Fresh Homemade Herbal Seasoning Blends

Seasoning Blends

All Purpose Meat Blend

Use this delicious blend on all kinds of meats and poultry.

2 parts rubbed sage

2 parts dried marjoram

1 part dried oregano

1 part dried basil

1 part dried thyme

1 part dried rosemary

½ part dried French tarragon

3 parts crumbled bay leaf

Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight, glass container.

**Discard bay leaf pieces before eating!

Basil Pesto

Make your own pesto at home and taste the true flavor of this easy and delicious mix.

4 c Fresh Basil Leaves

4 - 6 Cloves Garlic

¾ c Toasted Pine Nuts

½ c Fresh Parsley Leaves

1 t Salt (optional)

1 c Olive Oil

¾  c Freshly Grated Parmesan

Place all ingredients except the oil and cheese in a blender or food processor.

Slowly, while blender or processor is running, add the oil and process or blend to a chunky paste.

Do not over blend; you want this to be chunky, not smooth.

Add more oil if needed. Fold in the cheese and store this up to a week in the refrigerator, or for several months in the freezer, in an airtight container.

Use as a spread on tomato halves or slices, and broil.

Mix with oil and vinegar for an instant and tasty salad dressing.

Mix with bread crumbs to use as a filling for chicken.

Stuff mushrooms with the bread crumb mixture.

Serve over pasta.

Celery Salt

1 c Dried Celery Seed

2 c Coarse Salt

Process celery seeds in the blender, mini food processor or spice mill at highest speed until finely ground. Add salt and process at high speed until the salt is as fine as you like. Store in a small jar with a tight lid.

Chili Seasoning Blend

1 c Chili Powder

1 c Cumin Powder

½ c Salt

1 c Crushed Red Pepper (optional)

For a spicier blend add more chili powder or crushed red pepper

Garlic Pepper

1 c Garlic Powder

2 c Freshly Ground Black Pepper

2 c Salt

For a spicier blend add 2 c Black Pepper and/or 1 c Garlic Powder

Garlic Salt

1 c Garlic Powder

2 c Salt

Hot & Spicy Curry Powder Mix

4 T Dried Coriander

2 T Ground Turmeric

1 ½ T Ground Cumin

1 T Ground Fenugreek

1 ½ T Ground Black Pepper

1 ½ t Ground Ginger

1 ½ t Ground, Dried Red Chili

1 ½ t Poppy Seeds

¾ t Dried Mustard

½ t Ground Cardamom

Blend well and store in an airtight container away from heat and light. Use this pungent curry to flavor meat dishes.

Lemon Pepper

2 c Black Pepper

¾ c Dried Lemon Zest

1/3 c Coriander Seeds

¼ c Dried Minced Onion

¼ c Dried Thyme Leaves

NoSalt Salt

Here's a good recipe for a salt substitute. It does use kelp, which has trace amounts of sodium

chloride, much less than table salt.

3 T Dried Basil

2 T Dried Savory

2 T Celery Seed

1 ½ T Dried Sage

1 T Dried Thyme

1 t Powdered Kelp (obtained at most health food stores)

1 T Dried Marjoram

Powder the herbs in a grinder or blender. Store in airtight container away from heat and light.

Use in soups, stews, eggs, meats, any recipes to replace salt.

Magic Dust Seasoning

2 c Paprika

1 c Kosher Salt, finely ground

1 c Sugar

½ c Mustard Powder

1 c Chili Powder

1 c Ground Cumin

½ c Ground Black Pepper

1 c Granulated Garlic

½ c Cayenne

For a more hot and spicy blend, increase the mustard powder and black pepper to ½ cup each.

NoSalt Meat Salt

Great flavor on steaks, chops, burgers and chicken.

1 T Onion Powder

1 T Garlic Powder

1 T Italian Seasoning

1 t Dried Oregano

1 t Paprika

1 t Dried Parsley Flakes

1 t Dried Tarragon

Grind fine, place in large-holed shaker.

Use at the table to replace salt, sprinkle on meats before cooking.

Poultry Seasoning

Here is a great mix for poultry, and also makes a great gift. Pack it in small jars, wrap in colorful

cellophane, and tie a ribbon with the recipe included!

