HERBS 'N SPICES: HERB BLENDS 

from Brenda Hyde

There are endless recipes for herb blends. Some are good, some aren't. Think of the recipes as suggestions, and adjust them to your taste. If you don't like celery seed all that much, but love oregano, then take one out and double the other. Today I have some nice recipes for blends that are easy to make and the ingredients are easy to find as well.

You've started growing herbs, you are harvesting them and hanging them to dry, now what? Make your own seasonings! It's SO much cheaper than buying seasoning from the grocery store, and you won't believe the taste difference because of freshness! Remember, store your seasonings away from heat. No cupboards next to or above the oven. You want cool and dry whenever possible!

Vegetable Herb Blend

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. celery seed
• 1 tbsp. dried oregano
• 1 tbsp. dried thyme
• 1 tbsp. dried basil

Mix ingredients together and either grind all at once, or grind what is needed in a mortar and pestle just before using. This is good over cooked vegetables.

Herb Blend for Dips or Spreads

Ingredients:

• 3 tsp. dried minced onion
• 2 tsp. dried basil, crushed
• 2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
• 2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
• 2 tsp. dried parsley, crushed
• 1 tsp. garlic granules
• 1 tsp. dried tarragon, crushed
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed

Combine all ingredients in an airtight container. This makes about 1/4 cup. Add a tablespoon or so to an 8 ounce package of cream cheese, sour cream or yogurt.

Herb Blend for Fish and Poultry

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. dried thyme
• 1 tbsp. dried oregano
• 2 tsp. dried sage
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary
• 2 tsp. dried basil
• 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. Use to season fish or poultry. Makes 1/4 cup.

All-Purpose Herb Blend

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. celery seed
• 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1/4 tsp. of dill weed
• 1/4 tsp. of dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil

Use as a general blend for sprinkling on bagels with cream cheese, popcorn, garlic bread, potatoes, rice or vegetables.

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

• grated peel of 1/2 lemon (not the white part underneath)
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Mix together and store in a covered container. Use in tuna salads, seafood, or dressings.

Bouquet Garni Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground bay leaves

Combine parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, basil, and bay leaves; store in an airtight container. Use in stews, soups seafood, chicken or vegetables. Makes 3 tablespoons. Store covered tightly.

Seafood Seasoning Blend

• 1 tablespoon ground bay leaves
• 2 1/2 teaspoons celery salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine bay leaves, celery salt, dry mustard, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, paprika, and cayenne. Store in an airtight container. You can use this as a substitute for Old Bay or other seafood seasonings. It's good on chicken as well.

Herb Lemon Seasoning

• 2 tablespoons lemon peel (no white)
• 1 tablespoon basil
• 1/2 tablespoon thyme
• 1/2 tablespoon oregano
• 1/2 tablespoon paprika
• 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 2 tsp. parsley flakes
• 1 tsp. celery seed
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Crush any leaf herbs like the thyme so they are very fine. Mix all together and store in container. Great for stir fries, roast chicken, or fish.

Italian Herb Blend

Use 1 tablespoon each of the following:

• dried oregano
• dried marjoram
• dried thyme
• dried basil
• dried rosemary
• dried sage

Grind or crush the dried herbs and mix together. Place into a jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool dark place.

Spiced Tea Mix

• 1/2 pound orange pekoe tea
• 2 tablespoons ground dried orange peel
• 1 tablespoon ground dried lemon peel
• 2 cinnamon sticks, crushed
• 1/4 cup whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon crystallized ginger, chopped
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg, grated

Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl and stir to blend well. Pour mixture into a container with a tight fitting lid. Makes about 2 cups of mix. Store for up to 6 months. Note: You can leave out the ginger if you need to.

Cajun Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon dried ground thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried ground marjoram
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 2 tsp. cayenne pepper-more if you want more heat
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion
• 2 tsp. garlic powder

Mix all ingredients well, and pour into jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark place.

Salad Dressing Mix and Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon ground dried dill
• 1 tablespoon ground tarragon
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 tsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. dehydrated lemon peel
• 2 tsp. dehydrated onion
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients well, pour into jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark place. You can season pasta salads, chicken or turkey salads, tuna, or any salad mix with this OR mix it with the following:

• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (light or regular)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
• 2 tablespoons salad herb mix

Thoroughly mix ingredients, place in a sealed jar and refrigerate until ready to use. Makes 1 1/2 cups. This can be used for potato salads, pasta or green salads.

Mexican Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon ground dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon ground chile pepper
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon coriander
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder

Mix all ingredients well, pour into a jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark place.

From Brenda Hyde, owner of Old Fashioned Living.com. Visit her for more tips, recipes and crafts. Sign up for her free newsletters here: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/news.html

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