How To Friday ~ Spice Blends...Find the Spice Fairy within Your Heart!

Today was a busy day both in the kitchen, and on the crafting table. My feets is pooped! I've got our first Porch Stand Market coming up this weekend, and it's always a scramble when things get down to the wire. Todays focus on the food gift ideas is Giftable Spice Blends.

I keep quite a stock of herbs and spices on hand, so that it's easy to create a blend for almost any cuisine. Herbs that you'll always find are Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley, Dill, Marjoram...blends like Italian Seasoning and Herbes de Provence are in there, too. Seeds, like Cumin Seed, Caraway, Coriander Seed, Dill Seed, Mustard Seed...and some of their ground counterparts, like Ground Cumin and Mustard Powder. I don't keep dry Cilantro...it's available fresh for so cheap!

Over the years, as a chef and caterer, I've developed my own signature blends that make it a snap to prepare your favorite things without having to mix everything together, first! These ones, above, are some of the layered ones that I did a couple of weeks ago. I like the way the colors look like dunes...don't you? And the specialty apothecary glass makes it so special! When you look at the pricing for seasoning containers, you're going to spend at least 50 cents on each, for the plain ones. These were pretty...my clients like pretty, and are more likely to buy something that shows I looked around to find a way to make something simple be an attractive addition to the kitchen counter.

Today, because I had so much going on, I did the blends that are premixed...no time for layering this afternoon! They're still pretty!

And, because I'm exhausted, and probably on the brink of delirium, I'm going to share a couple of the secrets formulas for flavor...right here, right now!

From the left, you'll see, first...

Harissa, Dry Spice Mix (Harissa is a North African spice blend...it smells amazing!)

• 8 Tablespoons Dried Chili Powder (I did a mix of California dried, Ancho dried and Cayenne)
• 4 teaspoons Cumin Seed
• 4 teaspoons Coriander Seed
• 2 teaspoons Caraway Seed
• 4 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
• 2 teaspoons Sea Salt
• 1.5 teaspoons Garlic Powder

First, lightly toast the Cumin, Coriander and Caraway Seeds in a dry fry pan until you can smell the spices. Let it cool and mix with the rest. To make a Harissa Paste, just add water or oil, and spread it on your chicken or roast. I use it as a dry shake for ribs, too...so good! Do add extra salt to your meat. This is light salt in the blend, overall.

Jamaican Jerk Spice Blend

• 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
• 2 teaspoons Cayenne
• 2 teaspoons Dried Thyme
• 2 teaspoons Dried Parsley
• 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
• 2 teaspoons Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Allspice
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoons Crushed Pepper Flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Just mix the ingredients together and store in a cool dry place. Shake on your poultry, fish or pork and grill! Yum!! These will store for a year, if they last that long!

I'll save the Steak Seasoning for another day! Give these a try! And, if you do homestead crafts for selling at your local Farmer's Market, these are ideal! I put a $5 price tag on the singles, but always offer a bundle discount of 3 for $12. With the apothecary jar costing 75 cents, and the seasonings being minimal expense, these are a good investment!