2 c Dried Parsley

1 c Dried Sage, crumbled

½  c Dried Summer Savory

½  c Dried Rosemary

¼  c Dried Lovage

¼  c Dried Marjoram

1 t Freshly Ground Pepper

1 t Dried Onion Powder

Mix well, store in an airtight container in a dark, cool place.

Use to season poultry, casseroles, and stuffings.

South-of-the-Border Meat Marinade

Use this on grilled steaks, roasts, kabobs, any beef recipe for a great Mexican flavoring.

1/2 Teaspoon salt

2 ½ t Dried Cumin

2 ½ t Dried Oregano

2 ½ t Ground Chili Pepper

2 ½ t Ground Cloves

2 ½ t Cinnamon

2 ½ t Ground Black Pepper

1 t Garlic Powder

Blend all ingredients well.

Mix 3 t with ½ cup chopped onion, 1 T olive oil, and 1 c of red wine vinegar. This will marinate 1 lb. of beef.

Spice Blend

1 c Paprika

1/3 c Cayenne

2/3 c Fresh Ground Pepper

¾ c Garlic Powder

1/3 c Onion Powder

¾ c Salt (can be adjusted to taste)

2/3 c Dried Oregano

2/3 c Dried Thyme

Taco Seasoning

1 ¼ c Instant Minced Onion

2/3 c Salt

2/3 c Chili Powder

2/3 c Cornstarch

2/3 c Crushed Red Peppers

2/3 c Garlic Powder

3 T Oregano

2/3 c Ground Cumin

Thai Blend

Combine:

Dried Mint

lemon zest

White Pepper

Lemongrass

Cumin

Cayenne powder

To create a wonderful herbal blend reminiscent of your favorite Thai cooking.

Zucchini Saver

Are you inundated every year with zucchini? Are you tired of trying to pawn it off on neighbors, friends, and unsuspecting family members? Look no further, this blend is so good with zucchini, you will want to hoard the harvest all to yourself.

8 T Dried Parsley

4 T Dried Chives

1 t Dried Basil

1 t Dried Marjoram

1 t Dried Oregano

1 t Dried Thyme

½ t Celery Seed

Mix well and store in an airtight container away from heat and light.

Use to flavor any zucchini recipe.

Mix with bread crumbs to make breaded slices of zucchini for frying or baking.

Works well with summer squashes and tomato dishes.

Toss with some thinly sliced zucchini, tomatoes, etc, and let sit for awhile.

Use a bit of olive oil if you want. Experiment!

The best time to have this around is of course at the end of summer.

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Black Olive/Rosemary Pesto

Want pesto but out of basil? Here you go!

1/3 c fresh rosemary leaves

1 c fresh parsley leaves

2 - 3 cloves garlic

1/2 c walnuts

1/2 c black olives, pitted

1/2 c olive oil

1/2 c freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Add all ingredients except oil and cheese to blender or processor, then slowly, as the blender is running, add the oil and process to a chunky paste. Do not over process.

Fold in cheese and store for one week in the refrigerator, or up to several months in the freezer in an airtight container.

Use with lamb, cooked meats as a spread or with the drippings for a great sauce, goes well with red meats and mushrooms, too.

Italian Herb Mix for Breads

Fast and easy way to add that herbal flavor to your garlic bread, bruschetta, or even biscuits.

1/4 c dried garlic granules

1/4 c dried basil

1/4 c dried parsley

1/4 c dried minced garlic

1 T paprika

1 t ground black pepper

1/2 t ground red pepper (optional)

Mix well, label, and store in glass jar with airtight lid, away from heat or light.

Uses:

Mix 2 tablespoons into 1/2 lb. softened butter or 1/2 cup olive oil to spread on garlic bread, pizza, or sauteed vegetables and pasta. Mix 2 tablespoons with 1/2 lb. butter, spread on a cut loaf of bread and sprinkle with parmesan or romano, broil a few minutes until lightly browned. Use your imagination; this recipe lends itself to many recipes!

Rice Seasoning Mix

Try this wonderful blend of herbs and spices in your next rice dish. Very tasty!

2 T dried basil

2 T chicken bouillon granules

2 T dried parsley

2 t onion powder

3/4 t garlic powder

1/4 t dried thyme

Mix and store in glass container with airtight lid.

Use in rice dishes, such as:

Rice Pilaf with Homemade Rice Seasoning Mix

1&1/2 c uncooked long grain rice

3&1/2 T Rice Seasoning Mix

10 strands of uncooked spaghetti noodles, broken into 1/2 inch pieces

2&1/2 c water

1 T butter

Mix rice blend with rice and pasta pieces. Add water and butter and stir. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

All Purpose Blend For Long Cooking Recipes

Use this great mix of herbs in rice dishes, soups, stews, and casseroles.

3 T dried oregano

2 T dried sage

1 T dried horseradish leaves

1 T dried savory

1 t dried chive flowers

1/2 t dried Russian tarragon

1/2 t dried lavender

1/2 t dried opal basil

(If Russian tarragon and opal basil are hard to find, use any tarragon or basil)

Mix well and store in airtight container. Keep from heat and light. This is really good to have on hand.

Toss a bit into stews and soups, the flavors really will last no matter how long you cook it.

Better Than Salt Mix

This recipe was given to me by a friend who got it from a book she has lost track of. If anyone knows the source, please let me know, it's a great no salt recipe and the creator should be acknowledged!

3 dried bay leaves, broken up

4 T onion powder

4 T dried oregano leaves

1 T dried lemon zest

4 T ground dried savory

4 T garlic powder

4 T dried basil

4 T dried marjoram

2 T dried rosemary

1 T dried sage

1 T dried thyme leaves

1 T ground black pepper

Grind everything fine, or crush to a coarse powder with a mortar and pestle. Use in a large-holed shaker, and store in an airtight container away from heat and light.

Use on salads, sliced tomatoes, meats, eggs, and fish.

NoSalt Herbal Flavoring

This is a favorite of mine, and I use it to make delicious herb butter for hot rolls or breads, as well as a general seasoning for everything on the table.

You can also mix this blend with a bit of salt, for an even greater taste with a still greatly reduced

salt intake.

Herb butter:

1/4 c of this mix with 1 stick butter.

It's great on fish, too.

6 T dried parsley

4 T onion powder

4 T dried oregano

2 T dried basil

2 t garlic powder

1 t dried rosemary

1 t dried sage

1 t dried thyme

1/2 t cayenne pepper

Grind all ingredients well in a grinder or blender.

Use with a large-holed shaker.

Cajun Mix

5 T paprika

2 T granulated garlic

2 T dried onion flakes

1&1/2 t dried oregano

1&1/2 t dried basil

1 t cayenne powder

1&1/2 t ground black pepper

Mix well. As you can see this is a no-salt recipe, but salt may be added, of course, for flavoring.

Use for grilling meats, hearty fish such as swordfish, tuna or salmon, or add to sour cream, yogurt, or mayonnaise to make a spicy dip for chips or vegetables.

Jamaican Blend

This is a spicy rub for meats and fish.

6 T ground allspice

3 t ground black pepper

1&1/2 t ground nutmeg

1&1/2 t ground cinnamon

1&1/2 t salt (optional)

1/2 t lemon zest (optional)

Mix all ingredients well.

Use 2-3 T of this rub with:

1 jalapeno pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped

1 T fresh ginger, grated

2 cloves crushed garlic

Tablespoons vegetable oil

Rub onto fish, beef, lamb and pork. Preferable cooking method is grilling.

Chorizo Sausage Seasoning Blend

Make your own chorizo! It's easy and delicious.

This recipe will make about 1/2 cup, enough to season

2 1/2  lbs. of lean pork sausage.

1/4 cup ground chili pepper, mild or hot, up to you

2 Teaspoons garlic powder

2 Teaspoons onion powder

1 ½ Teaspoons ground cumin

1 Teaspoon dried oregano

1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 Teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients well, and then blend it with:

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup Tequila

2 ½ lbs. lean pork sausage.

Mild Curry Blend

This is a sweet, fruity, anise scented curry mix.

