Herb and Spice blends and rubs are easy to make for your own cooking and wonderful to give as gifts any time of year.
Don't be afraid to try making your own combinations after you try a couple of these easy recipes!
Herb Salt
What you will need:
Free running salt-no iodine
plastic or glass jar or shaker
one bunch herbs
a cookie sheet
your oven!
Spread a layer of the salt on the cookie sheet-about 1/8 of an inch thick.
Chop the herbs fine, and spread on top of the salt. You may use chives
alone for a great flavor. Or mix basil, chives, thyme, and oregano together
for an herbal mixture. Create from what you have on hand, or can buy at
the store. Place the cookie sheet in a 200 oven. Every 10 minutes check the
herbs.You want them to be dry enough to crumble but you don't want any
browning to occur.Just take a wooden spoon and gently move it around
slightly. Depending on your oven, this may take 30 minutes. When dry, remove
the cookie sheet and cool.You can use your hands or anything with a flat
bottom to crush the herbs.Put the herbs and salt into a very dry bowl and
stir to mix. Transfer to your glass jar or shakers.This is great on meat, or
potatoes of any type! Great gift idea too.
Mild Herb Blend
You will need:
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried lemon rind
Mix ingredients together and place in plastic or glass jar.I save all my old spice
bottles for this purpose. Tie some raffia around the top and give with the
herbal salt! This mixture would be wonderful on vegetables with some butter.
Stuffing Herb Blend
6 tablespoons sage
1 tablespoon thyme
3 tablespoons sweet marjoram
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley
Combine together by chopping or mincing.
Keep up to one week in the refrigerator. Use
to season stuffing.
Zesty Herb Blend
3 tablespoons dried basil
3 tablespoons dried marjoram
3 tablespoons dried thyme
3 tablespoons dried tarragon
1 tablespoon dried lemon peel
1 tablespoon whole oregano
Place all items in a small jar and seal. Shake until
well blended. This is great for adding to meat
and vegetables.
Herb Mustard
You will need:
1 cup dijon mustard
1/4 cup herbs; basil or chives, or both
1 1/2 tablespoon white wine
Container
Chop the herbs fine, mix with mustard and wine. Place in container.
Will last 3 months in the refrigerator.
Basket Ideas!
A very nice herb basket would be all of the above placed in a basket with a
kitchen towel or napkin in a herbal themed pattern, tied with a bow of
natural raffia, and a victorian or country style gift card attached.
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is editor of Seeds of Knowledge, a freelance writer,
cook, gardener and Mom. Growing and using herbs has become one of
her favorite things.
