Seasonings are a mixture of various herbs and spices. Herbs and spices allow us to play and be creative in the kitchen as they can drastically alter the taste of a meal (negatively, if you're not careful! Hopefully, they will make an otherwise bland meal taste fantastic and complex.). Maybe you have a lifetime's supply of ground cinnamon because you keep forgetting you have any (aka: me) or you just want to try your hand at making your own seasoning mixtures. I’ve tried to find a wide selection. Making your own can be handy if you can't find the seasoning you are looking for, or if the premade ones have a high sodium content. Also, it can be a lot cheaper to make your own, in the long run.

There is a book called The Flavor Bible that shows what flavors and foods work well together. I haven't read it myself, but raw foodist Dara Dubinet recommended it. Seems like it'd be a useful book to have around the kitchen as I'd definitely love to learn more about what flavors and ingredients work well together.

How to use Herbs & Spices (not all of their recommendations are vegan, but it's really no big thang as you can just ignore those or just imagine they are talking about "vegan" chicken and such ;))

If you do want to purchase premade seasoning, iHerb carries hundreds, both in small and bulk sizes.

List of Herbs & Spices (not extensive)

Spices:

• Ajowan / Ajwain

• Bay Leaf

• Cambodge

• Caraway Seed

• Chinese Cinnamon (Cassia)

• Chillies

• Cloves

• Cumin

• Fennel

• Garlic

• Lemongrass

• Marjoram

• Nutmeg

• Saffron

• Vanilla

• Aniseed

• Black Pepper

• Capsicum

• Cardamom

• Celery

• Cinnamon

• Coriander

• Dill Seed

• Fenugreek

• Ginger

• Mango Powder

• Mustard

• Paprika

• Turmeric

• White pepper

 

Herbs:

• Anise Mint

• Basil

• Bayberry

• Chamomile

• Cilantro

• Coriander

• Curry Plant

• Dill

• Fennel

• French Tarragon

• Garlic Chives

• Lavender

• Lemon Balm

• Lemon Grass

• Lemon Scented Gum

• Lemon Verbena

• Licorice Plant

• Marigold

• Marjoram

• Mexican Oregano

• Mint

• Myrrh

• Onion

• Oregano

• Parsley

• Rosemary

• Sage

• Sweetleaf

• Thyme

• Tarragon

 

 

*With the following seasonings, keep in mind that some make quite a lot (from 1/4 cup to 2 cups) - half or quarter the recipes accordingly.

Seasoning Recipes

Taco Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container.

 

Seasoning Creole Seasoning

• 2 tablespoons onion powder

• 2 tablespoons garlic powder

• 2 tablespoons dried oregano

• 2 tablespoons dried basil

• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

• 1 tablespoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon white pepper

• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

• 5 tablespoons paprika

• 3 tablespoons salt

 

Directions In a small bowl, combine onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, basil, thyme, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika and salt. Store in an airtight container.

 

Poultry Seasoning

• 1 tsp Kosher salt

• 1 tsp white pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp dry mustard

• 1/2 tsp ground bay leaves

• 1 tsp garlic powder

 

Pumpkin Pie Spice

 • 2 tbsp cinnamon

• 1 1/2 tsp ginger

• 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1 tsp ground cloves

 

Jerk Seasoning

 • 2 tablespoons dried minced onion

• 2 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme

• 2 teaspoons ground allspice

• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

 

Southwestern Seasoning Blend

• 2 1/2 tbsp chili powder

• 1 tbsp ground coriander

• 1 tbsp Kosher salt

• 1 tbsp dried oregano

• 2 tbsp paprika

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper

 

Old Bay Seasoning

• 1 Tbsp ground Bay Leaves

• 2 1/2 tsp Celery Salt

• 1 1/2 tsp Dry Mustard

• 1 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

• 3/4 tsp ground Nutmeg

• 1/2 tsp ground Cloves

• 1/2 tsp ground Ginger

• 1/2 tsp Paprika

• 1/2 tsp Red Pepper

• 1/4 tsp ground Mace

• 1/4 tsp ground Cardamom

 

Cajun Seasoning

• 2 Tbsp Garlic Powder

• 2 Tbsp Cayenne

• 2 Tbsp Black Pepper

• 2 Tbsp dried sweet Basil Leaves

• 1 Tbsp Salt, optional

• 1 Tbsp dried Oregano Leaves

• 1 Tbsp White Pepper

• 1 Tbsp Onion Powder

 

Italian Seasoning 

• 1/2 cup dried basil

• 1/4 cup dried oregano

• 1/4 cup dried rosemary

• 1/4 cup dried marjoram

• 1/4 cup dried cilantro

• 1/4 cup dried thyme

• 1/4 cup dried savory

• 2 Tbsp ground black pepper

• 1 ½ Tbsp dried sage

 

Asian Seasoning 

• 1/4 cup onion powder

• 1/4 cup garlic powder

• 1/4 cup ground black pepper

• 2 Tbsp ground ginger

• 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes

 

Apple Pie Spice

  • 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon

• 1 Tbsp ground nutmeg

• ½ Tbsp ground allspice

• ½ Tbsp ground cloves  

 

References:

1. "Types of Spices." ,Types of Indian Spices,Different ,Different Types of Indian Spices. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. .
2. "List of Herbs." Perennial Garden Plants, Your Expert Guide for Flower Gardening. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. .
3. "Make Your Own Seasoning Blends: 7 Unique Recipes." - Simple Mom. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. .
4. "Seafood Seasoning Recipes." FishEx / Fisherman's Express. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. .