6 T dried coriander

1&1/2 T ground turmeric

1&1/2 T ground fenugreek

1&1/2 T ground cumin

1&1/2 t ground cloves

1&1/2 t ground cardamom

1/8 t cayenne powder

Blend well and store in airtight container away from heat and light. Use with delicately flavored dishes such as fish, vegetables, and even on fruits.

Classic Italian Herb Blend II

This is another great Italian herb mix to make at home.

It's really good to use as an instant spaghetti sauce seasoning, as well as to flavor pizza sauces, meatballs, pasta salad, garlic bread, and salad dressing.

1 c dried basil

1 c dried parsley

1/2 c dried Greek oregano

1/2 c dried minced onion

1/4 c dried thyme

1/2 c dried minced garlic

1/8 c crushed mild dried chile peppers

1 T ground black pepper

1 T dried sage

(Note that no salt is used)

Mix all ingredients in large bowl and mix it well. Keep this in an airtight glass container in a cupboard or dark place to prevent fading and loss of flavor.

Try a teaspoon of this mix with 1 cup tomatoes cooked for 15 minutes for a delicious pasta/spaghetti sauce.

Taco Seasoning Mix

1/4 c dried onion flakes

4 t cornstarch

4 T chili powder

3 t ground cumin

3 t dried garlic flakes

2 t beef bouillon powder

1 ½ t dried oregano

2 T salt (optional)

Mix all ingredients and grind in a blender or grinder to a semi-fine blend. For beef tacos, use 3 tablespoons of the mix and 1/4 cup of water to each pound of burger.

Cook 15 minutes, adding more water if needed.

* Please Read Me

Part of the challenge of creating delicious ethnic dishes at home involves getting the spices right.

These ethnic blend recipes will give you a head start, and a chance to get creative in the kitchen.

You should be able to find most ingredients in your local market's ethnic or gourmet sections or health food stores. These blends will impart a richer, true flavor to your dishes, because you're mixing the blends yourself, as opposed to mixes that may have sat for years at the market.

All Purpose Soup Seasoning

You must try this, it's quite good. It can even make a bland can of soup taste decent. The lemon is barely there, mainly it brings out the flavors of your soup to the Nth degree. Great mix to have on hand.

2 T dried parsley

1 T dried thyme

1/2 T dried marjoram

1/2 T dried chervil

1/2 T dried basil

1/2 T celery seed

1 t dried rosemary

1 t dried savory

1 t dried lemon zest (this is important!)

Mix all herbs well, and store in an airtight container, away from heat and light.

Use in soups, homemade or canned, stocks, stews, and even tomato sauces. Excellent!

Salt Substitute Sesame Blend

Rich in flavor, using sea vegetables that do have trace amounts of sodium chloride, this is a wonderful flavor to add to salads, greens, vegetables, and casseroles.

1 cup sesame seeds

1 T garlic powder

1 T dulse flakes (find at health food stores)

1 T celery seed

1 T dried alfalfa

1 T dried parsley

Roast the sesame seeds in a heavy pan over medium heat, for just a few minutes and stirring constantly, until they are lightly browned.

Pour into a grinder or blender, add all other ingredients.

Grind to desired texture and store in an airtight container.

*If you can't find dulse flakes, try using an equal amount of hiihiki (ground), or a pinch of kelp powder.

Herbal Thai Seasoning Mix

If you enjoy Thai food, mix up this blend and use

to create some authentic and flavorful dishes.

4 T dried mint

2 T dried lemon zest

4 t ground white pepper

2 t ground black pepper

2 t dried lemongrass

1/4 t ground cumin

1/2 t cayenne powder

Mix and grind finely in a blender or grinder. Store in an airtight jar, away from heat and light.

Use to make Thai recipes, including:

Thai Roll Ups

A great finger food/appetizer

1/2 lb. ground chicken

3 cloves garlic, minced

4-6 T chicken broth

2 T green onion, finely chopped

1 T fresh cilantro, finely chopped

1 T Herbal Thai Seasoning Mix

3 T lime juice

1 T Nam Pla (fish sauce)

12 lettuce leaves, washed and dried

Heat 2 Tablespoons broth to a boil in saute pan. Add chicken and garlic, stir fry. Keep adding broth as needed till chicken is cooked. Remove from heat and mix in onions, herbs, lime and fish sauce. Mix well, spoon onto lettuce leaves, wrap up sides, then roll up, and eat with fingers. Delicious and easy!

