sweet onion
1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
6-8 stalks celery
5 gloves garlic
2 handfuls of fresh parsley tops

Harissa (Northern Africa, common in Moroccan dishes)

1/4 cup dried chilies
4 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
2 teaspoons dried mint leaves or 2 tablespoons of fresh
1/3 cup olive oil

Sofrito

2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped
1 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
10 ajies dulces peppers, tops removed (can be subsituted with another red bell pepper)
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
4 onions, cut into large chunks
3 medium heads garlic, peeled
25 cilantro leaves with stems
25 leaves recao, or culantro (aka "long coriander," can subsitute with more cilantro)
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper

Tapenade (usually used as dip)

1/2 pound pitted mixed olives
2 anchovy fillets, rinsed
1 small clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons capers
2 to 3 fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil