No photos on this post. Sorry.

Oh okay. But it is not cooking related. This is in my living room with some of my own photos from traveling through Scotland. That was during my previous life. The photos are the Highlander Monument on Loch Schiel,  Glenfinnan viaduct trainline and the ruins of a cathedral. The “table” is my mom’s 1930’s sewing machine on which I learned to sew when I was eight years old. To this day I can only use a sewing machine while not wearing shoes. LOL. I learned to sew bare foot and barefoot sewing is my go to technique. 

I have been mixing my own homemade condiments for more than 10 years. I have complied some of most used ones in this post. I also use curry mixes, Asian mixes and North African spice mixes, but rarely.

I started making my own mixes because I once read the back of the seasoning packet. (Shudder!!!!!) I was horrified but I’m glad I read it. Then researched the unpronounceable ingredients. I didn’t even want to eat the ones I could pronounce i.e, (GMO) modified corn starch, mono sodium glutamate (MSG), soy, (the ever concerning) natural flavors, silicon dioxide (anti-caking). Gee thanks big food, I’ll take a knife or fork and break up the clumps, thank you very much.  And now we have to be concerned about insect additives.  I don’t have a smart phone but I have heard there is an app to identify insect ingredients. And herbs/spices have been irradiated starting almost 30 years ago before packaging.  

If you are preparing for hard times you don’t  have to eat tasteless food. Using just a little forethought and planning you can eat tasty food when there is an emergency. And many of the single ingredients are used in numerous combinations.

Taco Seasoning

• 4 Tbsp Chili Powder
• 2 Tbsp Paprika
• 2 Tbsp Cumin
• 4 Tbsp Onion Powder
• 4 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• 2 Tsp Sea Salt
• 1 Tsp Cayenne

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar. Use 2 or 3 tablespoons instead of the taco seasoning packet. I use this mix the most of all. Ground beef is just about the only meat that is still affordable. Buy on quick sale and freeze!

Pumpkin Spice

• ½ Tsp Nutmeg
• 1 Tsp ground Cloves
• 2 Tsp ground Ginger
• 4 Tsp ground Cinnamon

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar. I use it when I need a little taste of autumn.

Zesty Homemade Ranch Dressing

• 5 Tbsp dried Minced Onions
• 2 Tbsp Parsley Flakes
• 1 Tbsp Dill Weed
• 1Tbsp dried Chive Flakes
• 1 Tbsp Sea Salt
• 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
• ½ Tsp dried Basil
• ¼ Tsp Black or White Pepper

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar. To make a salad dressing mix 3 tablespoons with 1 cup of mayonnaise and 1 cup of buttermilk or Sour Cream.

Zesty Italian Dressing Mix

• 1 ½ Tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Tbsp Onion Powder
• 2 Tsp Oregano
• 1 Tbsp Parsley Flakes
• 2 Tsp Sea Salt
• 1 Tsp Pepper
• ¼ Tsp Cayenne Pepper
• ¼ Tsp Thyme
• ½ Tsp dried Celery Flakes

Combine all ingredients and store in airtight jar. To make a salad dressing put .6 ounces (17 g) of mix in a recycled glass salad dressing bottle. Add ¼ cup white vinegar or white wine vinegar and  3 tablespoons water. Mix well. Add ½ cup of olive oil. Cover mix well. Store in the refrigerator.  

Nick Stellino’s Magic Rub

• 1 Tbsp Sea Salt
• 1 Tbsp ground Black Pepper
• 1 Tbsp Onion  Powder
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Tbsp Parsley Flakes
• 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Mix and store in an airtight jar. (I’ll post a spicy corn salad and I use this recipe as part of the dressing)

Turmeric Nepalese Chicken Seasoning

• 4 Tsp Garlic Powder
• 2 Tsp ground Ginger
• 2 Tsp ground Cumin
• 1 ¼ Tsp ground Turmeric
• ½ Tsp ground Chili Powder
• ½ Tsp ground Black Pepper
• 2 1/1 Tsp Sea Salt

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar. Sprinkle over roasted chicken or fried chicken. So good!

Emeril’s Seasoning Blend

• 1 Tbsp Paprika
• 1 Tbsp Sea Salt
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• 1 ½ Tsp Onion Powder
• 1 ½ Tsp dried Oregano
• 1 ½ Tsp dried Thyme
• 1 Tsp ground Black Pepper
• 1 Tsp Cayenne Powder

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar. This seasoning is great on chicken, fish and even roasted vegetables.

Pickling Spice Mix

• 2 Tbsp Coriander Seeds
• 2 Tbsp Mustard Seeds
• 2 Tbsp Caraway Seeds
• 1 Tbsp Fennel Seeds
• 1 Tbsp whole Black Peppercorns
• 1 Tsp dried Red Pepper Flakes

Combine all ingredients and jar them. Use amounts as stated in pickling recipes.

Tatar Sauce

• ¾ c Mayonnaise (store bought or homemade)
• 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
• 3 Tbsp Sweet Gherkin Pickles, chopped
• 1 Tsp Pickle Brine
• 1 Tbsp Capers, chopped
• ¼ Tsp ground Black Pepper

Combine a ingredients in a wide mouth jar. Store in the refrigerator.  

Creole Seasoning

• 1 Tsp Paprika
• 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Tsp Onion Powder
• 1 Tsp Sea Salt
• 1 Tsp Cayenne Powder

Combine all ingredients and store in airtight jar. Use  in Creole Mustard recipe below.

Creole Mustard

• ½ c stone ground Mustard Seeds (you can pound the seeds in a mortar and pestle or whiz in a small food processor)
• ¼ c Vinegar ( your choice of flavor)
• 2 Tbsp Prepared Horseradish
• 1 Tsp Creole Seasoning
• ½ Tbsp Worchester sauce
• ¼ Tsp Hot Sauce
• ¼ Tsp Honey (Dark if you have)
• ½ Tsp Sea Salt

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and Chill for 24 hours before using.

Cajun Seasoning Recipe

• 2 ½  Tbsp Paprika
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Tbsp Onion Powder
• 1 Tbsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Tbsp dried Oregano
• 1 Tbsp dried Thyme
• ½  Tbsp Sea Salt
• ½  Tbsp ground Black Pepper

Combine all ingredients and store in airtight jar. Use  to make Cajun Mustard. Also this is the seasoning mix to use it you are going to make blackened fish or chicken over a high heat grill. SOOOO good.  Also if you roast this Cajun mix in a hot skillet, you can use it make blackened roast potatoes.

 Stir-Fry Spice Mix

• 1/4 c Garlic powder
• 2 Tsp ground Ginger
• 2 Tsp Sesame Oil (Toasted or unflavored)
• 1 Tsp Soy Sauce
• ½ Tsp Fish Sauce
• 1 Tsp Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Tsp ground Black Pepper
• 1/2 Tsp crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar. To use in a stir fry dish combine .7 ounces with 1/3 cup water. Stir and set aside to add to skillet in last minute of cooking the stir fry.