One Spicy Meatball Mix

Have this on hand to make quick work of delicious Italian flavored meatballs. It can also be used of course by vegetarians on pasta and vegetables such as summer squash.

1/2 c dried chives

1/4 c dried basil

1/4 c dried lovage

1 T dried oregano

1 T dried thyme

1/2 t ground nutmeg

Mix well and store in airtight container, away from heat and light.

For meatballs, mix about 2/3 cup of this mix with 1 tablespoon freshly chopped jalapeno pepper (optional), add 1 lb. ground beef or pork and form into meatballs.

Cook as usual. This couldn't be easier!

* Introduction

Use these meat and seafood mixes in many ways.

Rub onto meats and poultry an hour or so before cooking.

Use in butters or oils as a baste. Sprinkle on steaks or roasts before grilling or cooking. Mix into breadcrumbs before coating chops, fish, or poultry. Marinade your meats and seafood prior to cooking in oils, vinegars, and these mixes. Try them in your sauces to go along with the meat or seafood, as well. Be creative!

White Lightning Chili Powder Blend

This chili powder recipe is delicious! Although there are many ingredients, take the time to create it and have it on hand, you'll be glad you did.

16 dried chile pequines, whole (if you can't find chili pequines, use dried cayennes or chili peppers and use 1/2 of the amount specified)

3 T chili powder (commercial, dark, and salt-free)

4 t cayenne powder

4 t paprika

1&1/2 t garlic granules (not powder)

1&1/2 t onion granules

1 t dried oregano

1 t dried rosemary leaves, whole (to dry whole fresh herbs, place on cookie sheet in a 150 degree oven for 30 minutes before using in blends)

1 t black peppercorns, whole

1 t cumin seeds, whole

1/2 t dried Mexican oregano

1/2 t juniper berries, whole

1/2 t ground ginger

1/2 t coriander seeds, whole

1/4 t dried epazote leaf

Mix all ingredients and grind in a coffee grinder to a powder, or just leave it unground and grind as needed in recipes. Use in mashed avocado for a great guacamole, in beef or chicken to make tacos, and of course in your chili recipes.

Three-Herb Blends

Try mixing these herbs to use with cheeses, fish, omelettes, salads, soups and stews, and vegetables.

1. 1 t dried basil, 1/2 t dried marjoram, 1/2 t freshly chopped chives.

2. 1/2 t dried borage, 1/4 t burnet, 1/2 t chopped chives.

3. 1 t dried burnet, 1 t dried thyme, 2 t freshly minced parsley.

4. 1 T minced celery, 1 t freshly minced burnet, 1 t freshly minced parsley

5. 1 t dried chervil, 1/2 t dried parsley, 1/2 t chopped chives.

6. 1 T freshly minced lovage, 1 t freshly minced parsley, 1/4 t dried oregano.

7. 1 t freshly minced sweet marjoram, 1 t freshly minced parsley, 1/2 t dried rosemary.

No Salt Rub for Roasting Meats & Poultry

2 t dried rosemary

1 t dried marjoram

1 t dried thyme

1 t dried savory

1 t dried basil

Grind and mix well, use as a rub for roasting, grilling or frying chicken.

Italian Herb Pasta Seasoning

This is a classic blend of Italian herbs for pasta.

3 T dried basil

3 T dried parsley

3 T dried oregano

1 T garlic granules

Mix well and store in airtight container. When adding to foods, crush with fingers.

Try mixing 1 cup of this blend with 1/4 cup melted butter or olive oil. Toss with warm pasta. Delicioso!

No Salt-Salt for Popcorn

Get your kids off the salt habit! They'll love this

on popcorn.

1/4 c dried basil

1/4 c dried marjoram

1/4 c dried thyme

1/2 c nutritional yeast powder

1 c cheddar cheese powder

1/4 c garlic powder

1/8 c kelp powder

In a grinder, grind the herbs (basil, marjoram and thyme) and mix well with the rest of the ingredients. Store in an airtight glass container away from heat and light.

