Spice mix
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Spice mixes are blended spices or herbs. When a certain combination of herbs or spices is called for in many different recipes (or in one recipe that is used frequently), it is convenient to blend these ingredients beforehand. Blends such as Chili powder, curry powder, herbes de Provence, garlic salt, and onion salt are traditionally sold pre-made by grocers, and sometimes baking blends such as pumpkin pie spice are also available. These spice mixes are also easily made by the home cook for later use.
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Common blends and sample recipes
Chili powder
Chili powder, as sold in stores, and called for in most recipes, is not simply powdered chili, but a blend of chili and other spices.
- 3-8 dried chilies (mix or match depending upon availability and taste)
- ancho (mild)
- pasilla (mild)
- mulato (mild)
- New Mexico/ristra (medium)
- cascabel (medium)
- chiltepin (very hot)
- 1 tablespoon cumin seed
- 1 tablespoon coriander seed
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves or allspice
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground red cayenne pepper
- Wearing protective gloves, break up the chilies into small pieces, and remove the seeds (or leave the seeds in for a hotter and slightly bitter flavor).
- Toast the chilies, cumin, coriander, cloves, and allspice in a dry skillet over low heat, stirring continually until you can smell the peppers (about two minutes). Depending on the size of the skillet and the amount of peppers you may need to do more than one batch.
- When the toasted ingredients are cool, pour them into a food-processor or blender along with the other ingredients, and grind it into a powder. Do not open the food processor lid until the powder settles.
- Store in an airtight jar.
Seasoned salt
A mix of salt and other spices. Recipes for this blend can be simple or complex.
- 1/4 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dehydrated garlic (minced or powdered)
- 1 dehydrated onion (minced or powdered)
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon each of however many of the following you have on hand:
- 1/4 teaspoon each of however many of the following you have on hand:
- ground white pepper
- chili powder
- curry powder
- powdered coriander
- dill weed
- crushed or ground caraway
- asoefetida
- sugar
- powdered soup bouillon
Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight jar.
Chili mix
Most American grocery stores sell little single-use packets of instant spice mix for seasoning chile con carne. This recipe is for a homemade version of the chili spice.
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion (minced or powdered)
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 2 teaspoons cumin powder
- 1-2 teaspoons ground red cayenne pepper or crushed/powdered chilli pepper (ancho)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dehydrated garlic (minced or powdered)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight jar. Use 1-3 tablespoons of Chili Mix per 1 lb of meat (to taste). Substitution: If you don't have seasoned salt, substitute powdered soup bouillon or increase the salt, pepper, and garlic.
Also see
List of herbs and spices, seasoning