Sprinkle on lightly buttered popcorn.

The Best Chicken Curry

This truly is the best chicken curry I've ever tasted.

4 T olive oil

2 onions, chopped

4 T mild or hot curry powder, your choice

1 c chicken broth

4 c cooked chicken, cubed

2 c fresh pineapple chunks (you may use canned but it's not as good!)

2 bananas, sliced

1 green apple, chopped

1 c shredded coconut, not the sweetened stuff

1/2 c chopped almonds

1/2 c mango chutney

1 cucumber, chopped

1 T lemon juice

1 c half-and-half

First prepare all the chopped and sliced ingredients.

Saute the onion in the oil for about 5 minutes, then add curry powder and cook for another 3 minutes or so. Add the broth and everything else except for the half-and-half, reduce heat, and cook covered for 2 minutes, until the fruit is just barely tender. Stir in the half-and-half just before serving. Serve with white rice. Delicious!

Homemade Fines Herbes Mix

This works well as a replacement for bottled and sold at the market jars of Fines Herbes. Try 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture to flavor ragouts, soups, and stews. For beef and pork roasts or steaks, sprinkle with the mix before cooking. Use a mortar and pestle for pulverizing/powdering your dried herbs.

1 T pulverized thyme

1 T pulverized summer savory

1 T pulverized sweet marjoram

1 T pulverized dried parsley

1 T powdered sage

1 T grated lemon rind

1 T celery seed

6 bay leaves, crushed

Mix well. Pack in small jars and seal tightly. Keep from heat and light.

Salt Free Herb

1 t dried basil

1 t dried parsley

1 t dried savory

1 Tt dried marjoram

1 t dried sweet paprika

1 Tt onion granules (not the powder)

1 t ground rosemary

1 t powdered milk (helps to keep it from caking)

Finely grind all ingredients and mix together well.

Keep in airtight container, away from heat and light.

Use in place of salt.

Pizza Blend

This is great on pizza!

2 T dried oregano

1 T dried basil

1/2 T fennel seeds, crushed

1/2 T dried thyme

1 t garlic granules

1 T cayenne pepper flakes

Mix well and store in airtight jar, away from heat and light. Sprinkle on pizza or anything that needs

a bit of a pick up. Chili, spaghetti, soups, etc.

Basic Salty Kick

To create you own herbal salt free blend, the only thing you need is imagination and some sort of seaweed! That's right, try Hijiki, Dulse or Kelp as an ingredient and then add your other favorite herbs for a naturally healthy and salty tasting blend.

Herbes de Provence

This is a classic French blend, good in anything with

tomatoes and especially good with lamb.

4 T dried thyme

2 T dried marjoram

1 T dried rosemary

1 T dried savory

2 t dried lavender flowers

1 t fennel seeds

Mix well and store in an airtight container, away from light and heat.

Quatre Epices (Four Spices)

This is a great blend for a salt-free recipe of the classic

meat seasoning, and couldn't be easier.

5 T freshly ground black pepper

2 T cayenne pepper

2 T ground ginger

1 T ground cloves

Mix well and store in an airtight container. Sprinkle on meats and use in pates.

* Please Read First

These are not the only blends in this category that use no salt; but they are the only ones created solely to be used to replace salt in a recipe.

These recipes will need to be ground finely, so that the mix can be shaken through either small or wide-holed shakers/jars. Use a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle if your arms need a workout.

Please Note! If you are on a No Salt Diet, as opposed to a Low Salt Diet, a few of these recipes use sea vegetables that contain sodium chloride.

The amount of sodium chloride in the total recipe is much less than regular table or sea salt, and it also holds many valuable trace minerals the body needs.

Popcorn, Poultry, and Pasta

Use this versatile mix on all three to replace salt. Delicious.

3 T dried marjoram

3 T dried savory

2 T dried thyme

2 T garlic powder

2 T kelp powder

1 T dried basil

1/3 T cayenne powder

2 T dried lemon peel (Optional)

Grind all ingredients fine, mix well and store in an airtight container.